Good evening everyone. I hope everyone's plans for Labor Day weekend are going well. I'm writing this up so that everyone can know a little bit more about what's going on with Imago Dei.
Our August service got rained out by Irene, which was a bit of a disappointment, to say the least. Now we find ourselves in the place of getting ready to launch our weekly services in a week. September 11th is the official start. We are still in the process of nailing down our location. Most likely it will be (at least for the short term) the community center here in Dover. I'm waiting on a note from our insurance company to show the center that we are covered. We will be continuing to look for a more permanent place that we can "hang a shingle" so to speak, but our time has run short.
Its been a hectic (in some ways) week for me personally. I developed a pinched Sciatic nerve in my right leg and can barely walk. Its not a permanent disability by any means, just a major inconvenience in the short term. Once the inflammation goes down I'll be right as rain. It has meant that I've spent the better part of the week laid up. Its very frustrating. If you could be offering up prayers for that, we would be extremely grateful.
Our series that we are going to be beginning on the 11th is called "Dry Life". We will be traversing Elijah's mission to King Ahab and the pitfalls that Israel fell into when it turned away from God. Economic uncertainty, political strife, a culture that has turned away from God....sound familiar?
Our request list for this month is simple. We are looking for people who are willing to donate to a single project. We have three needs we'd like to see fulfilled. I know they are a big ask, but God is bigger than our fears and He is bigger than our imaginations.
1: We would like someone who would be willing to donate toward our service location rent. If someone would be so moved in their heart by God that they would commit, through one donation or several, to covering our costs through the end of the year. ($2000-$3000)
2: In order to get our equipment from point A to point B, we need to protect it from weather. We have a pickup truck, but no cover for the bed. We would be looking for someone to donate towards either a truck bed topper OR a small enclosed trailer. ($1000-$2000)
3: As many of you know, I am working 30 hours a week to support the church and to support my family and that is in addition to the time I spend doing church work. This has not been a problem while holding monthly services as there is plenty of time to accomplish everything. As we move to weekly services my time constraints will become increasingly tight. We are asking for someone (or someone's) to specifically donate toward my housing stipend so that I can focus more time on the church: preparing, planning, doing outreach. If you can do this through the end of the year, please, make a commitment. ($4000)
I know that through God we can do anything. In his letter to the Philippians Paul wrote:
"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles."
God will provide what we need. He may provide it from somewhere that we don't expect, but He will provide. He is not a stingy God, He provides for us so that we can use that money to grow His kingdom. Jesus said in the parable of the Shrewd Manager "I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings."
If you cannot help, please pass this on to someone who can. God is doing great things.
Please read and allow yourselves to be blessed by the gift of giving to the eternal Kingdom.
Grace and Peace.
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