We're already nearly one month into 2021, and let me tell you, God continues to move at Shades. Take a look at this week's update!
Hello Church!
As promised, I want to share a brief update on the search for the next pastor for Shades. First, the Pastor Search Committee has already met twice as they are thoughtfully and prayerfully getting this process underway. Second, a “candidate profile” is in development and will be posted on the Vanderbloemen web site when it’s finished. This profile is a way for interested candidates to learn more about Shades and what we’re looking for in a pastor. The profile should be completed and posted by Friday of this week. In the meantime, please continue to pray!
Pray for the next pastor ... that he is sensitive to the Lord’s call on him to bring visionary leadership to Shades.
Pray for the search process, the search committee, and the team at Vanderbloemen to be Spirit-led as they consider the next man for this job.
Pray for our staff … as they stay focused on ministering to the Shades family and supporting the mission of this church to influence our world for Christ.
And let’s pray for each other that all of us will be thoughtful and respectful of one another as we go through this season of change. Your prayers are as important as any other aspect of the search process!
Whenever there is more to report, I will bring you another update. In the meantime, feel free to check out the website shades.org/search where you can see the members of the committee and submit candidate names for consideration.
It is hard to believe that we are already a month into this new year. Typically at this time, we would be deep into preparations for our Global Impact Celebration, which is traditionally at the end of February. Given the constraints associated with COVID, however, we’ve decided to postpone GIC until April. Hopefully by then, travel will be easier for our missionaries and church planters and we’ll have more freedom to celebrate with them! After all, this will be the 20th GIC…can you believe it?! ... and we want this one to be special. So go ahead and mark your calendars for April 14-18 and stay tuned for more details to come.
This past Sunday, we started a new sermon series, “It’s All About the ONE,” a five-week series on concentrating our focus on God and on others. Last week, we looked at our one purpose, to be salt and light in the world, bringing honor and glory to God and reflecting his character in all that we say and do. This week, we will look at Matthew 22 and will reflect on “one heart,” having a heart for the Lord and having a heart for others.
Folks, the world around us is constantly shifting and moving, but in the midst of it all, we can rest in the fact that we have a savior who never changes and who came with one purpose—to seek and save the lost. I hope you have a great week and I look forward to seeing you Sunday—either in person or online.