Surprise Business Meeting!

Notes: In an act to increase engagement in the business of the church, we opted to suspire the congregation with a worship service & business meeting merge. I included scripture and some intentionality behind the spiritual act of the business of the church. Here are the scripture readings and pastor’s report from the meeting.

Scripture Reading 1: Genesis 25:19-34 19 These are the descendants of Isaac, Abraham’s son. Abraham became the father of Isaac. 20 Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean and the sister of Laban the Aramean, from Paddan-aram. 21 Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, since she was unable to have children. The Lord was moved by his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. 22 But the boys pushed against each other inside of her, and she said, “If this is what it’s like, why did it happen to me?” So she went to ask the Lord. 23 And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb; two different peoples will emerge from your body. One people will be stronger than the other; the older will serve the younger.” 24 When she reached the end of her pregnancy, she discovered that she had twins. 25 The first came out red all over, clothed with hair, and she named him Esau. 26 Immediately afterward, his brother came out gripping Esau’s heel, and she named him Jacob. Isaac was 60 years old when they were born. 27 When the young men grew up, Esau became an outdoorsman who knew how to hunt, and Jacob became a quiet man who stayed at home. 28 Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. 29 Once when Jacob was boiling stew, Esau came in from the field hungry 30 and said to Jacob, “I’m starving! Let me devour some of this red stuff.” That’s why his name is Edom. 31 Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright today.” 32 Esau said, “Since I’m going to die anyway, what good is my birthright to me?” 33 Jacob said, “Give me your word today.” And he did. He sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 So Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew. He ate, drank, got up, and left, showing just how little he thought of his birthright.

Scripture Reading 2: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 That day Jesus went out of the house and sat down beside the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he climbed into a boat and sat down. The whole crowd was standing on the shore. 3 He said many things to them in parables: “A farmer went out to scatter seed. 4 As he was scattering seed, some fell on the path, and birds came and ate it. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground where the soil was shallow. They sprouted immediately because the soil wasn’t deep. 6 But when the sun came up, it scorched the plants, and they dried up because they had no roots. 7 Other seed fell among thorny plants. The thorny plants grew and choked them. 8 Other seed fell on good soil and bore fruit, in one case a yield of one hundred to one, in another case a yield of sixty to one, and in another case a yield of thirty to one. 9 Everyone who has ears should pay attention.” …18 “Consider then the parable of the farmer. 19 Whenever people hear the word about the kingdom and don’t understand it, the evil one comes and carries off what was planted in their hearts. This is the seed that was sown on the path. 20 As for the seed that was spread on rocky ground, this refers to people who hear the word and immediately receive it joyfully. 21 Because they have no roots, they last for only a little while. When they experience distress or abuse because of the word, they immediately fall away. 22 As for the seed that was spread among thorny plants, this refers to those who hear the word, but the worries of this life and the false appeal of wealth choke the word, and it bears no fruit. 23 As for what was planted on good soil, this refers to those who hear and understand, and bear fruit and produce—in one case a yield of one hundred to one, in another case a yield of sixty to one, and in another case a yield of thirty to one.”

Pastor Report July 2023

Monthly breakdown

Recap:

1. January
   1. Sermon series: Revealing Revelations
   2. Bible Study: Creation
2. February
   1. Ash wednesday
   2. Sermon series:
      1. Revealing Revelations
      2. Seeking
   3. Bible Study: Post Christian
3. March
   1. Sermon series: Seeking
   2. Bible Study: Post Christian
   3. Pastor’s Planning retreat (sermons & music)
4. April
   1. Easter & Baptisms
   2. Pastor vacation
   3. Sermon series: Living the Resurrection
   4. Bible Study: Christian Faith 101
5. May
   1. Sermon series: Living the Resurrection
      1. Pentecost
   2. Bible Study: Christian Faith 101
   3. Funeral
6. June
   1. Sermon series: Made to Be (Genesis)
   2. Bible Study:
      1. Service project
      2. Spiritual Beings
   3. Wedding 
   4. Pastor Biennial: Continuing Ed & lead 2 Workshops
7. July
   1. Sermon series: Made to Be (Genesis)
   2. Bible Study: Spiritual Beings
   3. Heather’s last day as Sound Tech is July 31st
      1. Abby J will step in temporarily until we find a permanent solution 

Future:

8. August
   1. Backpack Blessings 1st Sun
   2. Sermon series: Made to Be (Genesis)
   3. Bible Study:
   4. Pastor Vacation: August 29- Sept 5th for wedding 
9. September
   1. Homecoming Sept 17th
   2. Sermon series:
      1. Forgive, Really? (Matthew 18)
      2. Imposter Syndrome (Phillippians) 
   3. Bible Study
10. October
    1. Sermon series:
       1. Imposter Syndrome (Phillippians) 
       2. Wholly, Holy (1 Thessalonians)
    2. Bible Study
    3. Fish Fry
    4. Harvest Fest
11. November
    1. Veteran’s Day
    2. Sermon series: Wholly, Holy (1 Thessalonians)
    3. Bible Study (typically a break thanksgiving week)
    4. Pastor vacation Nov 20-26
12. December
    1. Jubilee
    2. Christmas Program
    3. Sermon series:
       1. Advent starts Dec 3rd
    4. Bible Study (typically a break the week of christmas & new years)
    5. Pastor vacation Dec 25-31

Comments: 

1. Average attendance: 42 (26-52 since April) //online attendance: 5 avg (3-15)// 400 “visitors” 3sec views
   1. Why do we invite people to church? Who could you invite to a Liberty event? 
   2. How could we create a calendar that isn’t a burden but a place to recharge? 
2. Outside of liberty pastoral support asks: 9 regular contacts**
3. Bible Study attendance: 6-8 avg

Needs: 

1. **Pastoral Visitation team: looking for individuals available during the week (ideally Tues, Wed, Thurs from 11:30-2:30) who would join Pastor Meriah on visitations. Also to help create a clear visitation cycle plan. 
2. Worship Team meeting to pick music for 2024 and not have Meriah’s snafus with picking the wrong version of a song. 
3. Need help with the mission committee – I want it to be more than just giving $ or drives. I would like a few people to help with coordinating small group service projects in the community.
4. Deacon Retreat & Sermon Workshop for preaching during 2024 calendar
   1. Stay at a cabin or at St Joseph Retreat center
   2. Looking for 5-8 people (deacons included) to be interested in learning to write a sermon and having it ready for 2024 when the pastor is gone for vacations or retreats. 
5. Decluttering of closets & creating better organization structure

Ideas: Specific request for creating a family atmosphere and bonding opportunities: 

1. Family camp out & worship at a campground June 2024?
   1. Mississinewa? Chain O’ Lakes? Lake Salamone? 
2. Brainstorming more connection events to include unchurched (may not be “churchy” programming but bonding opportunities) – Over 55 or Harvest fest are great examples
   1. Church picnic at a park? 
   2. “Speed Friending” – women’s event?
   3. All folks welcome cookies and painting night
3. Adult outings at restaurants or pastor’s house – fall campfires?