Hoping to Share in the Glory of God

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we^* have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ²through whom we have obtained access^* to this grace in which we stand; and we^* boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. ³And not only that, but we^* also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ⁵and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. — Romans 5:1-5

The Service of Installation and Reaffirmation of Our Covenantal Partnership will take place on Sunday, April 3 at 3 PM in the sanctuary. This is an opportunity for everyone who is a part of the First Christian Church family to consider their relationship to God, to this congregation and to the ministries we are called to share: worship and praise, care and prayer, service, outreach and witness. To bring joy and inspiration to our time together, Glory Road Gospel Quartet, from Council Bluffs, Iowa will be presenting a concert of gospel and southern gospel music at 2:00 PM and, following a brief intermission, with share in the service of installation and reaffirmation. In addition to the afternoon concert and service, Glory Road will also be providing special music for the 10:30 AM morning worship service. The group was formed in1998 when the original members discovered they had a common interest in the southern gospel style of music and a desire to develop a music ministry to spread the message of God’s love, power and grace through song. I consider them to be personal friends and partners in the Gospel.

The Rev. Danny Stewart, Regional Minister for the Mid-America Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will preach that afternoon and members of the Trenton community, Trenton Area churches and the churches of the Northwest Area will take part. The 2:00 P.M. concert is open to the public without charge, although a free-will offering will be received. Folks may come for either or both of the concert and service.

I invite you to save the time to be a witness for the great things God is doing, as God’s love is poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. If you are unable to be present, please lift up a prayer that afternoon.

I’ll be watching for you at the church door or wherever God’s ministry leads us!