This one's for you Jesus....Not in vain!

I've been thinking about this since Easter. In the Community Center services my teaching included the verses 1 Corinthians 15:57-58:

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord means that each of us must stop and think carefully about what assignments God has given to us in this era of our lives. We are called to raise children, invest in a marriage, walk with an aging parent, or serve the church or community in some major role, build a business or teach a classroom of students. What is our assignment? Whatever it is, we must do it fully!

And then the verse closes with the words, "not in vain." Our work counts for Christ. It matters. It really matters. God is watching. He is taking note of our hearts and our motivations and our actions. It matters to Him.

I hope you will see your life in these phrases and often repeat them as you face challenges in your day--"This one is for you Jesus!" And then right away remind yourself, "Not in vain!"

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If...then.....promises

Our daily scripture yesterday was Genesis 28: 10-22. I was struck all day by the if...then promises made by Jacob at the end of those verses. Verses Genesis 28:20-22 read like this,

"Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to werar so that I return safely to my father's house, then the Lord will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth."

These verses made me remember some of the "if...then...promises" that I have made to God and even some that our church continues to make to God.

I remember ....

(30+ years ago) If you'll help our newly born twins to live (Joel and Emily), then I'll serve you wholeheartedly the rest of my life.

(30+ years ago) If you'll provide for the essential needs for our family, then I'll give my best in ministry pointing people to Jesus and helping others become fully devoted followers of Christ.

(Recently) If you'll walk with me and give me the health and strength needed, then I'll continue to focus and invest in the ministry of Orchard Hill Church.

(Recently) If you choose to give us a growing family (now 10 grandchildren), then we will serve them and pray for them and do our part to help them know Christ.

For our church....

If you give us the opportunity, then we will remember that the church belongs to Jesus (He died to give us life) and surrender to your Spirit's leading.

If you give us resources, then we will, to our very best, steward them faithfully for you and your kingdom.

If you continue to trust us with a growing congregation, then we will faithfully work to help them become fully devoted followers of Christ.

God is so very gracious! I wonder if you can look back and remember any of the "if....then...promises" that you have made to God?

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Gifts that really make a difference!

Every Sunday morning we pass the offering bags/plates/buckets in each of our services. Faithful people, who love God, put financial gifts into those containers and those gifts make a huge difference in the world. All of the gifts given in Christ's name are used to spread the good news and build God's kingdom within our 5 communities. Every dollar given is used for our mission.

Many spontaneous and generous gifts have been given during these last months. One family gave a gift so that major improvements could be made to the orphanage that we partner with in Haiti. Another family gave a gift so that the children in Gorongosa, Mozambique could have a shelter for their Bible Club--see the picture above. Very soon the children will be able to meet in spite of rain and be protected from some of those who would disrupt their club due to being intoxicated. The school funded by our Marathon Team is about 1/2 finished. Another family gave a large financial gift to our Cup of Cold Water Fund so that we could keep helping local people have food, heat and children's supplies.

I am often overwhelmed by the generosity and love of our congregation. Thank you for listening to God's whisper and responding with generosity.

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God at work!

Every other Monday morning we have a 90 minute staff meeting. Each meeting begins with a prayer and then I lead out staff into sharing "pictures of God at work." This is how we begin each staff meeting. It is important for us to recognize that God is at work in so many different ways within our church body. Naming the ways He is at work helps us focus and brings glory to him. The stories have power. Here are some of this morning's stories...

Joan shared that yesterday was a record-setting attendance for our Children's Ministry--361 kids involved at the Cedar Falls campus 0-6th grade.

Jean shared that God is at work thru the Lenten Lunches which are in their 10th year and is now being duplicated in the Grundy Center Community Building.

Laura shared that that more churches are partnering with Love Cedar Valley than every before including both white and black churches.

Ben shared how God worked with both students and staff at our recent Ski and Shop even while 3 students needed a trip to the hospital.

Mike shared that God's presence was keenly felt at our Men's Retreat in Grundy over the weekend.

Leanne shared that our Student Ministry had great response to a Girls Retreat on Saturday where the girls could be taught clearly about becoming women of God.

Kris shared how so many visiting people are connecting with Face to Face on Sundays and finding help at the Welcome Centers.

God is good. God is at work. It is encouraging to hear of so many places where we see him at work.

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Speed Dating Part 2

Here are a couple pictures of the Route 55 and College Students doing some speed dating sharing which I write about in the previous post!

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Speed Dating At Orchard!

Sometimes I get reports of cool things happening at Orchard that even I cannot believe. I want to celebrate and communicate but it is difficult to explain. This is one of those times.

It seems that the other night we had an event that gave people the opportunity to practice some speed dating. Somewhere over 60 people gathered at tables to answer questions and get to know others for the purpose of building friendship and future relationships. The kicker is that 27 of these people were senior citizens from Orchard and Nazareth and 35-40 were college students. They speed dated together answering questions like--

Describe your first job.
Talk about your first date.
Describe your first car.

I wasn't at the event but I heard there was much laughter, fun and community building. It was a blast for both the college people and the senior citizens. Intergenerational ministry took another step forward on this evening. Now our seniors and college students have served together in mission and done a little speed dating. I'm amazed and perplexed at how God leads.

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Celebrating New Members

I was sitting at my desk reading the faith stories of our new members. Twenty-two of our new members are joining by reaffirmation of faith in Jesus. This generally means that they are coming to Orchard from not having a recent church experience or a spiritual home. Two of our new members are joining by first-time confession of faith in Jesus and one is coming by transfer from Trinity Reformed Church in Allison.

As I read their faith stories, it reminded me that all the work we do is worth it! All the meetings, the planning, the giving and praying, the outreach work is all worth it!

So many of these folks were invited "on the arm of a trusted friend". Many of them are coming back to church because they want their children and teenagers in a strong youth program. Many of them mentioned that they were planning on church shopping but felt welcomed and at home as they visited Orchard. Many of them are in a good place on their spiritual journey. I hope Orchard will continue to be a welcoming and friendly place for those looking to connect more deeply with God.

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