In 2010 we turned a corner at Oneonta Congregational Church! We picked up momentum and we would like to keep that momentum going. That is the reason I chose “200” as the title for this week’s Messenger front page. Is there anything magical about the number 200? There is for us at Oneonta! This year we began our second “100”, which means we are moving onward in our second century, our second hundred years as a church. We also want to achieve a goal of 200 in attendance in both worship services this year. This may sound modest, but it is an achievable goal for our congregation! When we succeed, it will give our whole congregation a sense of accomplishment. I believe we can and will do it.
The Friendship Committee has designated June 12, Pentecost Sunday, as “Bring a Friend to Church Sunday.” This is a big opportunity for us! In the next few weeks, we are going to mobilize the entire congregation to make this day a success. It used to be said, “Build it and they will come.” This no longer works for the church. The motto is now: “Invite them and invite them again, and again – then they will come.”
People still come to church primarily through the invitation of a friend or a relative!
How do we do it? Well, to do it, we make contact with people we know and invite them to church. Today I want you to start thinking of whom you might invite; and I also want you to think of why you want to invite them to Oneonta Congregational Church. The why-part may be the part you may really want to think through. Think about the positive, inspiring things that you find at Oneonta. There is a reason you are here, and that is probably the reason God has you here! What are the things that fill that spiritual gap in your life? Think about the people, the music, the worship opportunities, the opportunities for youth and children. Think about the friendship, the comfort, the support, and the challenge you find at Oneonta. You can find all this here, and more! Put your thoughts into a brief sentence or two, and then share that message as part of your invitation.
June 12th is Pentecost Sunday. We will commemorate the beginning day of the Church. It will also be the first Sunday of our summer sermon series from the Book of Acts entitled, Blueprints for a 21st Century Church. A blueprint is a carefully laid-out design used to build something tangible – inviting others to church is part of the basic blueprint for the church of any age.
So, are we just doing this to fill the church? No, not really – we are doing this to learn how to honor God’s blueprint for building His Kingdom on earth. We are doing this because in every church, God in His grand blueprint has inextricably intertwined the imprint of the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ on each of our lives. Through our lives, shared with another, the Gospel is passed on.
They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. [Acts 2:46b-47]
So – as we reach out to others – let’s also reach for 200! We can do it, with God’s help! -Doug Brandt
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