Enote From Pastor Andy 10-30-14

October 30, 2014

Dear Eastridge Family,

As a sports fan and as a Kansas City Royals baseball fan I have enjoyed the playoffs with the Royals doing so well.  As a kid I grew up listening to the Royals on the radio and going to games each year.  For the first twenty or so years the Royals were very successful.  The last 25 almost 30 years not so much.  It was fun to see the Royals playing like they should.

As a Christian we have a responsibility to live like Jesus.  One key element to being like Jesus is forgiving like Jesus.  I recently shared a message on forgiveness.  There is so much material that I did not share in that sermon I considered doing another sermon “Part 2.”  We shall see if that happens or not but in the meantime let me share an extended quote from Pastor Adam Hamilton.

He writes “More than any other world religion, Christianity teaches, preaches, veritably shouts forgiveness.  Yes, some of our preachers dwell too long on guilt… That is unfortunate, for a Christianity obsessed with guilt is no Christianity. Christianity is a faith whose central focus is not guilt, but grace, redemption, healing, forgiveness, and mercy.”

“The process of forgiveness begins with our awareness and understanding of sin, for if we are not aware of our sin, we go on living self-absorbed lives while hurting others.  So the purpose of preaching and learning about sin is to open the door to healing!”

“Doctors study medicine not so they can go around telling people they are sick, but so they can heal those who are sick, and healing can’t start until the patients are willing to admit they are sick.  Once patients are willing to admit this, there is the important task of the diagnosis which then makes possible the cure.” (Hamilton, Forgiveness, p. 17-18)

May this be our prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, teach me to forgive and show me how to forgive as you forgive me.”

•                  Fall Back

Set Clocks back Saturday night before you go to bed and enjoy an extra hour of sleep before Sunday morning worship

·         Fall Festival

On November 2^nd we will have a Fall Festival here at the church from 4-6PM.  This is an event where we can invite people who do not attend church (like our OIKOS list) and give them a chance to come and meet people in our church family and have some fun.  

Stephanie and others are planning on being at the church around 3:30pm to start setting up some stuff for Sunday’s Fall Festival.  If you would like to help set things us come on out to the church and see what you can do.

·         Did You Know?  Here at the church…

-We spend about $900 each month paying our loan.

-We spend about $800 each month for insurance.

-We spend over $1000 each month in utilities.

-We give 5.5% of everything we collect to missions.

·         Election Day

Tuesday, November 4^th is Election Day.  I trust you will pray that we will elect good and godly leaders.  We have some voter guides on the information table in the entryway of the church.  Feel free to take them and prayerfully consider whom you should cast your vote.

 ·         Facebook

We are constantly trying our best to keep everyone informed on what is happening here at Eastridge.  I try to send out an “Enote” a few times a month, we have information to share in the Sunday bulletin each week, we have a webpage www.eastridgenazarene.org and now we have a Facebook page.  You can LIKE us on Facebook “Eastridge Nazarene Church” and the youth group has their own page “Eastridge Youth Group” and follow events and see photos all for the purpose of keeping you informed.

·         Favorite Quotes

“Each time, before you intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!” 

― Andrew Murray

We need a better demonstration of Christianity, not a new definition for it – Jarrid Wilson

“Rules for Self Discovery:
1. What we want most;
2. What we think about most;
3. How we use our money;
4. What we do with our leisure time;
5. The company we enjoy;
6. Who and what we admire;
7. What we laugh at.”

--A. W. Tozer

I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday!

Pastor Andy