“I am doing this so all who see this miracle will understand what it means— that it is the Lord who has done this, the Holy One of Israel who created it.” Isaiah 41:20 (NLT)
When I say I am excited about this Sunday… I mean I AM EXCITED!! I am sure you are asking why? Because I believe in miracles. Plain and simple. I believe God can spark a revival in the lives of our people when we humble ourselves, pray constantly, seek God’s face, and turn from all sin. God has placed truly amazing people at St. Andrew’s who have experienced God’s amazing grace through a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. People who have experienced God’s grace long for others to do so as well. As a matter of fact, they will do whatever it takes to make sure others experience the same thing. So this Sunday is one Sunday out of 52 each year where we get to celebrate our united, passionate belief that our mission is to lead people to experience God’s grace through a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
This Sunday is Commitment Sunday and we will provide you with the opportunity to return your Commitment Card during the worship service. I know that each of you has prayerfully considered how God is calling you to support the mission and vision of St. Andrew’s in 2016. We are all called to support the church through engaging in worship, connecting in Christian community, growing to be disciples of Jesus Christ, and serving each other and the community. In addition, we are called to support the church through our tithes and offerings. I give thanks in advance for your prayerful and generous commitments to support the mission, vision, and ministry of St. Andrew’s in 2016.
This Sunday is also Miracle Sunday and we will provide you with the opportunity to give your Miracle Sunday offering during the worship service. You should have received an envelope specifically for the Miracle Sunday offering. We will have some available if you did not receive the envelope. I know that each of you has prayerfully considered how God is calling you to support the Miracle Sunday offering (above and beyond your normal offering), I, again, give thanks in advance for your prayerful and generous Miracle Sunday offering in support of eliminating our debt load on Disciples' Hall and paying 100% of our apportionments for 2015.
This Sunday is also All Saints Sunday. This is a very special time in the life of the church where we take time to remember and pray for all those who have gone to heaven since this time last year. We have lost some amazing people this year and I am humbled to be a part of remembering them. I personally miss them all and I know you do too. This will be a very special part of our service this Sunday.
I started this article with Isaiah 41:20 because Isaiah reminds Israel that it is the Lord who does the miracle. I have faith in the people of St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church to be faithful to do their part in committing to support ministry and mission in 2016 and give generously through the Miracle Sunday offering. But here’s the most important part… I have complete faith that God will be faithful to do the rest and bring the miracle to Miracle Sunday. So I ask you… do you believe in Miracles?