We will soon be in the season of Lent. The word comes from “lengthen,” as in the daylight hours are growing in length. It is also the season for growing in the Spirit. All of us who participated in Unbinding the Gospel learned that great growth in both Spirit and Community occurs in small study, sharing and prayer groups. Churches of all denominational connections are discovering the necessity for small groups: to grow closer in Christ, to become more committed Christians, to support one another, to become better disciples. With these truths in mind, we are offering the Lenten series, Get Off Your Donkey! using the book by Reggie McNeal.
I guarantee that the time you invest in reading this book, in participating in a study/prayer/sharing group, and in attending worship will deepen your faith, help you discover your unique God-given gifts, and grow in closeness, support, and service.
There are two groups currently planned: Sunday afternoon at 2 and Wednesday evening at 7. The Sunday group starts out meeting at Pip and Cecile Adams’ on February 15th. The Wednesday group meets at the church in the Memorial Room beginning Feb. 18th. If you would like to participate in a group, but neither of these times works for you, please let me know and we will try to schedule another group opportunity! Signups for both groups will be available beginning Feb. 1. You can also sign up by calling the church (485-9639) or emailing me at pastor@pembrokechurch.org.
The books are available Sundays and from me for $5.00 each (list price is $13.99), but will be provided for free for anyone who has need.
Still uncertain about participating? Perhaps some of these endorsements will help you decide:
“A challenge for all Christians to lead their lives like Jesus–to love and serve others. What a fabulous message! What a wonderful book!”–Ken Blanchard, coauthor, The One Minute Manager and Lead Like Jesus
“If you’ve ever wondered what God wants you to do with your life, Reggie McNeal has written a book that will show you exactly how and where to get started.”–Larry Osborne, author and pastor, North Coast Church, Vista, California
Here is an overview of what the book is about:
Reggie McNeal calls you to dismount, get messy, and live a life that makes a real difference. He reveals two mutually reinforcing truths: First, helping others is often the best path for our own personal development. And second, as you become more the person you were designed to be, you increase your capacity to serve others. It all starts with a decision to get off your donkey–today!
As always, the more of us who are able to engage in this study, the greater the impact will be on our whole church. So, even if you cannot commit to the whole series, please come when you can!
Looking forward to our Lenten journey together,
Rev. Jim