e-news for week of 10/19 - 10/25

God places so many opportunities in our paths every day.

Opportunities to pray with someone.

Opportunities to say an encouraging word.

Opportunities to smile and connect with someone.

Opportunities to earn money, to invest, to contribute, to grow assets.

Opportunities to serve in our great community.

Opportunities to help your children.

We are in the I.C. series and this weekend, I want to help all of us to see the abundance of opportunities while not getting paralyzed or anemic by getting pulled in too many directions. I want to help all of us to see the opportunity of reaching people in Columbia and helping to intentionally connect them to God.

Here’s some information and events that are coming up that you need to zero in on:
Elder/deacon selection will be on Sunday, November 2. If you are unable to be here on that Sunday, you can vote absentee this Sunday at the Information Center or come by the office during the week to pick up a ballot.

Our “One” Day gathering will be on November 9 at the Columbia Performing Art Centre at 10:30 a.m. This will be the first time since 1974 that Forum has met in a single service. This will give all a chance to see Forum as a whole – not in 3 segments. It’s going to be great with all of us raising our voices singing, all of us hearing the exact same sermon, and all of us remembering Christ in communion together. Every Sunday is powerful – but I think this one will be highly memorable.

Then, Nov. 16 will be a day of commitment and offering. We mailed out commitment cards and a letter last week connected to that day. Let me be clear to the point of tedium: 1. Do only that which God lays on your heart. 2. If the additional money would affect your regular giving, don’t “rob Peter to pay Paul.” Just be faithful in your regular giving. 3. Let me encourage you to give as much of your commitment before January of 2009 that will help with the front end costs of the second campus. 4. If you sense God wanting you to be one of the workers for the new campus, sign and turn in that card on that day.

Friends, by faith I believe we are going to impact some lives in a great way as we step out by faith. I.C. the field. I.C. the opportunity. Looking forward to intentionally connecting with God with you this Sunday. -- Scott