Happy New Year!
I came across this poem which I found to be very appropriate to this time of year when resolutions are made.
I spent a fortune on a trampoline,
A stationary bike
And a rowing machine;
Complete with gadgets
To read my pulse,
And gadgets to prove
My progress results,
And others to show
The miles I have charted,
But they left off the gadget
To get me started.
Know the feeling? Companies and corporations pay considerable money for consultants to come in and fire up their personnel. They continue to look for ways to get their employees motivated. A little motivation can go a long way. What motivates you? As a follower of Christ, what should motivate you?
We will look at motivation as we come to stewardship month. What is stewardship month? It is to follow the logic of our existence and to whom we owe it. The God who owns it all and is the Creator of all has given us the awesome yet sobering privilege of caring for that which He has given us. That includes our money and possessions, but not only our money and possessions. He has given us abilities, time, spiritual gifts, experiences, people under our care, all to be used for Him. We are stewards and care takers of all that he has given us.
While I know that you are disappointed we are continuing our break from our study in Revelation, I hope you can share the excitement with me in looking at the Old Testament book of Haggai. This is a great book that ties into stewardship month. But in a different way than you may think. It speaks to motivation. It challenges our priorities. It calls us to step up for it is time to give God first place, rather than what is left over. It answers, “what’s next” for the people of God.
You will be hearing more about our “what’s next campaign.” You will be hearing about buildings, expansion, facility upgrades, but it is all connected to our vision as a church. What is next for EBC in growing deeper and having greater impact? What’s next for the church to grow and for each of us to grow in our relationship with Christ, in our spiritual disciplines, closer to each other, and grow in our efforts to reach the lost for Christ? Those questions are the reason for addressing facility needs. Our facility facilitates our goals, objectives, and resolutions.
As we turn the page to 2019, let’s get started on what we believe God wants of us. More than that, let’s stay with it to completion. Not sure who said it, but it has stuck with me: “The greatness of a person is determined not by what it takes to get him going, but by what it takes to stop him.”
Staying the course,
Pastor Brian
Looking Forward
Sermon Direction
“It is time to consider our ways”
Haggai 1:1-15
Last Sunday’s Sermon
Prayer Builders
Prayer Builders will be meeting this Sunday from 10:20-10:40 in the room behind the stage.ELMM
The next meeting of the Military Ministry (ELMM) will be Saturday January 12th@ 0800. In the fellowship Hall. Veterans, retirees, active duty military, men, women and all denominations are welcome. Please come join us in fellowship, prayer and discussion of our common bond of those who serve.Communion
We will be celebrating communion this Sunday.2019 Giving Envelopes
Sign up sheet will be available at the Ministry Counter this Sunday if you are interested in beginning to use or continue to use giving envelopes. Envelopes will be available for pick up on Dec 30th.What’s Next for EBC
Coming in JanuaryNew Sermon Series
We are continuing to take a break from our study in Revelation to take a look at the book of Haggai for the month of January to tie into our What’s Next Campaign.Sunday Morning Bible Study
Portraits of Jesus
Exploring and encountering the truth of Jesus and its relevance to today’s world. Great class for those who are exploring the truth of Jesus or for those who want to know more deeply the One in whose face we see God!
Cancellation Procedure for Sunday Mornings
In the event of bad weather that would potentially impact services, the following will be taken into consideration: the current weather in Laconia, timing of the weather event, and whether roads, walkways, parking areas will be cleared. A decision will be made by 7:30 am to cancel one or both of our services. Events in the afternoon or evening will be dealt with separately. EBC will notify of cancellation using the following:
- WMUR TV*
- Church website news feed @ www.laconiachurch.com
- Email (weekly epistle list)
- EBC public and private Facebook pages