We've recently embarked on an excited study of the book of Romans on Sunday mornings...this scripture on worship & God's will seems appropriate for the occasion.
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Over the last few months, Jaime & I have been earnestly trying to test and approve what God’s will is for our lives.
After much prayer and consideration, we feel that God is calling us to a new church home where we can be closer to family. In July, I will begin my work with the North Central Church of Christ in Indianapolis as their Worship & Administration Minister.
From the time we left Dallas and transitioned to northern Virginia back in the fall of 2003, you have been our family. Even though we were brand new here, 3 elders along with Bruce & Jeannette attended our wedding in Nashville on Valentines Day 2004. (Bill & Nancy McKevley actually drove down to Nashville with our wedding cake in the back of their truck!! They got stuck in a snowstorm on the way back...ask them for details.) When God brought our baby girl to us in the fall of 2005, you were there to celebrate with us as well. There have been countless times over the past three and a half years that we have experienced God’s goodness to us by His placing us in this body of Christ.
When God made us aware of this opportunity, we felt the time could be right to make a transition, especially as our family grows from 3 to 4. Jaime and I have made it a top priority to have her stay at home with our kids, and the cost of living in this area is not cooperating with that priority, even though the elders are generous with me in every way. Additionally, Jaime’s family lives in the Indianapolis area, and will be a great source of support for us.
Worshipping God with all of you has been such a blessing to me and my family; we will always cherish our time at Fairfax. Spiritually, we have grown immensely under Bruce’s preaching, the elders’ leadership and through our small group studies. And for Faith, I don’t know if she’ll ever find a Bible teacher that can hold a candle to Mrs. Belknap.
Our hope and prayer is that you’ll continue showing Jesus to each other and to lost people, and continue worshipping God joyfully, in spirit and in truth.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Praying for VA Tech Community
Like everyone else, I've had this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach since Monday morning. I can hardly stop thinking about it.
My goal is to redirect my thoughts, my fears, my sadness into prayers to God...prayers for hope, healing, peace, comfort...but I also am more motivated to keep an eye out for hurting, isolated people.
Let's move forward together, both as a community of Christ-followers, but as a subset of our global village, more determined to relate well to each other...to listen to each other...to take time to say hello and connect.
At times like these, what a blessing to be a part of the body of Christ.
I'll post specific VMV Prayer Team concerns after tomorrow's "day of mourning/prayer" for the VA Tech community.
Peace everyone.
My goal is to redirect my thoughts, my fears, my sadness into prayers to God...prayers for hope, healing, peace, comfort...but I also am more motivated to keep an eye out for hurting, isolated people.
Let's move forward together, both as a community of Christ-followers, but as a subset of our global village, more determined to relate well to each other...to listen to each other...to take time to say hello and connect.
At times like these, what a blessing to be a part of the body of Christ.
I'll post specific VMV Prayer Team concerns after tomorrow's "day of mourning/prayer" for the VA Tech community.
Peace everyone.
Friday, April 13, 2007
VMV Prayer Team Forming!
VMV PRAYER TEAM
WANTED CHRISTIAN PRAYER WARRIORS
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers. I Peter 3:12
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16b
What? We are forming a Prayer Team to pray in a focused way for the Vision, Mission, Values Process!
Why? We will soon be receiving the results of our church-wide survey as well as other quantitative data and in late April, we will begin formulating our Vision, Mission and Value statements. The process is scheduled to wrap up in June, but of course, this process has long-term implications for our church.
Who? Members of our congregation, and anyone else who wants to pray for God's will to be done at the Fairfax congregation.
Scriptural Emphasis?
In Matthew 6, Jesus taught his disciples (us) how to pray. Verse 10 of this chapter contains a phrase which is critical to our VMV process:
“…Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
We’ve chosen this scripture as our key verse, in keeping with our motto:
Seeking God’s Vision Beyond Our Own.
Length of Commitment? The next 3 months, from April 10 to July 10. (I realize many people have been praying from the very inception of the process back in August 2006 up until now, and that we as a church will continue praying after these 90 days. It’s just important to hit our knees hard for the next 90 days of this vital process.)
When? Pray anytime! Pray without ceasing! Designated prayer times are as follows:
Sundays, 9:00 am to 10:05 am, in Room 201 (not a class, just quiet time)
Sundays, 10:20 am to 11:35 am, in Room 204 (not a class, just quiet time)
*We may call for an additional “prayer meeting” at other times as the VMV process continues, so stay tuned for an announcement.
**Consider fasting as a spiritual discipline along with your prayer times. See Acts 13 & 14, and a one-page brief about fasting at www.fxcc.org/worship.
What else is there to do? Recruit others to participate! Such as former members, a family member who has visited here with you, a friend who attends another church, etc.
Sign up!
Email Murray Sanderson at murray@fxcc.org.
Call the office at 703-631-2100 to be placed on the VMV Prayer Team.
You’ll receive detailed prayer requests every 10 to 14 days during the VMV process.
WANTED CHRISTIAN PRAYER WARRIORS
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers. I Peter 3:12
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16b
What? We are forming a Prayer Team to pray in a focused way for the Vision, Mission, Values Process!
Why? We will soon be receiving the results of our church-wide survey as well as other quantitative data and in late April, we will begin formulating our Vision, Mission and Value statements. The process is scheduled to wrap up in June, but of course, this process has long-term implications for our church.
Who? Members of our congregation, and anyone else who wants to pray for God's will to be done at the Fairfax congregation.
Scriptural Emphasis?
In Matthew 6, Jesus taught his disciples (us) how to pray. Verse 10 of this chapter contains a phrase which is critical to our VMV process:
“…Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
We’ve chosen this scripture as our key verse, in keeping with our motto:
Seeking God’s Vision Beyond Our Own.
Length of Commitment? The next 3 months, from April 10 to July 10. (I realize many people have been praying from the very inception of the process back in August 2006 up until now, and that we as a church will continue praying after these 90 days. It’s just important to hit our knees hard for the next 90 days of this vital process.)
When? Pray anytime! Pray without ceasing! Designated prayer times are as follows:
Sundays, 9:00 am to 10:05 am, in Room 201 (not a class, just quiet time)
Sundays, 10:20 am to 11:35 am, in Room 204 (not a class, just quiet time)
*We may call for an additional “prayer meeting” at other times as the VMV process continues, so stay tuned for an announcement.
**Consider fasting as a spiritual discipline along with your prayer times. See Acts 13 & 14, and a one-page brief about fasting at www.fxcc.org/worship.
What else is there to do? Recruit others to participate! Such as former members, a family member who has visited here with you, a friend who attends another church, etc.
Sign up!
Email Murray Sanderson at murray@fxcc.org.
Call the office at 703-631-2100 to be placed on the VMV Prayer Team.
You’ll receive detailed prayer requests every 10 to 14 days during the VMV process.
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