November 18th Update

This weekend kicks off gun season for deer hunting.  As much fun as hunting can be for so many people (sorry PETA)  I can think of some hunting that is even more exciting.  Jesus draws a similar parallel in Matthew when he calls a group of fisherman to follow him and He promises that they’ll be fishers of men.  The adventure sounded exciting to those guys back then, and it fires me up just as much today.  SO let me extend that invitation to all of you in the church.  Let’s make the next two weeks hunting season for us, so to speak…let’s hunt for people, and bring ‘em in!  Who knows how God might use you in someone’s life by just extending an invitation!

 

Compassion Opportunities:

Over the next few weeks you are going to have a few different opportunities to go above your normal giving and show the love of Christ to people here in Sun Prairie in a practical way.  Especially this time of year, heading into the holidays, the need is greater than ever.  

I truly believe that it’s things like this that Jesus wants us, His followers, to be known for.  Over and over again Jesus tells us to “feed the hungry, clothe the naked and welcome in strangers.”   In James, we are told that “religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.”  

As much as you are able, will you join my family and me in these efforts to answer Christ’s call on us?  Don’t let these opportunities pass by without participating…Jesus says in Matthew that “whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me.”

  • Food Drive:

This coming Sunday, November 22, we’ll be collecting food for the Sunshine Place food pantry. How cool would it be if we just completely covered them up in food?!  

  • Compassion offering:

Heartland’s Compassion Ministry provides hope for Heartland families and individuals facing difficult financial situations. These days, given the current economy, the need is especially great.  So, let’s take the opportunity to replenish our Compassion Fund. 

We will receive a Compassion Fund offering during the weekend experiences on November 29th.   

Sometime next week you should receive a letter in the mail with additional information, as well as an envelope marked “Compassion.”  Bring that envelope with you on Sunday, November 29th when we’ll receive the compassion offering.

  • Angel Tree

Angel Tree is a ministry that reaches out to children of inmates and their families.  To participate, simply pick up the name of a child on the weekends of November 29th or December 6th.   Purchase that child a Christmas gift and bring it to Heartland on December 13th.  From there, we’ll need volunteers to deliver those gifts to the children in our community before Christmas.  I can speak from personal experience when I say it is a blessing to both those who receive and those who give.      

 

Christmas service times:

If you attended A Heartland Christmas last year, you know how much fun we had together.  Laughing, singing, reflecting on Christ…it was an awesome night.  This year will be even better.  We’re going to build off the “Christmas Rewind” drama and do that again, plus add the “Old Testament Rewind.”  It will be another night you won’t want to miss…so mark your calendars and start to invite others now.  This is a fantastic opportunity to invite people in your world to come check out Heartland.  

Two services to choose from:  December 23rd at 5:30 pm and 7:15pm.  

 

Baby Dedication:

Babies keep coming, so we’ll keep dedicating them.  The next dedication weekend will be Sunday, Dec 20th.  If you’re interested in having a child dedicated, just email to let us know.

 

As always, feel free to shoot me an email if you have any questions or thoughts at and I’ll see you Sunday for part 2 of the series SHOES!

Jon


Posted: November 17, 2009

 
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On Vision weekend I shared a desire to increase communication with those in the church who wanted to stay up to date on all that God is doing in and through us. As part of that desire, I will be frequently posting updates to this website; many times going into more detail than we have time for in a Sunday morning announcement. Sign up if you would like to receive an automatic email that lets you know when I’ve posted an update.
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Upward and onward!!!

Jon McNary
Lead Pastor
Heartland Sun Prairie
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