Dear Friend,

Building a community of faith is the process of making disciples for Christ by connecting people to God through worship, connecting people to others through fellowship, connecting people to ministry through service, and connecting people to the lost through relational lifestyles.

On Saturday, June 15^th, from 6 PM until 9 PM we will be reaching people in our community to connect them to God and to our congregation.  We are participating in Upper Uwchlan’s Block Party.  We will have a table set up with items to hand out plus a big question mark.  We will have people circulating the party route (Rt 100 from Eagle Tavern to Park Road) inviting people to church, directing them to our display table, talking to them about the Lord.  We will have contact information cards for them to fill out so we can continue our connection with them. 

There will be an orientation meeting – “What do I say to people in order to connect with them?” at 5:30 PM in the sanctuary.  There will also be a prayer meeting from 6-8 PM at the church.  We will be praying for God to connect us to people He wants us to reach for Him.

On Sunday morning, June 16, during the Sunday School hour, 9-10 AM, in fellowship hall,  Dr. Eck and I will be hosting an informal follow up session for people who attended the block party and want to know us better.

Would you consider joining us in connecting people to our church?  We need laborers, people who will set up, tear down, minister at the table, circulate through the crowds, and be part of the prayer team?  We really need your help. You will be rewarded with a great fireworks display at 9 PM.

Thanks,

Pastor Chaya

 

Dear Friend In Christ,

Jim Cymbala, the pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle Church in New York City, tells in his book Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire about a pastor from Australia who attended the Tabernacle one Sunday.  Cymbala invited him to the pulpit to share a few words with the congregation. This pastor walked to the front and made one comment. 

     Here’s something to think about.

     You can tell how popular a church is by who comes on Sunday morning.

     You can tell how popular the pastor or evangelist is by who comes on Sunday night.

     But you can tell how popular Jesus is by who comes to the prayer meeting.

And with that, he walked off the platform.  That was all.  Cymbala never saw him again.

I agree with this man from ‘down under’.  How about you?

Prayerfully,

Pastor Chaya

 

Dear Friend In Christ,

As we approach Holy Week, did you ever wonder how many people who came to Jerusalem to observe the Feast of the Passover were actually affected by Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection?  Did you ever wonder how many of the people were even aware of what happened?  

Afterall, people came from all parts of the land and foreign countries to observe this joyous holiday.  They came in bands, singing pilgrim psalms, bringing with them offerings.  Josephus, the Jewish historian, estimates that over 275,000 lambs were slaughtered for the Passover meal.  

As the Passover lambs were slaughtered in preparation for the Passover meal, The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world was being crucified on a cross outside the city.  How many holiday revelers failed to take notice to Jesus because they were too busy enjoying the holiday? 

I wonder how many were annoyed that such a gruesome event was taking place at that time and was ruining their holiday?  Couldn’t the officials have waited a few days?  Christ’s death was such a distraction, it cast a shadow over their eight day celebration, it was such a disappointment. 

Did you ever wonder how many people will miss the events of Holy Week, miss the significance of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection this year because they were too busy enjoying Spring Break or the Easter holiday?

May the Holy Spirit draw us away from the ways of the secular world to observe the most significant week in the history of the world.  May He move in us to take the time to read the scriptures, worship and reflect on what Christ’s death and resurrection means to us today and throughout eternity.

Prayerfully,

Pastor Chaya

Dear Co-Laborer In Christ,

Rome is Burning

There is a story that the Emperor Nero set fire to Rome, and then played his lyre and sang as he watched the flames. Afterwards he denied this and blamed the Christians for the destruction. 

Fiddling

Fiddling while Rome burns is an idiom that means to occupy one’s time doing something unimportant while a disastrous situation is happening.

Our Nation is Burning, and Many are Fiddling Around.

I do not need to elaborate, you know it’s true.  And you know that there is much fiddling around while our nation is burning.

Windsor Baptist Church and Schools Are Not Fiddling Around

Praise God!

Dozens of people are actively involved in the Gospel ministry, serving in the church, the schools, and in the community, rescuing souls from the flames.

Thank God!

Many are working behind the scenes: the staff, the boards, the committees, the schools and the humble servants to advance the Gospel.

Thank God!

Many are investing their time, talents and treasures in kingdom work.  Many are contributing to the operating budget and to the building fund.

Thank God! 

The nursery workers, youth leaders, Sunday school teachers, small group leaders, mercy ministry servants, and volunteers faithfully fulfill their duties.  Snow removal, safety and security, hospitality, facilities management, administration, and the many who send cards, make phone calls, care for the infirmed, and support those who are grieving or who are not feeling well are appreciated.   No fiddling around here.

Thank God!    

The music ministry, music committee, the choir, the musicians, the young people have added so much to our worship services with their musical abilities.  There is some fiddling around here, but for a good reason.

Thank God! 

The building committee continues to make significant progress in building a community of faith and a new building that will facilitate growth.

Thank God!

 The most important work in dousing the flames is prayer.  God has raised up a group of faithful prayer warriors to petition the Lord regularly. God is answering many of those prayers. 

An Invitation to Everyone

If you haven’t been involved in a ministry, I invite you to speak with one of the pastors, elders or deacons to learn how you can join the effort to glorify Jesus Christ through service and dampen the flames that are consuming our society.  Please join us in praying for God to send a revival and to save many souls.

Prayerfully,

Pastor Chaya,  Senior Pastor