Weekly Reminders
Sunday, September 28, 2025
"Hard Truths"
Luke 16:19-31, NIV
Rev. John Donaldson
Joseph Bayly, (1920–1986) editor, columnist, novelist, poet. In his book, Psalms for Life, (1973, Tyndale House), Bayly has this poem titled, “A psalm of appreciation for the new church.”
In the scripture this week Jesus shares a parable which is like wood without a cushion. But wouldn’t you rather hear hard truth from Jesus than the comfortable lies of the devil? We are looking at Luke 16:19-31 this week. Join us!
Blessings,
Pastor John
This pew is soft, cushioned, thank you lord for our new sanctuary, acoustically near perfect, so we can hear no matter how deaf. Lighting by illumination engineer, so we can see, with even dimmest sight. Air conditioned, so we can shut out the heat, be cool, no matter what. It is a great new sanctuary. This soft pew cushions me against the wood.
In the scripture this week Jesus shares a parable which is like wood without a cushion. But wouldn’t you rather hear hard truth from Jesus than the comfortable lies of the devil? We are looking at Luke 16:19-31 this week. Join us!
Blessings,
Pastor John
News & Announcements
Join us this Wednesday night, October 1, for a Fellowship Meal. The menu is BBQ pork loin, baked parmesan creamed corn, green peas, and rolls. $10 per adult, $5 per child (10 & under). Register online or call the church office by 4 p.m. on Monday, September 29th.
Prayer Team
Would You Like to Be Prayed For? On the first Sunday of each month, the Prayer Team will be meeting in the chapel at 10:15 a.m. We will be praying for those on the prayer list, and for any individuals who would like to share their concerns and to be prayed for.
Reminder
A gentle reminder that we have fallen behind in our general giving. The church is entirely dependent on the generosity and faithful tithing of the congregation in order to meet our two main expenses. These two areas are the General Fund, which includes all ministry, operations and staff expenses, and the ‘Capital Fund’ expenses related to our facility operation, repair, improvements and maintenance. We are falling short in our General Fund giving by about 10% of our anticipated needs and ask that you please prayerfully consider your giving in order to help us meet our needs as a body of Christ in our General Fund budget.
Thursday Night Bible Study
This is a great week to join the Thursday Night Bible Study! On October 2, they are starting a new series on the Gospel of John. Many have commented that they get more out of Bible Study as they do it as a group. The study meets in the Conference room on Thursday nights, from 6 to 7 p.m. You can also join the study via Zoom with this link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89858373317?pwd=mBAUJaouwTkF4PXeFvDGjgruyn55Dx.1
Picture Directory
Last year, our directories were a hit, so we're doing a new one. If you did not have your picture taken in the previous year or would like a retake, Jake Harper will be set up in the Fellowship Hall on October 19th and 26th. If you cannot make one of those day’s you can either come by the church at a time arranged with Jake, or email a picture to the church office. Also, we would like to add group pictures this year from Sunday School Classes, First Kids, First Youth, Choir, and Bible Studies. Please send group pictures to the church office.
Mark Your Calendar!
The Annual 1st Youth Fall Festival will be on Wednesday, October 29th, from 6-8 pm. We will have games, food, a cakewalk, a hayride, and trunk or treat. If you would like to donate baked goods for the cakewalk, please tell Bryce Keely, Youth Director. His email is bryce@elbertonfmc.com
Coffee Time
Join us as we continue providing coffee, donut holes, and a non-sugary breakfast option each Sunday from 10:45–11:00 a.m. before the Traditional service. Stop by the Overflow Room to enjoy a treat and some fellowship!
Prayer Team
Would You Like to Be Prayed For? On the first Sunday of each month, the Prayer Team will be meeting in the chapel at 10:15 a.m. We will be praying for those on the prayer list, and for any individuals who would like to share their concerns and to be prayed for.
Reminder
A gentle reminder that we have fallen behind in our general giving. The church is entirely dependent on the generosity and faithful tithing of the congregation in order to meet our two main expenses. These two areas are the General Fund, which includes all ministry, operations and staff expenses, and the ‘Capital Fund’ expenses related to our facility operation, repair, improvements and maintenance. We are falling short in our General Fund giving by about 10% of our anticipated needs and ask that you please prayerfully consider your giving in order to help us meet our needs as a body of Christ in our General Fund budget.
Thursday Night Bible Study
This is a great week to join the Thursday Night Bible Study! On October 2, they are starting a new series on the Gospel of John. Many have commented that they get more out of Bible Study as they do it as a group. The study meets in the Conference room on Thursday nights, from 6 to 7 p.m. You can also join the study via Zoom with this link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89858373317?pwd=mBAUJaouwTkF4PXeFvDGjgruyn55Dx.1
Picture Directory
Last year, our directories were a hit, so we're doing a new one. If you did not have your picture taken in the previous year or would like a retake, Jake Harper will be set up in the Fellowship Hall on October 19th and 26th. If you cannot make one of those day’s you can either come by the church at a time arranged with Jake, or email a picture to the church office. Also, we would like to add group pictures this year from Sunday School Classes, First Kids, First Youth, Choir, and Bible Studies. Please send group pictures to the church office.
Mark Your Calendar!
The Annual 1st Youth Fall Festival will be on Wednesday, October 29th, from 6-8 pm. We will have games, food, a cakewalk, a hayride, and trunk or treat. If you would like to donate baked goods for the cakewalk, please tell Bryce Keely, Youth Director. His email is bryce@elbertonfmc.com
Coffee Time
Join us as we continue providing coffee, donut holes, and a non-sugary breakfast option each Sunday from 10:45–11:00 a.m. before the Traditional service. Stop by the Overflow Room to enjoy a treat and some fellowship!
Remember to come back on Sunday evening for the evening chapel service. We are still enjoying the faith lessons video series, which offers lessons on how the actual geography of the Holy Land adds to the meaning of a passage.
Upcoming Meetings & Events
Calendars
Upcoming Events
Worship Services
Meetings
Bible Studies / Sunday School
Kids & Youth
Music Ministry
Subscribe to weekly emails by clicking the button below.
In 1959 Bill Gaither graduated from Anderson College, Indiana, with a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in Music. He went to work as an English teacher, pursuing music on the side. In 1963 he was asked to play the piano for a revival meeting in the area that featured the preaching of Dr. Dale Oldham. The meeting went well and afterwards Dr. Oldham asked Bill to write a song that included the words, “He touched me.” Gaither, who would later say that “songs are like whispered answers to questions of the heart”, took the words from Oldham as the theme of his first hit song, “He Touched Me.” This song would later be recorded by the Imperials, Elvis Presley, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and, more recently, Steven Curtis Chapman. Bill Gaither might have been writing about the woman that Jesus made whole in Luke 13:10-17.
We are looking at the Luke passage this week and the spiritual wholeness that Jesus wants to bring to us all.
Blessings,
Pastor John
Shackled by a heavy burden 'neath a load of guilt and shame, then the hand of Jesus touched me, and now I am no longer the same. He touched me, oh, He touched me, and oh, the joy that floods my soul. Something happened, and now I know, He touched me, and made me whole.
Blessings,
Pastor John
Posted in Weekly Reminders
No Comments