Happy Wednesday, FCC!
I don’t know about you, but I am grateful that our state is beginning to take steps to open back up. I miss you so much, and can’t wait to be together again soon in person. But this time hasn’t been wasted. Jesus has been showing me much about my heart and where I still need to grow. One way has been with prayer. During the last couple of weeks, I have been learning to pray more deeply and to experience a renewal in my relationship with God. The Holy Spirit has also been teaching me to pray in a new way for family, friends, and for you all.
A prayer that I have been praying for you comes from a prayer the Apostle Paul prayed for the church in the ancient city of Ephesus. In Ephesians 3.17, Paul prays that the church would have the power to grasp how high, wide, deep, and long God’s love for us in Jesus really is. I’ve been praying that for you. That even though we are apart, God’s Spirit would be helping you right now in this season to grasp how much you are loved by our Father in heaven.
I’d love to hear your stories about how God Is doing that in your life. Please take a moment and send me a note about how God is increasing your appreciation and grasp of his love for you!
Even as I am learning more of God’s love, I am also experiencing disappointment and frustration over so many losses during this season. God has been helping me through this, too. God works in the disappointments and losses, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Because of this, I invite you to check out this week’s FAITH and Life message.
In tomorrow’s FAITH & Life video, Pastor Larry Szyman will have a special message on disappointment and frustration, along with an opportunity to be a part of an online FAITH & Life Conversation on dealing with disappointment and frustration. The FAITH & Life Conversation will be led by Pat Stream, FCC’s Pastor of Counseling and a Certified Biblical Counselor, and it will take place through a Zoom meeting next Tuesday night, May 5, from 7:00 to 8:00pm.
I am really excited about this Sunday—Jesus will show us how a relationship with him is different from religion. Jesus has come to change our hearts, then make us new and restore our relationship with God. Join us this Sunday at 9 or 11am for online church at https://fcchudson.online.church or on Facebook or YouTube. Personally invite a friend to an online service with a text, email or through social media, too!
Every week we have a follow up to the sermon that’s for the whole family, and helps us all live out what we are learning. From Jesus. Watch for this week’s Faith at Home video later today at fcchudson.com.
Listen to this week’s worship music playlist on Spotify. Check it out here. (You’ll need to sign up for a free Spotify account to listen, if you don’t already have one.)
James 1:12 (Trials)
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Although we’re all experiencing a lot of change right now, our mission stays the same: to help everyone meet, know and follow Jesus. We have an opportunity to reach thousands through our new online services and resources. Your faithful giving helps support our shared mission. Thank you for your generosity!
Thank you for the many ways you are serving our neighbors across the St. Croix Valley! We’ve put together some resources in the “Serving Our Neighbors” post on the FCC blog to help you reach out to your friends and neighbors, including:
Missional Communities are a great place to have people speak truth into our lives. They are the core element of Faith Community’s discipleship, and we'd love to help you get connected with a Missional Community:
Watch the video at this link to learn more. Get connected with a Missional Community at fcchudson.com or the Faith Base app. Missional Communities are continuing to meet virtually through online meetings.
Search for "Faith Community Hudson" on the App Store or Google Play to download FCC's app today. You'll find sermon audio and video, the weekly videos, latest news, online giving and more!
PRAYER REQUESTS + CARE NEEDS are posted on the Prayer + Care wall on the FaithBase app. You can also sign up on the app under “Emails + Registrations,” if you would like to receive an email when new prayer requests and care needs are posted.
