Joy

A Note from the Pastor…

Women’s ministry in the Church of God began over eighty years ago with the mission of seeking to serve Christ through serving women and equipping them for ministry. In 1932, the National Woman’s Home and Foreign Missionary was formed and began organizing groups of ministers, Church of God members, and local women to spread the Gospel at home and abroad. The first Church of God movement-wide celebration known as Christ’s Birthday Observance took place in 1949. Eight decades later, the Church of God initiative, now known as the Christian Women Connection (CWC), still leads women and congregations today towards the mission of serving both locally, and abroad.

As we continue our Advent Series lighting the “JOY” candle this morning, we have a unique opportunity to experience true joy thru our giving. Joy is defined as “a state of mind and an orientation of the heart. It is a settled state of contentment, confidence, & hope.” Amen and amen! Yet, many today would testify that joy can be one of the most elusive of the “fruits of Spirit,” (although every Christian should exhibit a measure of each). I believe true joy must come from a place of thankfulness, contentment, hope, and service, as we serve the Lord faithfully. It truly is better to “give than to receive,” and counting our “blessings” instead of our “crosses” can help us to rediscover our “joy in the Lord.”

 The work of “missions” and giving to the CWC’s Christ Birthday Offering is an opportunity for all of us to experience a measure of joy as we help provide someone else the blessing of sharing or hearing the Gospel! It gives us another opportunity to show our thankfulness to God for our blessings and to share the Hope that we treasure so much in Christ. May God bless us all in all we do for Him!

       Pastor Chris