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JIPC Updates, October 2, 2015
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We have a busy weekend ahead with JOY Event, Hymnfest, & Worship. Hope to see you here!
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October 1, 2015
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It is an exciting time in our corporate faith as we focus on the intentional lifestyle of stewardship. This makes it hard to believe the pervasive myth which sometimes says "stewardship is a Sunday in the fall, when our churches ask us what we will give this year!" Actually, stewardship begins with our first breath and ends with our last. It's a joyful response to all God has done, is doing, and will do in the days ahead. It's not waiting on God to move and tipping God according to God's service like waiters or waitresses in a restaurant. Genuine stewardship is understanding that our time, talents, treasures and finances are all good gifts from God. They are given to individuals but intended to build up the entire body of Christ. We have a holy opportunity to share God's love with all God blesses us with. As we move into a focused approach to the "stewardship season," it may be helpful for us to be aware of some significant variables to inform our praying and perhaps prompt our joyful responses to God's grace.
God's grace has allowed us to continue any number of ministries including various missions, Christian education programs, on and off-site worship in varied forms, children, youth and young adult programs as well as supporting missionaries around the world. How many times has our music created a worshipful environment on Sunday? With the transformational movement of the Spirit lately, it's a distant memory to think about how our church is transitioning through a difficult time over the last few years. Often, on the heels of difficult times, it's normal, but no less unfortunate, for the church budget to suffer for any number of reasons. It's not "right or wrong" or "good or bad" but simply a reality. But with God in our midst, difficult times can become growth edges for us as a community of faith. I am humbled and blessed by all we continue to be about as a community of faith.
As Head of Staff, I'm sure you will want to be aware of some concerns I have for our staff family. In 2012 and 2013, staff across the board received a 2% salary increase. As you know, the cost-of-living increases every year and for a number of years we have not been able to support our staff with equal cost-of-living and/or salary increases. Not only is our staff incredibly gifted, they are creative and work as hard as any I've been blessed to work with. I'm certain you will continue in prayer and do everything you can to enable us to reflect our love, care, and concern by being able to provide salary increases for each of our staff. "Giving grows the giver," I've heard it said. May I encourage us to do everything we can to reflect our love and gratitude for God, our church and our staff by our increased giving? By God's grace, this may enable us to increase our ministries and provide appropriate increases for our staff family, which would translate into a huge blessing.
Dear friends, it remains such a joy and privilege to labor with you in God's vineyard of James Island Presbyterian Church. How exciting it will be to journey more fully into all God has created us to be! May it bring God great glory and us great joy!
email Pastor Sam
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Sunday, October 2, 2015
Worship, 8:30 & 11:00am
Reverend Sam Martin, preaching
Reverend Cameron Smith, liturgist
Scripture References: I Thessalonians 5:13b-19, Luke 10:38-42
Communion served both worship services
Inquirers' Class, 10:00am, in the Lockamy/Ragon Library. This class is for people who would like to learn more about our church and perhaps join James Island Presbyterian. The class runs 4 Sundays, during Sunday School, and those wishing to join may do so during worship on October 25.
Worship & Music Committee, 12:00pm
Mission & Outreach Committee, 5:00pm
Click here to see this week's bulletin.
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Youth Hunger Strike
starts October 10!
The Hunger Strike is quickly approaching and the JIPC Youth need your help raising their goal of $5,000. This year's rally is focusing on filling Remember Niger sponsored schools with the supplies they need to provide quality education. Click on the link below to donate to our team or find a Hunger Strike participant on Sunday morning in the Fellowship Hall. Thank you! |
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Quick updates
This week's WNL menu: Grilled Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, German Potatoes, Rolls,
Salad Bar, & Apple Bread Pudding
Click here to sign up for dinner. Click here to sign up to help with dinner. Scroll down to October 7 and sign up for however you can help.
CONGREGATIONAL LUNCHEON is next Sunday, October 11. This special luncheon will also commemorate the end of the youth's HUNGER STRIKE. Watch for details in next week's communications. INQUIRERS' CLASS starts this Sunday, October 4, for visitors wishing to know more about our church. The class runs for four Sundays, during the Sunday School hour. Those wishing to join may do so on October 25. |
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