E-Note From Pastor Andy 10-31-13

October 31, 2013

Dear Eastridge Family,

Several people have shared with me already how they have enjoyed the reading of the book, The Purpose Driven Life.  Last week we looked at the first purpose – Worship.  I trust you have enjoyed being a part of one of the small groups.  After attending one of the groups last week someone told me, “I was so happy to hear that I was not the only person who feels this way.  I really am not alone.”

Keep making the effort to grow spiritually you will never regret it.

Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV) says, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Verse 3 says we need to “Make every effort…” Community requires commitment! 

Cultivating Community Takes Honesty. Real fellowship depends on frankness. In fact, the tunnel of conflict is the passageway to intimacy in any relationship. Until you care enough to confront and resolve the underlying barriers, you will never grow close to each other.

Cultivating Community Takes Humility. Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. Humility is thinking more of others. Humble people are so focused on serving others, they don’t think of themselves.

Cultivating Community Takes Courtesy. The truth is, we all have quirks and annoying traits. But community has nothing to do with compatibility. The basis for our fellowship is our relationship to God: We’re family.

Cultivating Community Takes Confidentiality. Only in the safe environment of warm acceptance and trusted confidentiality will people open up and share their deepest hurts, needs, and mistakes. Confidentiality does not mean keeping silent while your brother or sister sins. It means that what is shared in your group needs to stay in your group, and the group needs to deal with it, not gossip to others about it.

Cultivating Community Takes Frequency. You must have frequent, regular contact with your group in order to build genuine fellowship. Relationships take time.

When you look at the list of characteristics, it is obvious why genuine fellowship is so rare. But the benefits of sharing life together far outweigh the costs, and it prepares us for Heaven.

Daylight Savings Ends (Set Your Clocks Back)

Daylight savings ends this Sunday so don’t forget to set your clocks BACK one hour Saturday night before you go to bed.

Saturday Morning Prayer Service

Each Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. here at the church Pastor Daniel will lead our prayer service.  Everyone is invited to attend.

I’m looking forward to seeing you Sunday!

Pastor Andy