E-Flash From Dan, November 15, 2013

Dear E-Flash Friends;

There’s been a lot of action around the church last night and today because the women are getting prepared for their retreat.  It begins this evening.  It seems like every year I forget how much effort they put into this event and then I’m impressed all over again by the dedication, servanthood and sheer energy of those who provide leadership and help to make sure the retreat is edifying, encouraging and uplifting to those who come.  Those who will be participating this year will be blessed!

(Occasionally, if I time things just right, they take pity on me and I can get in on a little bit of the food.  This has only come with a great deal of practice.)

That’s happening on Friday night and Saturday.  On Sunday I will be talking about being unashamed of Jesus and the gospel message. 

You might be thinking, “What could anyone possibly say about that subject?”

I’m glad you asked.  You won’t want to miss this Sunday to find out the answer to that question.  But just for a little sneak peek, the Apostle Paul contributed to the subject in this way, “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ.  It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes…”  Romans 1:16

I hope you can make it.  It will be worth it!

We are also having our Chili Cook-Off immediately following the 11 o’clock service.  This is a youth fundraiser.  Come and taste a whole bunch of great chili prepared by a number of folks from the congregation and then vote for the best tasting chili. 

This is a big deal!  The winner of the Chili Cook-Off gets incredible awards and prizes (…okay, fairly nice awards and prizes) but more importantly, the winner gets the prestige of being the 2013 Chili Cook-Off Winner.  (Man, does that ever look impressive on a resume!)

It’s happening this Sunday, November 17^th.

I’m looking forward to seeing you!

Love and blessings,

Dan

P.S.  If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, click on the link below to read the Pastor’s Report from the 2013 Annual Business meeting.

Link…    http://danmarler.blogspot.com/2013/11/pastors-report-2013.html

Pastor's Report 2013

Pastor’s Report 2013

 October of 2013 marked the 20^th year that I have had the pleasure of serving as pastor here at the church of God in Oak Lawn.  It’s been wonderful, interesting, fun, scary, challenging, inspiring, good, bad, exciting, heart-breaking, joyful, thrilling and soul-stirring  …sometimes all in the same day.  (That’s a slight exaggeration.  But only slight.)

It has definitely been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve God and serve this church.  I’m hoping for many more years to continue serving!

Of course, some things have changed in those 20 years.  My hair is whiter.  And there’s less of it.  Some physical changes have happened in the building and on the property.  People have come and gone. 

We’ve undergone significant technological changes.  Our church did not have a Facebook page when I began serving as pastor.  Actually, come to think of it, the creators of Facebook were probably about 8 or 9 years old when I began serving. 

No cell phones accidentally went off during the services when I first began serving.  (People were still communicating with two cans and a string, back then.)

Certain changes will continue to happen because change is inevitable.

However, there are certain things that have not fundamentally changed in the past 20 years and they will not change for the next 20 years… or, for that matter, if the Lord were to tarry, for the next 10,000 years.

God does not change.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

There is a basic gospel message that does not change.  The Lord Jesus Christ came to earth, lived a sinless life, died on a cross and rose again!   He did this because He loves us and this sacrifice provides forgiveness of sins and salvation to all who believe.  That’s the unchanging truth of the gospel.

The Great Commission, which is given to us by Jesus, does not change:  “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.”  Matthew 28:19&20

Soon 2013 will close and 2014 will begin.  I remind us that our church remains firmly committed to the assignment the Lord has given us.  We want to reach out to those who are not currently walking with God.  We want to help them come to know the Lord and to grow in their relationship with Him. 

We remain committed to being a church that, with God’s help, strives to help hurting people.  We say it this way:  “Helping hurting people find and walk with God.”

Our objective is to remain committed to responsibly passing along the faith as it has been passed along for the past 2,000 years.  The Bible tells us Jesus will return.  He is coming again—you can trust that this is true.  Our desire is that this church would be about His work and be found faithful when He returns!

I am so thankful for you all.  I am grateful for your commitment to being a faithful expression of His church here in Oak Lawn.

May God be honored and may His Kingdom increase.

Love and blessings,

Dan