Spring Hill Family,
The first two Sundays of September have been tremendous at Spring Hill! We have launched 9 small groups, experienced invigorating worship and continued to see new people in all of our services and sites. Looking back over 2008, we have encountered and embraced many God-sized opportunities. Think of the God-sized gift of Dover-Foxcroft. More than 150 people were involved in mission trips to South Africa, Ukraine, Romania, Jonesville and Philadelphia. We hosted children from Belarus for six weeks this summer as well as a team of Italian Baptists. Children’s Ministries have been renewed plus all of the weekly ministries. God made all of these things possible by using our gifts and talents. We echo the words of Paul to the church in Philippi after he received an offering from them:
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you…thankful for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion…” (Philippians 1:3-6).
As we look forward, we need to embrace new God-sized opportunities before us. On September 14th, we announced our fall emphasis called “Come and See.” We will focus on the words of Philip to Nathanael in John 1:46 to “come and see” Jesus. I want to invite you to come and see, or come and experience, what it is like to embrace God-sized opportunities. Here are several ways for you to do that:
• Come and see joyful giving. We have a challenge gift of $50,000 that has been made to Spring Hill. Every new dollar of giving or additional dollar of giving between now and November 16 will be matched up to $50,000! If you have not been a regular contributor or if you want to take a step of faith in giving, we want to invite you to experience joyful giving during the next eight weeks.
• Come and see missions. Get involved in a local short term mission opportunity. We have found over and over again that mission trips are life changing for those that go!
• Come and see children’s ministry. We have more than 200 students, children and preschoolers in a weekly Bible study at Spring Hill! We invite you to serve in this ministry. We need teachers, greeters, helpers and more! We ask that you “come and see” for the month of October and then decide if you want to continue.
• Come and see community outreach. Trick or Trunk is our major outreach event in the fall. We are doing two this year on the same night (Frays Mill and Chick-Fil-A Woodbrook), so we need lots of volunteers! Come and see the faces of children having a great time!
• Come and see the difference Christ makes. Experience a small group or share God’s love with a neighbor. Come and see the power of the gospel to change lives.
I believe God has a purpose for Spring Hill and that God will make all things possible. This past year is evidence of that, and as servants, we should be good stewards of what is truly God’s. I pray you will join me in “coming and seeing” what God has for us.
Yours in Christ,
Dan Carlton, Pastor
