"Life@First Congregational" 6/22/08
Published: Mon, 06/23/08
 Volume 1, Number 2 June 22, 2008 |
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Denise, Kyle, and Janet Return from Immokalee Denise Robinson, Kyle Bennett, and Janet Lisle spent four days learning about the experiences of Immokalee farmworkers last week. In an opportunity sponsored by the Florida Conference of the United Church of Ch
rist, the three not only worked on a home still in need of repair after the 2005 hurricanes, but they also were immersed in the life and experience of migrant farmworkers that live in this area, as well as learning about the ecology of the area, including the Everglades. They shared about their experience in our worship service this past Sunday. You can click here to listen. Thank you, Denise, Kyle, and Janet for being the church and sharing your experience with us!
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Big House This Friday
 This Friday night is our first attempt at our worship service specifically geared toward unchurched families with children. Our youth and several adults have been working hard to create a great experience filled with fun music and great characters--people, puppets, and costumed!--all to communicate to the people in our community that God loves them! If you can, be sure to come out so you can see what all the excitement is about. The service starts at 7:00 with food and games starting at 6:00.Practicing Forgiveness Last week in our Parables Bible study, we encountered the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:23-35. Do you remember that story? There was a servant who owed his master a large sum of money, say $5000. The servant could not pay it back so he pleaded with the master to forgive the debt, which his master did. The forgiven servant then went to his fellow servant who owed him a very small amount, say $5. When his fellow servant could not pay the amount and asked for forgiveness, the servant to which he owed the $5 refused and threw him into prison. This story eventually made its way back to the master who was infuriated at what had taken place and, in turn, had the servant who owed $5000 thrown into prison as well. Jesus finishes the story with the admonition that "So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart." (Matt. 18:35) Now, I do not imagine that God is waiting for us to not show forgiveness to someone so that He can take the opportunity to zap us. God always stands ready to forgive. However, the principle is important and true. If we do not forgive, it is difficult to receive forgiveness. Forgiveness does not seem to come naturally. It has to be practiced, just like learning to play golf, or playing the piano. As we forgive others, as we practice, forgiveness becomes easier. Then we can practice our way toward forgiving the one person that it is usually most difficult to forgive, ourselves, and learn to recognize the forgiveness with which God constantly surrounds us. Happy practicing! Pastor Jason If someone forwarded this email to you, first of all thank them, next make sure your sign-up for your own subscription at our website, www.fcclw.org. To read past issues, visit our archive by clicking here. |
This Week's Message The Plan, Part 1 This week was the first part of a two-part exploration of Ephesians 2:1-10. Looking at the first seven verses we explored the "before and after" of our experience of God's love, transforming from "child of wrath" to "seated with Christ." You can watch the video here, or listen to and download the audio MP3 here. Next Week The Plan, Part 2 "What's next?" What is our response to the great love and grace God has showed us? Let's find out as we explore the second half of this awesome passage, Ephesians 2:8-10. This Week's Opportunities Tuesday, June 24 7:00 PM Church Council, Parlor Wednesday, June 25 VBS Workday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Thursday June 26 No B VBS Workday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Big House Rehearsal 6:00 PM Friday, June 27 Food and Games 6:00 PM Big House 7:00 PM |