January 7, 2015
SACRED RENEWAL
There are several special congregational worship services and times of praise, confession, and repentance that the Elders’ desire for all to experience. The Elders’ desire is that everyone make an effort to be present for these times of worship. The following is a schedule for our Sacred Renewal:
Saturday, January 10: Day of Spiritual Renewal - Only for the Elders, Deacons, and Ministers;
Fireside Room; 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 11: Sermon Topic: West Main, We Need to Talk
Wednesday, January 14: Seven Steps to Freedom; 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Child Care Provided
Friday, January 16: Noon to Midnight - Prayer-Fast Vigil in the Auditorium; Open to All; (Sign-up Sheet will be available)
Saturday, January 17: Night of Confession - 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 18: Sermon Topic: Can These Bones Live?
Saturday - Sunday, January 24-25: Twenty-four Hour Prayer-Fast Vigil (8:30 a.m. Saturday to 8:30 a.m. Sunday) at the building. Open to all. (Sign-up sheet will be available)
Sunday, January 25: Sermon Topic: Tomorrow’s Church Today; Fellowship Meal after Service
Please make it a priority to be present and participate in these events.
SACRED RENEWAL
The time of our Sacred Renewal is now. On Saturday morning (January 10th), all our elders, deacons, and ministers are gathering in the Fireside Room for a day of spiritual retreat. They are gathering as spiritual leaders to discuss the history of West Main, its strengths and weaknesses, its good memories and painful memories, its good works of praise and its works in need of repentance. They are seeking discernment about the future of West Main. They will then share these insights with us later this month (January 18th).
Also this coming Saturday (January 10th), our ladies are gathering in the home of Michele Michael to pray for our Sacred Renewal. James says, “The heartfelt prayer of someone upright works very powerfully” (James 5:16). The gathering of the women of West Main in prayer will be a powerful force that no scheme of evil can withstand. Thank God for the women of the West Main Church of Christ!
On Sunday, January 11th, we will hear a very heartfelt and emotional sermon with the title, “West Main, We Need to Talk.” We will hear why a time of sacred renewal is being sought after here at West Main. We will hear what we hope to achieve and what the purpose is behind each of the times we will be gathering for in the month of January. If there is ever a worship service to show up on time for, this is the one. Make every effort to be on time as every opening song, announcement, prayer, and message is designed to elicit a heartfelt response of confession, repentance, and renewal. These services in the month of January will not be “business as usual.” There is an old saying, “Difficult times, call for desperate measures.” I would simply amend that in our case to say, “Difficult times, call for different measures.” The month of worship in January will be different.
Now given all that is happening in the month of January, should you be concerned? Yes! You should be very concerned! We are not engaging in a simple new ministry or program. We are seeking to throw ourselves as a congregation on to the horns of God’s altar and make a plea for the revival of the West Main Church of Christ. Now should you be afraid? No! The elders with care are shepherding us through this time of confession, repentance, and renewal. We are not alone, but are one body that loves and cares for each other. We should be excited! James tell us to “Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up” (James 4:10). We need not be afraid if we approach these times together in humility. We are looking for the Lord to lift us up, and we have every confidence our God will respond!
By now you have received a letter in the mail with all the relevant dates and times. If not, then please get a copy from the office right away. We will post also in the bulletin and on Facebook. In addition, there will be Phonevite messages sent out for various events, but not all events. Lastly, I truly beseech you, pray for this time of Sacred Renewal. Without prayer we can do nothing and our efforts will be nothing. Pray to God the Father, to express His rule through the God the Son, by power of God the Spirit, in our time of Sacred Renewal.
– Terry
Sacred Renewal . . . This renewal is regarded as a sacred time. The purpose of this time in January is to step out of our ordinary daily routines and schedules to focus in a concentrated way on our relationship to God and one another.
There are several special congregational worship services and times of praise, confession, and repentance we desire all to experience. The elders’ desire is that everyone make an effort to be present on this Sunday morning, January 11. The next time we will gather as a congregation will be Wednesday night, January 14, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. We will have individuals outside the congregation to provide child care - we do not want any of our members to miss out on these important meetings!
Prayer Time for Ladies -- Ladies: Please join us this Saturday, January 10, at Michele Michael’s house from 10:30 a.m. to noon for a come and go time of prayer while our leaders meet in preparation for our Sacred Renewal.
Children’s Worship Service will begin this Sunday for children ages 4-9 years in the Fireside Room. Our teachers will be Amber Parker and Shawna Robich. Kids who are older than 9 years - high school are welcome to be helpers and assist with children’s worship service.
Sunday Evening Ladies Class will be starting a new series, Sacred Secrets, soon. Class begins at 6:00 p.m. in the East Room. If you would like to participate, please contact Toni Parker as workbooks need to be ordered. Cost of the workbook is $10.00.
Stand for Life will be held Thursday, January 22, at 7:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church. There are flyers on the information center in the courtyard if you would like more information.
Prayer Requests . . . . For Dave Thomas and the Thomas Family, on the passing of their father, Roger Thomas, this past Monday - services are pending...Evelyn Edwards asks prayers for her sister-in-law, Linda, who might have cancer...David Mayes asks prayers for his friends, Cora, Layla, and Mikey...For our President and all of our military men, women and families.
Remembering Severta . . . . Our love and sympathy is extended to the family of Severta Shipley who passed away on December 31, 2014. Severta had been a vital part of our church family since moving to the Rogue Valley in 1966.
When Ed served as an Elder at West Main, she was supportive in his church work. She also worked with him in their heating and air conditioning business. They were a fine example of a Christian marriage, having been married for nearly sixty-five years.
Severta served as one of our Sunday School teachers for many years, with a special fondness for the Cradle Roll class. She was known for her hospitality and graciousness, her many acts of kindness, visitation, cards, her love of family and the church family, and her hugs and her smiles.
Our love and prayers are with Ed and their two children, Debra Cate and Tom Shipley and their spouses, and their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Services for Severta were held this past Sunday at the building.
***A Special Thank You to everyone who helped with set-up and clean-up and to everyone who brought food for the fellowship time following the services.
Coffee Servers are needed for 2015. Please sign up on the list posted by the stairs.
November Financial Statement
INCOME:
|
General Fund Contributions |
|
$ 24,671.00 |
|
Non-Budgeted Contributions |
|
$ 977.39 |
|
Development Funds & Rents |
|
$ 2,322.00 |
|
Interest/Other Income |
|
$ 0.63 |
|
Total Income for Month |
|
$ 27,971.02 |
EXPENSES:
|
Administration and Payroll |
|
$12,642.74 |
|
Youth on Fire |
|
$945.53 |
|
Vision Ministries |
|
$15.22 |
|
Office |
|
$818.77 |
|
Nurturing Brethren |
|
$540.39 |
|
Operational Ministries |
|
$1,823.66 |
|
Worship & Facilities |
|
$1,561.04 |
|
Non-Budgeted Mission |
|
$1,468.42 |
|
Development & Kings Hwy |
|
$6,849.03 |
|
Total Monthly Expenses |
|
$26,664.80 |
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JANUARY SERVERS
Coffee Servers: Don & Lorraine Ball
Greeters: Brad & Christi Olson; Mike & Carlena Eddy
Nursery: January 11 & 18: Marcie & Paige Dixon
January 25: Lori Bigboy & Olivia
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DECEMBER ATTENDANCE
1st Sunday 221
2nd Sunday 229
3rd Sunday 266
4th Sunday 232
