Moving Forward, Pressing On!

For the past month, we have held our in-person worship service at 11am on Sunday morning. Many of you have had the opportunity to join us in the building. Please know, we continue to sanitize the sanctuary, provide hand sanitizer and masks, practice social distancing and refrain from congregational singing all to protect the ones we love from any possible threat of the coronavirus. We are following the challenge given to us by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 known as the love chapter where he says in verse 17, “Love always protects.” We will continue to do our best to provide an environment where it is safe for you to worship.

Others of you continue to join us online and we want you to continue doing so until that time comes when you feel more at ease with joining us in the sanctuary. I am excited to share with you that on Sunday, July 26th we began using a new camera that brings you a closer view of our chancel. This new technology is necessary as we continue to experiment with ways to make our digital presence better. Once again, I want to thank you for your patience and bearing with us as we learn and grow with this new technology. Yes, we have made mistakes with sound, etc. but you have been gracious in allowing us some room for error. As we get more proficient, we will continue to have a more meaningful impact on those engaging with our church online.

Speaking of our digital presence, have you driven by the church to see the new sign? Each day as I pull in the church parking lot the sign brings a smile to my heart. I’m not sure if it’s just because of all the bright brilliant colors, or the multiple messages that appear, or if there is an underlying joy of knowing I will not have to change letters in the freezing temperatures of winter? Perhaps my smile will only grow bigger as those winter days approach. For now, I am enjoying the warmer temperatures and the opportunities we have to communicate with our community as they drive by the church. Thank you once again to all of you who helped make this possible.

Now as we move forward toward the start of school and fall, most of us are wondering what things will look like? In many ways, we just don’t know. We do know the situation remains fluid and can change in a moment’s notice. I can assure you that we are looking at all possible data, opportunities, and seeking guidance to remain relevant as we share the love and gospel message with our community. I don’t know what next week or next month may look like? We take one day at a time and hope and pray we get some things right. I promise to convey any changes and opportunities to you as they become more clear. Let us rest assured that God is with us every step of the way and promises to never leave or forsake us. May we also keep our eyes on an eternal focus and not get caught up in so much of the temporary stuff. I know if you are anything like me, that is difficult to do but we must as Paul says in Philippians 3:14 keep pressing on, “I  press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

As we embrace August, I want to invite you on a journey in which we will examine the difficulties we sometimes have in believing in a God we cannot see. We often wonder why God didn’t answer our prayers, why God allows suffering and difficulties like Covid-19, or why we can’t feel His presence. I recognize God may not meet all your expectations—but that’s good news! Find out why in a new sermon series: I Want to Believe, But…  In this four week series, we'll discuss four different versions of “God” which don’t exist—they’re fabrications people often want to believe about the nature of God.  But when we start to put God in a box, we create our ideas about Him and what He’s supposed to do for us.

I hope you will make it a priority to join us in-person or online,

 

United We Stand, Divided We Fall.

During the past few weeks we have seen a ever growing division within our country due to differing political views, perspectives on the Covid-19 virus and the recent events highlighting racial injustice and police brutality within our nation. I recalling growing up as a young boy and learning the phrase “United We Stand, Divided we Fall”  inspiring unity and collaboration when working with others. I recall participating in a few youth sports teams that could have embodied that phrase a bit more and been more successful because of it. 

President Abraham Lincoln in his 1858 House Divided Speech shared these words, "A house divided against itself, cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other.” Lincoln's pleaded for a united nation, rather than one bound for destruction through conflict.

But where exactly do this phrases come from? Where perhaps do we find their origin? This type of thought appears twice in the Bible. In the Gospel of Mark 3:25, Jesus states, "And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand."  In the Gospel of Matthew 12:25, "Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. “ Jesus is using the parable of a divided kingdom and a divided house to show that if He is using Satan's power to cast out demons, Satan's kingdom won't survive. Satan would gain no strategic value by allowing Jesus to use Satan's authority to attack his own work. The furthering thought behind these famous quotes is simply that division will bring destruction and ruin.

As our country once again recognizes and celebrates our Independence Day, allow me to remind you of the words penned by our founding Fathers in the Declaration of Independence. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

 

It seems 224 years later we are still struggling and falling short of living out these principles as a nation. There are many social injustices that still need addressed. Most notably we cannot deny the racial injustices that continue to permeate areas of our culture. The recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery bring to light some of the underlying problems within our society. We as Christians, as followers of Christ, as those who are “Growing in Full Devotion” must be willing to address and help fix the many disparities and complexities of social injustice in our world.

 

When our world is divided and people are hurting, what’s our responsibility as followers of Christ? Where do we even start?  When you examine the life of Christ, he intentionally, purposefully, and passionately addressed very specific causes. He radically addressed the diverse and complicated conflicts of the time and shattered the status quo. Jesus wasn’t just preaching a universal salvation message for the world, but he was also addressing specific political, social, and racial issues. He was helping those who were being abused, violated, and oppressed. Jesus fought for the Samaritan, for the Women, for the Lepers. We, like Jesus, just need to take the time to identify those who are suffering both in our country and around the world. It is we as followers of Christ who must stand up and say, “NO MORE, Not on my Watch!”

Will this be uncomfortable? Probably so. Will it be difficult and require sacrifice? Probably so. Is it what Jesus and the church of Christ is commanded to do? Absolutely! Christ did not come to elevate one race, culture, or sex over another. In Galatians 3:28 we read as Paul states, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”  We are all one in Christ and United. Absolutely nothing else matters beyond our faith in Christ. Also, in Micah 6:8 we hear the call to combat social injustice, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Join us as we regather on July 5th for in-person worship and we learn how we can embrace the role God wants us to play in bringing unity and healing.  God, help us unite!

 

LET THE SUMMER BEGIN

I believe we all can say the last few months have been extremely unusual compared to our normal way of living. Memorial Day weekend came early this year and the unofficial start of summer commenced. Speaking of commencement, I want to begin this month’s newsletter with congratulating all our students who have completed their requirements for graduation. You will find each one highlighted in this edition of our newsletter. We recognize the commencement ceremonies held this year were very different because of COVID-19 but that does not diminish in any way the significance of this accomplishment. Allow me to address our students for a moment.

Although commencement marks the conclusion of this particular educational chapter in your life, it also serves as the open door to the next one. All of life is an education. Perhaps that’s why “commencement” means not “an ending,” but “the act of beginning.” This is a new beginning to pursue whatever plans you have in mind. Perhaps you have higher education aspirations, a career, marriage or other goals in mind? Whatever your plans the future holds opportunities for continued education and growth. I trust the faith and values you have witnessed in the lives of the members of this congregation will provide you with the courage of your own convictions as you meet the challenges of the future. We celebrate you and will pray for God’s guidance in your lives. Remember the words of Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Now, as summer begins, we continue to formulate a plan for us to return to the building for worship. As I shared in a letter from the Vision Board decision, we are taking a “wait and see” approach because we do not want to cause any irrevocable damage. I want to thank you for your patience and continued support as this has been a difficult process to navigate. For now our worship will continue online, and when we return to the building, we will continue to stream our live worship for those of you who are considered vulnerable. Each one of us must make our own decisions regarding our own health. Please do not feel any pressure regarding your decision to return.

Our return to church plan will be constructed in phases much like you have experienced with the state of Ohio plan. As we enter June we can hopefully put Phase ONE behind us. Phase ONE included closing down the building to any kind of usage beyond what was considered necessary and essential by staff. Beginning Monday, June 1st, Phase TWO will allow the building to be used again for meetings and smaller groups of 10 or less people. The building will be open to staff and all normal functions of the office will be available. If you need to meet with anyone from the staff please make an appointment by calling the office. You are not required to wear a mask but encouraged to.

Phase THREE is still being developed but will include on site worship along with online worship. As we begin this phase there will be no Sunday School, Youth Class or Children’s worship. Families will be asked to sit together, practice social distancing, hand sanitization and the church will provide a “touchless service.” Small events may take place at the church and the building will be available for you to use for small gatherings/celebrations. Our Small groups will once again be encouraged to meet. Phase FOUR will include the lifting of all Social distancing restrictions and we can return to a normal mode of worship and church activities while following new safety standards and guidelines. 

I know you would like to see dates for when this will all occur but for now we have intentionally left everything undated because the crisis continues to be fluid. Hopefully, very soon, we can begin to rebuild the fellowship we all desire and need as we “Grow in Full Devotion” to Christ. We were absolutely created for connection, community and intimacy. In times like this we recognize the things we have taken for granted and I hope we never will moving forward. The Church continues to impact the world, we continue to love our neighbor, we continue to pray for each other and we continue to support ministries that have both an immediate and eternal impact. As I said last month, I miss you all and look forward to a time in the very near future when we are together again.

Trusting the one who holds everything in His hands, 

Kevin

CHECKING IN AS WE MOVE TOWARD THE FUTURE

Easter came and went and it definitely felt different but it certainly was not any less meaningful. Every opportunity we have to celebrate the Risen Lord is good with me. I imagine we've all felt the effects of isolation lately, and I am ready to see the church filled once again. In fact, when we are finally able to be together in worship, we are going to worship like never before. Perhaps we will see people drawn to the Lord more than we have in recent years? I do believe that God does not waste any opportunity to draw people unto himself. This may just be a very exciting time in the history of the Christian Church as we allow God to use us to share his love and be his hands and feet.

As I share these thoughts with you, I just finished listening to the Governor’s daily briefing. We now have a better idea regarding what the reopening phase will look like, and we still have many questions regarding what reopening means in the weeks ahead? Most importantly, we still do not know an exact time when we will hold services at the church? For now, group gatherings of 10 or more are still prohibited. I personally feel gatherings of larger groups will be included in Phase 3. I am hopeful that we will be together come June? Allow me to reassure you that we are brainstorming what church will look like and planning to implement every layer of protection that we can for your safety. Currently, the church is being deep cleaned and every room assessed. For the time being we will continue to share the service at 10 and 11 via Facebook and the church website at www.fulldevotion.org. We will also continue our mid-week check-in and bible study on Wednesdays at 7pm via Zoom.  When we do come back together, for those who find themselves at “high-risk,” our 11am service will continue to be livestreamed through our website.

Unfortunately, the restrictions of our current situation have forced us to make some very difficult decisions regarding upcoming ministries. We have canceled our Summer VBS and Mexico Mission Trip. All other activities at the church remain canceled until further notice. For those of you who are inquiring about summer camp, Camp Koinonia is processing their decision and we will let you know very soon. We have and will continue to communicate on every platform we have available: E-mail, U.S. mail, Church App, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and phone calls. We do not wish for anyone to be uninformed. If you have not heard from us please call the church office and let us know?

As I said before, I imagine we've all felt the effects of isolation lately. I know this is not an easy time for so many. Please reach out and make contact with a neighbor, someone from church, a family member or friend. Let them know that you care and are available should they need anything? If you need help from us to meet a need, we are standing by ready and willing to help. Let the church be salt and light to our community. Let the church shine brighter than ever before.

As you and I struggle, remember these words that come straight from scripture and remember the promise Jesus gave to us. “Christ does not promise an easy life but He does promise His presence, even to the very ends of the earth.” (John 16:33 & Matthew 28:20)

Allow me to end on a personal note. Honestly, during the last part of April, I began to feel the weight and stress of our current situation. I was struggling with motivation. I was frustrated and tired.  Most of you can identify with me? Then just at the right time, as God knew I needed some encouragement, you the church organized the Sunday afternoon “appreciation parade.” Church people piled into their cars and one by one you drove by our house honking your horns, holding up your signs and saying thank you. I was completely surprised and overwhelmed by your generous support. I could not hold back the emotion and tears that were bottled up inside. It was one of the most wonderful displays of love and encouragement I have ever felt. I will never forget it as long as I live. Thank you for making the effort and taking the time to brighten my day!  I miss you all tremendously and look forward to a time in the near future when we are together again.

EASTER CELEBRATION ISN’T CANCELLED, IT JUST MIGHT BE DIFFERENT?

For those of you who recall my last blog it was entitled, “When Life Doesn’t Make Sense.” It was based on the premise that we have our ideas of what will happen next in life, but many times life turns out differently. As we are currently embattled in the pandemic of COVID-19, it is surreal to think how much life has changed in one month. I am in no ways claiming to be prophetic for I did not fathom all that has taken and will take place. 

Things are certainly different but let me reassure you that we will get through this together. Nothing lasts forever. Nothing in this world ever has or ever will. Life will return to normal but it will be a new normal. We will have all been changed. Life is about change. God is shaping and molding us in Full Devotion to Christ. As stated in March, we must continue to trust God with every piece of our lives.

Undoubtedly, I was looking forward to celebrating our Easter services as I know you all were as well. Currently, we have suspended all services at the church until further notice. I am anticipating, according to our current guidelines, that we will not hold any corporate worship services until late in May? We have been working diligently to get our services online and will continue to do so for the future. If you are able, please join us online on Sunday mornings. You will find the livestream tab on our website at www.fulldevotion.org

Just because we are not physically together does not mean that we cannot celebrate Easter. Yes, it will take some creativity this year but we can and will find ways to make it meaningful. The Celebration of Easter is one thing that is eternal. The resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ established the opportunity for us to celebrate and worship him forever and ever.

Luke chapter 24 says, 

“They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.  In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; he has risen!    

With those simple words “He Has Risen,” eternity was changed forever. For those who believe in God and his plan of Salvation, eternity with God in heaven is possible. According to scripture, Jesus appeared in the flesh to over 500 people giving proof to the claim of resurrection. Historically, the celebration of Easter itself did not begin until the Council of Nicaea established a decree in the year 325. Easter has been celebrated ever since by the followers of Jesus Christ.

Here in the United States, Easter Sunday often boast the highest church attendance with the various events like sunrise services and Passion plays. But in areas of the world where Christianity is not welcome, the time we celebrate the risen life of our Savior plays out differently. In many countries, believers must celebrate in secret—not unlike those who followed Jesus 2,000 years ago. While we in the free world may think of our celebrations as the traditional way to honor our Savior’s sacrifice, today’s persecuted believers might actually be experiencing something closer to the original Easter.

I’d like to think as we celebrate Easter this year, it will give us a new perspective on what others around the world often face, especially those in the persecuted church. They face fears for their very lives, yet demonstrate the same hope as the early disciples and the same hope that we have today. I would ask that you pray for all of us and even more for believers today in countries like Egypt, Pakistan, North Korea and many others who will experience, like us, a different, yet no less meaningful Easter Sunday.

I look forward to the time when the church can be together again. I truly believe this is an opportunity for the church to rise up and show people where our hope comes from.

 As the Psalmist penned,

“I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.” 

WHEN LIFE DOESN’T MAKE SENSE

As we continue to focus on our goal of Total Commitment there is one thing I am reminded, life doesn’t always go the way we expect. We have hopes, we have dreams, we have our own idea of what will happen next but many times things turn out totally different. There is wisdom in the Proverbs when we read Proverbs 16:9, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” 

You ask, “What does that mean?” Simply put we can plan anything we want but ultimately the path life takes us will be determined by God’s will. Well one might say, “why should I plan anything at all if God is just going to mess it all up with what he wants?” Well not exactly.

We must do our part to embrace life in all the fullness it has to offer. We have been given a brain and the ability to use knowledge in order to live according to word of the Lord. Scripture is our guide, our instructions on how we should live. Psalm 37:23 says, “A man’s steps are established by the Lord, and He takes pleasure in his way.” As human beings we should be seeking God and His desire and direction for our lives. But even as we do that often life still doesn’t make sense. I know it’s difficult. We pray to God for help and guidance. But sometimes it seems like even though we pray with faith, God doesn’t do what we've asked. We seek Him, but don’t feel His presence. We go through pain, but our cries for relief seem to go unanswered.  I will admit that sometimes, our lives just don't make sense. 

This coming month we will begin a new sermon series that will takes a close look at what we can do "When God Doesn't Make Sense." I hope you will plan to be with us. This is a critical time of the year as we enter the season of Lent and preparation for Easter. Within this season is the opportunity for much prayer and introspection. We have the opportunity to focus on what God desires from us, what changes need to take place in us and perhaps where God is leading next as individuals and as a church. We are here to fulfill the Great commission and we need to take seriously the charge that God has given to us. I believe God will indeed ordain our steps and align our will to His as we follow Him and seek Him with all of our heart.

I want to invite you into a season of prayer as we head toward Easter. I have already challenged you to begin praying for at least three people God is leading you to invite to church and to share the Gospel with them. Do you remember? God has called us to be a disciple making church. I believe we have shrugged off that responsibility thinking someone else will do it? The problem with thinking like that is it rarely gets done. We must be willing to step up and say, “I will do it!”

I would ask that you prayer for us as a church to discover how we will reach people for Christ. Remember the definition of insanity, “doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” Someone else once put it this way, “If we do what we have always done, we will get what we have always got.”  It’s important that we ask the Lord what His direction is for His Church. After all He is the one that has been guiding it for 2000 years and things have turned out well.

I would also ask that our couples would enter into a time of praying for their spouse during a 31 day prayer challenge for March. You will be seeing in the newsletter, bulletin and online specific instructions  regarding how to sign up. Please wait to do so until Sunday March 1st. If you start early it’s okay, but I would like us to be doing it all together. For those who are not in a marriage relationship I would ask that you prayer for the marriages in the church to be strengthened. I believe these relationships are often most targeted by Satan himself. If he can destroy the marriage, he will destroy the family, the lives of children, the church and community as well. Much heartache is caused by the destruction that is caused by failing and broken marriages.

Once again, life often doesn’t make sense but just recently I saw a great analogy that compares our lives with a puzzle. A pastor said, “If you can trust a puzzle company to make sure every piece is in the box to complete the puzzle, than why can’t you trust God that every piece of your life is there for a reason.” Yesssssssss!

  Trusting God With You All!

 

PURSUING TOTAL COMMITMENT

PURSUING TOTAL COMMITMENT

So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision - you'll see it yet!” 

Philippians 3:15  (The Message)

I know the goal, I know how to pursue it, but what happens when it seems like the more I pursue the goal God has for me the more blurred my daily vision become? I have no doubt that Satan is alive and well trying to steal, kill and destroy our pursuit of Christ.

As I take a moment to reflect on the past month, I get frustrated. I get caught up in the day to day struggles of what it means to live in the human side of life while pursuing the spiritual side as well. I hope you can see the honesty in my struggle and identify with me? It’s reality!

Reality tells me there will be discomfort, there will be pain, there will be heartache, there will be conflict in life. We cannot deny that these things happen to us. To do so as followers of Christ would actually do more damage to our faith. We must grasp the truth that we are a people who must live by grace through faith every day of our lives. Growing in full devotion to Christ means I must discover how to handle both the positive and negative aspects of daily living. The Good news is found in the silver lining that Christ promises to help us and guide us along this path of life.

Isaiah 43:1-2 says, “But now, this is what the LORD says-- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.”

“You” means you who are struggling with the realities of this life. We cannot explain away the hardships of life and most often will not find an answer or be satisfied with that answer once we do. The answer is found in Paul’s letter to the Philippians 3:11, “I want to know Christ--yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”  

As much as I dislike the realities of this life it is in fact the process by which transformation takes place as my faith in Christ develops. I must trust God, believing that He is able to help me through the trials and tribulations of life. In those moments we must run to Him instead of running away from Him. I came across these words from Steve Arterburn, a Christian Counselor who says,

“A healthy faith acknowledges the supernatural power of God and does not need miraculous intervention to prove that God is real. The healthy believer does not look for God to magically change the circumstances, but looks to him in the midst of trials.” I would add that we do not necessarily look to God to “Magically change the circumstances, but look to God to change us in the midst of those difficult circumstances. Don’t miss the promise from God, “I will be with you!”  In that promise let us continue forward toward the goal of Total Commitment struggles and all.

Here’s the reminder once again, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:14. Let us press on together in total commitment as we embrace the year 2020. Let us pray that God will clear our blurred vision so we can focus on Him as we worship, give, grow, serve and love together. Together let’s focus on the goal of Total Commitment in 2020.

Even in the midst of struggles, it is Jesus who makes the darkness tremble!

 

A NEW VISION FOR A NEW DECADE

Welcome to 2020 a year that heralds a new decade with promise and opportunities for Christ’s Church and for FBC Canton—Full     Devotion.  Because of the coming of the Christ child, we can celebrate the gifts of eternal hope, unconditional love, divine peace and the joy of new life. We can continue to await in anticipation of the future coming of Jesus to fulfill the reign of God.

Our Theme for this year will be “2020 Vision: Total Commitment.” When most people hear the term 20/20 Vision they tend to think of “Perfect Vision.” Allow me to burst your bubble because 20/20 vision does not mean having perfect vision. It simply defines whether your vision is as sharp as it should be in comparison to other normal people’s vision in the world. It means can I see from a distance of 20 feet what I am supposed to see and keep it in focus?

As fully devoted followers of Christ, I believe we should have a clear understanding of what God calls us to and expects of us in comparison to people of the world. He has given us His word as an instruction manual on how to live. The role of scripture is to clearly bring into focus what our responsibility is in the Kingdom of God. The apostle Paul writes to the church in Philippi saying,

So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision - you'll see it yet!”  Philippians 3:15  (The Message)

What is that Goal? Total Commitment to Christ. In the preceding verses of chapter 3 Paul clearly defines his thoughts, “ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”  Philippians 3:10-11

Let me ask, “is that you, is that your desire?” Anything less than the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Paul indicates as garbage. Often I find myself living in the garbage of this world thinking I have found something of more important value. Perhaps you have found yourself there too? The things of this world cause us to lose our focus. Often we have something else in mind other than total commitment to Christ. Often we do not want to suffer at all for the cause of Christ.

We say that we are committed to the Lord Jesus Christ. How committed? Total commitment means that Jesus Christ is Lord in every area of our lives. He must be Lord on Saturday night as well as Sunday morning. He must be Lord of our bodies as well as our brains. He must be Lord of what we save as well as what we sacrifice. He must be Lord of our careers as well as our creed. Are we totally committed to Jesus Christ? Is He Lord of all?

As Paul recognizes that personal struggle he says, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:14. Let us press on together in total commitment as we embrace the year 2020. Let us pray that God will clear our vision so we can focus on Him as we worship, give, grow, serve and love together. Together let’s focus on Total Commitment in 2020.

Eye clearly on the prize!