HEY IBC,
As I reflect on last week and our community-wide water issue, I can't help but think about how we as people are so caught up in our routines. It was strange waking up and being forced out of my routine for a morning shower and a cup of coffee! But being out of routine from time to time can be incredibly constructive. Think about how often we are simply going through the motions of our daily routine and are unaware of the world around us. Years ago, I was encouraged to take another route when driving to work or to the store occasionally. Force yourself to take roads you usually don't go down or shop in a grocery store that you are not accustomed to. When I started doing these things, my perspective changed on the community in which I live. One of my favorite things to do is take a walk late at night. Even though I am used to the road I walk, it brings forth a whole new perspective at night. Sometimes we get caught in a routine, talking to the same people, meeting the same group of friends, and we don't even notice so many people around us who are hurting and need the joy of Jesus that we know well. I am reminded of Matthew 7:13-14: "Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.” We can get caught in a bubble surrounded by those who profess Christ, but when we get a new perspective, we realize that the Christian community is small compared to the lost population. Scripture confirms this. My prayer for us this week is that we will live in the perspective of Christ as we go out into our community, and that this becomes our new “routine.”
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT:
This year is an incredibly exciting year for IBC! This year on Sunday, May 1, we will celebrate IBC's 75th anniversary. We are planning a very special service that Sunday to honor and thank the Lord for how he has blessed our church and how he has guided us throughout three-quarters of a century! Please mark your calendars for this special Sunday!
PASTOR'S PRAYER REQUEST:
I wanted to take a minute to talk to you about our youth ministry. As you heard last Sunday, Daniel Clemmons, our youth director, has resigned to be near family in the DFW area. While we are sad to see him and his family leave, we fully support them in their decision. Daniel has touched many hearts while he has been here and has been a blast on the staff. Skylar Hollis will be the interim serving during the transition while the search committee looks to fill this role. Next Wednesday will be Daniel's last day at IBC. If you would like to come by the Grange after the youth service, which ends at 8 pm, I know he would love to see you. And if you would rather wish him and his family well on Sunday, they will be available then as well. Would you please keep Daniel and his family lifted in prayer as they move and settle into DFW? Also, please pray for our students and all of the volunteers who will be helping during this time of transition. Also, there will be a list of names provided to you in the Home Center of the people that the Church Council has nominated to be on the Youth Search Committee. We will be having a Special Called Business Meeting next Sunday, March 20th following both services to vote on those names. Would you take the time this week to pray over those list of names as we seek the Lord's guidance in the upcoming search for our next Youth Director?
SERMON PREVIEW:
We are starting a new series this Sunday titled “Chiseled,” as we study the Life of Peter and how the Lord called him and sculpted him into a fantastic leader and follower of Christ. Don't forget to pick up a reading plan in the Home Center!
THIS SUNDAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT VIDEO:
WE ARE STILL THE CHURCH!
Pastor Shawn
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