Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The sermon text for this Sunday (Acts 4:1-22) continues the powerful story of the healing of the lame man at the temple in Jerusalem. While Peter and John are still speaking to the amazed onlookers, the temple leadership arrest the apostles specifically because they are offended by the message of the resurrection and the teaching about Jesus. When they are brought before the Council (the ruling body over Jerusalem), Peter, “filled with the Spirit” (Acts 4:8), courageously proclaims the gospel message to these rulers. The rulers, however, are fearful of the people and worried that this movement will grow stronger, as of course it did in the coming years as the gospel continued to spread throughout the ancient world. I hope you realize that as 21st century believers at Faith Community Church, you are also part of this same movement generations later. We too, in the power of the Spirit that filled Peter, are called to speak the gospel with boldness, even when those in charge are demanding silence. Why must we do so? Because the world desperately needs the message of salvation found in Jesus alone. “And there is salvation in no one else,” Peter says, “for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Please take time to prepare your hearts for the celebration of the Lord’s Supper this Sunday.
Click here to access the livestream of this Sunday’s worship service (9:30am).
Update on July Haiti Trip
Over the last two weeks, Haiti has been subject to unusually high levels of unrest and social disturbance. Because of the increased risk, we have discerned that it is wisest for some of our team members to cancel their participation. As a reminder, those who are going from Faith Community are a part of a wider team of people from throughout our presbytery (fellow PCA churches in the Chicago metro area). I (Pastor Rhett) still plan to attend the trip unless the trip is cancelled by the leadership of Chicago Friends of Haiti. Here is what this means for us:
- Our fundraiser is still on: We are grateful for the donations we have received. Our financial gifts will go first toward paying for the travel, board, and accommodations of the FCC participants (as planned). Second, financial gifts will go toward paying for various medical procedures for the people we serve in Haiti. This is a vital part of the ministry work that is accomplished during the mission trip. Finally, if there are funds remaining, we want to put it toward financially supporting a future trip with Chicago Friends of Haiti. The mission trip to Haiti occurs twice yearly and we desire that others from our church will participate on a trip in the near future.
- We are still accepting donations for our trip, including VBS supplies, as has been detailed in previous midweek updates and our bulletins.
Of course, feel free to let me or an elder know if you have any questions. Please continue to pray for our relationship with the Chicago Friends of Haiti, El Shaddai International Ministries (ESMI), and for the trip, including the proclamation of the gospel and for God’s peace to rule over Haiti.
Prayer Requests
Lou Carter: Please pray for Lou Carter as she undergoes physical therapy for her legs at Johnson Healthcare Center in Carol Stream.
Karla VanDerMolen: Karla is experiencing progressive weakness and significant loss of dexterity in arms, shoulders, and hands. Please pray for strength and healing for Karla and guidance for the doctors.
In Him,
Pastor Rhett