Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted. Jesus came near and spoke to them, “I’ve received all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.”
Thought for the Day: The close of Matthew’s Gospel might just be some of the best known words of scripture. Many pastors have closed their worship services with a paraphrase of the words, “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Such a benediction is a good reminder of what we are to do, but there are many young churches who live and breathe this idea. Back in 2000, Rev. Dick Hamm, our General Minister and President at the time, put before our denomination the 20/20 vision. We were to, among other things, start 1,000 new churches by 2020. A lot of people scoffed at the idea as it just didn’t seem attainable, but the denomination got creative and suggested that we would see 1,000 new churches created in 1,000 different ways. Well we are 16 years (80%) into this project, and as of a month ago, we had started 934 new churches (93% of the way toward our goal). I know a number of these pastors, and they love Jesus and follow him with such passion. But equally important, they take these words from Matthew very seriously. Of course, how they help form and shape disciples is different from one church to another, but rising up are thousands of new enthusiastic followers of Jesus, and the ethnic diversity of these new congregations displays the rich diversity of God’s creation.
This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, and we will be collecting our Pentecost Special Day Offering. All money raised is divided between groups: 1. Hope Partnership in Indianapolis is the ministry in our denomination that helps people discern the call to new church development, provides extensive training to new church pastors, and coaches these young congregations toward self sufficiency; 2. The other half of the offering stays here in the Coastal Plains Area of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where it provides grants to the new churches in our area. These grants have helped to purchase musical instruments, do advertisement for their kickoff services, or even help with rent in their first worship space.
I hope you’ll consider giving to the Pentecost Special Day Offering this year. The theme is: A Second Wind.
Prayer: Your Holy Spirit is at work among us, O Lord of All Creation. Continue to awaken us to the Great Commission – continue to awaken us to the important work of discipleship. Amen.
SUNDAY
Pentecost
Worship at
8:15am, 9:30am & 11:00am
Mission Fair
9:00am – 11:00am
Elders
5:00pm
General Board
6:30pm
