Good Morning Family!
As Robin and I were planning our 10:30am gathering time for this morning, we decided to switch things up a little bit for the day. We have done this a few times over the years as we moved the elements of the service and placed the teaching of the Word up front and then after hearing and responding to the Scriptures, we move into a time of worship and prayer. We will not do this all of the time. But just wanted to form our time together today in this way, if only to keep us thinking and not just expecting and “going through the motions” from a place of pattern or tradition.
We are quickly approaching the Fifth Annual Fall Fish Fry with THE HOMESTEAD PICKERS! It is 3 weeks away. I must say this is one of our other largest events of the year to let the community know that we care about them and are here for them. You have no idea how many times this is mentioned to me as I am out and about in Cape Fair all year long. It has grown into such an expression of love and compassion and is just a night for folks from many walks of life to gather under the stars, hear some great music, and be encouraged to look to Jesus… and share many laughs together along the way. Get ready, it’s coming!
I am leaving the following information in my letter to be reprinted each week during September…
September 2026 offers us an opportunity to see what God wants to do through us in relation to the clearing of the land. So, we already had gathered funding for the deposit that has been paid to the excavating company doing the work on our new land with which the Lord blessed us. And as you can see, great progress is being made already! The balance will be close to or around $50,000 payable at the end of the job which should be completed from late September to early October.
We have been blessed in that the Lord has provided a person willing to be a benefactor to help us in this endeavor, so as to avoid dealings with banks. This person is asking us as a church family to collect what we can during the month of September toward the balance due and at the end, they will generously match what we have collected up to $25,000 which will double our dollars. Then, anything that might remain, after they donate their matching funds as well, will be financed to the church at zero interest.
This is an unexpected blessing and opportunity for the church family. We will be collecting toward this effort during September. So, any gifts toward it should be clearly designated #60-Land Development Fund. As you would expect, all gifts toward this from our church family should be above our normal giving as we do not want our regular budget items to be hindered in this extra fund-raising time. God is so good!
As always, my prayer is that we would all, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15
Humbly Yours,
Dr. Steven Gann
Your Shepherd of the Hills
