The Sweet Dropper

REMIND

Time change for Wednesday Night Connection: Beginning Wednesday, September 9, we’re starting supper at 5:30 pm and Wednesday Night Connection at 6:15 pm. Why? In April, 2008, we moved the start time for WNC to 6:00 (remember, it used to start at 6:15), it has been tough for a number of our working folks to get to supper and enjoy that part of the fellowship and then get to the studies and activities afterward. I think that the time adjustment will allow for more visiting around the table and more participation in the Wednesday Night Connection studies. On the other hand, I realize that “15 minutes later” counts for something for those who, like me, have younger school-age children who need to get home. If this time change creates significant problems for you, let me know (one or two of you already have). We might need to trim the WNC time by 15 minutes. That is a possibility. Hang in there, and let’s see how we do. If something’s not working well, we can try to fix it.

Adult electives for Wednesday Night Connection:

• Framework of Faith: a study of basic Christian doctrine, taught by Phillip Palmertree.
• What Did You Expect? Redeeming the Realities of Marriage: a DVD and discussion series featuring Paul Tripp, led by Danny and Lynda Temple.

Wanted: men who will fight: Men’s groups are starting back up this month. The old groups will remain intact, and a new group is forming as well. If you are interested in joining the fight, let me, Grant, or Thomas Pound know. Men’s groups offer a practical way to apply the gospel to everyday life: small, simple, biblical, reproducible groups who meet regularly to help one another keep the gospel at the center of their discipleship. It’s time to start fighting…with the church, in the gospel, for the glory of Christ.

Organ concert and mission report: Those are two things you usually don’t find side by side. But Sunday evening, September 13 FPC will hear such a combination. Roger Lowther is preparing to go to Japan with MTW. Roger is also a first-rate organist. In the evening service he will perform, and also he will tell us about the ministry to which God is calling him and his family.  When Nelson and I were in Japan, we met two of the team member who will serve with Roger in central Tokyo in the Christ Church Tokyo plant. Roger and I have mutual friends in Memphis, and that is how I first got to know him. I know you will enjoy hearing what he plays and what he has to say about using the arts to reach Japanese people for Christ.

Jesus Unplugged starts September 13: Bring “ordinary life” and “kingdom life” together by listening to the Gospel according to Luke: Jesus answering questions, Jesus conversing at the supper table, Jesus talking things over, Jesus telling stories—Jesus unhurried and interruptible.

NOTE: Jesus Unplugged study guide: Beginning next week, I will be making a study guide available in weekly or biweekly intervals. The goal is to have some material from the sermon series for you to use in personal study, family worship or small group and Sunday School class settings in preparation for public, gathered worship each week and for application to everyday life. I am doing this on a trial basis, and the study guide will be available in electronic format only, via download from fpckosciusko.org.

Happy New Year! If you missed the Fall Family Night ministry preview back on August 12, you can catch up by picking up an orange Fall @ FPC 2009: What is your next step? sheet. This will give you a lot of information on upcoming events between now and Thanksgiving. The back page is a calendar for the next four months.

REVISIT

Sunday School: Last Lord’s Day, we announced that John Clark Love is the new superintendent of FPC Sunday School. John Clark is bringing some new ideas and some good old ideas to the task. One essential thing we need in all classes is consistent, accurate record-keeping. His job is much harder if the attendance folder for your class is not filled out. We also need to thank Marc Sims, who has been faithfully serving Sunday School in a secretary role during 2009. Remember that Sunday School is the primary vehicle through which NURTURE takes place in FPC. I am encouraged to see that many adult classes are having fun together between Sundays and are coming up with strategies to reach those who haven’t come in a while.