Consecration of Edwards

Pastor Bill mentioned this article in his sermon this past Sunday. This is a faith that we should try to imitate and something we should read every morning to remind ourselves that we are not our own! We are stewards of God’s grace here on earth. We need to be reminded that we are His!

CONSECRATION OF JONATHAN EDWARDS
I claim no right to myself – no right to this understanding, this will, these affections that are in me; neither do I have any right to this body or its members – no right to this tongue, to these hands, feet, ears, or eyes.
I have given myself clear away and not retained anything of my own. I have been to God this morning and told him I have given myself wholly to him. I have given every power, so that for the future I claim no right to myself in any respect. I have expressly promised Him, for by His grace I will not fail. I take Him as my whole portion and felicity, looking upon nothing else as any part of my happiness. His law is the constant rule of my obedience.
I will fight with all my might against the world, the flesh, and the devil to the end of my life. I will adhere to the faith of the Gospel, however hazardous and difficult the profession and practice of it may be.
I receive the blessed Spirit as my Teacher, Sanctifier, and only Comforter, and cherish all admonitions to enlighten, purify, confirm, comfort, and assist me. This I have done.
I pray God, for the sake of others, to look upon this as a self-dedication, and receive me as His own. Henceforth, I am not to act in any respect as my own. I shall act as my own if I ever make use of any of my powers to do anything that is not to the glory of God, or to fail to make the glorifying of Him my whole and entire business.
If I murmur in the least at afflictions; if I am in any way uncharitable; if I revenge my own case; if I do anything purely to please myself, or omit anything because it is a great denial; if I trust to myself; if I take any praise for any good which Christ does by me; or if I am in any way proud. I shall act as my own and not God’s. I purpose to be absolutely His.

Jonathan Edwards

Officer Elections!

This past Sunday (after church) the body of St. Andrews elected it’s nominated officials in the offices of Deacons and Elders.

- Bob Ross was re-instated as elder.
- Matt Oshields was ordained as elder.
- David Clickner was installed as a deacon.
- Dave Buehler was installed as a deacon.

We hold these positions in high honor and trust that God will use them to govern His church.

Summer Bible Study at Pastor Bill’s!

The Summer Bible study at the Pastor’s house is going to start up on June 9th! The theme for this study is: The Gospel and Radical Freedom. Each week, we will be discussing how the Gospel affects the way we live our lives with different topics each week. Here is what will be discussed each week:

1) The Gospel and Identity in Christ
2) The Gospel and Contentment
3) The Gospel and Freedom from Perfectionism
4) The Gospel and a Life of Hope

The Johnstons Are Good To Go!

Greg and Susan (and kids), members of our congregation who have been raising support to be missionaries in Bulgaria, have finally reached their goal and will soon get on a plane! We want to send them off well. We will spend some time in our morning service, this Sunday May 9th, to say farewell to the Johnston’s. We will also use time in Sunday School (before the service) to meet with them! Please join us on May 9th.