"Changes & Choices"

Dear Friends,
This month represents change in many of those in our congregation.
Graduation from high school or college is just around the corner for many young people who are seniors from these age groups.
Change affecting our congregation represents those graduating from kindergarten to those of our congregation that are downsizing and moving from a house to an apartment or even another town with a new address!  And the reverse is true on another scale, a young married couple moving from an apartment or rental property to their first new home.
Change fights for our attention from politicians to resetting our clocks for day light savings time!
Not long ago in my morning devotions I came across Philippians 2:9-11 this verse declares “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”  This verse reminds me that in the midst of all the change we face, some good some bad, and all the uncertainty that can loom around us, that someday Jesus Christ will step into the world scene and bring all of this to a conclusion.  His presence and appearance will bring all of us to our knees.  I’m not sure when it will happen, I’m not sure how it will happen, but I am certain it will happen!
Every person who leaves this life will bow before Jesus.  You will account for yourself.  You will answer for the choices you have made.
We can recover eternally despite some bad choices, but we cannot get this one wrong.  We can avoid God but not for more than an earthly lifetime!  Jesus Christ is Lord, and someday every knee will bow to Him as the Master.  The ultimate authority.
If life is about one thing, it’s about getting this ultimate authority relationship figured out!   Who is really in charge!?  Of my life? My choices? My changes? I pray it is Jesus Christ your Lord!  No matter what we accomplish in this world, if we don’t get this figured out, we will have nothing!
The ultimate test of lordship is not the crisis of your deciding to believe, but the process of submitting your will to His will!  Whose will wins: yours or His?
Everybody serves somebody!
What do you bow down to?  You’ll find the answer to whom you serve in your response!
What does your choice look like?  If it doesn’t include Jesus Christ, there is still time to change your choice! Do it today!

Blessings!
Pastor Wayne

“Love Letters”

     Scattered in the top drawer of my desk in my office are colored and crumpled post-it-notes that reveal a child’s handwriting. They are notes from my grandchildren and one in particular!

     In the only way a child could express themselves, they reveal love, encouragement and compassion! They also tell of a relationship between a granddaughter and her grandpa!

     I save them for a couple of reasons.

     First, they remind me that I am not alone. I have grandchildren that love me.

     Second, when I open my drawer looking for something else, they are an unexpected surprise that pop up to bring a smile to my face when I reread their little messages.  They bring back memories of a little face missing two teeth smiling back at me!

     These “love letters” are also precious to me because I know that they will end. I know as the years go by they won’t get written as frequently as they did.

     Does that mean my grandchildren don’t love me as much as they used too? No. It just means that as their lives get pressed with more activities it’s quicker to call or to text!

     And so these notes become more precious to me than gold coins!

     As we celebrate Easter this month, I am reminded of God’s love for his children. That is you and me! I am reminded that God sent his Son, Jesus, so that we might have life!  I am reminded that I am loved! I am reminded that I am not alone. “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16

     Easter reminds us that as a child of a living God that our Creator wants a relationship with us. The cross of Christ, his death and resurrection, bridges the gap that sin wedged between our God and who we are as individuals who need salvation.

     Maybe it has been a long time since you have had a conversation with God that expressed your child like faith or maybe life has bruised you and pressed your relationship with God into a distant shell of what it used to be. If you have felt this way, it is not too late to reach out to Him!

     This Easter may you praise God for his resurrection power that includes you in His plan of salvation through Christ!

     Now that is the ultimate post-it-note!

     Have a Blessed Easter!

Pastor Wayne Sneller

“Be Intentional With Your Words”

Dear Friends,

          The Bible says, “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path.”  Psalm 119:105

          Much of our lives are spent communicating with others.  We learn at an early age to speak.  We learn that our actions combined with our words are a powerful tool.

          This month our church and schools begin another journey of training children and young people in the path of learning.

          This process of learning is not limited to children, adults are reminded to use the power of words for the glory of God and to build each other up.

          Recently, I read a devotional by Rick Warren.  I’d like to pass a few of his thoughts along.

          “Sometimes our words are like a sledge hammer, we swing away without thinking, and all of a sudden we look around, and all we’ve got is relational rubble.  When you thoughtlessly sling your words around, your relationships are going to suffer.”

          One time I went into my garage and grabbed a manual for a power saw.  As I read through the directions, I was struck by how it related to another tool God gave us: our mouths.  The directions said:

          1.   Know your power tool.

          2.   Keep the guard in place.

          3.   Be careful around children.   

          4.   Store idle tools when not in use.

          5. Never use in an explosive atmosphere.

          As we begin another year of school and church education, let us be reminded to talk less and listen more.  Let us be intentional on building up each other.  We all know we all could use a little more encouragement and a smile!

          And who knows the impact of how God will use you to make a difference in a persons life!

          Come to think of it, God does!

          Have a great September!

Pastor Wayne

STICK TO IT!

Dear Friends,

          Recently I read an article about how the aviation industry is working with NASA to deal with the problem of bugs sticking to the wings of airplanes.  It is believed that millions upon millions of dollars can be saved on fuel by reducing the “bug” drag on the wings of airplanes. It seems that if some kind of surface can be found that allows bugs to slide off the front of the wings instead of sticking to them, the airline industry would have a higher profit margin.

          You talk about the power of “stick-to-it-ness”!  As we enter into education and the fall activity mode of the church, I think of all the good intentions and fresh opportunities we will have to learn about our God and His love for us.

          How well does that “stick” as we lead by example and desire?

          I encourage you to take and opportunity to find out how the Lord can enrich your life!  Be an example to your child and teach with your actions the importance of learning God’s word.

          Romans 12:9 say, “Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil, cling to what is good.” 

          Let me close with this illustration on how we learn to cling to God’s word.

          Cling in its purest sense means to “hold on tightly.”

          One day last week, it was much cooler than normal but on this particular morning when I got into the truck to go to a meeting, I noticed the flies stuck to my antenna. (Not confused with the dead corn moths splattered on the windshield.) Those flies cling to anything warmer and barely move.  I think I got up to 50 mph before the last fly grudgingly let go and flew off.

          My friends let us hold on tightly to the truth God gives us and learn a few lessons from some sticky bugs and stubborn flies in the process!

          Have a great transition into August!

Blessings!

Pastor Wayne

Top 10: Alive vs. Dead Churches

Dear Friends,

     Recently a well-known comedian retired from doing his long time late show. I normally do not refer to these TV personalities but there was a portion of his routine that was a staple of his show and was popular with his viewers. It was called the top ten questions of which you could fill basically any subject. 

     I thought of this as I reflected on what characteristics would make the top ten of a church that was alive and was faithfully serving God’s Kingdom. The following is a compilation of my “top ten” of alive churches vs dead churches. Caution: I had a little fun in putting this together and had some help from some past resources.

     1. A live church moves out in faith; a dead church lives totally by sight.

     2. A live church is filled with tithers; a dead church is filled with tippers

     3. A live church has parking problems; a dead church has empty spaces

     4. A live church has changing programs and ministries; a dead church says, “We have always done it that way.”

     5. A live church has lots of noisy children and youth; a dead church is quiet.

     6. A live church welcomes new people into leadership; a dead church is cold to new people.

     7. A live church often changes the way things are done; a dead church doesn’t have to.

     8. A live church sees challenges and opportunities; a dead church sees problems and dangers.

     9. A live church uses its traditions and facilities to serve people; a dead church uses people to preserve facilities and traditions.

     And Number 10.  A live church dares to dream great dreams for God’s Kingdom; a dead church has nightmares!

    Where do you think we are alive and where could we be headed for the cemetery? Food for thought!

     Allow God to cause us to dream dreams and put His people into action! 

     Have a great June!

Blessings!

Pastor Wayne

"Impacting Lives for Christ"

Dear Friends,
          One of the tasks of the new year that I have in my home is putting up the new calendars that reflect the approaching year.
          The trusty kitchen calendar is the main frame of our home.  On this calendar, church dates, meetings, birthdays, taxes due, etc are recorded.  Everything is run through this calendar that helps my wife and I to coordinate the who, what, when and where of the Sneller family.
          Our church also operates in this mode of being prepared on God’s time for us.
          Recently I read an article on characteristics of churches that have effective ministry.
          It listed four key points that were evident in churches that did ministry well.
          Key #1 – Churches with a future pray for their pastor.
                    God places dreams and visions upon a pastors heart that fine tunes the balance of leading and encouraging a church to own a vision for their future in Christ.  A prayed for leadership is essential!
          Key #2 – Churches with a future maintain a positive sanctuary.
                    Within the first 120 seconds of entering a church sanctuary, most first time visitors develop one of two opinions.  The church is either warm or cold and I’m not talking about the temperature of the sanctuary.  We need to be friendly, open and a genuinely caring place to come.
          Key #3 – Churches with a future provide education and fellowship experiences.
                    We need to know what our God has promised to do.  We do this by meeting the everyday needs of our community and applying the Bible to our everyday lives.
          Key #4 – Churches with a future have a mission!
                    We cannot afford to discontinue mission from our local community.  It’s personal.  It’s your neighbor.  It’s the reason we exist as a church. It’s the drive for inviting and sharing Christ with others.
          Our calendars and our church events show where our priorities are lived.  May they both reflect the mission statement of First Reformed “Impacting Lives for Christ” in 2015 and beyond.

Blessings!

Pastor Wayne

"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain!"Psalm 127:1

One day on my summer vacation, I watched a rowboat on a lake.  What I saw revealed to me an example of how a healthy church should do ministry. The lesson came from how the rowboat made its progress in the water. What I noticed was that the person rowing sat with his back to the front (the bow) of the boat and rowed forward while looking backward.

As I transfer this application to an example that fits the church, I believe healthy congregations should have their eyes on where they have been but concentrate on going forward. This is often a delicate balance in progressive ministry.

As your pastor, I see the progress that we have made as a congregation in bringing vision to a reality.

Your support of the Legacy Building project has been tremendous! The ministry that has been done in our new addition has blessed both the church and the community. This is our goal. May we wear out the building that was built in doing ministry for the Lord!

Are we done? By no means! We recognize that our task as a church is to grow spiritually strong in the Lord and to reproduce spiritual disciples. This is as basic as knowing the source of our salvation in Jesus Christ and sharing it.

Ministry is exciting! Mission has moved next door to us. Our goal is to be prepared to meet the needs of our neighbors and the world in Christ.

As you look over the report this year, you will find that our church does not stay the same. There are births, deaths, professions of faith, marriages and transfers. Our church does not stay the same because it cannot stay the same because it is a living community!

What moves our church ahead? Several years ago I read that established churches are bound together by rules, regulations and rituals while growing churches are bound together by a sense of purpose and mission. Ralph Neighbour, a church growth author, states that the seven last words of the church are “We’ve never done it that way before.”

May this report today reveal that we are moving ahead for the Lord Jesus Christ as we equally celebrate where we have been.

All of our plans, programs, and procedures are worthless without God’s anointing. “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain!” Psalm 127:1

In Christ,

Pastor Wayne

Paying It Forward

Several years ago there was a movie entitled, “Pay It Forward”.  The plot of this movie was built on the theme that we can make the world a better place by doing good to others when we have experienced a good deed ourselves.

               Now, that is not an original concept by any means.  The Bible teaches us to “go the second mile” and to love others in the name of Jesus and to pass it on!

               This did get me to thinking of a rich tradition First Reformed has had in hiring interns for the summer.  In fact this practice goes back almost fifty years.

               Looking back at church record, the first summer student was first introduced to the ministry of First Reformed in 1966.

               Over the years at least 13 student pastors from Western Theological Seminary served summer assignments at Sully Reformed! (Tammy and I served in this capacity at Sully Reformed in 1979!)

               First Reformed continued to build on this ministry by employing summer interns from its congregational body.  Over the years, many young people from this church have developed their spiritual gifts by serving Christ in their home congregation.

               I believe this sends a message to youth and to the church that we are ready and willing to mentor each other in ministry gifts that will bless generations yet to come – “paying it forward” if you will!

               We welcome our interns for the summer of 2014 – Clayton Larson, Mikayla Vos, Lyndsay Terpstra and Andrew Scholten.  In invite you to take time to check out their pictures and biographies in this addition of the Informer.

               They put into perspective the bible verse that I believe symbolizes what we do when we let God lead.

               “Cast your bread upon the waters and it will return unto you.”  Ecclesiastes 11:11

               Welcome interns!

In Christ,

Pastor Wayne

Put God First

Have you ever watched the TV show “Hoarders”?  Each episode concentrates on people who won’t let go of their material possessions.

            In some cases, the possessions literally threaten the health of those individuals living in their homes.  At the least, this condition limits a person’s freedom and they are held hostage both emotionally and physically by the things they once controlled.

            I thought of this condition when I was doing some spring cleaning last week.  I’ve had some old jackets that have served me well.  They hang on hooks where I placed them five years ago!  I haven’t used them.  “Maybe it was time to get rid of them,” I mused. “But then again maybe I’ll need an old jacket for a dirty job and they would be perfect!”

            In the end, I kept two and disposed of two!  That’s a nice compromise I thought to myself!

            In reality, I hadn’t quite let go of everything that needed to be discarded!  However, I did feel a freeing power that proved to myself I could get rid of things!

            In our Christian walk, I have noticed some similarities with the things of this world we try to hold on to while we live our Christian witness.

            To be quite honest, it’s difficult and leaves the witness of Christ gasping for breath frustrated by what we are trying to do with the things we are packing on our journey.

            The Bible says it quite clearly.  “No one can serve two masters.  Either you will hate the one and love the other or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.”  Matthew 6:24

            This month we celebrate graduation!  I urge our graduates to remember what to serve when they begin their journey in life.

            This isn’t limited to graduates either.  May we take a close examination at what we are doing with our life and how we are living it for God.

            God doesn’t take a back seat to anything or anyone!

            Put Him first!

            You will have a much lighter journey in this life!  You will also enjoy the things that will take on the real meaning of what to keep and what to throw away!

            Know your Master!

Have a Great May!

Blessings in Christ!

Pastor Wayne

Why We Celebrate Easter

Dear Friends,

            “In the beginning…” are the first words that reveal the amazing story of God’s love for us.  These words are the words of God to the world he created with the intention that the creatures He made would worship Him.

            As we prepare for Easter, my prayer as your pastor, is that every person who hears the Easter story would recognize the love of God in a personal application.

            That love was made personal by a Savior, Jesus Christ, God’s Son so that we could be reconciled, that is brought back, to the relationship that sin broke between God and mankind!

            We celebrate at Easter Christ’s death and resurrection!  This action by our Savior gave us a new life and purpose for living for today!

            What is the purpose of the church and her mission?

            You need to go back to the beginning!

            This reminded me of an example of how successful companies recognize goals and expectations in promoting their product.

            For example, most soda manufacturing companies were shut down during WWII because sugar was in short supply, but the chairman of Coca-Cola convinced the U.S. Government that soldiers needed Coke as a morale booster.  Hence, Coke was distributed to all the theaters of battle.  After the war, Coke had an immediate foothold in overseas markets because they were instantly recognized!

            What does this have to do with our church, Easter and your spiritual life?

            There are two fronts in the church today where the church is being especially challenged.

            The first is to communicate the love of Jesus.  It’s basic but it involves the obvious.  How do we show Christian love modeled through Christ?

            You see successful companies were masters at communicating expectations.  At Sully Reformed, our goal should be to communicate, in various ways and means, the value of relationships built on Jesus Christ.

            The second front, that we as a church should be actively addressing, is the ability to envision a goal in Christ.

            Basically, this means to develop plans to “run the race for Christ” in a way that connects our mission with the needs our community and world we face today and tomorrow!

            I see so many dead, stagnant and lethargic churches populated with members content to be the last one to “turn the light out”! Pray that we never embrace that direction.

            Easter is a time to return “to the beginning” and celebrate being a church that is not self serving, but serving for Christ!

Have a Blessed Easter!

In Christ,

Work Faithfully & Diligently

Dear Friends,

            I spent several evenings last week watching the Winter Olympics. 

            I am amazed at the skills demonstrated by the athletes as they participated in their particular winter sports event.

            What also generated my interest, are the stories that are often behind the athletes medals of gold, silver or bronze.

            One of my favorite stories this year is of the USA’s snowboarding bronze medalist, Alex Deibold.  He was an unknown behind the scenes Olympic participant that no one knew!

            In the last winter Olympics, he went as a snowboard technician.  This means he would wax and scrape and grind the snowboards for his teammates who were participants in the events.

            This year he stood on the ceremony podium representing the USA as a bronze medalist.

            This reminded me of Elisha’s servant Gehazi.  He worked alongside the greatly respected and God-anointed prophet Elisha.

            Gehazi was often charged to go to difficult situations.  Remember the widow whose son had died?  Gehazi was there but nothing happened when Gehazi was on the scene.  Enter Elisha.  A miracle occurs.  The child was raised.

            Later on in the chapter (2 Kings 4), a famine struck the area.  Gehazi was told to make stew. Inadvertently poisonous plants were used to make the stew and everybody cried out they were going to die!  Again Elisha shows up to fix the problem.

            Gehazi had done all the work and Elisha gets all the credit!  So it is with serving today!  It is so easy to feel used and unappreciated!

            I want to thank all those who serve behind the scenes in ministry.  You work faithfully and diligently, yet someone else gets the praise and attention!  Your efforts make the individual or program a success!

            Our God who rewards in secret will never overlook your commitment.

            Thank you again to all of you who serve the Lord and his church in so many unseen but powerful ways!

I love the verse, “For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love you have shown towards His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints!”  Hebrews 6:10

Have a great day in the Lord!

Pastor Wayne

Mercy, Hospitality and Listening – Care Ministry

Dear Friends,

                Sunday (January 19) we began a new era of caring ministry in our congregation.

                We commissioned twelve new care teams that will aid our 7 elder and deacon teams.  This makes nineteen teams that will be using their gifts of care and nurture for Christ’s church in the body we call Sully First Reformed.

                As your pastor, this has been one of my dreams to help develop and disciple our congregation into a caring and loving body of believers.

                The care team ministry was developed so that there is not one person who is inadvertently missing the Christian care and love that we desire to show one another.

                It also is an opportunity to allow members to use their gifts of mercy, hospitality and listening.

                Our care teams will compliment the care of the elders and deacons that has and will continue to be so faithfully done but will give everyone a greater opportunity to serve.

                As your pastor, I am aware of the needs that a congregation of our size represents as well as the great possibilities of service that God has in store for us if we are willing to serve together and refresh ourselves.

                I am reminded of this example of coming together and refueling our care service.

                The Strategic Air Command – our nations’ defense system – operates 24 hours a day as a shield of protection for our nation.  That means that at any point in a given day there are planes carrying nuclear warheads in the air over our country.  If these planes fly constantly, how do they keep them full of fuel?  In the military, they do what’s called mid-flight refueling.  A refueling plane actually flies up next to the Strategic Air Command plane, docks in, and refuels in flight.

                We know together we can provide the care needed for each other as we help one another care for one another in Christ.

                “For this reasons we never become discouraged … yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day.”  2 Corinthians 4:16

                May we be ready to receive the Lord’s blessings as we love and care for one another in Christ!

Blessings!

Pastor Wayne

                

"WATCH YOUR WALK"            

            Last Saturday as the weather grew worse and the mist turned the sidewalks into a deadly ice rink filled with potential dangerous slips and slides, I remarked to staff members at church to “watch your walk” as they headed out the door.

            Reflecting on my warning, I thought to myself, I said that wrong. I wanted to say, “Watch where you step.”

            However, reflecting on my verbal misuse I thought about what I did say.

            “Watch your walk” I thought descirbes how we as Christians and as a church should approach the new year of 2014.

            Matthew 7:14 says, “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

            Does that mean it is impossible to lead a Godly life? No.

            What it means is that in the world people will often walk a path of life that is not obedient to the call of our Lord.

            It is easy to walk that walk because the path is wide and the choices we make do not take into consideration what God has asked us to do.

            For the Christian, it means that we put aside our desires, our ability to control things for our own wants and needs and put others first.

            The implications for our church is one where we “do these things” in the name of Christ and put ourselves second.

            When a church and its members have a vision that gives empowerment to the Holy Spirit, watch it grow and go!

            It now has a purpose that is not hidden in words and formal statements but lived out where the community and world sees it!

            I call on our church not to be a spectator for the events that God has placed before us.  Be a participant in the body of Christ and “watch your walk” become filled with purpose and enthusiasm for the Christ we call Lord. 

            I am looking forward to the year as we pray the prayer of Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:10, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.”  And God granted his request.

Blessings!

Pastor Wayne

“Our Vision:  Our Intent Not to be Content”

Dear Friends,

                Can you believe it!  It was over three years ago, in the summer of 2010, that we started the journey towards the completion of a vision we now know as the Legacy project!

                Now on November 17, 2013 at our Sunday morning worship service, we will dedicate the Legacy addition to the glory of God.

                From the beginning, we sought to incorporate the transitions of needs (we called them values) with the expression of our faith mission.

                Our theme scripture verse was taken from Psalm 71:17-18, “Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.  Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.”

                It was from this understanding of scripture that gave us the purpose of the building project we named the Legacy Project.

                Before we broke ground in June of 2012, the building committee narrowed down the value needs that were identified from our congregational forums.

                Thus, the fellowship hall represented the need to develop relationships; the expanded kitchen, a need to share ministry through meals; the elevator, an opportunity to allow everyone access to worship; relocated offices allowed an expanded education and youth ministry, etc.

                These examples reflect just a portion of those values that were identified and are being lived out.

                During the journey of the building of the Legacy addition, came the added benefit of congregational members using their gifts for God.

                It has been a project marked by enthusiasm and unity!

                Thus, it is fitting to thank all who have participated in this project.  A special thank you is extended to the members of the building committee who have spent long and countless hours working through the details that have become a reality.

                The congregation has been outstanding in their faithful giving and stewardship in support of this project.  As we transition from the construction phase, we have around $425,000 on our building loan.

                “Are we done?”

                “No, we have just begun!”  I say!

                I believe this church, as member of the body of Christ have a tremendous message to share with those who have yet to find a church home, to those who have yet to know a personal Jesus.

                This addition represents our intent not to be content, but to make it our mission to Impact lives for Christ!

                Join us in this celebration in worship and a meal together on November 17 at 10:00 a.m.

                Let’s pass the Legacy of faith even as we “pass the potatoes”!

                Way to go First Reformed!

In Christ,

Pastor Wayne

"Finishing Touches"

When I went to college, the first item of business was to get moved in to my dorm room.  It was usually a picture of mayhem. There would be people in every nook and cranny of every staircase in every level all the way to the parking lot. A mixture of parents and students would fill the halls. Boxes and pillows intermingled with books and second hand sofas filled the dorm halls. Eventually, all would be crammed and stowed in rooms that would become your home for nine months.

But not all was done!!

Each roommate would begin to personalize their section of the room. I would hang up my favorite poster including Dick Butkus-Chicago Bears-(even though I was a Vikings fan) and place my girlfriend’s picture (Tammy-yes the same who become my wife) next to that of my family on the top shelf of the little study cubicle. I then would arrange my stash of food in the order of how easy is was to find. The best stash was hidden from marauding friends that were always looking to score a quick bite to satisfy an omnipresent hunger!

Finally, when all this was completed I would echo the words of Genesis 1:31 “And God saw all that he had made, and it was very good”

Finishing touches were not the first efforts of the process of getting moved in to my room. They came in the end when I had figured out where I wanted things to be.

This memory of mine reminds me of where we are with our Legacy project. We are just about complete with the project. We are entering the phase of finishing touches. We make an adjustment here and make tweak there to get the “lay of the land”! We are anxious to begin to use it and have begun to do so as the project has allowed. Classes have begun to meet in areas of the new building and the nursery has been put to use. This past vwSunday (Sept. 22), our fellowship hall will be used for coffee after church for the first time. The Sunday of dedication has been set for November 24 where we will celebrate God’s faithfulness and the unity of His people who “had a mind to build”. We will dedicate this building to the glory of God and to the continued mission of the ministry of First Reformed to be a light for Jesus Christ.

Finishing touches! Are we done?

Like a good craftsman who constantly seeks to improve his skill we will continue to seek the Lord’s guidance in ministering to our community and world. Our task is not done until the Lord declares it so!

May we be encouraged by the opportunity and mission God has given us. The Legacy Building project has given us a reminder of what we are meant to be as a community of believers.

Enjoy the moving in!  See you in Church!

Blessings!

Pastor Wayne

The church is in full fall mode as we prepare to set in motion the educational programs of the fall.  The opportunities to serve as teachers, youth sponsors, power point volunteers, kitchen help, STARS (our after school program) volunteers and countless other areas of the church abound. Take a look in the church bulletin and pick your area of service!

First Reformed’s motto is “Impacting Lives for Christ”.

Sometimes the opportunity to be a student of our motto literally comes to your doorstep. Last week Sunday, a family of four stood at the entrance to our south parking lot with a large sign asking for work.  What is a Christian to do?  What do we do at First Reformed?

I spotted this situation as I walked home to help host Connections, our post high young adult class. Following a quick conversation of broken English that revealed a story that I have heard many times before, I decided to see what we could do to provide legitimate assistance. 

The following is written in the words of one of those young adults, Taylor Van Wyk, when I asked for a volunteer to assist me with this family. I believe Taylor’s response gives an insight into the struggle we all have when our calling as followers of Christ comes knocking at our front door.

“Pastor Wayne walked through his kitchen doorway on August 18 and stated that he will be back in a little bit because he had a “special situation” that he had to go investigate. At this exact moment, Connections for post high students, was taking place in his home. Before he could explain what he was doing, my mind was reeling about what could possibly be the special situation here in Sully. It turns out, in the south parking lot, there was a family traveling back from New York to California and was asking for work around the area. After Pastor Wayne communicated with this family, he came back and said he was bringing food out to them. I was blessed with the opportunity to carry water bottles and pop to this family. My heart was filled with happiness after having an encounter with the little girl of the family. Pure innocence was written across her face as she had no idea why I was giving her the bottles of water. After reflecting on what I had just experience , I felt that the most frustrating part in a situation of helping the homeless or those in need is that one will never have the answer if it was a hoax or whether they were truly in need of our help. However, who are we to judge. This brings me to a couple verses. Luke 14: 12-14 states, Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a dinner,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors.  For they will repay you by inviting you back.  Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the godly, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.” I found this to be a fitting passage because instead of inviting them over, we brought our company to them and assisted to their needs. The greatest rewards come when you least expect them to as we are touching lives little by little. “

Taylor, I could not have said that any better!

The church exists for moments such as these, the expected and the unexpected, when we respond to being the hands and feet of Jesus. It is putting into practice the lessons of our Teacher, our Lord Jesus Christ!

Let us be prepared when our calling as a student of Jesus comes knocking at our door!

Blessings!

Pastor Wayne and Taylor Van Wyk

BUILDING GOD'S COMMUNITY

Dear Friends,

                We have finally put away the snow shovels and are ready for summer.  Last month’s snow has been replaced by humid summer nights!

                The summer season ushers in gardens, ball games and family vacations among some things.

                Our church also experiences the evidence of change around us.  The Legacy project outside progress can be measured in bricks – literally brick by brick.  Each weekday morning one can check on the progress of the bricklayers as they cover the outside walls in mortar and brick.  It’s exciting to see the accomplishments of this phase of our addition.

                If you venture into the newest portion of the church, the sheet rockers are just about complete with their work.  The size of the rooms are beginning to take shape and are awaiting their personality as the painters will soon be covering them in color.  The carpet has been ordered!

                Our Sunday morning worship has also seen change.  You have probably noticed that we have been having different individuals assisting in the call to worship and announcements. We have been blessed by various personal insights of those who lead us in this portion of our worship service.  We are witness to the body of Christ developing their gifts.

                The upcoming months will also introduce three interns working in various capacities in the church.  Clayton Larson will be doing calling and preaching (especially when I’m on vacation), Heidi Schulte will be leading our Bible study ministries and Katelyn Roozeboom will be using her gifts of clerical administration.  What a gift First Reformed is giving to their young people as we help mentor them and they bless us with their gifts.  This is being an example of a teaching church in its finest application.

                As we note the changes that we are experiencing I must also note the closure of Diana Scandridge as our Youth and Education Director.  Diana has accepted a position in the Lynnville-Sully school district and will complete her duties on August 9, 2013.  We have been blessed by her leadership the past three years and will miss her!

                At the same time, we now begin the process of seeking another individual God has planned for us as Youth and Education Director.  A search committee has been formed as we begin this journey in staffing for the future.

                I ask you to pray for the search process and for the right person that will continue to build on the spiritual goals that have been laid out for us.

                May you enjoy the summer God has planned for you!

In Christ,

Pastor Wayne 

"Spiritual Tombstones?"

Dear Friends,

            In 2000, Arnold L. Cook wrote a book entitled, “Historical Drift: Must My Church Die?”

            I was mightily impacted by the observations of this author.

            One of the statements that he noted was that throughout history, vision dims, core values shift and passion fades in organizations.  Cook was of the opinion that all Christian organizations should be scrapped every 100 years and start over.

            Historical drift is the tendency of churches to move away from their original moorings over time.  He places the blame not on the organizations but on the leaders! “Whether a Christian organization thrives or dies depends on the caliber of its leaders!

            That really got my attention as I considered my role as a pastor and the boards I serve on.

            He noted that historical drift can be reversed but it is dependent on a spiritual revival that touches every aspect of our personal life hence our church life!

            At the root of “historical drift” in denominations and churches is the subtle and not so subtle compromises of Biblical authority, theology and church doctrines and spiritual discipline.

            As I reflected on what this means for the churches I have served, it propelled me and drove me to be the best I could be as a pastoral leader albeit with imperfections.

            I am passionate about not letting things die because of apathy or lack of commitment.

            Churches and people do not need to become spiritual tombstones used only as references to the past.

            Sadly, however, sometimes we are content to be spiritually lifeless and excuse our way to the grave.

            As we build the Legacy project, let us be reminded this is a statement on how we will do ministry as a church.  We will not be content to use a building that is seen and not heard.

            I can envision the congregation using this building until it wears out and needs to be built again!  It is in this way we find the enthusiasm of serving our God by letting him touch and use us in our corporate and personal moments!           

            Let us review every aspect of our church life in Christ and refresh ourselves with the purpose of why First Reformed Church will live!

In Christ,

Pastor Wayne

Let Us Give Our Best

Let Us Give Our Best

Dear Friends,

            The other day I happened to be in the kitchen with my wife when she was cleaning out the refrigerator.  I do not usually take part in this event but I stood next to her giving her moral support (and an occasional guiding word of advice).  Doing her best to ignore me, she methodically went about her task.

            As plastic containers were opened, sniffed and identified as edible contents, I noticed she was throwing out a few egg yolks.  I asked, “Why?” and she informed me that they had blood specks in them.  I said, “So, why does that make a difference? You mix them up and fry them anyway!”

            She responded that when she had grown up on the farm her grandma always told her that is what you did with blood specks in the eggs.

            Well, I wanted to find out if that was true or not (not doubting my wife, of course!)  Wanting to find out the origin of that kitchen wisdom, I went to my trusty computer and Googled “eggs”.

            What I found was a wealth of information.  I basically learned that the blemishes that I was referring to came from fertilized eggs and basically you could eat them if you wanted but if they were sold they would be a grade B egg.

            Triumphantly going back to the kitchen, I proceeded to tell my wife that it really didn’t make a difference or not if you ate eggs with blood specks in them.

            Her response was less than I had anticipated.  She turned back to me and proceeded to throw another egg yolk away and said, “That is nice honey!”

            Later that day, I was doing my devotions which included verses from Jude 24 & 25. “Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you without blemish before the presence of his glory…”

            What struck me in this scripture is how the word blemish is referred to.

            It made me realize that my wife was throwing those eggs away because she wanted the best for her family – an egg yolk without blemish!

            I was further reminded that God gave us his Son, Jesus Christ so that we could be introduced to our Heavenly Father without blemish!  Christ had given his life and taken our blemishes, our sins and made us presentable before God.

            As we enter this Thanksgiving season, may our giving represent our appreciation for all that God has done for us.

            Let us give Him our best!

            It is a time to give back.  It is a time to teach our children and children’s children that we give our best, without blemish or excuse to our Heavenly Father.

            Happy Thanksgiving!

Pastor Wayne

            

Build Your House for the Lord

Dear Friends,

            “I’m ready to see some dirt piles on the church yard,” I exclaimed to my wife recently “and a nice big hole in the ground to go along with it!”

            Of course I was referring to the much anticipated beginning of our Legacy Building project.

            I also know that behind the scenes of beginning the first stages of this project was a mountain load of paperwork, loan provisions and engeneering templates that needed to be in order before the dirt work could begin.

            I’m also anticipating that in the very near future the grean light will be given for the go ahead for this much anticipated first step.

            God does teach patience!

            In the meantime, I have reflected on the tremendous effort of our volunteers that keep the ministries and programs of this church going.

            It indeed is a team effort!

            If you come around 1^st Reformed on a Wednesday night you will find the church humming from 3:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.  There is barely a space in the church that doesn’t have activity in it.  In fact, we are out of room.  We have two youth classes meeting in homes and an adult elective class meeting in another home. 

            The STARS after school program involves 31 children.  Add to this choir, praise band and team practice, misc. meetings and such and you have a church crackling with energy!

            Back to the dirt pile and volunteers.

            God blesses those who use their gifts for him.  Thank you to all who teach Sunday School, lead and give of themselves in any way to the building up of the body of Christ.  I would miss many people if I tried to describe all the tasks and duties that are done by everyone.  On behalf of the church, I want you to know you are appreciated.

            The anticipated dirt pile I refer to reminds me of how we will be using our added facilities next year on.  Diana, our Youth and Education Director, and I cannot wait to see what has been envisioned to be used in expanding our current ministries and the space in which to do things better.

            May we build our house for the Lord and may we build to wear it out for Him!

            It is great to be on God’s team as a servant worker for the Lord of the harvest! 

            Stay tuned for a dirt report!!

NOTE:  Since the writing of this article, the digging has begun as of September 23.  Praise God from whom all Blessings flow!

In Christ,

Pastor Wayne