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