Hello Folks,
I have been reading a book called "Who Stole My Church" by Gordon MacDonald and it has been very insightful and challenging for me. I am only 55 pages into it but I just read a chapter that has caused me to think. By the way if you get the chance to read this book do so and see if it impacts you like it is impacting me.
Due to this book I want to see if you would help me on a project that I am trying to formulate in my mind. If you can would you send me suggestions on how we could better use technology in the life of the church. This means in sermons, music, communication and anything else that you might come up with. Please be as detailed as possible since I am really behind the curve on this issue. This is important to me because I have watched as our young people go into college and it seems that we lose them to the life of the church. I want to find something that will work without giving up the biblical message. Help me out here--I need your input. If you could make any changes that you wanted what would they be.
Phyllis Newby is with us this week. We will have a special service on Saturday Sept 25 at 7 p.m. with video about Haiti, Phyllis telling us about the ministry, Dr. Mark the surgeon, and Rick Coffey the fellow that is giving over sight to the building issues. These inidividuals will be with us and and I pray you can come. On Sunday p.m. Phyllis will preach in our p.m. worship. This should be a wonderful time for you to learn more about what is taking place in Haiti and how the dollars you have given will be used.
Have a great day.
Pastor H. G. Rudd
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Hello Folks,
I was reading the paper last night and saw where Baileyton had a celebration day and that in that celebration they had a parade (Someone here at the congreagtion had already told me about it but when I saw it in the paper I was very pleased as well). As I continued reading I saw where Locust Springs had entered a float in the parade and won first place. Congratulations to all of those who worked so hard to make it something that honors the Lord and presents Locust Springs Retreat Center in a good light to the community. Locust Springs is a gift to our congregation and allows us to impact untold lives in a manner that we would not be able to if it were not for that great ministry.
This past Saturday was 9/11/10 and our nation remembered that it was nine years ago that we were attacked by radical Muslims who succeeded in murdering almost 3000 people. I ask you to pray for those families who lost loved ones and to pray for our enemies as well. But do not forget that that same strain of radical hatred for the United States and for non-Muslim people is still present. Be ever vigiliant as a child of God to serve our Lord Jesus Christ and be very much aware that there are people who hate us for our Savior's sake.
It also just so happened that I celebrated nine complete years as the senior pastor of this congregation. It has been my privilege to serve you and to provide leadership for this congregation. I have undoubtedly made mistakes so I ask you to pray that my heart and mind would have the will of God poured into them. It is my desire to continue serving you in the years to come if the Lord is willing.
One other reminder is that Jed Jones is currently serving in Afhganastan and that Tyler Aiken is to be deployed there soon. Heath Smith is also serving our nation and us here in the U.S. and I ask you to pray for all of these young men as they provide security for us and fight for the principle of freedom for our world.
Love you folks,
HGRudd
I was reading the paper last night and saw where Baileyton had a celebration day and that in that celebration they had a parade (Someone here at the congreagtion had already told me about it but when I saw it in the paper I was very pleased as well). As I continued reading I saw where Locust Springs had entered a float in the parade and won first place. Congratulations to all of those who worked so hard to make it something that honors the Lord and presents Locust Springs Retreat Center in a good light to the community. Locust Springs is a gift to our congregation and allows us to impact untold lives in a manner that we would not be able to if it were not for that great ministry.
This past Saturday was 9/11/10 and our nation remembered that it was nine years ago that we were attacked by radical Muslims who succeeded in murdering almost 3000 people. I ask you to pray for those families who lost loved ones and to pray for our enemies as well. But do not forget that that same strain of radical hatred for the United States and for non-Muslim people is still present. Be ever vigiliant as a child of God to serve our Lord Jesus Christ and be very much aware that there are people who hate us for our Savior's sake.
It also just so happened that I celebrated nine complete years as the senior pastor of this congregation. It has been my privilege to serve you and to provide leadership for this congregation. I have undoubtedly made mistakes so I ask you to pray that my heart and mind would have the will of God poured into them. It is my desire to continue serving you in the years to come if the Lord is willing.
One other reminder is that Jed Jones is currently serving in Afhganastan and that Tyler Aiken is to be deployed there soon. Heath Smith is also serving our nation and us here in the U.S. and I ask you to pray for all of these young men as they provide security for us and fight for the principle of freedom for our world.
Love you folks,
HGRudd
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Dear Church Family,
This past week-end Ruth and I were able to be with all our children and grandchildren at a Retreat center in Ohio. We arrived Friday night and left Monday a.m. What a joyful time we had as we spent time together. On Sunday morning we decided to attend Peebles Church of God which was about 20 minutes from where we were staying and they asked me to preach. Of course, I agreed and we had a great time.
During this time there was something that happened that made me think about the way our lives intersect with others. The pastors wife talked to us and told us that she had been in Martha, Ky at the church of God when I preached in 1978. She had been a young person and remembered that Sunday morning so many years ago. I wonder how many people will say to us at some point in our lives that they remember when we did such and such a thing. Our lives impact others in ways we may never know but there I was 32 years later as this Pat Keaton told me about our intersection of life in a little church in Martha, Ky. It is amazing how God uses us in our lives.
While on our 4 day vacation I watched the people in the camp ground and was reminded that there are all kinds of people in this world. We took our grand daughters to the lake that was there and as we sat there we heard all kinds of talk and saw people from all kinds of backgrounds. But the one thing that was obvious to me was the need that men and women have for Jesus. When we left the camp ground to go to church there did not appear to be others who were doing the same thing. Due to the size of the camp ground there were probably a few others that I did not see but there were not very many. I wonder how many Christian people were there and chose not to go to corporate worship? It would appear to me that the Christian witness of being part of Sunday worship is of great importance but that there are others who see it as of secondary importance. Who will be effected by their choices? Just a question.
Pastor H. G. Rudd
This past week-end Ruth and I were able to be with all our children and grandchildren at a Retreat center in Ohio. We arrived Friday night and left Monday a.m. What a joyful time we had as we spent time together. On Sunday morning we decided to attend Peebles Church of God which was about 20 minutes from where we were staying and they asked me to preach. Of course, I agreed and we had a great time.
During this time there was something that happened that made me think about the way our lives intersect with others. The pastors wife talked to us and told us that she had been in Martha, Ky at the church of God when I preached in 1978. She had been a young person and remembered that Sunday morning so many years ago. I wonder how many people will say to us at some point in our lives that they remember when we did such and such a thing. Our lives impact others in ways we may never know but there I was 32 years later as this Pat Keaton told me about our intersection of life in a little church in Martha, Ky. It is amazing how God uses us in our lives.
While on our 4 day vacation I watched the people in the camp ground and was reminded that there are all kinds of people in this world. We took our grand daughters to the lake that was there and as we sat there we heard all kinds of talk and saw people from all kinds of backgrounds. But the one thing that was obvious to me was the need that men and women have for Jesus. When we left the camp ground to go to church there did not appear to be others who were doing the same thing. Due to the size of the camp ground there were probably a few others that I did not see but there were not very many. I wonder how many Christian people were there and chose not to go to corporate worship? It would appear to me that the Christian witness of being part of Sunday worship is of great importance but that there are others who see it as of secondary importance. Who will be effected by their choices? Just a question.
Pastor H. G. Rudd
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