Dear Church Family,

Remembering Jesus – The Rest of the Story

Have you ever read a book or watched a movie, and at the end wondered what happened next, or maybe what happened before, that lead to this story. Maybe the author did such a wonderful job of developing the characters that you began to want to know more about them. This is a tool that authors use to possibly make you want to buy the next novel or watch the movie sequel. This can also happen when we read the Bible. I love to read again, the Book of Genesis and see the progression, particularly of Abram and his family, as they move through life. The experiences, the growth of character, the failures, and still moving forward through each generation. And yet, it ends with me still wanting to know more about what happens next.

When Luke wrote his letter to his friend Theophilus, which we call The Gospel of Luke, he told a story that encompasses Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection. It was a wonderful story that built into it all that was necessary for one to come to an understanding of God and His love for mankind. It told all about His plan throughout all the ages to reconcile men to God and to redeem us from sin. If all you had was this story, and you believed it and followed it, that would be enough. But the truth is, when it ends, the letter leaves you wanting more. So, Luke wrote a second letter to his friend to tell him more of the story.

Gary and I have been telling the story about Jesus and His birth, His life in us, His death, and His resurrection. Just as with Luke’s Gospel account, it includes everything that is necessary for one to come to an understanding of God and His love for mankind. But it is not the whole story. Over the next several weeks, we will be bringing messages that hopefully fill in more of the whole story of Jesus. We will be primarily in the Gospels and in the Book of Acts. We will look at different individuals and how their story is woven together with God’s story. We will look at the characteristics of the early church and how they functioned and grew. We will also include experiential services where we participate together in living out His story today. Hopefully in all of this we will find that God is still writing His story in us as we join Him in His work and life.

Gary began this new journey this past Sunday as Jesus asked us, “Do you love Me?” We should each one of us be asking ourselves that question. This coming Sunday we will be celebrating prayer in an experiential service in which Jesus will teach us to pray. Please make every effort to come and join us as we Worship the Father through Praise and Worship and opportunities to join together as we seek Him in prayer. I promise, this is not a service you will want to miss.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers, Pastors Hal and Gary