TheUpDate Jan 21, 2012

Happy Day FCC!

I can’t wait to be with you all in worship this weekend!  I am really excited to see how God will move among us as we praise him with singing, submit to him in learning, and honor him by welcoming and caring for one another as we gather together!

This weekend we will be learning from Acts 6.1-7 with a sermon titled The Impartiality of the Spirit.  My heart has been encouraged; my conviction for leadership health and development has solidified,    and my hunger for God to move has increased as I have wrestled with this passage.  I am eager to see how God will work in all of us together because of this text and the God who inspired it!  Also, this weekend is Sanctity of Life Weekend, when we set aside time to pray for justice for the vulnerable and justice for all life.  Because of this, Jamie Watts will be sharing her story of adoption,  a story of courage, hope, faith, and life.  Please pray for God’s mighty power to be manifest among us as we worship together!

In response to the sermon last week on Spirit-filled boldness to bring the gospel to friends, co-workers, fellow students, neighbors, family members, I was asked in what ways we could naturally bring Jesus up in conversations. One way of sharing the gospel is through preaching the gospel.  Another way of talking about the gospel is by seeking to understand and care for others, and asking questions about life, values, interests beliefs, etc. You’ll find as you pray for boldness, treasure Jesus, both who he is and what he has done, and care for people by asking questions to know them, opportunities will come up to share Jesus.  For more skill training and inspiration on this way of loving and sharing with people, check out the book Questioning Evangelism.  You can order it here.
                 
This weekend also LATTE (Ladies Achieving Togetherness Through Encouragement) will be in the Ministry du Jour booth highlighting both their event this Sunday evening at the Hudson Golf Course (wear comfy clothes, and come ready to laugh with the funnies from comedian Kristen Speelman), and the Big Conference at the FCC Campus, on Feb 10-11 called Rest in His Presence with Jane Rubietta.

                  Israel Haas, our church planter to Prescott, WI just began a newsletter keeping people informed on developments as the Spirit leads this church plant to the glory of Jesus and honor of the Father.  You can view it here, and sign up to receive it.  Please keep praying for Prescott, and the Haas’ Family.  If you have yet to meet Israel, he will be at our Annual Dinner Date and Family Meeting on Feb 3 (How about that for a smooth transition?).

Lastly, The FCC Annual Dinner Date and Family Meeting (The night formerly known as ‘The Annual Meeting’) is fast approaching.  Please reserve Friday evening, Feb 3 6.30-9 on your calendar, and send Cindy LaBore (clabore@fcchudson.com) an RSVP telling her you will be coming to this important and encouraging event or register on The City here.  We will pray together, laugh together, cry together, eat together, hear about God’s work among us, affirm our elders and new members, and  vision out the future.

I love you FCC!  I’m praying for you!

Tim