Show me some love!

Show me some love! That is an oft-repeated phrase among the hip young people of our day. An old song reminds us that “what the world needs now is love, sweet love.” I would add that the love of God is what people really need! February is known as the month in which we show our love, especially on Valentine’s Day. This month, I pray that we will not only show our love to our mates and our families, but that we will make an extra effort to show some love to those who are hurting – and to those who don’t have others in their lives who give them any real love.

One way we are able to show love is through feeding the hungry. As I tallied the numbers from the last quarter of 2007, I was pleasantly surprised at how much love Swift Creek has shown to our hungry neighbors. I think you will find these figures very encouraging – but also surprising, when we consider that these numbers represent only a fraction of the hurting and hungry people we are called to assist.

From October 1, 2007 – December 31, 2007, we provided 118 hot meals through our MANNA ministry. During that time, we assisted 438 individuals by providing grocery items through food distribution (Angel Food, emergency assistance, food pantry, etc). All totaled, we fed 556 people in the last quarter! And (this is perhaps the most encouraging news to me) more than 40 SCBC volunteers were involved in some form of ministry to the hungry during those months! During that same period, we reported 111 evangelistic encounters, with 10 professions of faith confirmed, and 710 Bibles or gospel tracts were distributed. Praise the Lord!

It is now 2008, and we have most of the year still ahead – and there are many more hungry people and lost people all around us. February is a perfect time for all of us to get involved and show some love. Will you volunteer to deliver a hot meal to someone in need? Will you refer someone to our food pantry? Will you purchase an Angel Food unit to help an individual or family? Will you volunteer your time and sweat to one of these ministries? The opportunities to show some love in very tangible ways exist for each of us this year. Let me know of your willingness, and I will be happy to show you how to get involved.

Finally, let me share with you my enthusiasm for our overwhelmingly positive vote to proceed with Phase One of our Long Range Plans, as we begin to have final plans drawn and solicit bids for a family life center. I believe that this project will honor our Lord and show love to our community and church family for generations to come. However, it does come with a price tag (as most good things do). Therefore, I pray that we will all show our commitment to this project by giving above our tithes to the Building Construction Fund, so that we might be able to avoid any huge, long-term debt.

Let’s show the world some love!

Youth News

Starting this February, there will be a new Youth Fellowship time. Our youth will begin meeting the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. Our activities and times may vary month to month so be sure to check the church calendar!

Also, look for details on the bulletin board in the youth room where dates, activities, times and cost will be posted. We hope that you will make plans to attend these youth fellowship opportunities!

Phase 1 Building Recommendations

There was a called church conference on Sunday, January 13th following the 11 am service, at which time the deacons made a motion that we proceed with the Phase 1 building recommendations of the Long Range Planning Committee. The motioned passed!

Check out the design of our Building Plan.