Mt. Lebanon United Presbyterian Church     
 
Pastor Tim Janiszewski - "Let the Little Children Come"

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Messages of Grace

(Past Recorded Sermons) 










 
This Sunday
June 19, 2016



Sermon Title:
"A Keeper, Not a Sleeper"



Scripture: 
Psalm 121  
Picture
June 16, 2016
 
Dear MLEPC Members and Friends:
 
For the coming week, allow me to issue a call to dedicated prayer. Next Monday morning beginning at 9:00 a.m. and running through Friday afternoon, we shall be holding our summer Vacation Bible School. Let me clearly say it: This is a really big event in the life of our church every year. I've been associated with other churches in which VBS was more of a small side show for the kids, but at MLEPC it is an annual centerpiece to our mission and ministry.
 
Why? What makes VBS so big at our church?
 
To begin, we anticipate more than two hundred kids from kindergarten through fifth grade will register and participate. The majority of these children will not belong to our church family, thus providing us with one of our foremost outreach opportunities of the year. We get to share the Good News with little ones who may rarely or never hear it spoken outside of this one week. And believe me, in a loving, caring, and fun way, our VBS team takes every chance offered to communicate the greatest message of all! Please pray that young hearts and minds will be wide open to listen and to believe the life changing words of God in Jesus Christ, our Savior. Pray that we'll help the little children to come to Christ.
 
But there is more. In the afternoon, we provide special opportunities for the older kids to go on outings and adventures. As a reward for their helping the younger ones in the morning hours, we schedule a great program for them after lunchtime. And what does this allow us to do? It allows us to share the Good News with them in a joyful way as we place them in environments where we believe that they will be receptive to listen. So please pray that during the afternoon hours, our middle high and high school helpers will both have fun and hear the message of God's gift intended for them, as well. Pray that we'll help the older children to come to Christ.
 
But there is still more. On Thursday evening, we hold an evening event for the entire families of the children and youth involved in VBS. Moms and dads will see and hear the message being communicated through the VBS program--a message that invites them to consider Christ as the way to life now and forevermore. Many grandparents love to attend this evening program, as well. And let's not forget the brothers and sisters who show up to watch their younger sibling in the program. Pray that on Thursday evening, these guests will be open to hear what God's Spirit wants to speak to them. Pray that our church family will embrace these guests during the reception time in the Fellowship Hall thereafter.
 
I hope you can see why VBS at MLEPC is such a big deal. It is a way by which we continue to disciple our own children and youth, who are with us week in and week out. That's great! But perhaps more important still, it is one of our biggest annual opportunities to reach beyond ourselves to the children, youth, and adults of our community. Surely, this calls us all to focused and concerted prayer. I therefore ask you to spend at least 5 minutes each day--Monday through Friday--in prayer for VBS 2016, asking God by His Spirit to invite many to put their trust in Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
 
Pastor Tim

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