This week we discussed the Parable of the Mustard Seed. The kids knew exactly what a mustard seed is; last year they each received one.
They were amazed to realize that this tiny seed could grow into a tree that is 8 to 10 feet tall.
Sometimes we imagine the kingdom of God as being a time and a place in the future. Jesus said God’s kingdom is here on earth right now!
Jesus encouraged his friends then, and us today, to make sure we are all working to bring about God’s kingdom. God’s kingdom comes into being with tiny and almost invisible things — a tiny, almost invisible, seed turns out to have an enormous effect.
Do something this week to show someone God’s love. Make a pay-it-forward gesture that shows God’s love through you. You could do something nice for a friend or a neighbor or do something to show appreciation for a member of your church. By loving others, you show God’s love through you.
We hope to see you in church Sunday. We will review the most important thing — that you help someone feel cared for.
John 15:12-13 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
1 Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father; there is no shadow of turning with thee; thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not; as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.
Refrain: Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided; great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
2 Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, sun, moon, and stars in their courses above join with all nature in manifold witness to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. Refrain
3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! Refrain
1. What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
2. Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In his arms he’ll take and shield thee; thou wilt find a solace there.
Curtis Anderson passed in his sleep during Sunday night. Arrangements have not been made, but we will send out an announcement as soon as we know. Our love and prayers are with Linda and all of Curtis’ family. May the Lord remind them that Curtis is feeling great now in the presence of the Lord and all of his family who went before him.
This Coming Sunday
Mary is back and will be preaching for us. Blake will be gone, but Julian Rodriquez will sing for us. Expect some high tenor notes.
Sunday, at church time, it will be 50 degrees under a bright sun.
Good weather for church. And don’t forget breakfast—at 10:30 before worship.
End-of Year Reporting
On Monday, we turned in “the numbers” (our finances and membership statement) to the Conference, as we do every January. We had a successful year. Our people were faithful. All bills were paid.
In the coming year, I would encourage us to continue to be careful with our spending. A church growth expert has said a church needs to hold a third of their yearly budget in reserve. We do not have that much, but we do have some.
And we can depend on the faithfulness of our people. We also depend on the power of the gospel to continue to draw people to our church.
