“Why?” “Why, papa?” I must have heard that question a dozen times from 2 of my 4 grandkids over this past weekend. It reminds me of the father and his toddler out fishing one day, when the boy asked, “Why does this boat float, dad?”
The dad thought for a moment and replied, “I really don’t know exactly.”
The four-year-old then asked, “Why don’t fish drown underwater?”
“I am not quite sure,” the dad answered.
The boy looked up to the heavens and asked, “Dad, why is the sky blue?”
Again, the dad replied, “I don’t really know, son.”
The son then said, “Dad, do you mind my asking you all of these questions?”
“Of course not,” the dad responded. “If you don’t ask questions, you’ll never learn anything.”
The why question often takes us off guard. Yet it is a good question as it relates to life, ministry, priorities, motives, and so on. For instance, “Why do we do what we do at EBC?” To answer that question with something like, “Because that is how we always have done it,” is insufficient.
If you have been around here and been paying attention you should know by now that our mission is to be a church that makes disciples, who make disciples, who make disciples…” We carry that out through a 4-E strategy: Engage, Establish, Equip, and Evangelize. This strategy is broad enough to include various activities, yet specific enough to keep us focused as to why we would add or choose to not add another ministry or program.
As your pastor, I am committed to looking for ways to more effectively and intentionally center all I do around making disciples and that it is in our DNA as a church. This is one reason I, along with the elders, believe that joining the Evangelical Free Church of America will increase our ability to carry out our mission.
“Why, pastor, why? Why would we join?” That is a legitimate question. In next week’s epistle, I will flesh this out some more. Suffice it to say now, the Evangelical Free Church that I had the privilege of being a part of for over 20 years in Portland, Maine, played a big part in my longevity as pastor there. Not only did the E. Free provide me with resources to sustain me in my ministry, but it also offered the church resources to develop leaders, and to support and equip the church to carry out its mission. Like I said, I will come back to this and other reasons why this is healthy for our church.
I look forward to seeing you this Sunday as we return to two services. I do want to thank you and I know I speak for Pastor Dan as well, for your generous Christmas gift. We are blessed to serve here with you. As I often say, “It isn’t I have to serve here, but that I get to.”
Blessings, Pastor Brian
Looking Forward
Sermon Direction
What A God!
Isaiah 40
Link to This Sunday Worship Service
THANKS
Pastors Brian and Dan and their families thank you for your thoughtfulness and generosity expressed to us through your Christmas gift!
New Sermon Series
This Sunday we begin a new sermon series, “True North” (Beliefs that define who we are)
Outreach Opportunity
Please sign up to help distribute batteries and church invitations to our neighbors on Saturday, January 8th at 10am.
Prayer 30
The next Prayer 30 will be on Thursday, January 20th from 7:00 -7:30 in the gym. Mark your calendars.
Children’s Ministry
Starting January 2nd, Nursery for birth through age 5 will be open during 1st service! We will also have a new PreK – 1st Grade classroom opening for PreK – 1st Grade! God is Good!
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 bother of our services. EBC will notify of cancellation using the following: WMUR TV*, Church website news feed www.laconiachurch.com, Email (weekly epistle list), and EBC private and public Facebook pages. *(If 1stservice is cancelled, it will say “No Early Services”, if both services cancelled, it will say “No Sunday Services” on WMUR)
Giving and Online Giving
Envelopes for giving will be available Sunday on the coffee counter. The names are on present user’s boxes. If you want to use envelopes, there are ones that you can take. Just be sure to write your name and envelope number on the sheet supplied. Also, there is the option of online giving. Go to the website (laconiachurch.com) and click on “give” and proceed from there. If you have any questions on either of these, please contact the church office at 524-2277.