We hope you’ll join us Sunday at 8:00 or 10:45 am as Rachel speaks about her trip to Ecuador.
The presentation will feature images and video from her trip – as well as Rachel’s story of how God used the trip to shape her own heart.
After the baptism service, one of the guys at church said to me, “Well – if that doesn’t take away your cynicism and depression, nothing will.”
It was a GREAT service.
In case you missed it, it’s right here.
Pray for those who were baptized – that they would continue to walk closely with Jesus.
You probably are.
The past couple of years have been difficult for most of us…
Were you prepared for the disillusionment? How are you dealing with it today?
It’s not a question of whether you are disillusioned.
It’s a question of how you’re combatting it.
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January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021
The full report is on the literature table in the lobby at the church. And the video is here or you can read it below.
The day before Christmas Eve, we were troubleshooting the lights in the parking lot. We checked the timer and the breaker. We went out to the light-poles and checked. Nothing. No power. We were dumbfounded. Then one of us said, “Are we flipping the wrong breaker?” We were. When we found the right circuit, the connection was made and the lights worked.
Connection – it’s essential to light, to power, to living.
This has never been more evident than in the past couple of years. Believers need connectedness in two areas: First, we need connection with God. Jesus says that if we abide in Him and His word abides in us, we will bear much fruit. Connection to Him brings fruitfulness and life.
A second connectedness we need is with one another. You have heard the parable of the log that became separated from the fire and eventually went cold. And you’ve seen it happen to people in their walk with Christ. It’s heartbreaking.
For some, living in 2021 has made this second connection difficult. I know few people whose lives haven’t been touched in a serious way by the pandemic. And this causes them to think twice about connecting socially – in person.
Those who are spiritually perceptive feel it. They feel the spiritual drain that comes with separateness. Others seem to know something’s wrong, but they don’t know what it is or what to do about it. It’s disconnectedness.
The solution for disconnectedness is…. Wait for it…. Connection!
And if you’ve been disconnected, you may find that you need to be intentional – even deliberate – in reconnecting with God and with his people. Those two necessities are as close as two sides of a coin. We need them both.
The way God connects us with Himself at Curwensville Alliance is beautiful. He works through the music in both morning services to bring us near to Himself. He knits our spirits together in the prayer time – when an elder uses his own words to express our hearts to God. God is there. And as we open God’s word together, His Spirit speaks to our open hearts. The connection with God is sometimes palpable.
In addition to that, we see the beauty of what Christ continues to do at Curwensville Alliance as He continues to connect us – personally. Have you seen the people gathering before the 8 am service? Have you been in a Sunday School Class and heard the people sharing their hearts together? Have you caught the conversations about family and friends unfolding in the lobby? Have you stayed around after a Sunday service – just to connect? After a committee meeting – just to catch up? After a gathering – just to talk? Have you seen people praying together in a small group – in unexpected places?
When we connect that way, our hearts find peace because we are where we should be – connected with God and with one another.
It was good to have light in the parking lot for the Christmas Eve service; I am thankful that we made the proper connection. And it’s good to have light – and life – in our midst as we “make the proper connections”.
As we move forward into 2022, it’s my prayer that each will look for ways that God wants to connect, personally – and that we will look for ways to connect with His people, personally.
As always, I want to thank the Elders and the Board of Ministries for their cooperative oversight in leading in 2021. They help us connect with God and with each other. Their leadership causes Curwensville Alliance to flourish.
More and more, my wife, Laurel, finds creative ways to help people connect with God and with one another.
Thank you, Laurel.
-Respectfully Submitted,
Pastor Steve