March Madness

March is finally here and filled with some great happenings.  Sunday opened the new month with two new adult classes, a new sermon series, new monthly birthday celebration, and most importantly, a new brother in Christ.  Everything went off great.  We heard good comments about the new class materials and you can't help but love sermons on the Good News of Jesus Christ.  If you haven't heard already, Daniel Piggott was baptized into Christ.  We are all very proud of Daniel and his faith in the Messiah.  Everyone give him words of encouragement and love.  Maria Cope came forward as well, asking for continued faith for she and her family.  Please say a special prayer for both of these this week.

Look at that smile!

WEDNESDAY: Speaking of new classes, I will begin a new Wednesday night study on the books of 1st & 2nd Timothy and Titus.  These are letters written to young preachers.  It is an important study for everyone as it explains the work and teachings of these special servants of Christ.  It also deals with the false teachers Timothy and Titus were facing.  It helps us to understand spiritual leadership and the organization of the church.  It all begins Wednesday night at 7 pm.

NEXT SUNDAY NIGHT: We will be going to the Hartman Road Church of Christ in Fort Pierce for a singing.  After our singing with them last month many approached the leadership about doing this again.  Hartman Road also approached us about doing this again.  Their preacher, Brother Jackson, said the people are excited about us coming to their building.  They had a great turn out when they came to Vero, so let's do the same for them.  The singing begins at 3 PM.  We will be taking the church bus, for those interested, and leave the church parking lot at 2:30 PM.  If you get there at 2:31 you will see the tail lights getting onto 20th Avenue.  In other words, don't be late.  Others of you may want to ride together, which can create some great memories.  The address is 1010 Hartman Road, Fort Pierce.  There will be no meeting at our building that evening.

MISSIONS SUNDAY is less that two weeks away - March 15th.  Last year we had, what I thought, was the best one since I came to Vero.  Dominic Dos Santos did an amazing job and we raised $75,000 (our goal was $65,000).  This year the goal is set for $70,000.  Once again we have a special speaker to motivate us - Brother Jackson from the Hartman Road Church of Christ.  You know it's a big event when we have a meal.  More to come, including a handout of all the works we are trying to support in 2015.  Also, we will not have Sunday night services on this day.

FAMILY HOMELESS CENTER: Speaking of missions, some of the people in this church helped with the renovation of one of the bathrooms at the Family Homeless Center on 4th Street.  George Blanton, Bob Brackett, Christin Paladin, David Paladin and John Pickerill had a part in this renovation in one way or another.  The staff and residents were excited about this much needed facelift.  We are beginning to partner with organizations that helps us to get out and serve.  If you are interested in doing this type of work let us know as there is much work to be done all over our city.  It goes along with David Paladins new Sunday Morning class - "Do Something." Here is a before and after picture.

Now the bad news: Next Sunday we will lose an hour with the time change.  Don't forget to set your clocks an hour ahead Saturday night.  Or if you like to pay attention to detail, get up at 2 AM Sunday morning and set your clock ahead.  I prefer Saturday myself.

Yesterday marked the completion of my 6th year with this congregation.  It has been the best work I have been apart of in my almost 24 years of ministry.  This is saying a lot because I have been apart of another work that I never believed could be beat.  This is the result of great elders from the day I began to the present.  The family of Christians who meet here have a huge part in why Missy and I feel this way.  During this time I have also grown a lot spiritually, which is the direct result of this church.  We want to thank you and to let you know we are excited about beginning our 7th year.  Ministry has its ups and downs, but you make it more bearable.

As we go into our week, remember to think of others.  Do something good for someone you struggle to get along with at work.  Write a heartfelt card, email, or text to someone who has been apart of your spiritual growth.  Encourage someone who is down.  If you tend to gossip, stop it and replace it with positive words of the blessings around you everyday.  Find a "closet" and pray to the Father in secret.  Worship Him with everything you've got.  Let's prepare ourselves for our meeting together Wednesday night as a family of God.  The work week is always filled with stress, so be prepared to show kindness and love when we come together.