CONNECTED BY FAITH eNewsletter

Winter/Spring 2015

faithwilmington.com

From Your Pastor

The beginning of the year brings excitement, but the cold, gray days can sap us of energy. Our annual calendar helps remedy this stubborn temptation to linger too long in despair.

Our annual congregational meeting each January allows us to reflect on what God has done in the past year, celebrate his grace working in our lives, and sends us into the rest of the year with purpose. Our worship services, Sunday School, Community Groups, and the launch of Faith Explored, point us to the hope which is ours in Christ. And then our annual Missions Conference in March sends us boldly out into our communities with the hope of the Gospel.

This calendar pattern - remember and reflect, look to Christ, and go into the world - is really the basic pattern for living the Christian life.

We need to stop and see who we really are, turn to Christ in repentance and faith, and then go into the world with the hope of the Gospel.

I invite you to take the next step with us this year. Maybe that means consistent participation in Sunday School and a Community Group. Maybe it means you'll step up to serve in a new ministry area. Or maybe it even means you'll consider vocational missions. Let's not let the adjectives "cold and gray" describe our hearts. We are warmed by the hope and love of Christ as we remember and share the Gospel.

UPCOMING KEY EVENTS

Faith Explored
Every Wednesday, 6-8 p.m., Feb. 11 - March 25.
Read more...

Traction: Youth Retreat
February 13-15, Friday, 5 p.m. - Sunday, 3 p.m.

2015 Missions Conference

March 8-15, multiple venues. More info to come.

FULL CALENDAR

On Saturday, February 7, Dr. Barbara Shaffer hosted a seminar for women examining the modern concepts of love, sex, and relationships in light of the Bible. In a culture that often worships sexuality and romanticizes abuse, Dr. Shaffer's candid and careful review is not always comfortable but is extremely relevant. A recording of her presentation is now available on our website at faithwilmington.com/women. If you're looking to make sense of the '50 Shades of Grey' phenomenon and how Believers can appropriately respond, this is a very helpful resource.

Listen to Dr. Shaffer's talk here...

Women's Fellowship Breakfast

Join us in the Bob Gray Chapel as men of Faith prepare and serve us breakfast!

Who: YOU! And any lady friends, family or neighbors you'd like to invite

What: Fellowship and breakfast

When: February 21, 9-11 a.m.

Where: Bob Gray Chapel

Why: Because food always tastes better when it's prepared by someone else. And because the Women of Faith make for great company!

Cost: $5 per person

Faith Explored - New Discussion Starts Now

Wednesdays @ 6 p.m. Feb. 11-March 25, Bob Gray Chapel. THERE IS STILL TIME TO JOIN US.

Ever had a bad experience with religion? Perhaps you are a faithful churchgoer with lingering doubts? Or, just curious what makes Christianity unique? You're invited to try Faith Explored, an informal 7-week study that off�ers you time to consider the big questions of life and a forum to ask hard questions.

* FREE registration

* FREE dinner every week

* FREE children's programming for ages 1 through 6th grade

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.