A time to CelebrateBut what are we called to

celebrate as the people of God?

4 things to celebrate

1. Our Liberation2. Our Provision3. Our Mobility4. Our Membership

Our Liberation

Jewish celebration (Pesach: Passover)

of Unleavened Bread

Historically, it celebrates the Exodus from Egypt after generations of slavery.

Our Liberation

Freedom through Christ

Our Liberation

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand

firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened

again by a yoke of slavery.Galatians 5:1

Our Liberation – How?

We celebrate our freedom through the choices we make everyday

Our Provision

Jewish celebration (Shavu'ot)of Harvest or First Fruits

Historically, it celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount

Sinai

Our Provision

We celebrate the Living Word, Jesus

Our Provision – How?

By giving of our harvest to spread

the Word

Our Mobility

Jewish celebration (Sukkot) Of Ingathering or Tabernacle

Historically, Sukkot commemorates the forty-year period during which

the children of Israel were

wandering in the desert, living in temporary shelters.

Our Mobility

We celebrate our citizenship in the kingdom of God

Our Mobility – How?

By not driving our tent pegs in too

deeply

Our Mobility – How?

Dear friends, I urge you, as

foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which

wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing

wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

1 Peter 2:11-12

Our Membership

Jewish people gathered 3 times a year as an entire

people

Our Membership

What they celebrated:

• I am not alone• I am part of something larger• We need each other

Visibly showed that to their neighbors by gathering in one

place

Our Membership – How?

As Atlantic Coast Conference and MC_USA

2 annual assemblies and 1 every other year

As a church

Christmas, Easter and Church picnic

Our Membership – How?

Gathering together regularlyBy telling our stories

By speaking well of the church

By inviting people in

Our Membership – How?• Current Membership – 623• Received 60 new members in five years = 9.6%

growth• 30 new families have visited and become

regular attendees in last two years• 152 people who regularly attend that are not yet

members• 524 of the 775 have attended in the last six

months• 63 new families have visited in the last six

months• Average attendance is 315

4 things to celebrate

1. Our Liberation2. Our Provision3. Our Mobility4. Our Membership