Being Thankful
These past weeks have been enormously intense. We feel most blessed to be serving Our God with good folks who are committed to disciplined and generous volunteering for the cause of Christ and His Church.
Saturday was a delightful day with discussions and seminars addressing challenges on our way to more efficient and powerful ministry. We call these special sessions NVision. Attendance was about double of the last session. Preparation, content and process were excellent. People are still excited over the powerful classes shared by our own Angela Raker, Wayne Roberts, and Dr. David MacDonald.
Bill Woodruff and Amanda, former staff members now pastoring in Shelbyville, TN, came home to be with us and facilitate a seminar. Bill and Amanda are two of the faithful who served Covenant well and have maintained loyal contact. It was good to see them.
Following the NVision 16 men met together in a terrific time of discussion and sharing. Dr. Derrick Williams, UVA faculty member and Covenant member, was outstanding in helping us to better process how God has wired us and how to appreciate the God-wiring of our brothers. Men initiated and made the decision to continue meeting after Breakfast with the Pastor each 4th Saturday in 2011.
Sunday was terrific. We were blessed with excellent attendance, fellowship, and worship together. Sunday evening Laila hosted 44 ladies and 10 children to our home for a exciting time of food and fellowship.
Elders met Sunday evening for more than three hours to review, discuss, and project where we prayerfully believe God wants us to be and serve in the future. There was a wonderful spirit of unity and expectation.
November and December will provide exceptional opportunities for service and ministry. The Christmas Shoebox pick-up/drop-off for the Charlottesville region is again at Covenant. We trust more than 6,000 shoeboxes filled with gifts for needy children will be processed from this distribution point.
This Sunday night Southside Church of God will join with us for our first joint Sunday night community Thanksgiving Service at 6 PM. Special music, sharing, video…as we offer thanks to our God for His blessings upon America, the Church, and our corporate and individual lives. (We will not have Wednesday night service before Thanksgiving).
Coming in December is a children’s drama, cantata with the Sanctuary Choir, a live nativity with miniature animals, a ladies’ trip to the Living Christmas Tree, multiple Christmas at the Bare’s celebrations, Christmas Eve Service, and New Year’s Eve Service.
All of the above are intended to bring us together, to invite folks to join our family, and to bring honor and glory to God.
Allow me to close with an invitation for us to join together in a Christmas present to Covenant this year. Our sanctuary carpet is showing the wear of many services and events through the years. We are blessed to have friends who can help us purchase and install for about $15,000--a significant savings. Will you join with Laila and me as we happily donate to this venture to honor God’s house by improving the appearance of our main place of worship. Simply mark your gift “NT carpet.”
It is a joy to serve you. My excitement level for what God is doing and is going to do is at an all-time high. The Lord is with us!
With love--
Pastor Bare