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Location: Blogs Brad's BlogMid-Week Missive |
 | | Posted by: Brad Miller | 9/16/2009 2:57 PM | Greetings!
When we talk about the book of James - as we have been in worship the last couple of weeks – we almost always come back to the most controversial part of the book: “Faith without works is dead.” Without rehashing the argument, I’m going to leave it today that James, echoing his brother Jesus, believes strongly in the saving grace of Jesus Christ and also believes that it is up to us to put our hands to work in service to God’s children. That service, those works, help our faith grow and give it meaning to us and to those we serve.
I am gratified to report that in the last couple of weeks I have had several conversations with folks interested in serving others. Folks with ideas of how we might use our gifts and resources to help our brothers and sisters in need. This is not a new concept here at BCC, but for many people, this James study has seemed like a call to action, a call to renew our commitment to serve God through good works. And lo and behold, a couple of ways present themselves to us to do just that! (There are no coincidences!)
First, be sure to sign up for “More Hands For God Day” on Saturday October 31st. We will gather at the church at about 7:30 a.m. to car pool to the City of Refuge in downtown Atlanta’s poorest neighborhood. There we will join upwards of a couple of hundred Atlanta area Disciples in a day of service. The City of Refuge is an amazing facility designed to minister to those in need. They minister to the spiritual, physical, health, recreational and fellowship needs of hundreds of folks every week. They sponsor recreation programs, health screenings, a food bank, a clothes closet, job training programs, an on site residential transitional housing center. It is indeed, a city of refuge in the midst of Atlanta.
When we gather on October 31st, we will participate in a health fair, a carnival for the area kids, a street feeding event for our homeless brothers and sisters, yard work and cleaning help to the elderly near the center. We will end the morning with lunch at noon for all the children and other participants and will be leaving COR by about 1:00 p.m. Ask someone who has been before: it is a day of fun and service to those in need. Please sign up and join us on that day.
As part of the “More Hands for God Day”, we will be collecting hygiene products to be assembled on site and distributed to folks who attend the health fair. Attached you will find a list of items needed. Please bring them to the church over the next several weeks (the deadline is October 25) and we will make sure they are delivered to COR on the 31st. Please give generously.
Along these same lines, another opportunity has presented itself to us. BCC is among the founding members of an organization called the “Interfaith Outreach Home”, a transitional housing program for intact families. They will be “graduating” several families this fall, which means they are moving into the community, now ready to stand on their own two feet, bolstered by the assistance and training of the IOH. This also means that their apartments at IOH are coming available for new program participants. Here’s where we come in: we have been asked if we could clean, paint and restock one of those apartments? They are small studio apartments with a kitchen and a bathroom. The restocking would basically be household goods and linens. We have been asked if we might have a crew available on Saturday December 5 or Saturday December 12 to be involved in such a project. A crew of about 10 to 12 could easily knock this out in a day. Are you willing and able to help on one of those days? Can you sling a paintbrush or a roller? Then please let me know which of those days is best for you so that Michael McKelvey, BCC Outreach/Community Service chair, can finalize plans.
We are called to serve. Here’s our chance…and there will be many more to come!
For an updated prayer list and list of coming events, please go to www.brookhavenchristian.org
For your prayer list:
Darrell and Cynthia Freeman. Darrell is feeling much better after a recent fall and Cynthia continues to make progress in her recovery.
Jessica Kenfield, back home, taken off strict bed rest (for which she is greatly relieved!) They will continue to monitor her pregnancy closely, but as of now, things continue to look good.
Michelle Engel’s mother as she looks forward to tests next week that will give an indication of progress in her fight against cancer.
Upcoming events
This Sunday is the third Sunday of the month which means it is time for our Third Sunday Fellowship Pot Luck Luncheon. Bring a dish or two to share and then, stay for the Official Board Meeting. This meeting will be especially important for all those who would like to hear an update on the progress of our building renovation plans!
Don’t forget Dinners for Eight on October 3rd! Sign up now by calling the church at 404-237-3030 or e-mailing Ruth Luckett at ruth@brookhavenchristian.org
I hope you can make it to worship this week when we once again celebrate the Lord’s Day together. This week’s sermon continues our sermon series called “The Other Voice of Jesus: His Brother James”. The sermon is titled “Draw Near to God” and the scripture is James 3:13-4:3, 7-8. Have a great rest of the week.
Be peaceful,
Brad
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