(Church email, Dec 4, 2020
Hi New Life!
Greetings in the wonderful Name of Jesus! Just a quick note to say hello and let you know you are loved by Jesus, and by your Pastor! Trusting all is well with you and your loved ones as we continue to work our way through Covid 19 and through the social and political climate we find ourselves in. One thing for sure is that Jesus is STILL on His throne! We are certain He has everything under control.
Mission's Month was wonderful! TY Mission's Committee for the excellent decorations and for putting together a great Mission's Celebration Night. The initial tally of our Faith Promise Pedges received in house last Sunday is in. The amount pledged so far is approximately $16,000 for 2021. That is a pretty good amount considering many members and other regular attendees are in the process of returning their pledges. Remember, we are seeking $20,000 in pledges to continue the support of the thirty-three missionaries we currently support, and an additional $5,000 to add seven more missionaries that have been waiting to hear from back us. We will continue receiving Pledge Cards till the end of the year, although we will accept Pledges whenever they come in throughout the New Year. Please do pray regarding your contribution for 2021. And, last Sundays' special mission's offering to help offset the negative balance we are in this year was $800. Thank you! We will accept additional offerings for this years' mission's budget each Sunday till the end of the year. Please mark your check or offering envelop "Missions".
Livestreams continue to go well! TY to all that sign on to our FB page: New Life Haverhill, and participate in the Sunday Morning Services, the Sunday Evening Prayer Hour, the Tuesday/Thursday Talks, and Wednesday Night In The Word. I do have a question for the Wednesday Night In The Word crew. Unintentionally for the last two or three Bible studies, we have had quite the time of fellowship as most comments were referred to and addressed as we went along in the study. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving was quite the night as we discussed everything related to Thanksgiving dinner and desserts to Paul's discourse on the seven grace gifts!! This week we had some visitors from North Carolina join us (from the church where Pamela and I started our Christian walk many years ago) and several talking points developed that linked our experiences there with our current study in Romans here. My question to the "regulars" on Wednesday Night is, which do you prefer...the camaraderie and fellowshipping along with our study of the Word, or would you prefer a stricter and perhaps more disciplined (on my part!!) study in the Word without interruption, leaving room at the end for discussion and fellowship? If you would, please respond via this email address. Responses will remain confidential. I realize there may be a cross section of responses but I would appreciate your feedback.
Tuesday/Thursday Talks generate an average of ten to twelve people each time. Pamela usually accompanies me on Tuesday's, and grand-daughter Ella accompanies me on Thursday's. Wednesday Nights generate anywhere from twenty to thirty in attendance. Sunday Night has about twenty to twenty five. By the way, our various Livestreams are drawing people from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Puerto Rico and Oregon! One thing we would ask is that when you sign on to any of our Livestreams that you hit your "share" button, thus allowing your friends on your page to be exposed to the teachings and fellowship. This way we will potentially reach many more people.
We are happy to announce that in addition to the above Livestreams, we are adding a weekly ZOOM Meeting to the schedule. Each Wednesday, starting next week, December 9, from noon to twelve thirty, Rev Bill Unger will be hosting a teaching series entitled, "The Cost Of Discipleship" a study in Christian ethics. He will be using Dietrich Bonhoeffer's well known book "The Cost Of Discipleship" as a guide. That book can easily be purchased on Amazon if interested (not mandatory for the study, but helpful). Please spread the word about this exciting new venture. Hope to see many of you there!
Well, this "quick note" to say hello became quite lengthy didn't it!! Kinda like a "short sermon" that becomes a three part series!! TY so much for taking the time to read this. Please contact us if we can be of any help. Please respond to my earlier questions.
Getting ready for Christmas!
All Because Jesus Was Born!
All For Jesus,
~Pastor Rick and Pamela
"For there is born to you this day
in the city of David a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord."
Luke 2:11 NKJV
