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The difficult decision has been made recently to close our
ministry here. |
December 3, 2009
Body of Christ Lutheran church has operated as a mission
development of the ELCA in Newaygo Michigan for nine years with a goal
of making new disciples for Jesus Christ, who use their gifts for God’s
kingdom in the church and in the world.
The difficult decision has been made recently to close our
ministry here as a faith community and we have set January 31, 2010 as
our final worship together.
As we grieve the end of our time together, we also celebrate
the many ways in which Christ has become real in our lives, and the many
ways in which we have had a positive impact on the community of
Newaygo:
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the transformation of all who have found welcome and
acceptance into this body of believers and have grown in faith as they
learned about the God who loves them and calls them to be his own
·
the growth in faith and leadership of those in the community
who have learned to serve others through our wood ministry, food drives,
Vacation Bible School, car washes, etc.
·
the collection of nearly 10,000 pounds of food through our
food drives for local people in need who are served by Love In the Name
of Christ
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the delivery of backpacks & supplies to Newaygo County
Community Services for area children
·
countless one-on-one encounters between BOC people and their
neighbors in this community and beyond as we have spread the Gospel
message and have represented the hands and feet of Christ to those he
loves
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the witness to the community through our ecumenical work with
the Newaygo Area Ministerial Association
The impact of those who remain in this community will
continue as we each find other faith communities where we will continue
to grow and serve our living God.
We ask for your prayers as we make the difficult journey to
wind down this ministry and transition to new faith communities. The
Apostle Paul continues his greeting to the Philippians in this way:
I am
confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will
bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.
(Philippians 1:6)
We are committed to continue to use our hands to do God’s
work through the various new congregations we will become part of. May
God also continue to bless you in your work in his kingdom!
On
behalf of our brothers and sisters in Christ,
Body of Christ Lutheran
Church
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