CONNECTED BY FAITH eNewsletter

FALL/WINTER 2014

faithwilmington.com

From Your Pastor

As the leaves turn and the seasons change, families gather around the table for holiday meals. Family gatherings can be occasions of joy or stress.

The joy comes from celebrating the blessings of life and sharing together years of love.

Stress arises from unresolved or renewed conflict and the hard realities of life.

Our church gatherings carry these same realities. We celebrate together the joys of life and the hope of the Gospel, but we also carry with us the pain of life. But in worship we are given the framework for dealing with conflict and pain.

We follow the biblical command to "rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn" (Romans 12:15). We can worship even in the midst of pain because we have the hope that God is making all things new. And the forgiveness of the Gospel is the pattern and motivation for our forgiveness. "Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Colossians 3:13).

As we gather together through the holidays for worship, I encourage you to rejoice in the hope of the Gospel, carry the burdens of your fellow believers, and invite your neighbors to "pull up a chair" as we celebrate the work of God in our midst.

UPCOMING KEY EVENTS

Operation Christmas Child
November 16, 6 p.m.
Read more...

Thanksgiving Worship Service
November 27, 10-11 a.m.

Thanksgiving Offering
Supports Faith Missionaries. Offering taken November 27-December 31 during both services.

Women's Fellowship Event
December 12, 7-9 p.m. in the Bob Gray Chapel.

Christmas Concert
December 7th at 6 p.m.

Pioneer Club Notice
There will be no Pioneer Club meeting on December 17th or 24th, due to Christmas Break and Christmas Eve.

FULL CALENDAR

Thanksgiving Offering: Jeff & Holly Robinson

In this season of gratitude, further the work of the Gospel through Faith's thanksgiving offering, beginning at the Thanksgiving Worship service on November 27, and continuing through December 31.

This year, our offering will support Jeff and Holly Robinson, who serve with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Tanzania.

Their current needs include finding a new vehicle that is strong enough for the tough terrain, and preparing for their first child in March.

They will be in the United States from December to July. Jeff and Holly are members of Faith, and Jeff grew up in this congregation. His parents are Mark and Vickie Robinson.

Why Worship?

We talk about worship quite a bit around here; the Bible also talks about worship quite a bit. Living in this technological age, you can hear our sermons on the radio, stream them at faithwilmington.com, and even have access to countless programs, apps, TV stations, and books to provide private worship time. So, are those mediums good substitutes for worshiping in church next to other believers?

What is worship?
Acknowledging and rejoicing in the truth of who God is and what He has done for us, through Christ.

Why do I need worship?
It's how we were designed; in the depth of who we are, we are made to worship. God's desire is that we worship Him rather than earthly things. God alone is truly worthy of our worship. And, since this is how we were made, our joy is maximized when we praise Him.

Can't I just do that privately?
Yes, you can (and should) worship privately. Setting aside some quiet time between you and the Lord, even together with your family, is an essential part of growing close to God and bringing His truth to the reality of your every day life. However, unless you are unable to physically get to church, private worship should not be the only worship that you participate in. Martin Luther once stated, "at home, in my own house, there is no warmth or vigor in me, but in the church when the multitude is gathered together, a fire is kindled in my heart and it breaks its way through". Worshiping next to other believers provides an awakening, a clarity; when we gather together we encourage others and can be encouraged by others. Our joy is maximized when we magnify our praise together with others.

So, what should I expect when I come to a worship service at Faith?

We typically sing, pray, listen to the Bible being read and taught, and celebrate the sacraments. Our music has varying styles, but the exact same goal - to point our hearts and minds to the worship of our Savior Jesus. Our worship is designed for people to participate, but you're welcome to just come and watch.

When are Faith's worship services?

We have two worship services on Sunday mornings. At 8:30 a.m., we gather for contemporary worship where music is led by more modern instrumentation of guitars, drums, pianos, and singers. At 10:45 a.m., we gather for traditional worship where the hymns of our faith are sung typically to organ and choirs. The sermon is the same in both services each week.

Check out some other FAQs.

Generosity Moment: Just when I thought I was being generous...

Being in the fundraising world gives me some great insights into human behavior.

I see the humble grandmother of modest means, faithfully sending gifts in every month and letting me know how she is praying for the school. I see the successful businessman who delights in writing big checks, because God has blessed him with the ability to make a lot of money.

On the other hand, I see people of means, who think of themselves as generous because they give their opinions - but who have trouble parting with their money. They say they want to give, but writing that check is so hard. That makes me sad, because they miss the joy of cheerful giving (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Sometimes, however, I can get a little smug because the Lord has, and is, growing my giving muscles. I especially get that way when I look at the cars people drive, and I make a unilateral determination that the person's priorities are misplaced.

The other day, I was having a meal with a friend in a New Jersey truck stop, a favorite stop of mine. We were both dressed in a coat and tie, clearly not the usual look among truckers. We were there to discuss Christian schools. We prayed before our meal and got on to our pretty deep discussion about some personnel issues at his school. When we asked the waitress for the check, she said, "You don't have one; the truck driver who just left paid for your meal." "How ironic", we said. "Here we are, all dressed up and looking like we have money, and hardly noticing the man in the booth eight feet away - paying for our meal!"

He had already left, as if to say, "no thanks necessary." As they say in the vernacular, "Schooled again!"

I still need lots of God's grace. When I was a miserable heathen who cared nothing for the Kingdom, God did not strike me down or ignore me. When I accepted the free gift of eternal life I was still far from full obedience. God showed me grace again. When I have been blessed with abundance, I often forget where that abundance comes from.

Each of us is somewhere on the path to being biblically generous. Rejoice with me that we serve a God who does not allow us to stay put, but Who waits patiently for His children to catch His vision.

As we prepare for Thanksgiving and Christmas, let's remember the Lord of the Harvest and His amazing generosity in giving us the greatest gift of all - His One and Only Son.

Harold Naylor

Faith Christmas Choir

Join us as we kick off the Christmas season with our annual concert.

And, if you'd like to participate, it's not too late! Practices are Wednesday's from 7:35-9 p.m. in the upstairs choir room.

If you have any questions, please contact the

church office.

Community Groups - Find One Today

Community Groups are gatherings where small teams of friends get together to talk about the implications of the Gospel in our lives, sharing our struggles and victories side by side with other Christians and seekers.

What are Community Groups?

What groups are available?

Why are Community Groups important?

VOLUNTEER

TODAY

We are all part of the body of the church, each of us bringing our own gifts and talents as we do church together. We couldn't do it without you. Volunteer Today.

Find a ministry where you can share and give back in light of what Christ has given to you.

Connected By Faith is a quarterly eNewsletter

with contributions from the pastors, elders,

deacons, and members of Faith Church.

Published by Kate Thompson

and the communications team.