The hostess committee requests that the church
members bring desserts and sides for the
covered dish lunch, and the church will provide meat.
 

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Operation Christmas Child

To prepare for OCC, we will gather the following items over the next several months. A box will be located outside Nikki’s office.

Aug Items
Small Fishing Kits,
Small Sewing Kits
School Supplies, Kids Toys

Giving as of August 12, 2024

Budget for 2024 . . . . . . . .  $339,423.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $204,388.10
Received to Date . . . . . . . . $166,026.54
Needed for weekly budget . . .  $6,751.71
Tithes Received this week . . .   $1,928.23

MID-WEEK DEVOTION

Don’t forget to check out Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotion in the book of Psalms. They are uploaded each Wednesday on the sermon page.

From Our Family and Music Minister

Have you ever been heading on a trip when suddenly you came upon a dreaded detour sign? How well you know the area can depend on how well this sudden news is received. Suddenly, you can be filled with uncertainty, anxiety, or even fear of the unknown before you. Nevertheless, you have to proceed to get to your destination. Unfortunately, we will have the same types of detours in our life. Some detours are just a few bumps in the road or detours that completely change our plans and fill us with fear.

Paul’s life is an excellent example of a man who hit some detours. First of all, he was out to kill and persecute Christians. Then, while he was on his way, he hit the most significant detour in his life. God stepped right into his path. As a result, Paul went from a persecutor of Christians to a presenter of the Gospel. Just because Paul became a faithful believer in Christ didn’t mean he didn’t experience bad detours.

After Paul’s conversion, he truly wanted to share the Gospel with the world around him. As we read toward the end of the book of Acts, we can see that he wanted to teach in Rome. However, throughout Paul’s ministry, he was imprisoned, beaten, shipwrecked, and ridiculed for his beliefs. This was no different as he tried to make his way to Rome. Stormy seas and slow travel turned this simple path into a difficult journey. As Christians, following Jesus will not always be an easy road. It will be a road full of detours and roadblocks.

However, we serve a God who has plans for our lives, plans that we cannot come close to comprehending. Therefore, we must learn to trust that His plans are much better than ours. Think about the roadblocks you have that keep you from reaching your potential. Could God have placed the detours in your life to put you back on the right path? So often, we can be so focused on what we want or think is essential in life that we forget to figure God into our plans.

God can also change our paths to help others. For example, Paul was detoured to Malta when he was headed to preach in Rome. God detoured him so that people could be healed and learn about Jesus. The New Testament is made up of letters that he wrote from prison when he was falsely arrested. God used the diversion in Paul’s life to further His kingdom.

We usually encounter a detour when traveling because we are protected from danger. We are given a different route for our safety and benefit. Be open to the changes that God may put in your life. Approach challenges with prayer. Not every bump in the road is a bad thing. God can use it for our good and His.