Well, it’s here. The opening of our new building is literally staring us in the face and all of the last minute details are falling into place…sort of. I know it will all be amazing come November 14 because God will help us all, but some days it’s a little scary.
It’s a big step…moving into our own building with a book store, cafe, meeting rooms, computers, and all the things that help us minister to each other and to the community. The one resource that we always need more of is people. People are the heart of the church and people make things happen. Sometimes folks find it hard to decide where they should serve. They aren’t sure where their talents are or they wonder if the church really needs what they have to offer. Let me help you out there…”Yes”, we need you. “Yes”, God needs you.
Everyone has something they can do that will somehow benefit our church family. Sure, there are those people with gifts that are very visible; they can sing, build things, fix computers, or build websites. But what about those of us with less visible gifts? I know someone who’s very special gift is listening. That’s right…listening. I have a friend that can listen…truly listen…to anyone, talk about anything. They will listen and not comment or judge. They will listen and only offer input if it’s asked for and they listen with an empathetic heart. What a gift! An amazing gift from God that nobody would know is there unless they call on my friend to listen to their story.
So, if you’re wondering…”Where can I serve?”…don’t worry. We need you…just ask God to guide you and you’ll find a place that fits you just right…a place where your spirit will make a difference in ways that you never imagined.
It’s been nearly three years since our humble beginnings in the auditorium of Viera High School. Who would have imagined that in that short time we would have grown to almost 1500 adults regularly attending services at CCMV. God is GREAT! He has provided us with the perfect foundation on which to continue building His church. When I last wrote to you I reflected on our efforts last weekend as we wrote our most loved Bible verses on the floors of our new building…and I wondered what God had in mind for us. You know it didn’t take long for Him to tap me on the shoulder and remind me what our next mission will be. He has provided us with all the tools we need to expand His Kingdom and we will rise to that mission with all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind. The "Great Commission" given to us in Matthew 28:19 tells us clearly what we need to do next; "…go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." I am confident that if we begin with our Brothers and Sisters in Brevard County our Father will be most pleased. Did you know that our new building was designed with the future expansion of the main sanctuary in mind? Let’s start today…and push out on every wall and up and every ceiling in our lives. Let’s begin today to introduce our friends and neighbors who don’t know Him to the wonders of His grace and the abudunant gifts He has for each of us. It’s like the song from Audio Adrenaline says: "It’s a Big, Big House…with a big, big yard, and a big, big table…" with lots of room for EVERY one. Our first services together in our new building are scheduled for the weekend of November 14th and 15th. Let’s make it not only a "Grand Opening" for our building, but let’s make it a "Grand Opening" of our hearts to the community once again. Now we have room for everyone at His table!
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We have watched the construction of our new building for many months now and as we near its completion and the first weekend that we will worship together within its walls I began to think a lot about the different parts of the building itself. It’s interesting to think about what parts of the building we would consider the most important. Some would feel that the roof above our heads is the most important, others might feel that the walls that surround us are the most important, and still others might feel that the windows or the doors are most important. While I am not sure what physical part of the building is considered the most important, I am particularly drawn to the floors. Why the floors? The floor is where we stand. The floor is what gives us our support. No matter where we are in the building we are always standing on the floor and as we stand on the floor we also stand on the Word of God. This past weekend we took the opportunity to express our love for God’s Word by placing those Bible verses that are most meaningful to us on the floors of our new building. The floor of each room is now filled with those verses that are most meaningful to you…God’s children… and even though those verses will soon be covered by tile the strength of those words will support us every day. While it will always be true that we will be literally standing on the Word of God when we are in our new building, it is important that we remember to use God’s Word as the “floor” of our lives each and every day. I’m excited about where CCMV is headed in the months to come and know that we will always be strong with the Word as our foundation…both literally and spiritually.
Can I just be honest with you? I really dislike summer. No, it’s not the heat or the mosquitoes or the high electric bills that causes me to dislike it. It’s the fact that many of you take off on vacations for what seems like weeks and I don’t see you or know where you are and to be honest, I don’t like that! I know it may seem silly but this shepherd misses the sheep that God has put in his care. So as some of you have started returning, it’s brought back an anticipation to my heart of who is back this week that I haven’t seen in a while. Guess that’s why God calls us a “family”.
I must admit, I wasn’t as fond of the idea as Pastor Mark was. Taking an evening of having questions fired at you and then having to back your answers up with scripture only brought back a grueling scene of when I was ordained for the first time in the Baptist Church. NO FUN!
But what occurred last night was pleasantly one of the most fun things that I’ve done in a long time. To see people hungry for what the Word of God had to say, was captivating. And to hear the comments from people afterwards just reminded me that God has a great sense of humor and loves to even use a chump like me in His work.
On behalf of the Central Brevard Sharing Center: Thanks so much for the wonderful food drive. The items donated helped us fill the gaps in our food pantry. We simply can’t do our mission without the support from our community. This was a great example of how CCM Viera can make a difference in the lives of others! Especially during these difficult economical times. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Great job CCMV!
As many of you know, we have been praying since Saturday for our Student Ministry as they left for Peru. I received information this morning that they are doing well and are busy doing ministry. Continue to pray for Kevin and the team as they serve, evangelize and reach out to the people there. They will be traveling back home the first of next week and we can’t wait to hear how they were used of God!
Now if your a music buff you recognize those words from a very popular song. But their not just words, they can be reality. A few moments ago I opened an email and those words came screaming out of it. Let me explain. We have been in the planning process for our sign to go at the new location. Along with planning, as always, we have been praying. Our prayers have been that the powers that be would allow us a larger sign than the standard that Viera has in it’s regulations since we sit so far off the road. Surely GOD would move the heart of the king since it is in His hands, right? Wrong! See, even with God, you don’t always get what you want. So we go back to the drawing board and when it is all said and done, we’ll get just what GOD wants us to have and that is just fine by me!
How long have we waited? In a city where you can find great restaraunts, all kinds of shopping, the best golfing and some of the finest fitness centers around —- there are NO BOOKSTORES for those looking for spiritual resources. Well that is about to change. Our bookstore manager Rachel Savage and her team is about to launch Viera’s first Christian bookstore. Imagine, books by the hundreds of the best authors, music downloadable right to your ipod, great gifts for your family, Pastor Mark’s sermons and best of all, a kind and courteous staff just waiting to help you make the most of your visit to their store. Viera just keeps getting better and better!
I was once again reminded yesterday as the email came across my desk that once again, the body here at CCMV has effected this community in the name of Christ. Our very first “Blood Drive” resulted in enough blood given to save the lives of over 75 people should it be needed. This past weekend to see families carrying in plastic bags of can goods and other non-perishable food so that the Central Brevard Sharing Center can continue meeting the needs of hundreds of families here in Central Brevard. You do it, not for a church, not for a pastor, but as the hands of God reaching out cold cups of water to those who are thirsting. Your acts of God inspire me.
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