Central's Pastoral E-Letter: February 26, 2010

Dear Central Family,

 

This past weekend was an exciting one in many respects.  Our leadership team met to hear the results and feedback from the All Church Survey that we recently conducted.  This was a good time of open discussion, dialog, and brainstorming as we looked at the results of what you said as a congregation and the development of action points as we go forward.  We will be coming back to you in the next few weeks with some more information of where we go from here as we summarize what you said on the survey and make plans for concrete steps to strengthen the health of this ministry.  Your response was so helpful and we look forward to talking with you more in the days ahead.

 

We also saw the beginning of a new Classic Worship Service on Sunday morning at 9:45 that is meeting in Allen Hall.  We were all so encouraged by the response of those who attended and the fact that we had 82 people in attendance.  Add that to the attendance in the other two worship services and we had our largest attendance this year.  We are thankful for how God blessed us in all three services this past Sunday and the opportunity for everyone to worship in Spirit and in Truth with intentionality given to each service.  If you know of anyone who is looking for worship in a traditional mode, I would encourage you to invite them to come and visit this new Classic Worship Service in Allen Hall.  One of the questions that has come up is what is going to be happening with the preaching each week during the early service.  We as leaders are still working through the details on that, but until that is finalized, we will have live speakers in each service.  This Sunday I will be speaking in Allen Hall at 9:45 and Dave Buschman, Southern Baptist Chaplain for Princeton University, will be speaking at the 9:30 Crossroads Service in the Worship Center.  Dave has a heart for evangelism and equipping students to follow Christ and I know you will be blessed by his message.  I will then be preaching at the 11:15 Currents Service.  We want to keep you informed and if you have any questions, feel free to ask me.

 

Thanks for praying for our Junior High retreat this past weekend!  Judging from the comments I have read on Facebook from both students and leaders alike, it was a powerful weekend, and I am so thankful for all the leaders who sacrificed sleep to minister to these students.  That is going above and beyond the call of duty J, and lives were changed as a result!  THANKS!

 

See you Sunday!

 

A Grateful Pastor

 

P.S.        We continue the Organic Evangelism series this Sunday and we are going to tackle the question, “How do you speak absolute truth in a non-absolute world?”  Should be challenging and encouraging to all of us!

 

Central's Pastoral E-Letter: February 20. 2010

 

Dear Central Family,

 

When God’s people pray, amazing things take place!  I wish you could have been here on Wednesday evening as we as a body gathered to pray for one of our families who are going through a struggle right now.  I felt like we were experiencing Acts 2 right before our eyes!.  The Holy Spirit was present working through the prayers of His people to connect with the face of God, to encourage us as believers, and to comfort this family who is struggling.  We got out of the way and saw God work!  It was amazing, powerful, and so convicting! 

 

Well, I want to invite you to make plans to come out this Wednesday evening for LAST WEDNESDAY!  This is our time of gathering as believers to worship and pray, and we always have an awesome time of interacting through the power of the Holy Spirit.  I hope you can come!  Regular children’s programs will go on, but all the adults (apart from Grief Share and Divorce Care) will meet in the Worship Center for prayer and worship starting at 7:00 pm.  Please plan to come out.

 

I also want to remind you that this Sunday we will start a new classic worship service which will meet in Allen Hall at 9:45.  This service is designed to connect with those of you who most appreciate the traditional hymns and choruses of the faith in a traditional setting.  I am looking forward to kicking this service off this Sunday.  I will be preaching at this service in Allen Hall, and while I am there, Pastor Gilmer will be preaching in the 9:45 Crossroads Acoustic Contemporary Service in the Worship Center.  I will then also be preaching at 11:15 at the Currents service.  So we have a full variety of services now available on Sunday morning for you and those you wish to invite to come with you!  We will be continuing our Organic Evangelism Series in all the services, and looking at a topic that can be touchy yet so integral to being the witness God wants us to be!  Hope you will be present.

 

See you on Sunday!

 

Pastor

 

 

From Central: Missions Door Reponds in Haiti

Dear Central Family,

 

Please read below as to how Missions Door has responded to the Haiti earthquake. 

 

Thank you so much for your willingness to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti through Missions Door and for your continued prayers for this devastated country. 

 

Pastor Gay

 

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may see it online.

Dear Friend,   Greetings!    We want to thank you for your faithful support and prayers for our dear brothers and sisters in Haiti. Since January 12, the day of the earthquake, the lives of millions of Haitians have not been the same.    Our missionary Alexis Francklin was teaching a theology class at our ministry center in Petit-Goâve. He and his six students ran from the third floor of the building as the earth started shaking. Right before their eyes, the whole front of the building collapsed, except for the staircase.   As soon as they got to the first floor, the staircase and the back of the building collapsed. They ran to safety and immediately started praying and sharing the gospel with people.   Thirty people came to know Christ that day. God protected them in a mighty way and we rejoice with them that they are alive.     What I Saw During my two trips to Haiti following the earthquake, I came away with two conclusions: (1) The challenge to rebuild a new Haiti is immense and overwhelming. (2) Our God is alive and actively working.   The people in Haiti are traumatized by the horrific experience of losing their homes, belongings, loved ones and seeing many communities totally destroyed. One of these is the community of Trousable, where we have a church that was totally destroyed and about 80 percent of the buildings have collapsed.   Thanks To Your Financial Support Many have contributed for Haiti relief and through this partnership we have been able to provide help in Jesus’ Name in the following ways: Food and water were distributed through nine of our mission-related churches. More than 600 families have been helped. Temporary shelters were provided for 126 families. Lilavois clinic was opened on January 15 and is serving 180-260 people every day. Because people are still afraid to go into buildings, Dr. Abdias and his team of nurses are taking care of people outside. A van was purchased to help with relief-related transportation needs between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Evangelism is taking place hand-in-hand with assistance provided through local churches. Many have come to Christ, and church services have welcomed increased numbers since the earthquake. Three counselors were sent to Haiti on February 10 to spend four days in Port-au-Prince meeting with our leaders to evaluate and train them on how to manage the grief, trauma, anxiety and depression which are consequences of a traumatic event such as this earthquake.   Joining Together A ministry network has been established with CBAmerica, WorldVenture and DELTA Ministries to provide help for Haiti. DELTA Ministries will coordinate teams from U.S. churches to serve under the direction of our Haiti ministry director, Herode Guillomettre. Teams will assist with the rebuilding of churches, parsonages, homes, and ministry centers.   The Work Continues in Haiti We need your prayer and support as we work with our national leaders to rebuild a new Haiti and as we develop a plan of action for the next months and years to come. As of now, this is a summary of what we will be doing: Continue providing medical services at the Lilavois Clinic, which will remain open for at least one year. Provide food for families from 14 communities where we have ministries, until the end of April 2010. Donate benevolence funding to nine of our pastors who have lost personal belongings, and to rebuild the homes of those which have been damaged or totally destroyed. Put up temporary tents for five churches that have been damaged, until teams are able to work on rebuilding these sanctuaries. Start a garden rehabilitation program to provide funding and seeds to people in the communities of Petit-Goâve and Cabaret. Begin the search process for new land to relocate churches that are in areas where it will be impossible to rebuild in the same location. Once again, thanks for your partnership with us. A Haiti video is available on our website. You can also find updates at www.Haiti4Him.com, a joint ministry website that reflects the efforts of all of the ministries we are partnering with to provide Christ-centered relief and development for Haiti.   Blessings,   Joaquin A. Vargas Vice President of Latino & Caribbean Ministries     2530 Washington Street | Denver, CO | 80205-3142

 

 

 

 

Central's Pastoral E-Letter: February 12, 2010

 

 

Dear Central Family,

 

Well, this time the weather guys and gals were right! SNOW, SNOW, AND MORE SNOW! 

 

I know a number of you lost power like we did and are living life like it used to be in the "good old days”!  Hopefully we will get some relief. 

 

I also hope that you will be with us this Sunday as we continue our new series, Organic Evangelism.  We are learning what it means to be a witness before we seek to share a witness.  This week we are looking at what the foundation is of being that witness.  You have to be here to find out!

 

I also want to let those of you who were not here know that starting February 21, we are adding a new service on Sunday mornings.  We will be offering a classic worship service that offers the traditional worship of hymns, choruses , and other elements that minister in a traditional setting.  We will be meeting at 9:45 in Allen Hall, and we will start with live preaching each Sunday, and as we move forward, to a live video feed of the message from the Worship Center.  A number of you responded on the church survey that you prefer this type of service for you to connect with God and to invite your friends, so here is your chance to do just that.  Note that the service will start at 9:45, so come check it out.

 

Our new Sunday Morning Schedule will be:

 

9:30  -  Crossroads Contemporary Worship - Worship Center

9:45  -  Classic Worship - Allen Hall

11:15 - Currents Contemporary Worship - Worship Center

 

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

 

Pastor

 

 

 

 

 

 

Central's Pastoral E-Letter: February 6, 2010

Dear Central Family,

 

I hope that you have gotten your driveway clear so you don’t have to do it in morning!  When they said SNOW, they meant SNOW!  Thankfully it is over and now we can move on with all the bread, milk, and eggs in our fridge for the next month!  We are prepared.

 

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow morning!  I will be starting my new series Organic Evangelism, and am looking forward to it! 

 

Also don’t forget if you are a member, we will have a congregational meeting after the 11:15 service.  This is an important meeting for all members so that you can see a full picture of our finances for 2009 and our plans to meet our ministry needs in 2010.  It is critical that you attend.  If you have the chance, please review the Annual Report prior to the meeting.  Don’t worry, you will be out with more than enough time to get ready for your Super Bowl party!

 

So rest up, enjoy your evening, and I will see you tomorrow morning!

 

Because of His Grace,

 

Pastor

 

Central's Pastoral E-Letter: February 3, 2010

 

 

Dear Central Family,

 

First, I want to say thank you for your prayers for me and my family in the homegoing of my grandfather, Arthur Cotton.  These have been a rollercoaster two weeks, with the diagnosis of his liver cancer, quick decline in his health, and his homegoing last Wednesday.  In the midst of it I have made two trips to upstate New York to be with my family: one to say goodbye to my grandfather and one to celebrate his homegoing this past weekend.  We could feel your prayers, and God was glorified in his death as in his life, so thank you so much!

 

Second, I am looking forward to being back in the pulpit this Sunday and beginning a new series called Organic Evangelism.  I am really excited to share what God has been showing me as we learn over the next few weeks how to BE a natural witness before we SHARE a witness.  I hope you will be with us as this is going to be a non-guilt, full-grace series on a topic that is critical to growing up in Christ.  We even have a few surprises planned, so don’t miss this first week. 

 

Finally, I want to remind you that if you are a member, we will have our Annual Business Meeting this Sunday after the 11:15 service.  As a member, this is something you have a privilege to be a part of. We have streamlined the meeting to focus on where we have been in 2009 regarding our financial picture and what the financial plan is for 2010.  In order to participate in that, you need the information we will be presenting. Please review the 2009 Annual Report prior to the meeting; not only will you read about the wonderful things that have happened at Central in the past year but get a glimpse of what the next year has in store.  I will also be presenting some exciting plans for 2010, so you won’t want to miss it.   If you normally attend the 9:30 service, this would be a good Sunday to check out one of our Adult Bible Fellowships.  Check out the website for an updated list.  So please plan on attending so we can start right after the 11:15 service.

 

I hope you have a great week!  See you Sunday!

 

Grateful for the Empty Tomb,

 

Pastor

 

P.S. I have seen a sneak peak of the drama we are planning for our  Easter outreach!  All I can say is CAN’T WAIT!  Stay tuned…