Christ of the Bay Lutheran Church
www.ChristBayLutheran.com
450 Laverne Drive
Green Bay, WI 54311
(920) 468-4246
Staff
Curtis DeCoste, pastor
Ron Stieglitz, congregation chairman
February, 2012 Message from Pastor Curtis DeCoste
"Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!" - Psalm 67:3 (ESV)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Greetings to you in the blessed Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
I am grateful to God for all of you, and the privilege of serving as your pastor. Why? Because, in 2011, in the name of Jesus, there was outreach, witnessing, worship, disciple-making, prayer, care, service, support, love and forgiveness. And all this was going on during an encouraging time of more understanding, trust and unity in our congregation, and an exciting time of discovery about our surrounding community and the opportunities that are here for us to share the Gospel with "all the peoples" that they might praise Him, too.
Recently, I was asked by the North Wisconsin District - LCMS to comment on what the first of our two-year "Renewing the Mission!" process (a.k.a. TCN process) did or did not do for Christ of the Bay Lutheran Church. So, let me share with you some of my thoughts.
The consultation we had in late October, 2010, gave us some valuable outside feedback and direction. It gave us some much-needed encouragement, thoughts about areas of concern, and some prescriptions that challenged us to be more outwardly focused in 2011 and beyond, for the sake of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). "Renewing the Mission!" has given us a certain level of accountability and a forum for developing our mission and vision statements, and completing the other prescriptions. We have a mission statement, "Christ of the Bay Lutheran Church proclaims Jesus Christ and promotes spiritual growth for all people," but we are still in the visioning process and are only beginning to talk about and evaluate our specific ministries relative to the mission statment. "Renewing the Mission!" has encouraged us and taught us to interview and listen to the leaders in our community for their insights, and our team has done so in 2011. As a result, new opportunities for sharing the gospel opened up, and some of our priorities have shifted - and, I pray we will all continue to be curious and find ways to expand God's kingdom, and then all do our part. "Renewing the Mission!" has also caused us to gather demographic insights about the people in our community and increase our awareness of Christ's mission with some leadership learning.
We have been blessed in 2011, with many of us trying out new roles in the chruch, using our spiritual gifts and talents in new ways...in ways specific to the "Renewing the Mission!" process, and in countless other ways we have served the Lord. We are reading the weekly prayer list along with our announcements, and now, throughout the week, we are praying for our leaders, the community, and the needs of more of our church menbers and their loved ones. Now, it even appears that more of us are caring for and visiting the sick and elderly, and finding ways to serve and spread the gospel by volunteering in the community. We are growing in our faith together, and spending more time to debrief one another about our lives in Christ during Bible studies.
We have much to be thankful for and also acknowledge that there were some "Renewing the Mission!" challenges or momentum-killers that we struggled with - devil, world, sinful flesh stuff - including illnesses and habits. For the sake of Christ's mission, there is much to pray, repent and confess about, and to do, learn, plan and execute during 2012. May we hear the voice of our Lord, of His purpose and will for our lives, of His abundant love and mercy and grace, of His forgiveness, salvation and everlasting life won for us by His death and resurrection, and then respond accordingly with the fruits of faith wherever we go. Let all the peoples praise the Lord our God!
Blessings, in Christ,
Pastor Curtis
January, 2012 Message from Pastor Curtis DeCoste
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Blessings to you and your family in 2012!
Christian families. Think about the blessings God has given you through your family. Loving, caring, providing, teaching, encouraging, supporting, cherishing…you. God blesses people all over the world with families. Children honoring parents in the Lord. Parents providing nurture and admonition in the Lord to their children. Pray for your family and the families of others in 2012. Pray that they may be strengthened and sustained, even while surrounded by a culture that certainly makes it difficult.
Pray: O Lord, be in the homes where your people live, and keep them from all harm and danger. Especially in my home, and the home of ______________________ (my friend’s) family. Help us, Lord, to live together in our homes, and in our community, and in our church in peace and unity. Protect us, Lord. Bless us now, in 2012, and forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
God shows us He has plans for our benefit (Jeremiah 29:11). Now, start making some plans for the benefit of others. As you think about New Year resolutions, consider how you might show loving concern and encouragement to those in your family. Start thinking about, and implementing, some steps to demonstrate your friendship and love toward your family members. If you have a family member who does not know our Lord, how can you witness lovingly to them? What can you do to help and support other families in the Body of Christ here at Christ of the Bay Lutheran Church, and in your community?
May your family, and the families of those you know, prosper in the abundant grace and love of God, in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Curtis
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
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