Posted on 9/8/10 HAPPY NEW YEAR! This week marks the beginning of a new ministry year here at FCC. Actually this is a milestone of sorts because, after now completing 15 years of ministry, we've turned a page in the history of our church. Last month, we entombed a time capsule in the flower bed in front of our church that is to be reopened 15 years from now. So we are embarking on the next 15 years beginning right now! This Sunday, we are gathering together in unity to take the first step into the future. I'm not only referring to our own church family and our worship experience this Sunday morning, but I'm also referring to our evening service called, "A Night to Imagine". This will be the first time the churches of the ACTS Network come together to worship, pray and envision the transformation of our community. There's so much more I would like to tell you here, but space is limited. Please make every effort to be in our morning services as I bring our outlook for the 2010-2011 ministry year as well as begin a new message series, "The Power of Unity". Of course, Promiseland begins as well. Then on Sunday evening, we'll meet at the Norwalk High School at 6pm. Additional details for all these services are included on our website. These are exciting times!Posted on 8/25/10
School started this week, so you know what that means...summer is officially over! I can hear every elementary, junior & senior higher and college student groaning. Hard to believe that we've breezed through August and are about ready to begin September and a new fall. Actually, I'm excited about a new ministry year set to begin on Sun, Sept 12th. Be sure to take a look at our website for details about our Fall Kick Off & Open House Sunday. The highlight of that day is actually something that won't even take place here at FCC. I'm talking about our ACTS Network joint worship service at the NHS gym at 6pm. This will be our very first time to worship together as a network of Norwalk churches dedicated toward the spiritual transformation of the Norwalk area. I can hardly wait. Whatever you do, put this service on your calendar and circle it big! This is an event of historical proportions and is the beginning of what we pray will be a great move of God that will result in God's kingdom expanding both here and around the world. More details to come. This Sunday in our morning services, our focus will be the Lord's Supper. In the evening, we will have our second Vision Dessert of 2010. I'm asking every member and attender of FCC to be here at 6pm as we wrap up the second period of the year. We have quite a bit to cover together including new staff to introduce, upcoming calendar events and financial information. If you can bring a dessert to share, contact Betty Minella at the church office. All 6th-12th graders will meet upstairs at the same time in Fellowship Hall with watermelon outside following.Posted on 8/19/10
100%! That's our goal. That's what we're aiming for, praying about and asking you to be a part of...not 75%...not 95%...not 99%. 100%! That's the percentage of FCCers I believe should be involved in a ministry here at FCC as well as the percentage of FCCers who should be involved in a Growth Group this coming ministry year for spiritual growth. There are many reasons to be involved in a group:
The biblical reason: because the early church met together in homes
The practical reason: because we can't fit everyone into our facility for spiritual training at the same time
The spiritual reason: because small groups give everyone the best opportunity to become a fully developing follower of Christ
And the balanced reason: because small groups are the best way to instill the biblical values of Bible Study, prayer and fellowship
Growth Group sign-ups begin September 5th! I believe 100% of FCCers should serve in ministry because:
God created you to serve in ministry. (Eph. 2:10)
You've been saved to serve. (2 Tim. 1:9)
Every follower of Christ has been called to minister to others.
(1 Peter 2:9-10)
You've been authorized to serve. (Matt. 28:19-20)
You've been commanded to serve others. (Matt. 20:26-28)
And one day you'll be rewarded for using your gifts of service to others.(Col. 3:23-24)
This Sunday, be sure to check out the various ministries and ways you can serve God at FCC. It's also "Back to School Sunday", so our emphasis will be on children and youth. I'll finish my series, Revival Kings, with a look at King Josiah. In preparation read 2 Chronicles Chapters 33-35. Posted on 8/12/10
As I write this, a group of fourteen FCC adults and youth are on a cross-cultural missions trip to Mexico. We received this update from the group yesterday:
Having an amazing time. Everyone is tired and dirty but feeling blessed! Thanks for praying.
Please be in prayer for our brothers and sisters this week that God would guide and direct them and bring them back safely. They will return this Sunday. This Sunday is also our deadline for our School Supply Project. If you can bring some pencils and/or supplies, drop them off at the table in the lobby. The administrators and teachers are anxious to put our supplies in the hands of the students here in Norwalk. Thanks to everyone for assisting our church to make a difference in our community! Fall is in the air (well, it will be soon), and we are gearing up for a new ministry year set to kick off on September 12th. In preparation for the new year, this Sunday we are holding our annual Ministry Fair, which showcases the ministries of FCC. Everyone will have the opportunity to locate a place of service here in our body or change where they are serving. I hope you'll come ready to either continue serving or to jump in and get involved. Be sure to stop at the ministry tables and speak to one of our ministry representatives after either service. Finally, we'll be continuing our message series, Revival Kings, by looking at King Jehoshaphat. In preparation, read 2 Chronicles Chapters 17-21. Posted on 8/4/10
It was truly a blessed day last Sunday as we celebrated our fifteenth anniversary. We saw a DVD that included testimonies from our founding members and many others whose lives have been touched by God through the ministry of FCC. You can watch it in its entirety on our website.Following the service, we buried a time capsule to be reopened in fifteen years, and we culminated the day with an awesome potluck lunch & cookout. After we ate, we had a volleyball match between the staff and spouses and the youth. Who won? Well, let's just say the youth will be gunning for us next year! :) Last Sunday, I also began a new series entitled, "Revival Kings". In this challenging study, we're looking at the four leaders God used to stir revival fires among His people during the days of the divided kingdom. For this Sunday's message on King Asa, read 2 Chronicles Chapters 14-16. Finally, there's a lot more information in this communication about the new youth service format, our School Supply Project and our upcoming Norwalk Schools Appreciation Lunch. August is here and with it some great opportunities for outreach and spiritual growth.Posted on 7/29/10
You've heard the old expression, "My how time flies..." Well, I couldn't agree more. This Sunday, we are celebrating our 15th anniversary as a church. It's hard to believe it's been that long since we gathered together in the Norwalk High School gymnasium to birth a new local body of believers. In many ways, it really has gone by quickly, and certainly a lot has happened over the last 15 years. To me, the greatest blessings have been watching God change lives and families - and we've definitely see a lot of that through the years. This Sunday, some of our founding members will share their thoughts and memories, and we'll hear some testimonies from FCCers whose lives God has changed through our church family. I think your heart will be blessed as you hear what these folks have to say. I'll be bringing a message I've looked forward to bringing for a couple of months now, and we'll top the morning off with the burial of a time capsule that we will reopen on our 30th Anniversary. Be sure to bring the envelope we sent to you in the mail and include some memories in it that you will look forward to seeing again in another 15 years. Finally, we're having a cookout/potluck lunch following the service, so be sure to read all the details in this e-mail as a reminder of what to bring. It's going to truly be a great day of fellowship, fun, celebration and thanksgiving in our Lord's name.Posted on 7/14/10
Once again I stand amazed at the loving servanthood displayed by dozens and dozens of FCCers during our Fun Fest outreach this week. This morning, over 250 children were welcomed into our facility. God gave us a great first day, and one of the biggest blessings to me was seeing so many people volunteering their time and energies to serve these children. Way to go, FCC! Please keep the final two days of this outreach in your prayers. Pray especially for me as, due to my team losing the Penny Challenge today, I will be kissing a big frog in the morning. Oh well, it's all part of the fun! Just a reminder to keep Sunday, August 1st, clear on your calendar as we come together in one service to celebrate our Fifteen Year Anniversary. It's going to be a great morning of worship, praise, reflection, challenge and food. I'm looking forward to being back in the pulpit to share God's Word with you.
