On Monday, I got a phone call and it was someone from the church with some shocking news. She said, “Pastor, I am in the Family Life Center and I just saw a squirrel run by me.” At first I thought she was joking with me but it ended up being true. So after staff meeting yesterday, I ventured down to the FLC and found the critter in the kitchen. The good news is that I was able to coax the little animal out of the building with a broom. It only took about 10 minutes. I had visions of Lampoons Christmas when the squirrel jumped in the middle of the Christmas tree and it burning to the ground. Needless to say, my encounter didn’t end up like that.
We have some friendly squirrels around the church that come and look in the glass doors by the office. They even have trails formed from going to the front of our church and then to the back putting away their winter rationings. One of them finally made it in the building but realized that it wasn’t what they expected. The grass is always greener on the other side but sometimes it leads to a trap. I heard just the other day that someone lost their keys. Maybe one of them found them and is coming and going as they please. That was a bad trick to open the door for one of your friends only to slam the door and run. The things I sit around and think of… As we enter into this Christmas season, I want to encourage you to open your hearts to Jesus afresh this year. This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. What an awesome season we are going to experience together. There will be times of giving, serving, loving, singing, and worshipping our Savior. It truly is “Much More that a Miracle on 34th.” Just this past week our Church Board gathered for our monthly meeting and I shared the following: “Jesus is the hope of the world and the local church is the vehicle of expressing that hope to the world.” Jesus said, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” Matthew 16:18. Thank God for the church. It is in the church that we find strength when we come together. We are better together. When we are alone then we are limited by our ability and inability to reach the lost. You might be able to share but we have many limitations. Together we can make maximum contribution. I am so glad to have fellow believers in Jesus who are different in personality, strengths, and weaknesses. There are some who I may not be as effective at reaching people than you are. But I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God will use someone else to minister His grace. It is just comforting to know that we have a place to call people to come to worship, serve, and grow deeper. Why not use this Advent Season as an opportunity to invite friends and neighbors to worship our Savior and be discipled? Don’t forget about the cards available on the welcome center as you do random acts of kindness this month. It simply says, “…because God cares.” Let us enter into this day with thankfulness and joy as we are freshly filled with the Spirit and Attitude of Jesus! Joy in Jesus! Pastor Mike
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Rev. Mike McClurgSenior Pastor, Findlay First Church of the Nazarene Archives
March 2020
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