The Weekly Epistle 9/4/19

If you were to die tonight and stand before God and He were to ask you, “Why should I let you into my heaven?”  What would you say?  That was the question my wife asked my aunt, who is battling cancer. 

My aunt is one of the kindest people I have met. She has faced adversity throughout her life with strength and courage.  My aunt, with her alcoholic husband, raised her three kids to be polite, honest, and morally upright.  She is what I would call a good person!  

That day, a week ago, in her living room, we had that awkward conversation about my doing her funeral when she does pass and what she wanted included in her service.  It is something I would rather not talk about, yet it is helpful to know her wishes and desires and to see her heart as she knows that day is likely very near.  My mind has since thought about what I will say about her.

It was Stephen Covey who is attributed with the obituary exercise of imaging your funeral and what you would want others to say that they miss about you and your positive attributes associated with you. How would you want others to describe you?  

“Pastor, this is all kind of morbid!’  Perhaps!  Ok, it is! But if you have read this far, then you will see my point in this.  How you want to be remembered and what you hope others can honestly say about you is the legacy you will leave behind.  Beginning this Sunday, our sermon series in the book of Second Timothy will help us identify the legacy that we hope to leave.  The truth is that right now we are working on the legacy we are going to leave.  I am excited about the time we will spend each Sunday and in our community groups on “Living A Life That Lasts.”

I trust that you have signed up for a community group.  If not, you can sign up this Sunday.  Don’t forget that this Sunday is also the church picnic that is at Opechee point immediately following the second service.  Bring your lunch to the park as we fellowship together, join in some outdoor games, and witness several people get baptized!

Later this month (9/22), the study in the book of James will begin on Sunday mornings at 9:00 in room 102.  There is a Welcome Luncheon that day for all who started attending EBC within the last year.  Our four-week discovery class will begin on 10/6 and is for all who want to learn more about who we are as a church or interested in becoming a member. As you can see, there is a lot happening in this month and the months to come, so stay informed as we work to keep you informed.  

In all we do, our hope is to leave a mark on this community and beyond.  What will EBC be remembered for?

Oh!  How did my aunt answer that question?  Let’s say this, I am more confident having left her that day than when I entered that her trust is in Jesus Christ as her Savior!  

Looking to make a difference, Pastor Brian