As September is upon us, we are in a period of renewed focus on Messiah and the spiritual life of the church: preparation for selection of a new elder, closing the church's fiscal year and approving our 2011 budget, all this leading to our annual meeting and Praise Report on the last Sunday in October, for all God has done for us and through us in this past year. Please be in prayer for the person God has already chosen to fulfill the role of elder, someone who meets the qualifications outlined on pages 4 through 9 of our bylaws, which follow and expand upon 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

A vitally important ministry at Messiah is the Growth Track Classes offered each Sunday evening - this is one of the first in-person encounters your friends or loved ones may have with Messiah Christian Church, and we want to represent our Lord in a worthy and excellent manner and encourage them in their walk. We want each current member to experience every class for two very important reasons: (1) so that you know what each class covers and (2) when you invite your family, friends, neighbors or coworkers to Messiah, and they express an interest in joining, you can personally encourage them with confidence and firsthand knowledge to find out more about Messiah and themselves through attending the Growth Track. The Elders are making a united effort to invite each member to complete the first four classes of the growth track in September, and will thank you in person for attending each class during the month. We will be greatly encouraged by seeing you there, and you will be greatly encouraged by the content and quality of this ministry.

Blessings, and thank you for your prayers for us!
Dick Jones, on behalf of the Elders or Messiah Christian Church