A Note from Pastor Jeff…
The watch word for Graceham Moravian Church during 2008 is:
"Jesus said, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it." — Luke 8:21
How does one celebrate 250 years of serving God and Community? That is the question we as a congregation tried to answer over the past year. Our celebration began last October (2007) and ends this October with our 250th Anniversary Lovefeast and Concert on Wednesday, October 8, 2008. But, is this really the end? Or, is it the beginning?
I invite you to pick up your Bible, open it to Psalm 85 and then read the Psalm. Don't read it once but read it over and over again. First read it from beginning to end, then read it again, slower this time, then read it again verse by verse and pause to think about what these words of Scripture say to you.
The theme that emerges is a theme of renewal. What has happened in the past is past. We can not change it. We can not improve on it. But we can improve our future by the Grace of God.
May I be so bold as to suggest that this is the time to "RENEW OUR RELATIONSHIPS."
First and foremost it is time to renew our relationship with God. This is the most critical portion of our lives. Our relationship with God must take top priority and it must be one of intensity.
Secondly, we must renew our relationship with our families. There are too many homes with bored, stale relationships. There needs to be a renewal of romance between husbands and wives. There needs to be a renewal of the excitement of interaction with our children.
Third, we must renew our relationship with each other. We do not have to approve of everything each of us does, but neither do we have to take issue with these things.
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" — Matthew 7:1-3
Fourth, we must renew our commitments. Our commitment to God and the church must be honored. What prevents me from having a daily devotional time with Him? What is more important to me than being in His House of Worship? What did I buy with His Tithes? These are questions which measure the commitment we made to God when we professed Him as our Lord and Savior.
Our commitment to our families must be honored. What does my family need most? ME! One of the greatest weaknesses in family relationships is the lack of time spent together.
Our commitment to others. To let other people know we care about them and to share their joys and sorrows.
The renewal of these relationships and commitments will result in verses 10-12 of Psalm 85 being fulfilled in our midst. This can be the best year any of us will have ever experienced and the beginning of a great future.