Provision, Protection, and Prayer
Provision, Protection, and Prayer
For nothing will be impossible with God. - Luke 1:37
The members of RIC met on Sunday to celebrate God's provision, his protection, and to commit themselves to prayer in the coming years.
Provision. As a church, we stepped forward in faith, trusting that the Lord would provide for a new building. This meant an increase in rent and utilities, along with several other overhead expenses. At the end of October, it did not appear that the church would sustain these expenses based on the trend of giving. So, we got on our knees, and we rolled up our sleeves. We prayed, we communicated the need, and we are watching as the Lord graciously supplies.
This church means so much to so many. We are humbled to be the recipients of the gifts of visitors and attenders. However, we as a membership encouraged one another to pledge, at a minimum, a tenth of our income to the Lord. Why? It is a biblical concept (though not a command for us on this side of the cross). More so, RIC exists because of the "tenth" of others, many who have never set foot in our building, yet have generously given to see this work unfold. Would you do the same?
Prayer. Out of gratitude and joyful dependence on the Lord's sovereign grace, we are adding two essential elements to our worship on Sunday mornings.
Dedicated, intentional prayer for RIC from 10:15-10:30. The service will still begin at 10:30, but our members will lead us in prayer for those fifteen minutes. Come, settle your hearts, minds, and focus on why the church even exists. Pray for the lost to be found, the Word to be recieved, and for saints to be sent out with the boldness that comes from the Spirit of God. Beginning this week, let's pray together at 10:15.
Giving a portion of God's provision back to him in worship is an ancient spiritual discipline that has sustained the worship and spread of the gospel for generations. We want to practice this discipline as a church. So, before the sermon on Sunday mornings, we will give you a moment to give your tenth, or gift to the Lord. Two containers will be passed for the collection of gifts, or you can take a moment to give electronically using the QR codes on the back of the chairs.
Why should an English-speaking, gospel-preaching church in north Rome exist at all? And why should we expect to exist, even thrive, in the months and years to come? Why should we hope to see the gospel spread, disciples of Jesus made, and churches planted out of RIC? For the same reason that the Son of God took on flesh to save sinners.
For nothing will be impossible with God. - Luke 1:37
Merry Christmas,
Loren
