So Thankful...

Praise the Lord for such a strong message on the importance of prayer in the life of the church! May the Lord help us to give prayer a greater priority personally. And ultimately, may we become, in greater ways, the "house of prayer" He's intended us to be. Thanks Rick for exhorting us in this vital and noble discipline.

This is a great time to be a reader in the Kingdom! With the proliferation of books and authors, there are many choices and topics to enjoy and gain from. As you attempt to stay up with what is new, let me encourage you to rediscover the great writers of the past: Spurgeon, Finney, Torrey, E. M. Bounds, A. W. Tozer, Watchman Nee, Andrew Murray and more. Many times you'll find that these books are more moderately priced than the latest ones and so often have the greatest treasures hidden inside. As always, because of the times we live in and because our time is limited, we must be discerning and selective about what we read. There are many good contemporary writers but don't forget the time tested heros of the past. You'll be glad you did! I just wanted you to know....

Love you all,

Mitch

Don't Miss it...

Pastor Rick Lawrence continues his Blueprint sermon series this Sunday. What a powerful time in the Word it was last week. Join us as we rediscover and learn more of what God wants from us as a church!

And...don't forget the Agape' Feast / Town Meeting this Sunday night at 6:00 P.M. We'll have soup, sandwiches and dessert. Bring two of the three, enough for your family and to share. Following the meal we'll present the first draft of the By Laws and present a suggested process for Pastor Search Team selection for your input.

Make sure and check out the Spring Bible Study Line-Up in the Welcome Centers.

See you in Worship!

Mitch

The New Bible Study Quarter

The line-up for Spring Bible Study is available in the Welcome Centers. Make sure and pick up a copy this Sunday and determine which class you'd like to attend. Better yet, click the Ministries button on our web page and select Bible Study. There you'll find the upcoming information as it now stands. Call the office for any questions you may have or to get contact information for any teacher listed.

Starting This Sunday...

Pastor Rick will begin a series of messages called the Blueprint Series. These will be from the book of Acts detailing the functions of the Church. They will run through May 19th. Don't miss it. Remember that CD recordings of all messages are availible through the Media Library. The cost is $3.00.

I'll hope to see you in Bible Study and in Worship Sunday. These are great days of hope and encouragement. You'll be glad you came.

Mitch

A Great Day Sunday...

Praise the Lord for such meaningful moments at Fellowship this past Sunday! We had the highest attendance in worship that we've had in some time.

This month several will be going to other countries for mission work. Joel and Brooke Feagin and Brittney Becker and Jessica Greer will be going to Costa Rica over the next two weeks. Howard Palmer and his son Jason will be going to Guatamala this week! Don't forget to pray for these.

Our Deacons and Rick Lawrence met Sunday afternoon to continue work on the Constitution and By-Laws. Great progress is made each time we meet. We're also discussing a suggested Pastor Search Team selection process that will be presented in the upcoming Agape Feast / Town Meeting scheduled for Sunday, February 26th at 6:00 P.M. in the Multi-Ministry Building. Your suggestions and input, as always, will be very valuable as we seek the people and process for this important task. Our goal is to have a search team selected and in place by the end of March! Wow!!! Please continue to pray for the leadership as we work on these important items that are vital to Fellowship's future.

Be watching for more great news from the leadership teams at Fellowship.

As we approach Sunday...

...Let's pray together about every aspect of the ministries of the day: Bible Study, Children's Ministries, Worship and the preaching of the Word, and Life Groups. Anticipate great things and visualize His Spirit moving and empowering all that happens. Come Sunday expecting to meet God, bringing with you, your unique and indispensible life to the mix. Your presence is important and will be used by God to encourage others as your life touches them. We all can expect to receive, but lets also purpose as we come, to give. I keep telling myself, it's not so much what's in it for me, but what's in me for it.

I'm so encouraged! I look forward to seeing you Sunday!

Mitch

Update...

Just wanted you to know that the Deacons met last night and got a lot done on the Constitution and By-Laws. We've scheduled an Agape' Feast / Town Meeting for Sunday night, February 26th at 6:00 P.M. in the M.M.B. We'll present what we've completed for all to consider and give input. Don't miss that meeting. YOUR thoughts are important. Be watching for more.

Also, our offering this past Sunday was a strong one. Praise the Lord! Giving this year has been so encouraging. Thanks to all who give and honor God with your monies.

I've been reading Psalm 139. Great stuff. Read and be blessed.

Thankful...

...So thankful for another great day at Fellowship this past Sunday. Pastor Rick preached a powerful message that impacted all of us. Let me remind you that CD recordings of the messages are available each week in the Media / Library immediately following the worship service or can be requested and available the following Sunday.

For your personal reading, I suggest "The Secrets of The Vine" by Bruce Wilkinson. It is easy but very helpful and encouraging reading that explores the activity of God in our lives to make us more effective and fruitful. It will help you understand and more easily embrace the hard things that God does and allows to help us reach His ultimate intention for you and me. He is a good Father and His pruning in our lives is evidence of that. Read and enjoy!

One more thing...make sure that you are spending regular and frequent times in prayer and reading The Word. It is essential food and drink that will determine your continued growth and success in your walk with God. ...Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Blessings on you and yours,

Mitch