Latest
News
Upward
Living in a Downward Economy
Mortgage
crisis. Tumbling markets. High inflation. Unemployment. Such
money matters not only worry us, but also affect us in practical
ways. Yet, for people of faith, in such problems lurk hidden
opportunities! In the coming weeks, we will seek God’s
wisdom in managing our personal finances during economic turmoil.
Join us as we discover how to live the high life in low times! |
Sundays
@ 11 a.m.
Nov. 9 God’s
Supply Side, Part 1
Nov. 16 Thrive Through
Thrift
Nov. 23 God’s
Supply Side, Part 2
|
 |
While I am
away for professional growth and development, you are blessed to
have Mr. Thomas James preaching for you today. I got to know Thomas
two summers ago, when he and I both taught at the Virginia Conference
School of Christian Mission. Thomas is gifted as a teacher, a speaker,
and a musician. These gifts shine when combined with his passion
for God, and God’s children. I pray that each of you welcome
Thomas with open arms, open hearts and open minds, that you might
hear what God may say to you through Thomas’ words.
Let me also
express my gratitude to the Rev. Doyle Wyatt. Over the past four
weeks, Doyle has ably covered the pastoral care needs of our church,
permitting me to take the time I needed to spend with my family
as we welcomed our newest member. I am always grateful for Doyle’s
servant’s heart! I look forward to returning home, and getting
back into the fulltime swing of things in the coming week!
Your
brother in Christ,
Rev. Brad Dulaney, Pastor
NOTE: Gogginsville.org is in a webmaster transition and some updates may not be as timely during this period
Meetings
Sunday, Oct. 26……….. Sunday School 9:45
am
Worship Service 11 am
Bethlehem Christians Christmas Sale
after worship
Monday, Oct. 27......... Praise Team Practice 6:30 pm
Boy Scout Meeting 7 pm
Tuesday, Oct. 28….......Staff Meeting 9 am
Wednesday, Oct. 29….. Choir Practice 7 pm
Thursday, Oct. 30…….. Covenant Discipleship Group 6:30
pm
Friday, Oct. 31….…….. Celebrate Recovery 6 pm
Saturday, Nov. 1…..…..
Sunday, Nov. 2….…….. Sunday School 9:45 am
Worship Service and Holy Communion 11 am
Names Needed
for All Saints' Sunday – Sunday, November 2 is All Saints'
Sunday – the day each year when we remember those saints who
have passed on to glory in Christ. If you would like the name of
a Christian friend or loved one who has died in the past year to
be printed and read as a part of the service, please submit it to
Vivian Scott at <vscott@wildblue.net> or 483-1794 by October
30. Please note: Beginning this year, we will read only the names
of those persons who have died since last year's All Saints observance.
The service will include the opportunity to verbally lift-up the
names of other deceased friends and loved ones.
Pastoral Care Coverage
– Rev. Dulaney is away attending his first event with the
Young Pastors' Network at Ginghamsburg Church in Tipp City, Ohio.
He will be away Wednesday, October 22 through Sunday, October 26.
Below is the schedule for pastoral care coverage:
October 25-26
The Rev. Doyle Wyatt – Home: 334-5620 Cell: 493-6562
October 27
Rev. Dulaney comes off of his paternity leave and returns to full-
time responsibilities.
Bethlehem Christians Setting-up Shop today – Bethlehem Christians
is a Lynchburg-based organization which seeks to support the dwindling
Christian community in the occupied Palestinian city of Bethlehem
by selling traditional Christian Palestinian arts and crafts in
American churches. This is a fair-trade venture, which seeks to
provide a sustainable income to the poverty-stricken Christian craftspeople
of Bethlehem. Do some Christmas shopping, and be a part of helping
to keep the Christian community alive in the town of Jesus' birth!
For apple butter call Geraldine Sink at 483-2653
The Worship Committee has place poinsettia order forms on the back
table by the door. If you would like to order poinsettias “in
memory of” or “in honor of” to be placed in the
sanctuary in December, please do so by November 23. The price is
$8.00 each and payment is due when orders are placed.
“FALL BACK” REMINDER
Before you go to bed next Saturday night, November
1, remember to set your clocks BACK one hour or you
will be really early for church on Sunday morning!
Ruminations
& Reflections
A
monthly article written by the pastor
Archive
November
2008
A
Watershed Moment in History
"See,
I am doing a new thing. Do you not perceive it?”
- Isaiah 43:19
In a few short days, I will walk across the church parking lot to
the Gogginsville Family Center, and cast my vote in what I believe
to be the most pivotal moment of my lifetime. Not only is our economy
at an historic low, and our nation at war within and without, but
also more Americans believe our nation is on the wrong track than
in any moment in recent history.
Despite the terrible trends, amazing, exciting events are taking
place. I will walk into the voting booth to elect either our nation’s
first African-American president, or our first female vice president.
Who would’ve thought such things were possible even ten years
ago?!
More so than ever before, you need to show-up on Election Day and
be a part of the democratic process. As I recently heard one pastor
explain, “Unless you get your butt out there and vote, you
will have no reason to complain in the future!” Carefully
weigh not only the positions of the candidates against Christian
values, but also evaluate the character of each candidate. Frankly,
I believe it is a politician’s character—more than necessarily
his/her positions—that determine his/her effectiveness as
a politician. A person’s positions will (and sometimes should)
change, depending on the changing events, trends, and political
scenarios. While positions will change, a person’s character
is the very fiber of their being. Ask yourself, “Do the words
of this candidate match his/her deeds? Is this a person of integrity?
How trustworthy is this individual?” Keep these questions
in mind as you make your decisions.
I also believe that we are in a watershed moment for Christianity
in America—including the people of God at Gogginsville. I
sense that we are on the cusp of something very exciting: becoming
the church of tomorrow. I envision our congregation becoming the
kind of mission outpost that makes a difference in our community,
and around the world—the kind of church that sets aside the
old ways of playing church, and becomes the honest-to-God Body of
Christ. I sense our church becoming the kind of congregation where
wayward, lost and hurting people will come and experience an authentic
Christian community that’s founded on love, and flowing with
grace. For sure, the change will be exciting, perhaps even chaotic,
at times. But so long as we continue to seek God in all and through
all—and strive to serve God with the very best we can offer—God
will, indeed, use us to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation
of the world. “See, I am doing a new thing,” God says.
“Do you not perceive it?”
Your brother
in Christ,
Rev. Brad Dulaney, Pastor |
