Dear Kirk Leaders and Intercessors,
We celebrate mid-August with a continued focus on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. His payment on the cross is reason enough for our endless devotion, but there is so much more. He lives in us and leads us with His Word and His Spirit. We are so blessed to belong to Him.
The Lord has kept The Kirk afloat with a wonderful family spirit, financial stability and even church growth. Last Sunday two separate individuals turned in membership cards. Stacie McLaughlin and Gail Wepner are making The Kirk their church home. We welcome these new ones. Our Monday evangelism calling is alive, and we are reaching out to those who visit and members who are absent. It is an important work of grace and love.
This coming Sunday we finish up our series on “The Deadliest Catch: Life Lessons from the Prophet Jonah” in our 9:00 am Family Service and a series called “Christians Are…” in the 10:30 am Traditional Service. Two new series are about the begin. At 9:00 am we’ll study “The Horrible, Terrible, No Good Very Bad Day” showing examples of how God turned the worst day in the lives of some of his people into a blessing. At 10:30 am We’ll begin a series on “A Faith that Works” using the book of James. Pray for me to bring God’s Word clearly before His people.
I am building my preaching schedule for the next six months and I wish to hear from you. I’d value your opinion and feedback. What questions or themes do you believe would be helpful in building up The Kirk in the next six months? What would you like to hear from the pulpit? Please e-mail me your thoughts at jjritt@hotmail.com. This would be a great help to me. We’re in this together. I also ask you to pray that I’ll have the necessary wisdom.
God has provided peace and strength for the summer. Please keep praying that the remainder of August and September will continue the trend of His supply and favor. Up to this day we have paid every budgeted bill and all of payroll without having to go into reserves. Fan the Flame and Adopt-A-Bill have raised over $20,000 which has made this all possible. The faithful Sunday saints and extra income and gifts have made a miracle so far. Thank God.
We are so encouraged by the men, women and youth ministry growth this summer. I had a great lunch with the ladies just yesterday. We talked about ”angels” in the Bible and how God must use these fabulous creatures as His messengers into our lives. Our high school and junior high youth group is up to 9 teens. They are planning a “Heaven’s Kitchen” dinner for the church on Labor Day weekend. Should be a blast.
Now as we move toward September, it is time to build on this strength with an infrastructure of the right people in the right places for the right reasons. We have tremendous leaders and workers here now and the council acts with unity and wisdom. Let’s build on this. Time to build up our ministry leadership teams, committees, ushers, prayer chain, greeters and more. May God help us strengthen the ministry teams even more.
Speaking of the Prayer Chain, I want to thank Mildred Marlatt for overseeing this important ministry. She now wants to just be a prayer person and Don and Natalie Richards have taken over. So when you have a prayer chain need, call Don and Natalie at (727) 797-6846. Now here is our prayer list for this week:
PRAYER LIST
Sandy Poland-hospitalized in Ohio
Peg Hunter-Morton Plant Rehab
Mike Puchrik’s daughter, Amy-M.S.
Michael VanGessel-recovery after ankle surgery
Bill Hudge-husband of secretary Flo
Gail Lee-home from rehab
Kenn Gangel-home from hospital
Bonnie Guerin-recovering nicely at home
Fran Runion-cancer; Barb Fahey’s friend
Stefanie Gorman-Graus’ granddaughter
Emma Taft-Manor Care, Rm 148, on Patricia
Bob Robe-healing for shoulder
Carol Stambaugh-Sandy Poland’s sister
Much Christian love to all,
Pastor Jerry
