Music Sunday and "All Things New"

Dear St. Paul's Congregation,

The Spring weather has me thinking of gardening. I'm getting a late start this year because of my extended stay in Germany, but tomorrow I hope to get out and start doing some planting. This time of year, the world is full of "all things new."

All Things New is also the title of the sermon on Sunday, from Acts 11:1-18. The Apostles faced difficulties in sharing the Gospel with Gentiles. Did the Gentiles have to be circumcised, follow Jewish food laws, participate in Jewish cleansing laws? Peter gets a vision from God of a sheet, coming down from heaven, and his view toward evangelism begins to change. Sunday's sermon will ask the question, "In our post-Christian society, what things need to change in reaching our culture for Christ?" You may be surprised at some of my suggestions.

This Sunday is also Music Sunday. That means we have choirs, bells, and festival in the first service. That means we have praise music, worship team, and celebration in the second service. Please take a moment to thank our musicians after worship this Sunday. They are a true blessing to our congregation, and add so much meaning to our worship experiences at St. Paul's, whether traditional or contemporary.

Would you think of inviting a friend to worship this Sunday? 75-90% of people who become Christians and attached to a church are invited by friends.

Tom Clegg will be with us this Sunday. Tom is consulting with our church this year, to help us become more effective in our outreach at St. Paul's. I hope that many of you will have a chance to meet him.

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday! Grace and peace to all,

Pastor Mark Friz