Participation in the Gospel

"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:3-6

I am overcome with joy and thanksgiving tonight for all that I have witnessed and experienced this week. We have surely participated in the gospel. Like Paul, I am confident that God has begun this good work and will now perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Our responsibility is to follow God and cooperate with Him to perfect what has been begun. We must be changed by this week and look forward to what He will accomplish in the future. Here are a few things that have been begun:

*9 children have received Christ through our Day Camp.
*Many families were touched by our Block Party today and thanked us for the event. (Everything went smoothly and the kids and their families had a great time!)
*Many new relationships were formed in our own fellowship.
*Around 30 unchurched C3 families were visited.
*Relationships were begun with the families of our Day Camp children.
*Our community has been touched by all of our various "Taking it to the Streets" ministries - goodies to community servants, local businesses and restaurants; free car washes, laundry-mat services, nursing home visits, and more.
*People were comforted by our prayer shawl ministry.
*Many were encouraged by our senior adult/cleaning ministry.
*We shared our love in action with the 30 homes that received construction work.

My prayer is that some of these ministries will become ongoing plans for our church fellowship. I pray that people in our area will see us as the loving, giving, and caring people that we have been this week. We must be careful to love as Jesus loved and give Him all of the glory. He has prepared good works for us, we just need to be on the lookout for them and have the courage to begin! He will supply all that is needed to bring them to completion.

Our biggest prayer concern for tomorrow is for our Fourth of July celebration. Please pray that John and Sandra Smith will have God's wisdom and guidance as they set up and prepare for this event. We could use more people to help. Please contact John and Sandra Smith if you are available (770-439-5761). Everyone is invited to come and enjoy the evening in Powder Springs. It is always a lot of fun. It almost has a "Norman Rockwell" feel; the whole town is gathered to eat and watch fireworks! We will have a band of "local renown" and our church choir will sing at 7:00. Our folks will be giving out water and goodies. Please join us!

Thank you to everyone who has prayed for the Father's hand to be on this entire week. We have been blessed beyond measure. I am so thankful for what we have begun and what we have accomplished. Please check back here over the next week for a more complete "wrap-up" of the details of the week. Once again, to God be the glory, great things HE hath done!!