Mt. Lebanon United Presbyterian Church     
 
Pastor Tim Janiszewski - "Missions Month at MLEPC"

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Messages of Grace

(Past Recorded Sermons) 










 
This Sunday
July 10, 2016



Sermon Title:
"Reason to Laugh; Reason to Cry"



Scripture:
Psalm 126




Picture
July 7, 2016
 
Dear MLEPC Members and Friends:
 
In many ways, July is missions month at MLEPC. It is our thirty-one days to focus on fulfilling the great charge given by the risen Christ in Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." In other words, Jesus directed His followers to carry out the work of spreading the Good News locally (Jerusalem), nationally (Judea and Samaria), and internationally (ends of the earth).
 
During July, our church features missions trips locally, nationally, and internationally. Beginning with our local effort, Mission Possible 9, scheduled for July 10-17, reaches out to our community in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. Among the many outreach projects for the week, allow me to highlight three that everyone can participate in. On Tuesday evening, July 12, we hold our community picnic on the church grounds. We invite anyone who wants to come and enjoy good food, music, fun for the kids, and conversation. In particular, we urge our members to strike up dialog with visitors, prayerfully looking for ways to demonstrate and share God's Good News in friendly ways. On Wednesday evening, 7:00 p.m., in the Sanctuary, our MLEPC Choir and musicians will offer a free choral concert to be conducted by Cindy Pratt. This, too, provides a golden opportunity to invite neighbors and friends to church for an enjoyable evening with the feature theme of "the sweetest name"--the name of Jesus Christ. Third and finally, on Thursday evening at Dormont Park, our MLEPC Worship Team and Crossroads Class are hosting an event geared to reach out to people from the community who are in their 20s to early 30s in age. Pray that we can establish a foothold for further ministry in Dormont to the "millennial" age group through this outreach.
 
Our national missions effort is being spearheaded by our MLEPC Youth Group this week. In fact, by the time you read this pastoral letter, our youth will be coming to the final day of their trip to Bluefield, West Virginia. Bluefield is located on the southern border of the state, right on the Virginia line. The youth are working on a community outreach with the Wade Center. Many at-risk and high-need children live in this area, and our young people have a huge heart to share the love and hope of Jesus with them. And with the youth motto being "We should pray," I have no doubt that our high school students are praying for and with many people in Bluefield during this trip. Praise God for our youth!
 
Our international missions team of sixteen members will head out on its trip to East Kano, Kenya, on Saturday, July 16. They will participate in a week of revival and missions efforts with the Christians of that region in Western Kenya. Among the many projects scheduled are the provision of eye glasses, equipment for solar energy, drilling for a deep well to make available clean water on a regular basis, teaching local pastors and church leaders for effective ministry, sharing personal faith stories, and so much more. We look forward to commissioning our "Mission Beyond: East Kano, Kenya" team during our two worship services this Sunday, July 10. Please pray for the team as it travels and ministers from July 16-28.
 
As we experience July as missions month at MLEPC, let us remember two things. First, we all are called to the ministry of missions. So let's find a way to get involved with Mission Possible 9, with the Youth mission to Bluefield, WVA, or with the international missions trip to Kenya. And thanks to all who already have! As we do so, let us remember that each one of us is called to be Christ's witnesses wherever His Spirit takes us in life. We have Good News to share every day. Which leads to the second thing: every month is a good month for missions month. We don't simply engage in mission one-twelfth of the year and then move onto other things the remaining eleven-twelfths. May it never be. Rather, let us remember that we are called to God's Mission Possible 365--living and sharing Good News every day of the year!
 
Pastor Tim
 
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