April 12th, 2016

Everybody's Got a Part in God's Choir

​​Jut before Easter, many of the kids and youth of  our church had a competition to see which age group could clean up the most sticks in our park to get it ready for the spring season. It was a fun way to do an important but tedious task. After they were done, the park looked great just in time for our sunrise service there. With the recent high winds we've had over the last couple of weeks, however, more branches had come down, and the park looked like it hadn't been cleaned at all. On Sunday, another group of kids went out and cleaned up again, and the park is beginning to look nice again. I am thankful for all the young folks (and not so young as well) who have helped out and made easy work out of a large undertaking!

One of the things that this has reminded me of is that everyone - no matter how young or old, rich or poor, this or that - can do something for God every day. Or as it has been said, "Everyone has a part in God's choir." When we work together for God, the Lord can use even the smallest gift of time, effort, and attention to make something wonderful. We all have a part to play. It's not just the young who are called to do the work, and it's not just the rich who are called to support it. We may not all be able to do the same things, but we are all able to do something. We are all called to do what we can for the sake of the love of Jesus Christ to make a difference in the world! What part do you have in God's choir?

Blessings on the journey, Jim

On-the-Job Training

Sunday's Sermon Snippet: Prepared by God's Salvation
(John 14:8-14; Ephesians 2:1-10)
Jesus made an incredible claim that those who believe in him will do the good works he has done and, in fact, even greater things than he has done. It is hard to believe how this could be true. Jesus healed the sick, fed the masses, walked on water, raised the dead, and saved humankind. It's a pretty tall order for us to consider that we are called to do things like these much less even greater things. We want to do good things, but we doubt that we are capable of such incredible things. So we do our small good works and leave the big stuff to Jesus.

Yet Paul reminds the good folks at Ephesus (and us who overhear him) that we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do. What an amazing claim he makes! Even before we woke up  this morning, God has prepared good works for us to do, perhaps a great work worthy of Jesus himself. We should not be satisfied with doing our small works just when we feel up to it. We should consider whether God has prepared some big stuff, some good work, for us to do today.

If God has gone to the effort of preparing good works for us to do, then surely God is preparing us even now to do those good works. In the coming weeks, we will look at several ways that God is giving us "On-the-Job Training" for the good works prepared for us to do.

Responding to God's Call
Pray the following prayer (or one of your own asking for discernment) and listen for the good works God is pointing you to: God of my salvation, thank you for setting me free from fear and sin. Show me what good work you would have me do. Guide our church to the works you have prepared for us. Help us together to live up to the holy calling you give us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
What do I hear God telling me? 

Looking Ahead
If God has prepared good works for us to do, perhaps even greater works than Jesus himself did, how is God preparing us to actually do them? Join us this Sunday as we explore how we are "Equipped by God's Word" to do amazing things! 

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Register for Camp Overlook

Now is the time to register for Camp Overlook! Turn in your forms by April 24, and our church will cover the registration costs for your kids to attend. Brochures are available in the vestibule.

The Cookbook Is Here!

Our awesome cookbook is here! We have extras so we are asking everyone to try and sell one more so that we can sell all of them.  They are still $22.  If you need extras call Sue Good. Share the cookbook with all your address friends on email, and let them know what a great buy it is. Thanks to everyone for making this a successful project!

Living in Community

Thanks to Maddie, Damian, Charity, Dinah, Chris, Dalton, Laurel, Keith, Zach, and Hunter for clearing up the recent wind damage at the park!

Thanks to Bob for leading our prayers in worship this Sunday!
Thanks to Debbie, Larry, and Meg for helping to serve communion this Sunday!

We have a team participating in a fundraising walk/run for AVA Care. Please see Mark Hardy or one of our youth if you are interested in supporting this ministry.

This Week at Port Church

Wednesday, April 13
9:30 am - 2:00 pm - Office Hours

Thursday, April 14
9:30 am - 12:00 noon - Office Hours

Sunday, April 17
9:30 am - Worship Service
11:00 am - Sunday School

Looking Ahead

Deadline to Register for Camp Overlook - April 24
VBS Training - May 22
Vacation Bible School - June 27-July 1​​