Count Your Blessings
If a gift is given in the woods, does it make a sound?
Gratefulness Must Be Cultivated
Thanksgiving is such a crucial part of the Christian life. Without its cultivation we leave the garden beds of our hearts vulnerable. Ungratefulness, complaining, covetousness, fearful self-preservation, can all worm their way in to choke out the joy Christ has given us.
We are three weeks into God bringing a church into existence. Three craaaazy weeks. But, they haven’t been bad weeks. Quite the opposite. These three weeks have been filled with wonderful blessings. So I want to share a list with you.
We have had so much support and encouragement from folks who have attended our open house and our first Sunday. It is an absolute joy to have people come and show their love and support in person. On top of that, we got our very first new visitor last Sunday!
We have received an enormous amount of help with equipment. As I mentioned somewhere sometime, we didn’t plan on having amplification, at least not in the beginning. Then that changed and people showed up and we got what we needed. Then we realized we didn’t have everything we needed, and we got MORE help! A special thanks to David, New Hope Creswell, Hope in the Grove in Cottage Grove, and Eastside Baptist. Now we pray that I can set it up on Sunday!
We have continued to receive incredibly generous financial support. All our needs have been met by the Lord through amazing generosity.
I’ve personally been able to enjoy wonderful fellowship with brothers in Christ who have encouraged and strengthened me.
Rachel and I got to be present for a beautiful wedding ceremony. A dear couple I was pouring into at RBC before I left, covenanted. Not only that, we get to witness him get baptized this Sunday!
God is good. He strengthens us in our weakness.
“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,”
Ephesians 5:20
UPCOMING EVENTS
SEPTEMBER 12th | 4-10PM
Springfield Block Party
Coram Deo Baptist Church is planning to have a presence at the Springfield Block Party. It shuts down 10 blocks of downtown Springfield, right where we gather on Sundays, and hosts thousands of people.
This is going to be a great opportunity for us to raise awareness about the church and hopefully extend many many invitations to join us on Sundays. If you would like to come and support us at this event please reach out!
SEPTEMBER 12
Riviera Baptist Church Yard Sale Fundraiser
3071 River Road, Eugene, OR 97404
RBC is hosting a yard sale fundraiser to support us at Coram Deo Baptist Church. They will be donating the proceeds to our plant. An incredible labor of love! If you want to donate or stop by to shop reach out to RBC.
SUNDAY SERMON
The moment we’ve all been waiting for finally happened: the arrival of Jesus! After being prepared by John the Baptizer, we got to see the Lamb of God make His public appearance. What a glorious text to work through this last week. Take a listen!
PRAYER REQUESTS
Continue to pray for our dear sister Linda. She found out she has bulging disks in her back and will be going to an appointment to find out more.
Praise report: Brandon who I wrote about last week was offered a job! Praise the Lord!
Pray for a sister (Phyllis) who is in the hospital for unplanned surgery. I hope to make a visit this week if possible.
Pray that the Lord stirs in the hearts of faithful brothers and sisters to join us in this work of building the church on Christ.
Pray for me to be given opportunities to meet with those in the community and continue to make Gospel connections.
