Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It is good to be back with you! I’m looking forward to seeing you this weekend or next! On Tuesday, Sept. 1, I began working following my Sabbatical. I’m glad that I got a good amount of rest and renewal because these first few weeks of September are full! But God’s ability shines through our inability; God’s power is perfected in our weaknesses; God’s presence goes with us to help us face each day as we live for His kingdom.
Thanks to those of you who signed a card to welcome me and my family back from Sabbatical. We had many different experiences this summer – from a memorial service to an adoption proceeding, from camp to time away internationally. Throughout the summer, the Lord was showing me my limitations while he provided consistently.
I was really encouraged through spending time connecting with friends and family, and visiting churches in our area and throughout our travels. God is working in small towns to bring people to Himself. God is working through His people to meet needs in their communities. God is working through college campuses drawing students to Himself. God is working through large churches to provide support and resources for broken foster care systems. God is working through Christians serving internationally, equipping Christians to serve in pastoral ministry or to reach Muslims for Christ.
I took time to read and take an online course on preaching, pastoral care, and theology. I aim to implement ideas that I heard / learned in each of these areas for the good of the people of CrossPoint Community and for the glory of God.
Finally, I know it has been three months, but do you remember CPC’s Vision, CBCGL’s Mission, and the Measures for CPC? In the next few weekly updates, we’ll take time to review them.
Please continue to pray for the nations of Iran and Israel/Gaza and Ukraine/Russia and Sudan.
Further announcements can be found in the weekly spotlight. And other church wide announcements can be found in our weekly bulletin.
For Prayer:
1. From Bishop J.C. Ryle – “To be prayerless is to be Christless, Godless, and in the high road to destruction…It will always be found that when prayers are few, grace, strength, peace, and hope are small.” Please join our Wednesday night prayer meeting (7:45 – 9:00 pm) even if you can’t participate the whole time.
https://zoom.us/j/758587937?pwd=aS9sZUdxcm1janNNM2I2aXJ6Smx2QT09
Meeting ID: 758 587 937
Password: 030086
Join by phone: +1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
2. We’d be glad to pray for you. If you need prayer, you can submit your prayer request via the following link: https://www.cbcgl.org/pray/
In Christ, your servant, SDG,
Pastor Nathan Willems
Associate Pastor of CrossPoint Community – A Ministry of CBCGL