The Pastor’s Blog

Notes, news, information, lessons, and updates from the Pastor’s desk and others.

What Church Revitalization Is and Is Not*

Posted on Jul 1, 2025 in Community Outreach, Pastor's Blog | Tags: Community Outreach, Discipleship, Evangelism

*Excerpt from an Alan Weinacht article first presented in NMYM Connection 6/21/25

“Church revitalization is not a new program or trendy way of trying to engage a post-modern culture. Whatever it is, it is not a cure-all, follow this program and all will succeed proposition. Thankfully it is not about trying to become a megachurch or assuming that the biggest church is the best church. So, what is revitalization?

Church Revitalization is (and this is why it may be so hopeful for Evangelical Friends) an open door to slowly but surely work on the disconnect between our churches’ cultures where we think we are committed to outreach but we really are not. Looking back, over my being a member and eventually a recorded Friends minister with an entire working career in pastoral and yearly meeting leadership among Friends, I’ve concluded that the real issue for Friends is culture. We believe that we are outreach-minded, when in reality our mindset is that anyone is welcome in our churches if they want to take us, just as we are.

This is not a mindset that stands beside Jesus and sees that the fields are ready for harvest. Church Revitalization is not about creating outreach and evangelism strategies that are an add-on to our current programming and life of fellowship in the church. If a church hangs with Church Revitalization it has the potential to vastly improve how it opens its doors to the community and reaches out to invite people in. In the process, the mindset and pace of Church Revitalization creates room for the faithful believers to adapt and adjust, so that they become effective at passing on what they’ve learned about cultivating an intimate walk with Jesus to new believers.”

Jun '25

Order of Service, June 29th, 2025

Posted on Jun 29, 2025 in Bulletins |

Jun '25

Order of Service:

Welcome and Call to Worship

Song: “Standing on the Promises”

Greeting Time

Song: “Hallelujah to the Lamb”

Song: “Shine On Us”

Prayer for the Offering

Song: “Breathe on Me”

Kid’s Song: “We’ve Got a Great Big Wonderful God”

Koinonia Kids Dismissal (Kindergarten to Middle School — Fellowship Hall)

Today’s Message: “Made New”
Luke 5: 36-38
Pastor Jesse Davis

Closing Song: “Spirit Song”

Question for Reflection: Are you honest and just in your dealings? Are you true to your promises, prompt in paying your debts and responsible in handling money or property entrusted to you?

Benediction & Open Worship

Next Sunday: “Light Among Men” Matthew 5: 14-16

Events & Notes:

Area Gathering & Ice Cream Social – TODAY at 12:30 pm.

Hobby Night – Wednesday, July 2nd at 6:30 pm.

Pinewood BBQ — Friday, July 4th from 4 to 8 pm.

Hayes BBQ — Sunday, July 13th at 12 pm at Jeremy & Chelsey’s Home

The Friends Women Fellowship invites you to join them this week in prayer for Missions in Central Africa and for Hispanic friends as the begin discussing global missions, and praise for the improved health in Central Africa and God’s support for Hispanic Friends.

Jun '25

Order of Service, June 22nd, 2025

Posted on Jun 22, 2025 in Bulletins |

Jun '25

Order of Service:

Welcome and Call to Worship

Song: “Fairest Lord Jesus”

Greeting Time

Song: “Goodness of God”

Song: “From the Inside Out”

Prayer for the Offering

Song: “Great is Your Glory”

Koinonia Kids Dismissal (Kindergarten to Middle School — Fellowship Hall)

Today’s Message: “The Purpose of the Parables”

(Selections from the Gospels)Pastor Jesse Davis

Closing Song: “He is Able”

Question for Reflection: Are you careful to live within your income? Do you avoid involving yourself in business beyond your ability to manage or in highly speculative ventures? Are you willing to accept a lower economic standard rather than compromise Christian Values?

Benediction & Open Worship

Next Sunday: “Made New” Luke 5:36-38

Events & Notes:

Deanna Mann Memorial — Saturday, June 28th at 10 am at MFC.

Area Gathering & Ice Cream Social – Sunday, June 29th at 12:30 pm. RSVP by circling G on your Friendship Sheet and indicating how many people you will bring.

Hobby Night – Wednesday, July 2nd at 6:30 pm.

Pinewood BBQ — Friday, July 4th from 4 to 8 pm.

Hayes BBQ — Sunday, July 13th at 12 pm at Jeremy & Chelsey’s Home

The Friends Women Fellowship invites you to join them this week in prayer and pray as the Lord Leads you this week.

Jun '25

Taking Time

Posted on Jun 2, 2025 in General, Pastor's Blog | Tags: Time Management

Jun '25

As we head into the summer, I am considering the things I give my time to more deeply: Work, Family, Friends, Hobbies, and so on. We often use the phrase “taking time” for something. “I am taking time for myself” is most common. Who are we taking that time from? Is it ourselves, our families, our work, our friends, our hobbies? Or is it God? When I “take time” am I taking it from God?

I keep turning this over and over in my head, trying to understand the dynamics of time and relationships. If every moment of every day is a gift from God, and I accept that as true, then what is the proper use of that time? Should it be returned to Him? Should I tithe my time? I think in all my time I should work to honor the Lord, for sure. But what does that look like? How do I honor God in my family? In my work? In my friendships and hobbies?

Is it simply acknowledging that He is giving me time to engage with these things? Or is it being grateful for the time? A combination? Something more? I think in this whole conversation I end up with more questions than answers. I only hope that as I accept the time given to me by the Lord that I am honoring Him in as many ways as I can in the moments I have, no matter who or how I take that time. I hope the same is true for you.