Posted by admin on August 30th, 2010 in Uncategorized
When I left SCF yesterday afternoon, I can honestly say “my heart was full!” It was a great day in the Lord for a variety of reasons.
First, there was such energy in the sanctuary as the service began! Pastor Mike and Praise Team did a great job of leading us to the throne of God! The Lord ministered to my heart especially through the words and story of the hymn, “Come Thou Fount.” To reflect on the lengths that God will go to in His attempts to draw the wanderer home was almost overwhelming to me. The story behind the writing of that hymn is just incredible. You can read about it in Kenneth Osbeck’s book Amazing Grace. If you can’t find it, you can borrow my copy!
Next, I was so encouraged to so many students from Ecclesia College. Many have taken classes I have taught at the college; many I am just meeting for the first time. Still, it is an opportunity for us to nurture these students who are preparing for a life-time of serving God. We are exploring ways to help foster and deepen our relationship with the college.
Finally, at our “Meet the Pastor” luncheon we hosted 12 new guests of SCF. And from the conversations around the table, many of these guests will become a regular part of our church family. From young parents with small children to middle aged adults, all are finding SCF to be what we say it us - a place of connection. Help foster that connection by reaching out to those you cannot yet call by name.
God is breathing fresh winds into SCF! I am encouraged by what He is doing both in us and through us. Join me in praying for God’s blessing to fall as we continue to lift up the name of Jesus!
Pastor Rick
Posted by admin on August 16th, 2010 in Uncategorized
I continue to be amazed as the grace of our God. He takes weakened vessels like you and me and uses us to connect with and to transform the world - one heart at a time.
I was so blessed to have Beth Graff “with us” via Skype in our worship celebration. To hear the emotion in her voice and to share in her tears was a real point of connection. I encourage you to pray daily for Beth as a way of supporting her as she supports the work of Bible translation in some very difficult countries. She needs us standing with her as she walks out the call of God on her life.
But really, that is what each of us is doing - walking out the call of God. And there are times that walk gets pretty hard. And that is why we need a caring and supportive church family behind us. I believe God is creating SCF to be a caring and supportive family! So reach out to someone today who might need a little encouragement. Be the hands of God to touch a life - to the praise of His glorious grace!
Pastor Rick
Posted by admin on August 9th, 2010 in Uncategorized
What a great weekend for SpringCreek Fellowship! Signs of life were happening throughout it.
First, we got to celebrate two weddings. Anthony & Jamie McEntire were married here at SCF on Saturday afternoon. Then Deven & Kristen Phillips were married at Wilson Park in Fayetteville on Sunday afternoon. I would encourage you to pray for these new couples, that the Lord would touch their marriages and fashion them into living and growing examples of love.
Then, late Sunday afternoon, Jason & Hailey Maloney welcomed their new daughter, Paisyn Claire, into the world. Paisyn checked in weighing 7 lbs. 12 oz. and was 20 inches long. All three are doing fine and should be home from the hospital in a day or so.
And to top it all off, the Lord was powerfully present in our service Sunday morning. We studied the second of our “connections,” connecting with the community through small groups. The new groups will be forming over the next month and I can’t encourage you strongly enough to get involved in one!
So I say again, God is moving at SCF! It is a great time to be part of the body of Christ. Keep inviting your family and friends to experience the love of God through SCF - to the praise of His glorious grace!
Pastor Rick
Posted by admin on July 26th, 2010 in church
Sunday was a good day for SCF! Gracie, along with the whole praise team, did a good job of leading in worship; Robin led very effectively at the Lord’s Table; Nancy’s songs were a blessing; and we had many visitors with us! I’m told the message was good, as well, but I am not in the best position to comment on that . . .
I was totally blessed at the “Meet the Pastors Luncheon.” We had 21 people stay for the luncheon, who have just recently started to attend SCF! In the years that we have done this, I believe that is the most we have ever had to stay for lunch and meet the pastoral team. And my thanks go out to our Sunday morning community group for hosting the event. Thanks, guys - you’re the best!
I am looking forward to the fall and to the series of messages we have entitled, “Letters from the Lamb.” We’ll be studying Revelation 2 & 3, starting on September 12th.
I am excited about our future. God is moving and lives are being touched. Let’s keep it going - to the praise of His glorious grace!
Pastor Rick
Posted by admin on July 19th, 2010 in church
It was good to be back at SCF yesterday. We enjoyed our time in Illinois last weekend for the DHF conference and seeing many long-time friends. But it was good to be back and to worship with our SCF family!
I continue to be struck by the John Piper quote, “Missions exists because worship doesn’t.” We must be gripped by the glory of God and the desire to see that glory manifest around the world. We must be gripped by the worship of God and the desire to worship offered from around the world. Those two core beliefs will need to fuel us if we are truly going to develop as a mission church. And that is my heart for SCF! And I praise God we are on the way.
It was good to see Ryan and Marty yesterday, via the video they provided from Macedonia. Let it be a call to prayer to support those two that they might finish strong. We plan on regularly connecting with our missionaries and bringing that into our services to help us “connect to the world.”
God is good; He is faithful; and He is moving at SCF. I am excited about the future He has in store for us!
Pastor Rick
Posted by admin on July 6th, 2010 in Uncategorized
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Gal. 5:1). Over this weekend, we had a double reason to celebrate. It was the Fourth of July weekend, so we could celebrate our national birthday. Contrary to the revisionist attempts to strip our founding fathers of the belief system that under-girded them, they were acting with a strong assurance of the guiding hand of God. We cannot let that part of our heritage be lost!
We could also celebrate the freedom that is ours in Christ. And that freedom leaves us with a choice. We can either become selfish and indulge our sinful nature; or we can become servants and touch the lives of those around us. The Bible clearly calls us to do the latter (cf. Gal. 5:13). It can be through simple acts of service that people’s hearts can be warmed to the Gospel.
I challenge you to look for, and then take advantage of, the opportunities the Lord puts in your way this week. Celebrate your freedom by choosing to serve in love!
Pastor Rick
Posted by admin on June 28th, 2010 in Uncategorized
Sunday was a great way to “cap off” what had been a tremendous week for SCF. Each day of VBS saw the number of kids attending increase. We had several families from VBS worship with us on Sunday morning, along with some other visitors. And the service was a reminder of the task before us.
The apostle Paul wrote that the goal of all of our ministries is “that one day we may present everyone perfect in Christ” (Col. 1:28). Remember: “perfect” means moving to maturing, ripening like fruit on the vine. What a challenge - and what a great privilege! We are called to partner with the Holy Spirit who pours His strength into us that He might pour His strength out through us. And when you see people taking steps to move closer to Christ, you know it has all been worth it! Reach out to encourage those who might need a little extra care this week.
Summer is here, but we need to remain strong in the Lord. There is still much work to be done, to the praise of His glorious grace!
Pastor Rick
Posted by admin on June 21st, 2010 in Uncategorized
“You da man!” That was the theme for Father’s Day. I remain convinced it is time for godly men to step up to the plate. It is time for men to listen to the final recorded words King David spoke to his son Solomon, “Be strong, showing yourself a man” (I Kings 2:2). That strength will be revealed in three way: by being a student of the Scriptures; by committing to walk in the ways of God; and by being an example others would want to follow. It is a tall order, but God has offered his strength to help us live it out!
VBS 2010 starts tonight. I am excited bout this week and the seeds of faith we get to plant in the lives of many young people. I am excited about the families we can touch and introduce to the Lord and to SCF. I am also excited about the number of men we have volunteering this year! Way to go, guys!
This has been a good season for SCF. Join me in praying for God’s continuing blessing as we live and serve to His glory.
Pastor Rick
Posted by admin on June 14th, 2010 in Uncategorized
As I was preparing for Sunday’s message, I was struck by Peter’s phrase, “prepare your minds for action” (I Peter 1:13). I referenced other New Testament passages that reinforce the same theme, like Romans 12:1-2 and Ephesians 4:22-24. I was struck about how “lazy minded” we have become.
I came across an intriguing document of the 42 essential elements of a Christian world view. I didn’t know there were that many! Written in the format of an affirmation followed by what must be denied, I found myself nodding in agreement throughout the entire document. I would recommend it to you. You can follow this link to read it online: http:www.churchcouncil.org/ICCP_org/Documents_ICCP/English/03_Christian World View_A&D.pdf
I encourage you to dive into your Bible and other solid, evangelical Christian books, articles and other study materials. As believers, we must continually be in the process of “preparing our minds” if we are going to meet the challenges of our day.
Be blessed as you follow Jesus and as you “prepare your mind” to do so!
Pastor Rick
Posted by admin on June 7th, 2010 in Uncategorized
“Now, about your inheritance.” That was the theme of the service and of the message. What a joy to know that God has an inheritance for us that can never perish, spoil or fade, but is kept in heaven, waiting for us (cf. I Pet. 1:3-5)! Peter hold this out to us, not in a selfish way, but to help us keep our eyes on the prize!
We have the privilege to continue to touch lives for the sake of the Kingdom of God. I had a good follow-up conversation with two families in the Rose Room after the service. They were “checking us out.” Both were highly complimentary of the service and of the welcome they received here! I encourage you to “keep it up!”
God is moving in and through SCF! Let’s do what we can to beat the “summer slump” and keep the momentum that God has created - to the praise of His glorious grace!