Hello Folks,
It is easy in the life of a congregation to not see all that takes place to keep things going smoothly. Let me give you just a few items that you might not ever think about. Robert Crum and Jerry Hartsell give joint leadership to our ushers. They make sure we have enough ushers, that doors are locked at the appropriate time, if someone is sick they get help, if there is anything that I need such as water they make sure it is in place. They make sure things go smoothly and most of us just do not realize what they do.
Then there are the people who spend time to count the offering. There are a number of people who are willing to give of their time and effort to make sure the offering is counted so the rest of the process can be fulfilled. These people give up the time they could have been with their family to help us have a good accountability process in place for the funds that are given for the ministry.
The list could go on--Greeters, nursery workers, wee church, Junior Church, choir members, and the folks who operate our multi-media equipment all give of themselves every Sunday to the rest of us. I for one am very thankful for them. While they may often be unnamed or work behind the scenes they are just as important to what takes place as the rest of us are! I pray that more and more people would give of themselves to help the ministry take place here.
HGRudd
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Hello Folks,
This past Sunday was one of those days that it seemed as if God were speaking in our midst. Our Sunday a.m. was blessed by the presence of God and all that took place seemed to have the amazing presence of God on it. The sermon was on The Blood of the Passover Lamb--it is the beginning of a series that will last through Easter on the blood. Next Sunday I will preach on The Blood Sacrifice and I pray that God will use that sermon as well. If you want to listen to it you can go to our website and listen to it there.
On Sunday p.m. we had Reggie Dabbs preach with the Master's Commission presenting drama in his sermon. He is going to be preaching at the State Youth Convention this coming week-end and throughout this week he will be at 5 high shools in our area. On Wednesday night he will be preaching at a rally for students of our county. Please pray that God will use him during that time. Sunday p.m. was well attended with many visitor's and God used him to bring the message of the Savior to those present.
I am thankful for your youth and our youth ministry. Anita Miller and her volunteer staff work extremely hard for those young people and it seems to me that we see some wonderful things taking place in that ministry. Those congregations that do not have such a dedicated group of people investing their lives in young people are sadly lacking. We are very blessed by God to have this type of ministry here.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
This past Sunday was one of those days that it seemed as if God were speaking in our midst. Our Sunday a.m. was blessed by the presence of God and all that took place seemed to have the amazing presence of God on it. The sermon was on The Blood of the Passover Lamb--it is the beginning of a series that will last through Easter on the blood. Next Sunday I will preach on The Blood Sacrifice and I pray that God will use that sermon as well. If you want to listen to it you can go to our website and listen to it there.
On Sunday p.m. we had Reggie Dabbs preach with the Master's Commission presenting drama in his sermon. He is going to be preaching at the State Youth Convention this coming week-end and throughout this week he will be at 5 high shools in our area. On Wednesday night he will be preaching at a rally for students of our county. Please pray that God will use him during that time. Sunday p.m. was well attended with many visitor's and God used him to bring the message of the Savior to those present.
I am thankful for your youth and our youth ministry. Anita Miller and her volunteer staff work extremely hard for those young people and it seems to me that we see some wonderful things taking place in that ministry. Those congregations that do not have such a dedicated group of people investing their lives in young people are sadly lacking. We are very blessed by God to have this type of ministry here.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Hello Folks,
Over the past few weeks I have been preaching a series of sermons in our Sunday p.m. worship through the Psalms. I started with Psalm 50 and am currently as Psalm 57. I find that the Psalms seem to speak to me about the heart of the person that is writing. When David writes he wraps it in the events of his life and how God has taken care of Him in it and how he will give praise to God. I wonder if you and I could just look at out lives in wrapped up in the reality that God delivers us from our circumstances if we would not be people of praise to Him? Here is a suggestion: look for something to give praise to God fr today.
It is with grea anticipation that I am waiting for Turkey Season to open up at the end of this month. I really enjoy getting to be outsde and to merely watch all that God has made. Of course, I also enjoy the fact that my youngest son, James, is planning on coming in to hunt with me. We have done this for about 10 years now and I am thankful that God has made that possible for me. I praise Him for giving me the opportunity to spend that time with my son. It is always a time of fun and laughter plus he is bringing his two girls in to be with us at the same time so that is a real bonus.
Easter is not far off and this coming Sunday morning I will begin a four sermon series on the blood. This Sunday it will be on the blood of the Passover Lamb. The message of the blood of the Lamb is something that is absolutely amazing when you consider that it is that very blood that is able to cleanse us and make us whole. I look forward to the next four Sundays as we attempt to lift up the Lamb of God.
Have a great one,
HGRudd
Over the past few weeks I have been preaching a series of sermons in our Sunday p.m. worship through the Psalms. I started with Psalm 50 and am currently as Psalm 57. I find that the Psalms seem to speak to me about the heart of the person that is writing. When David writes he wraps it in the events of his life and how God has taken care of Him in it and how he will give praise to God. I wonder if you and I could just look at out lives in wrapped up in the reality that God delivers us from our circumstances if we would not be people of praise to Him? Here is a suggestion: look for something to give praise to God fr today.
It is with grea anticipation that I am waiting for Turkey Season to open up at the end of this month. I really enjoy getting to be outsde and to merely watch all that God has made. Of course, I also enjoy the fact that my youngest son, James, is planning on coming in to hunt with me. We have done this for about 10 years now and I am thankful that God has made that possible for me. I praise Him for giving me the opportunity to spend that time with my son. It is always a time of fun and laughter plus he is bringing his two girls in to be with us at the same time so that is a real bonus.
Easter is not far off and this coming Sunday morning I will begin a four sermon series on the blood. This Sunday it will be on the blood of the Passover Lamb. The message of the blood of the Lamb is something that is absolutely amazing when you consider that it is that very blood that is able to cleanse us and make us whole. I look forward to the next four Sundays as we attempt to lift up the Lamb of God.
Have a great one,
HGRudd
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Hello Folks,
It is amazing that we are already in March. It seems that time really goes by qucikly and before you know it you are in a different season. Here in East Tennessee we have had very little winter, no snow to speak of, and the temperatures have been very moderate most of the time. This is one of the reason I love living here as I prefer warm weather over cold any time of the year.
This past Sunday we had a marvelous time of worship here at Greeneville First Church of God. The music was great with about 9 different instrumentalists, a choir and wonderful congregational singing. Dale Gruver sang the song, End of the Beginning, and it was blessed by God to move the hearts of the congregation. After being gone the previous Sunday I realize much more than normal how blessed I am to get to worship here. I know that God does not have to have a choir or instrumentalists to speak to our hearts. Yet last Sunday the worship seemed to me to be rather stilted but it was not a music issue. It was all the time that was used to just talk. Why must we take 10 minutes to receive requests and spend 2 minutes praying? Why interprupt the worship with announcements and wasted time waiting for someone to get ready? Maybe this is more about my own personal tastes but I see numerous congregations that are slowly dying using those methods and wonder if there is some correlation?
One of the great dangers that we pastors have is the difficulty to sit in the pew and allow other people to make the decisions on how things are being done. It is easy to become rather critical because I think I know how to do it and that if everyone would listen to me it would be fixed. I pray that I my heart will be open to God doing what He would do using the instruments that are at hand. He does not need me to accomplish His will so I am going to work very hard at jsut being in His will. I pray that you will do the same.
Pastor H. G. Rudd
It is amazing that we are already in March. It seems that time really goes by qucikly and before you know it you are in a different season. Here in East Tennessee we have had very little winter, no snow to speak of, and the temperatures have been very moderate most of the time. This is one of the reason I love living here as I prefer warm weather over cold any time of the year.
This past Sunday we had a marvelous time of worship here at Greeneville First Church of God. The music was great with about 9 different instrumentalists, a choir and wonderful congregational singing. Dale Gruver sang the song, End of the Beginning, and it was blessed by God to move the hearts of the congregation. After being gone the previous Sunday I realize much more than normal how blessed I am to get to worship here. I know that God does not have to have a choir or instrumentalists to speak to our hearts. Yet last Sunday the worship seemed to me to be rather stilted but it was not a music issue. It was all the time that was used to just talk. Why must we take 10 minutes to receive requests and spend 2 minutes praying? Why interprupt the worship with announcements and wasted time waiting for someone to get ready? Maybe this is more about my own personal tastes but I see numerous congregations that are slowly dying using those methods and wonder if there is some correlation?
One of the great dangers that we pastors have is the difficulty to sit in the pew and allow other people to make the decisions on how things are being done. It is easy to become rather critical because I think I know how to do it and that if everyone would listen to me it would be fixed. I pray that I my heart will be open to God doing what He would do using the instruments that are at hand. He does not need me to accomplish His will so I am going to work very hard at jsut being in His will. I pray that you will do the same.
Pastor H. G. Rudd
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Hello Folks,
This past week I have been in Indiana and Illinois visiting my children and grandchildren. It was a good time of visiting with them and watching Jordyn, James' 12 year old daughter, play an indoor softball tournament. It was a great time for Ruth and myself as we get to see very little of our grandchildren as they are doing some of the things that are important to them. To get to hear all of them laugh and talk is an enjoyment to me and I am thankful that God allowed me that time.
The first two months of 2012 have been good to us here at Greeneville First Church of God. We have seen very good attendance and the Spirit of the Lord has been very real among us. It is with great joy that I look forward to what He is going to do next. Pray that God will enable us to continue to plant, water and see the increase that He will give.
The CL4CL ministry is going along pretty good. We have about 80 people involved in it this 12 week cycle. It is my desire to see people grow up in Jesus. This is a tool that we are using here that seems to have some good success thus far. I ask you to pray for us here at Greeneville First Church of God to develop people for the Kingdom. May He be praised in it all.
HGRudd
This past week I have been in Indiana and Illinois visiting my children and grandchildren. It was a good time of visiting with them and watching Jordyn, James' 12 year old daughter, play an indoor softball tournament. It was a great time for Ruth and myself as we get to see very little of our grandchildren as they are doing some of the things that are important to them. To get to hear all of them laugh and talk is an enjoyment to me and I am thankful that God allowed me that time.
The first two months of 2012 have been good to us here at Greeneville First Church of God. We have seen very good attendance and the Spirit of the Lord has been very real among us. It is with great joy that I look forward to what He is going to do next. Pray that God will enable us to continue to plant, water and see the increase that He will give.
The CL4CL ministry is going along pretty good. We have about 80 people involved in it this 12 week cycle. It is my desire to see people grow up in Jesus. This is a tool that we are using here that seems to have some good success thus far. I ask you to pray for us here at Greeneville First Church of God to develop people for the Kingdom. May He be praised in it all.
HGRudd
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Hello Folks,
Just this past week we were involved in our Winter Camp Meeting here in Greeneville, Tn. Kevin Beck was the speaker and God really used him among us. His spirit was one of passion and compassion. It seemed to me that the saints who were there were blessed and helped in their life for Christ. Kevin had two of his sons, Andrew and Josh, with him and they all stayed at with me and Ruth in our home. What a joy it was to have them there. I have known Kevin for a number of years and it was a real pleasure to spent time with the three of them.
The worship leader, Dean Schields, did an excellent job as well with God using him to help us worship. I have known Dean for a number of years. It was my pleasure to meet him in Dayton, Ohio in the 1970's when he was the worship pastor at Salem Avenue Church of God, which is now Salem Church of God, in Clayton, Ohio. He and his wife Sandy came by our home and had snacks one night after camp meeting and they were an inspiration to us.
While the week was filled with the joy of Camp Meeting I also was called upon to preach at the funeral of a friend of mine. What a sad time that was for me and the entire community. The sanctuary at the Methodist church was filled with people standing. It reminds me that even in the midst of the good things of life the bad things still come. The one thing that is constant is that God is with us! He is dependable and true! No matter what happens in my life there is One who is faithful and I give Him Praise.
Have a great one.
HGRudd
Just this past week we were involved in our Winter Camp Meeting here in Greeneville, Tn. Kevin Beck was the speaker and God really used him among us. His spirit was one of passion and compassion. It seemed to me that the saints who were there were blessed and helped in their life for Christ. Kevin had two of his sons, Andrew and Josh, with him and they all stayed at with me and Ruth in our home. What a joy it was to have them there. I have known Kevin for a number of years and it was a real pleasure to spent time with the three of them.
The worship leader, Dean Schields, did an excellent job as well with God using him to help us worship. I have known Dean for a number of years. It was my pleasure to meet him in Dayton, Ohio in the 1970's when he was the worship pastor at Salem Avenue Church of God, which is now Salem Church of God, in Clayton, Ohio. He and his wife Sandy came by our home and had snacks one night after camp meeting and they were an inspiration to us.
While the week was filled with the joy of Camp Meeting I also was called upon to preach at the funeral of a friend of mine. What a sad time that was for me and the entire community. The sanctuary at the Methodist church was filled with people standing. It reminds me that even in the midst of the good things of life the bad things still come. The one thing that is constant is that God is with us! He is dependable and true! No matter what happens in my life there is One who is faithful and I give Him Praise.
Have a great one.
HGRudd
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Hello Folks,
This week has been filled with both good and bad. Kevin Beck has been the speaker at our Winter Camp Meeting that began Sunday night and has been doing a very good job. He also preached here this past Sunday a.m. and was well received by the people and used by the Holy Ghost. Kevin is a wonderful friend of mine and he has two of his sons with him, Andrew age 19 and Josh age 15. They both have sensed God's call on their lives are planning on being a pastor (Andrew) and a youth and music pastor (Josh). What wonderful young men they are. But the rest of their family is also wonder. A 20 year old daugher who is preparing for music ministry at God's Bible College in Cincinnati and a 9 year old son (Jonathan) who is at home with his mother Julie. God has certainly used this family to minister to my heart and I am thankful for them.
This past Friday a good friend of mine who lived in this community committed suicide and I cannot express how this effected my heart. The family has asked me to preach the funeral so I ask you to pray for me to be able to say what needs to be said to them. What a terrible situation it is and the family is extremely broken. Lift them up to God for His care to be provided to them.
There is a young man I know who recently committed his life to Jesus and I celebrate that wonderful event. Please pray with me for him as he moves forward in his life for Christ. I am praying that I, or someone else, will be used by God to disciple him. This young man is such a wonderful young man and has such great potential. May God use him for the Kingdom.
God bless you all,
HGRudd
This week has been filled with both good and bad. Kevin Beck has been the speaker at our Winter Camp Meeting that began Sunday night and has been doing a very good job. He also preached here this past Sunday a.m. and was well received by the people and used by the Holy Ghost. Kevin is a wonderful friend of mine and he has two of his sons with him, Andrew age 19 and Josh age 15. They both have sensed God's call on their lives are planning on being a pastor (Andrew) and a youth and music pastor (Josh). What wonderful young men they are. But the rest of their family is also wonder. A 20 year old daugher who is preparing for music ministry at God's Bible College in Cincinnati and a 9 year old son (Jonathan) who is at home with his mother Julie. God has certainly used this family to minister to my heart and I am thankful for them.
This past Friday a good friend of mine who lived in this community committed suicide and I cannot express how this effected my heart. The family has asked me to preach the funeral so I ask you to pray for me to be able to say what needs to be said to them. What a terrible situation it is and the family is extremely broken. Lift them up to God for His care to be provided to them.
There is a young man I know who recently committed his life to Jesus and I celebrate that wonderful event. Please pray with me for him as he moves forward in his life for Christ. I am praying that I, or someone else, will be used by God to disciple him. This young man is such a wonderful young man and has such great potential. May God use him for the Kingdom.
God bless you all,
HGRudd
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