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September 17, 2020
Dear MLEPC Members and Friends,
The sermon title for this week is a reference to the lyrics of Michael Jackson's song, "Man in the Mirror," which are in part: "I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change"
I promise I am not going to talk about the pandemic. Or social unrest. Or the shaky economy. Or Zoom conference calls. Well, that may make the sermon short this week, for it seems like those are the only things I've spoken about for 7 months. I confess, it's not just what I've talked about, but stressed about, had anxiety about, and whined about. Boy life's tough, hard, and uncertain. I've been looking in the mirror lately. And into the Scripture. In particular, Philippians. Both are asking me to change my ways. I feel that bad habit of complaining creeping into my life. How about you? Making mountains out of molehills. Making mountains mountain ranges. Making mountain ranges insurmountable obstacles. Insurmountable obstacles become veritable impossibilities. All the while I profess faith in a God, who says ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. In Philippians 1:12-30, the apostle Paul tells us and shows us how to deal with extremely hard times with grace and joy. Without arguing or complaining. While not just surviving, but thriving! "Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear." Philippians 1:12-14
May our joy and confidence in the Lord grow greater, the darker the days get. And may that be a witness and testimony to those around us that would draw others to Christ as it did with Paul!
Blessings,
Chris Buda, Executive Director
The Pittsburgh Experiment
~ ANNOUNCEMENTS ~
Worship Service Broadcast Tomorrow:
Tune in September 18 at 11:30 am to join Pastor Carolyn and the MLEPC team as they lead the Friday morning worship service for this year's EPC General Assembly. Once the service is posted, you will be able to watch it anytime. May God be glorified! https://epc.org/ga/ga2020livestream/
Prayer Gathering Planned:
Please join us as we pray for our nation on September 26, 2020 from 12:00-2:00 pm! If you are able to come to MLEPC in person, meet us in the drive-thru and we will be walking around the church outside and praying for our nation's repentance and deliverance, and all our nation's many needs. We will be wearing masks and using social distancing to keep everyone safe. But if you are not able to attend in person, please join us from wherever you are by praying with us in Spirit. For more information, please call Pat Gaudio at 412-559-8914.
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