Weekly Newsletter 11/18/2021

The grace of our Lord be with all!

Occasionally a preacher does not calm down after a sermon since he realizes that something was not adequately explained. I confide that from the beginning of this week, I’ve been reflecting on the Sunday morning sermon, and I believe that I was not able to explain one issue very clearly and precisely… I apologize. Right now I’ll try to explain one concept, that I consider to be very important.

When talking about the grace of God in a person’s life and its sanctifying work, how I see it, we didn’t completely capture in a practical, measurable, and actionable way how this grace changes, equips, sanctifies, and pushes us toward good deeds. We briefly looked at a very important text that ends up being key in understanding how God’s grace works in us right now. This text is found in 2 Corinthians 8:9, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”

How does this grace move us? The answer is in the words “might become rich.” The context here consists of two chapters talking about the importance of financial giving. And in order to motivate people toward this ministry, Paul uses the strongest argument possible, God’s grace toward us! When a believer understands what he has obtained (in the past, during his personal salvation), and that this obtaining has indeed made him rich, then he will without problem, with desire, freely serve God financially. This principle is applicable in absolutely any sphere of a Christian’s life! Without realizing the riches we have as children of God, we won’t be able to serve without getting tired. This is why Christ came to Earth, became a person, suffered and died, in order to make us rich. This is what we need to remind ourselves and the people around us, that Christ died to make us rich, in this is grace, since we didn’t deserve this. The riches are in salvation, redemption, justification, adoption, regeneration, forgiveness, acceptance, and renewing. We are indeed rich!!!

Service in joy and sacrifice will be directly proportional to my sense and understanding of my “richness” in Christ. The brighter I see the gifts Christ has given me, then the stronger will my commitment be toward the Gospel. And now, this is it…

One important announcement: during the Thanksgiving service, we will have a unique offering that happens only once a year. Specifically, on Thanksgiving Day, we have an offering for charity/philanthropy. Last year we collected over $9,000 for charitable needs and throughout the year, a special committee of deacons, were able to financially serve people in need. This fund is firstly used to serve our own members, but not only. This year some of our members experienced very serious shocks and worries and this type of help was very handy. We believe that on this Thanksgiving Day too God will incline your hearts, with thankfulness and experiencing His grace, to dedicate some special funds to those in need. It is a privilege to be an instrument in God’s hands!

Please, take a look at the services and special events scheduled for November-December:

• 25 November (10:00 AM) – Thanksgiving Day (church service)
• 27 November (8:00 AM) – Men’s Prayer Breakfast
• 4 December (5:30 PM) Women’s Christmas Night
• 11 December – Evening for the church board (including wives)
• 19 December (6:00 PM) – Church Family Evening Service (Christmas Concert)
• 24 December (6:00 PM) – Christmas Eve Service
• 31 December (11:00 PM) – New Year’s Eve Service

This Sunday we will be learning a new song; please get familiar with the melody and lyrics:

Continue supporting the churches working among the people who have suffered from the war in Ukraine. Go to our Give page or click the Donate button below. Select "Mission to Ukraine" fund when donating.

• Today, Thursday (6:30 PM) Children’s Bible School (open to all but required for parents), followed by the Bible Study (Letter of Jude) for the whole church at 7:30 PM.
• Worship Service in Russian at 9:00 AM
• Worship Service in English at 11:15 AM

As previously, due to the restrictions and orders from the health department, we remind you:

• Keep social distancing and wearing masks in public places
• Wash and sanitize hands more often
• If you have flu-like symptoms, were in contact with a person with COVID, or are in the “high-risk” group, then we ask you to stay home