November 26, 2013

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, and we are so appreciative of all that the Lord is doing in our midst. The choir blessed my heart with a beautiful rendition of Then Sings My Soul on Sunday morning. My eyes were wet as I reflect on the greatness of God.

Since our last update, we have been privileged to witness four baptisms. Both Cassie and Jocelyn Blair, daughters of Matt and Elisabeth Blair, were baptized. The Blairs are active workers in our church, and Matt serves as one of our deacons. What a great privilege to see this family raising their young ones in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

In addition to these two baptisms, we were privileged to baptize Chris Lavesque and his girlfriend Destiny be immersed. Chris was saved by missionaries at a booth at a fair in the fall. He immediately started attending GRIBT and has not missed discipleship class one week. He took his stand of identification for the Lord on the 17th. His girlfriend Destiny, who was saved as a young child in a Methodist church, has been faithfully attending with him. She too experienced believer’s baptism alongside her boyfriend. Amen!

Dr. David Gibbs, founder of the Christian Law Association, was our featured speaker on Sunday evening, the 17th. He preached a marvelous message on prayer, and the altars were full of people who vowed to get serious concerning prayer by developing specific prayer lists. Praise the Lord!

This past week, the Lord continued to bless those prayers as two ladies were saved at the conclusion of the morning service. Sara is a college student here in Rhode Island. Her mother, Margaret, trusted the Lord about a month ago. Sara raised her hand at her grandmother’s funeral, but did not completely understand the Gospel message. She came forward this past Sunday morning, and Lisa DeOliveira had the privilege of leading her to the Lord. Amen!

Joie raised her hand during the invitation but did not walk the aisle. One of our church members, Anne Marie Kampf, noticed her hand and approached Joie after the service. There in the pew, Anne Marie had the privilege of leading Joie to Christ. Hallelujah! I am thankful for Leo Jones, a faithful bus worker, who did not give up on this lady, but kept after her. His efforts bore fruit this past Sunday.

We welcomed into membership Jessica Huard on Sunday morning. We are excited about her commitment to our assembly.

After church Sunday night, a lady approached me about a recent raise she received at work. She said when she went home and computed the annual figure of this increase in pay, it was just over the amount she and her husband had increased their faith promise. Isn’t it great the way the Lord rewards obedience?

Tonight is our annual Thanksgiving service, and as I think about the things for which I am thankful – a rich, Christian heritage; a godly, supportive wife; children who faithfully serve God; a dynamic, growing, obedient church – I am most thankful for the Lord who makes it all possible. Praise the Lord for saving my soul! Praise the Lord for counting me faithful, putting me into the ministry! What a thrill to continue to be a sickle holder in harvest field!