E-note From Pastor Andy 11-25-13

November 25, 2013

Dear Eastridge Family,

It is hard to believe we are nearing the end of our 40 Days of Purpose Campaign.  We have been seeing some of the good things that God is doing in spite of the opposition from the enemy of our souls.  Let me encourage you to stand strong and keep pressing forward as you seek God during this time.

The five purposes that we talked about during this campaign were practiced by the first Christians in Acts 2, explained by Paul in Ephesians 4, and modeled by Jesus in John 17, but they are summarized in the Great Commandment and the Great Commission of Jesus.

These two statements sum up God’s five purposes for your life:

1. “Love God with all your heart”: You were planned for God’s pleasure, so your purpose is to love God through worship.

2. “Love your neighbor as yourself”: You were shaped for serving, so your purpose is to show love for others through ministry.

3. “Go and make disciples”: You were made for a mission, so your purpose is to share God’s message through evangelism.

4. “baptize them into …”: You were formed for God’s family, so your purpose is to identify with his church through fellowship.

5. “teach them to do all things …”: You were created to become like Christ, so your purpose is to grow to maturity through discipleship.

A great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission will make you a great Christian.  Remember it is not about me, rather it is about God and his purposes for his creation.

Let me remind you of a couple of important items:

• Sunday Celebration and Meal

You're invited to a party!  Join us for the culmination of our 40 Days of Purpose campaign next Sunday.  If you have experienced something you would like to share with the congregation please let Pastor Andy know so we can all celebrate together.  That’s what it’s all about, being together, fellowshipping together, loving together, serving together.  All of these things that we’ve done over the last 40 Days. 

After the morning worship service we will share a Thanksgiving/Christmas/Celebration meal together.  Everyone is asked to bring a main dish to share.  If your last name starts with A-L we ask that you bring a side dish.

If your name starts with M-Z we ask that you bring a dessert.

• Thanksgiving Offering

The Church of the Nazarene's Thanksgiving Offering for the World Evangelism Fund has been a denominational tradition for more than 80 years.

As it did in its beginning, the offering continues to raise support and awareness for missionary causes through the World Evangelism Fund.  Created in 1923, the WEF (formerly called the General Fund) provides essential resources for the denomination's churches and missional outposts in more than 159 world areas, and allows individuals and organizations to continue our shared mission “To make Christlike disciples in the nations.”

As members of the Church of the Nazarene, we treasure the miracles God has provided for global evangelism in the past and anticipate what he will do in the future.

• Children’s Christmas Program

On Sunday morning December 22^nd the Children of Eastridge will share a Christmas program as a part of our morning worship service.

• Christian Concert

On Friday, December 13^th the group Mikeschair will be in concert at Hutchinson First Church of the Nazarene.  You can purchase tickets by going to hutchfirstnaz.org

I trust you will have a great Thanksgiving Day and remember to obey 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV) give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

I look forward to celebrating with you on Sunday

Pastor Andy

E-Note From Pastor Andy 11-6-13

November 6, 2013

Dear Eastridge Family,

I do hope you have been able to draw closer to God during our 40 Days of Purpose Campaign.  This past Sunday we looked at the second purpose – Fellowship.  God created us to love Him (Worship) and to love our neighbor (Fellowship).  In our reading this week we are reminded that we were formed for God’s family!

“His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure.” Eph. 1:5 (NLT)

God wants a family, and he created you to be a part of it. The entire Bible is the story of God building a family who will love him, honor him, and reign with him forever. When we place our faith in Christ, God becomes our Father, we become his children, other believers become our brothers and sisters, and the church becomes our spiritual family. The family of God includes all believers in the past, the present, and the future.

Our families on Earth are wonderful gifts from God, but they are temporary and fragile, often broken by divorce, distance, growing old, and inevitably, death. On the other hand, our spiritual family – our relationship to other believers – will continue throughout eternity.

The Bible says, “So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.” Hebrews 2:11 (NLT)

Let that amazing truth sink in - you are a part of God’s family, and because Jesus makes you holy, God is proud of you! Being included in God’s family is the highest honor and the greatest privilege you will ever receive. Nothing else comes close. Whenever you feel unimportant, unloved, or insecure, remember to whom you belong.

Pastor Andy

·         Thank You

I want to say “thanks” for the card and love offering you shared on Sunday for Pastor Appreciation month.  At a pastor’s prayer meeting yesterday morning I was sharing how Eastridge has been open to making changes to reach out to new people.  Unfortunately not all the pastors in attendance felt the same way about their church.

·         Congratulations

Danilo and Fatima have a new baby girl – Miryam Sofia was born yesterday afternoon (9 lbs. 3 oz. and 20 ½ inches long).  Everyone seems to be doing well.

Look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Pastor Andy