God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9
Dear Faith Community Church Family,
A year’s end is an appropriate time to reflect on God’s faithfulness, especially at a moment when many people are revisiting the difficult things about 2020. I hope you join me in thankfulness for God’s faithfulness to Faith Community Church, demonstrated from the very beginning of our church’s existence until now. I am grateful for the specific ways he has challenged and stretched us through Refocus 2020, and eagerly anticipate his continued work of growth and transformation among his people.
This Sunday: New Sermon Series and Congregational Meeting
This Sunday, we’ll begin an important and exciting time for our church. First, we’ll start a new five-week sermon series entitled Called to Community: Five Features of Christian Fellowship. Through our sermon series, we’ll be exploring the question, “What does it mean for us to be a Christian community?” In this series, which focuses on our church’s identity, we’ll be studying the biblical teaching on community, and specifically, what this means for us as we look to the future as Faith Community Church.
In addition to the sermon series, we will have a congregational meeting this Sunday at 4pm in the Worship Center. During this time, the elders and I will share about the direction for our church following Refocus 2020. More specifically, I’ll be sharing “Our Community Core.” While the sermon series focuses on the question “Who are we as a Christian community?” (our identity), during the congregational meeting, we’ll be exploring the questions, “Why are we here?” (Our church’s purpose) and “What do we do?” (Our core areas of ministry).
Overflow seating will be available if the Worship Center should reach the capacity of 25 people. If you are not able to be present in-person, we invite you to join us via livestream. During the meeting we’ll have a time for Q&A. If you are watching via livestream, you can text your questions to Tim Wierenga.
Please note that since this is a meeting for our congregation, the livestream will only be available via the provided link.
LINK for congregational meeting livestream.
Advent Bible Project Update
This week we were able to send our funds gathered throughout Advent to the Chicago Bible Society to print 250 French bibles for the orphanage in Cavaillon, Haiti! Please pray with me that the Word would bear much fruit in the lives of these children and staff members.
Haiti Trip Informational Meeting: January 31, 4pm (Worship Center)
If you are interested in learning more about our trip to Haiti this summer, please join us on January 31 at 4 pm to hear more. Ted Powers will be present to answer questions and discuss fundraising and details for the trip.
Adult Sunday School: Sunday, January 10, 4 pm (Worship Center)
Our next adult Sunday school session will be January 10 at 4 pm in the Worship Center. We will discuss the chapter on Goodness in the book Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit.
Prayer Requests
Dolores Signorelli: Praise God that Sam Signorelli’s mom, Dolores, did not have to undergo surgery for a bowel obstruction and returned home today from the hospital.
This Sunday, we’ll partake of the Lord’s Supper together. Please join me in preparing our hearts to join together in this special covenantal meal.
Here is the link to Sunday’s worship service (9:45am)
The sermon passage for this Sunday is Hebrews 1:1-14. I look forward to worshipping with you this Lord’s Day and beginning our new series Called to Community.
In Christ,
Pastor Rhett