Friday, January 26, 2024

Another Friday has arrived! And with it comes the excitement of another wonderful Sunday of worship and praise coming up! Here are some words I read from Psalm 51 this week...

                       "Renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit
                                within me."  (Psalm 51: 10 AMP)

The winter grows long. The days drag on. We go through seasons of putting out seemingly endless fires. God must have timed the seasons so they test our ability to persevere --- just when we think we can't take one more day of the summer heat, the autumn wind, the winter chill, or the springtime rains, a new season begins.  
   
When the seasons grow long, or the daily grind seems unbearable, we lean on the Lord for the strength to keep going. Isaiah tells us that those who hope in the Lord "shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired" (Isaiah 40:31 AMP). We should never become weary in doing good. Be assured that God always helps us to endure when we lean on God.  
   
So when work gets more and more stressful, when the kids are trying my nerves, and when I'm shoveling snow while it's still snowing, join me in praying, Help me to persevere, O Lord.     

+++ Our Sunday morning schedule has us worshipping at 8:30am and 10:00am! This week we celebrate the 4th Sunday after the Epiphany and we will hear about the authority of Jesus, as he drives out an evil spirit in Mark 1. My message, "The Authority of Jesus" will see me thinking through how so many people fail to recognize and embrace this authority. Our "live-stream" will take place on the church's Facebook page at 10:00am and then we will "upload" the recorded worship to our YouTube channel as well, following the worship service. We are so blessed to have so many people joining us for worship each week both in person and on-line and we can't wait to "see" each of you in worship on Sunday!

+++ Check out our church website, www.churchofthebells.com to see information including our newest staff member, Lorlie Wood and reach out to her through email! You will find lots of great information and pictures on our church website!   

+++ Just a reminder to Team and Ministry area leaders that annual reports for your area of ministry are due into the church office by January 31st! Thanks for helping us meet our publishing deadlines by getting your reports in on time!

+++ We received word this week that our friends at Sleep in Heavenly Peace need to change our date for our fall bed build to September 14th, due to a scheduling conflict. Please note this new date on your calendar! 

+++ Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 14th. We will worship at 7:00pm that evening and offer the Imposition of Ashes. We will also begin our Lenten emphasis, Guided to the Cross, that evening. We will offer take home materials for all church families to help you keep a good Lent as we journey toward the Cross on Easter! And we'll introduce a special Lenten Mission project to help feed the hungry right here in Syracuse! The whole family can be a part of this project and many lives will be changed as a result of our mission work. 

Make this day a great day and always remember to pray, Help me persevere, O Lord!  
​Pastor Jack