Kickoff Sunday 2025

It was good to see a good crowd for Kickoff Sunday yesterday as we shifted back to our regular Sunday morning schedule. Sunday School began again, meeting at 9am. The adult Sunday School class began a series on the Sermon on the Mount. Our worship service is at 10:10am. Yesterday we started a series looking at the prophet Jeremiah.

Next week’s offering is for Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission (AIMM). I want to take a moment to commend this organization as worthy of your support. Two leaders in this organization, John Fumana and Pamela Obonde, came to NDMC recently to present the mission. Because of the timing of the visit, several members of our congregation weren’t able to hear the presentation, so let me share just a few things John told us about the work of AIMM.

One exciting development is that AIMM is shifting their leadership model to one where the nationals doing the work on the ground are now involved more directly in the decision-making. John told us about a literacy program in the Democratic Republic of Congo that is teaching women to read. This program is changing their lives for the better. He told us about a program to teach women skills such as sewing which is allowing them to start their own businesses to help support their families. They are also helping pastors of churches start businesses which make it possible for them to continue to minister while supporting their families. The Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced decades of internal conflict. AIMM is also helping refugees who are fleeing this crisis. AIMM is involved in these projects and many more. Let me encourage you to go to AIMM’s website to learn about all of the work they are doing.  You can click here to be taken to AIMM's website.

I encourage you to spend some time looking carefully through the announcements in this E-Gram and in the bulletin. There are several important things going on in the life of our congregation.

In my sermon yesterday, I talked about the importance of us being people who speak truth. There are several reasons that it might seem we are in a crisis of truth in our time. At the same time I am encouraged by signs that there are those who are hungry to hear truth. Can I encourage you again to share with those around you what your relationship with Jesus means to you? Take time to encourage them to think about their relationship to God. Invite them to come along with you to our worship service. I am optimistic that we are seeing positive changes take place.

God bless, Brian

Scripture readings for next Sunday

Jeremiah 4—Which image of returning to God do you find most powerful in this chapter?

Luke 13:1-9—What does Jesus’ parable have to do with repentance?

Jeremiah 5—Why do you think God is willing to forgive his people?

Revelation 2:1-7—Why is the church of Ephesus called to repent?