September 22nd, 2015

Joining God's Work Here

It's been a great couple of weeks of Wednesday at the Port! We've had around 100+ folks for dinner each night and over 20 kids in our Little Fishermen program afterwards. We've been overwhelmed by the response and give thanks to God that this ministry is reaching so many of you. So many hands have come together to make this happen. This week, I am especially thankful to Jordan, one of our youth members, who agreed to lead our opening prayer and shared in the Superman Prayer. It was a great scene to see folks of all ages giving thanks to God in song and in motion!


With such a crowd to feed and to teach, we need your help. We have teachers for our activities activities but need help with managing the large group of kids that God has brought our way. If you can sit with our kids and simply show them kindness and love as they learn music and make crafts, please let me know. We also have a need for someone to lead adult discussion or games or to lead a class for upper elementary (Take your choice - I will do the other). If that's not your thing but you are able to help clean up after the meal and give our cooks a break from standing on their feet, please see Sue Good to sign up for one of the upcoming weeks.

Even if you are unable to come out for Wednesday at the Port, please join us in praying for our leaders: Dianna Chandler, Sue Good, and Debbie Huffman - cooks; Randy Chandler - bus; Barbie Chandler - nursery; Liz Shifflett and Lee Obaugh - Little Fishermen; and Dinah Watson, Kendra Burns, Mark Hardy, and Meg Ward - youth. I am thankful to all these folks and all the other volunteers who help serve the meal, clean up afterwards, and watch our children.

If you want to be a part of the amazing work that God is doing in our midst, come out for Wednesday at the Port! See you this week!

Blessings on the journey, Jim

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Meeting Jesus

We have finally arrived at the end of Jesus' story on earth as he meets his fate on the cross even as others continue to meet him.

Sermon Snippet: Crucified (Luke 23:32-43)
Jesus hangs upon the cross, but he is not alone. With him in this perfectly hopeless situation are two criminals, one to his left  and one to his right. While one mocks him and tries to goad him into saving them all, the other cries the ancient words of God's people when they face hopeless situations: "Remember me..." - the words of Joseph in prison, of Samson who strength has left him, of Hannah who desires a child more than anything else, of Job who has lost everything, of Jeremiah when his work as a prophet earns him nothing but scorn and abuse, and of Nehemiah when his work to rebuild Jerusalem is jeopardized. This criminal in the midst of hopelessness joins the chorus of God's people. Jesus responds, "Today you will be with me in paradise!" Today! Salvation is not just a part of some distant future in a far-off otherworldly realm. It is here and now! Today is the day that can change everything. When hopelessness causes us to question, we join with God's people who wrestle and struggle with God through our doubts, and Jesus answers, "Today! Today is the day that salvation comes! Today is the day that changes everything!"

This Week's Challenge
What seems hopeless in our world or in your life today? What causes you to question and to doubt? Pray for God to help you remain open to the potential for change in those situations today.

Looking Ahead
Jesus has been crucified, has risen, and ascended into heaven. He no longer walks among the people. How can we meet Jesus as those so long ago did? Where do we find Jesus today? Join us this Sunday as we look for how to meet Jesus in the story of the Ethiopian eunuch who wished to be "Baptized."

September 27 - "Baptized" - Acts 8:26-38

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Party in the Park!

Our youth are already making plans to serve our community in mission through RENEW Camp next summer. To help raise the $3000 that the team needs to be able to attend, they are hosting a Party in the Park on October 10 in Bradburn Park starting at 4 pm. The afternoon kicks off with a chili cookoff - sign up now to win the bragging rights of the People's Choice Award and come out to help choose the winner! They will have items up for silent auction and a cornhole cake toss where you can win your dessert! The evening will conclude with a dance at the picnic shelter with music from across the decades. Invite your friends and neighbors, come out for the food and fun, and support the transforming work of our youth in the community!

Help Kids at South River!

The school year is in full swing now, and Nurse Jan at South River Elementary has let us know of some of the needs that she has for the kids at the school. The Clothing Closet at SRES needs white t-shirts of all sizes, men's underwear - size medium, women's underwear - size 8, boys' and girls' underwear - both in sizes 8, 10-12, and 14-16, and any gently worn sweats and leggings. Thank you for your continued support of our school and the kids of our community!

Living in Community

• Please pray for our RENEW youth team as they work over the next couple of weeks to make their Party in the Park happen. 
• Please pray for our Finance Committee headed by Bob Pettit, chair, Amie Robinson, treasurer, and Kendra Burns, financial secretary, as they develop a budget to support and grow our ministries in the coming year.

This Week at Port Church

Tuesday, September 22
7:00 pm Finance Meeting

Wednesday, September 23
9:30 am - 2 pm - Office Hours
6 pm - Wednesday at the Port

Thursday, September 24
10:00 am - 12 pm - Office Hours
10:30 am - Prayer Time

Sunday, September 27
9:30 am - Worship: "Meeting Jesus - Baptized"
11 am - Sunday School

Looking Ahead

• Wednesdays until November 11 - Wednesday at the Port
• Saturday, October 10 - Party in the Park
• Sunday, November 8 - Church-wide Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Packing Party
• Tuesday, November 10 - Charge Conference