Shallowater Methodist Church

The last two articles of mine in your monthly newsletter spoke of change. If we are true to ourselves, we each change in some form or way every day. The challenge to each of us is how we accept and live through those changes! Do we accept and embrace that change or do we resist it?

Several things have changed for us as a congregation in the past month, or less. The person overseeing and operating our livestream during worship has left. Our worship leader, Pid McCain, has left. Both of those occurred during or prior to the beginning of August. This past week Tina departed as our Ministry Assistant (Church Secretary), she goes with our prayers as she enters a difficult journey in her lift facing cancer surgery followed by a 4-to-6-week recovery period as well as a move to Arkansas or Louisiana (the move has not been set as definite).

God has been at work for us the church. Emilee Egbert has been welcomed as the new Ministry Assistant (Church Secretary) bringing an excited attitude and spirit along with some ideas. Beginning in September we welcome Zach Cole as our I.T. person, setting up and operating our audio visual and livestreaming functions. We will return to utilizing the overhead projector and screen during worship as a means of enhancing our worship experience.

We are searching for the right candidate to come on board as worship leader. Please pray for our new staff members, and a new worship leader.

We can REJOICE that we have a God who journeys along side us through the changes, struggles, and celebrations we each experience in our daily lives!

Sunday, my message focused on the Keys to the Kingdom. We all have as disciples and followers of Jesus Christ have been given the Keys to the Kingdom. Like any other set of keys, they must be used to be of value. If we simply carry them in our pocket, purse, or on our tool belt, so-to-speak, they are of NO VALUE! We must step into the gifts and graces God has equipped each of us with, using them as part of the Keys to the Kingdom. Every one of us encounters throughout our week’s journey someone in need of a word of encouragement, a simple smile, or in need of prayer.

I challenge you to slow down, wherever you travel, watch for those opportunities to show the love of Christ to whoever you encounter! Seize those opportunities with a smile, encouraging word, or if the Holy Spirit prompts you to ask to prayer for that person. In doing this you are SEIZING and UTILIZING the KEYS OF THE KINGDOM! Grace and peace through Christ our Lord, 

IF WE ARE NOT CHANGING WE ARE DECLINING! GOD WANTS US TO GROW, IN ORDER TO GROW, WE HAVE TO ALLOW CHANGE TO OCCUR AND BRING NEW GROWTH! LET’S BE THE DISCIPLE OF CHRIST WE ARE CALLED TO BE IN A HURTING WORLD! SHOW CHRIST TO EVERYONE YOU ENCOUNTER! THAT IS HOW WE CHANGE THE WORLD!

Grace and peace through Christ our Lord,

Pastor Tom