Another way to worship with our lives...

• Cut out the distractions

When we are less distracted, we are more in tune with what God is saying to us. Make time for prayer and to make time to meditate on God's Word.

Rick Painter
Worship Arts Pastor

Mid-Year Checkup...

Well, it’s that time again – time for a mid-year health check. The first half of 2008 has been a time of great spiritual growth in our fellowship. We have been baptizing, Children’s and Student Ministries are busy shaping young lives, and adults are growing and serving in many places.

Let’s see how our financial health stacks up. Our 2008 budget anticipated receiving just over $309,000 through June; we actually received a little less than $270,000. The income shortfall is just over $40,000.

We know that our country is in difficult economic times; we know that some of our Argyle families are feeling a pinch. Even with this challenge, God has work for us to do in our fellowship and in the community and world around us. Every week we see lives being changed forever by God working in the ministries your giving supports.

We have a vision of where God wants us as a church. If you missed the message on July 13th, we encourage you to listen to it online (click here to listen online). It will help you understand our vision and some of the financial obstacles we face getting there.

We encourage every family to prayerfully consider our giving, and decide if we are being faithful in managing all that God has entrusted to us. We are not asking more from those who can answer that they are being faithful, but we do challenge those who are not yet trusting God to do exactly what He promised in Malachi 3:10.

Hal Hunter
Ministry Pastor & Administrator

Still finding ways to worship with our life...

• Help the weak (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

Ask the Lord to guide you as you help strengthen the faith of someone else. Discipleship and mentoring opportunities are everywhere if you'll just look.

Rick Painter
Worship Arts Pastor

Still another way to worship with your life...

• Give in secret (Matthew 6:1-4)
  

Do something nice for someone anonymously. Have you ever found your newspaper right by your door instead of at the end of the driveway? Or, when it came time to pay your dinner bill you found that it had already been paid? Would you refuse such kindness? Your "giving in secret" opportunities are endless. Let your giving include all of the "3 T's": Time, Talent, Treasure.

Rick Painter
Worship Arts Pastor

Yet another way to worship with your life...

• Say "please" and "thank you" (1 Peter 2:17)

When you're polite to whom you're talking, people will notice and hopefully they will be changed. Plus, since we are created in God's image, we are ultimately showing respect to God. Remember that the next time you think a cashier is rude.

Rick Painter
Worship Arts Pastor

From Momentum...

These words are from a new study that Momentum is doing. Just thought I would share them....

"Creation. Beauty. Perfection. Simplicity. Freedom. Life.

All of these, God freely gave to man, His prized creation, placing him in a perfect world designed to reflect His glory.

Yet, in an instant, all of life was corrupted. The beauty of everything God so beautifully birthed was tainted by creatures who willingly rebelled against their Creator. Suddenly and tragically, life was covered with death, freedom was bound by sin, and beauty was lost. God's glory on earth had seemingly been scarred forever.

Then, when all hope of restoration was lost, history took an altogether unexpected turn. In the midst of death, God came in human form---not to punish or destroy the traitor race, but to weave even the darkest of sins into a tapestry of His glory.

History truly is His story. The greatest story ever told. Find your place in the adventure and discover amazing life that never ends."

David Bass
Deacon Chairman

More ways to worship with your life...

1. Love the unlovely (Leviticus 19:18)
2. Give God your first fruits (Proverbs 3:9)
3. Pick up litter (1 Peter 4:10)
4. Be neighborly (Luke 10:25-37)

As believers, everyone is our neighbor. But sometimes we forget that our neighbors really are our neighbors as described in Luke. Extend your hand and show you care.

Peace,
Rick Painter
Worship Arts Pastor