2010's Strong Start

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2010’s theme at Second Pres is Learn the Word. Love the World., and I have been so excited by the ways that we are already embracing this theme. We have a lot to celebrate already!

The Learn the Word portion of the theme reflects how we will encourage each other to read the Bible more consistently in 2010. I have heard from many of you that you are loving the calendars of scripture readings that we have distributed in the Pulse (and also available at www.secondpres.info and the Welcome Center). One person marched out of the sanctuary recently and told me proudly that you were a “D student” (referring to Plan D, which goes through the whole Bible in a year). Another told me you’re doing Plan B (the New Testament), because you want to take their time and really soak in God’s Word. (You can find more information about the plans on the reverse side of this Pulse below the calendar.)

Last Saturday, we held a Learn the Word Seminar attended by more than seventy people! It was very inspiring for us pastors who taught to see how attentive everyone was to this general overview of the Bible. The response was so great that I hope that we can offer something similar periodically throughout the year. Also, last Sunday, we had a chance to commit ourselves to read the scriptures more consistently by signing our names to a covenant. It was wonderful to see parents and children make this commitment to learn the word in 2010!

The Love the World portion of our theme reflects how we participate in God’s transforming love for the world. We have a lot to celebrate here, too!  The special offering for Haiti (channeled through Christian development/relief organization WorldVision) topped $20,000, a remarkable sum for a congregation our size.

Another great indicator as 2PC strives to better love the world is that 70 people participated in January 17th’s Serving On Saturdays, a hands-on ministry at the local level. The day culminated in a wonderfully rambunctious lunch at Western Avenue Community Center.

Finally, the Feed the Hungry food drive is off to a great start as we again demonstrate our love for the world. Dr. Don Crittenden tells me that approximately 2000 food items were purchased from the chancel last Sunday morning, putting us more than halfway to our goal of 3500 items (on average, five items for every 2PC worshiper on Sunday mornings). If you didn’t get a chance to contribute last Sunday, please do so between now and next Sunday.

With this great start, I can’t wait to see how well we’ll be learning the word and loving the world by the end of the year!

Dr. Charles B. Hardwick

P.S. I leave on Monday morning for almost two weeks of vacation in Hong Kong where I will visit friends. Please pray for me as I preach there on Sunday, February 14. I will return to the pulpit on Sunday, February 21.