I posted a link to a podcast on the church’s Facebook page recently. If you don’t follow the
church on Facebook or didn’t get to listen to the podcast yet, here is the link:
http://thomrainer.com/2016/08/community-focused-church-look-like/. Thom Rainer is the host.
(You might remember his name from the book Autopsy of a Deceased Church that you studied
with Pastor Nik.) Thom Rainer and his guest Jonathan Howe talk about a community-focused
church and what its characteristics are. They say the nine characteristics are: reaches out to
the community leaders, intentionally are where the people are, frequent restaurants and coffee
houses in the community, help the community where they say they need it, are evangelistic,
are invitational and are involved in civic groups, political meetings and schools.
A friend shared this podcast last week. This podcast reinforces what we’re currently doing.
We’re shifting our focus outward. This month, the Elders and Board are doing community
interviews to ask: where do you need help? They’re interviewing civic leaders, public officials
and servants, and school leaders. We were evangelistic and invitational at the Rummage Sale
this weekend. You’re frequenting restaurants and coffee shops with me. We’re involved in
Rotary and Kiwanis. We’re doing all these things that Thom and Jonathan suggest are the
things that a community-focused church does. And, Jonathan says community-focused
churches are the churches of the future.

I’m very excited about the progress we’re making in discerning God’s vision. I hear excitement
and wonderful ideas from the Elders and Board as they share with me the conversations
they’ve had with community leaders. I can’t wait to share with you the outcome of the work
they’re doing. We still have some community leaders I’d like for us to interview that no one
has signed up to chat with. If you’re interested in helping with this step, please let me know.
I’ve got questions to guide the conversation. You can call or e-mail the person. It’s really easy
and inspiring.
In the coming weeks, please pray that God reveal through these conversations the work He is
calling us to do.

When I was visiting my family last weekend, my niece wanted me to come visit her at
work. She wanted me to see where she works and meet some of the people. She works at a
hotel with extended stay rooms. Many of the hotel’s clients stay for long periods while working
on a job assignment.
I met one of the guests Lazarus when I went to visit my niece. Lazarus is a Puerto Rican from
Miami who is staying at the hotel for the summer. He found a good contract job in the area
that will last several months. I spent some time talking to Lazarus about faith, work and
family.
Lazarus shared with me a story of his mother’s faith. While pregnant with him, his mother’s
doctor told her he had died. Lazarus said it was common for women at that time in that area to
be told their babies had died. Lazarus’ mother believed in the promise of life more than her
doctor. She walked to another hospital to deliver her son. He was born a healthy baby boy
and his mother named him Lazarus for God had raised him from the dead. She had been told
he was dead but was born alive and well. Lazarus said there were many men his age named
Lazarus because their mothers had experienced the same thing. Their sons too had been
raised from the dead.

Our God is a God who offers new life to the dead and hope to the hopeless. I love to share
stories of people I meet who remind me of God’s goodness and love. I hope Lazarus’ story
brings you hope.

Walmart bags. Kroger bags. Meijer bags. It depends where you shop as to what you call
them. In my house, they’re Walmart bags regardless of the store from where they came.
Others call them Kroger bags regardless of the store from where they came. Whatever you
call them, we need them for the rummage sale. Please bring your bags this Sunday to church
to donate to the rummage sale. The hope is we’ll use lots of bags as shoppers tote away lots
of treasures.

Thank you all for your donations to the rummage sale. Please continue to bring them through
Friday, August 4th. If you are unable to bring them on a Sunday morning, please feel free to
contact me to make arrangements to bring them to the church at a time that is convenient to
you. There are forms in the bottom middle mailbox on the mailboxes hanging on the wall
outside the office for you to document your donations for tax purposes. The Salvation Army
and Goodwill websites have suggested amounts to claim per item.
There are sign-up sheets in the Narthex for you to volunteer to help during the hours and in the
manner you are able and available. We need helpers on Friday night to set up and Saturday
to assist shoppers. We need baked goods for the bake sale – we’re still working out when you
can bring those to the church.
The Hannah Circle has decided how they would like to use the funds raised. Fifty percent will
go to mission projects or organizations supported by the CWF circles. The other 50% will be
reserved for a fellowship event for the congregation. There are a couple ideas in the works for
that event. The hope is that we will not only raise funds for mission, but we’ll also raise
awareness of the church in the community.
Thank you to the Hannah Circle for organizing this event. Thank you for all the ways you are
all helping.