Dear Family and Friends:
As we begin another year, perhaps you have thought of goals or directions
for your life. If you were to have a theme for this year, a good theme would
be, “Walking with God.” Or to put it another way perhaps, “Taking another
step with God.” No matter where you are in your walk with God, may this
year find you taking that next step (or steps) with God. Jesus said, “My
sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27.
For some time, we have desired to grow as a church in prayer. At our Wednesday night services, during our prayer time, there seemed to be a hesitation to pray together. Then in the last two or three months, there has been an openness as burdens were shared and each person prayed. The first Wednesday night everyone prayed, Paul gave a short devotional thought on the idea of praying together (using examples from the early church and Scriptural commands). Not knowing how they would respond, Paul took some requests and opened the time for prayer. We were thrilled as each person there that night prayed for and with one another. Although we still need to grow in prayer, we are encouraged to see steps of growth.
In previous letters we asked you to pray for Bob. He faithfully comes to the services and is showing a desire to grow in his walk with God. His wife died about a year ago due to drug overdose and then the grandmother used the tribe to remove the children from the home. Bob is working through the Tribal Court requirements and hopes his children will be back soon. Until then, the Tribal Court requires him to take a parenting class, so Paul is using some preaching videos on parenting. Last week when the video ended, Bob could hardly speak as he was confronted with convicting truth. Please pray the truths he hears will help him to be the father he should be and help him to have a home where God is glorified.
This Sunday, Paul is beginning a series on addictions for the adult Sunday School class. Our hearts are burdened as we see so many live in defeat to the consuming control of addictions. Please pray as we discover the life- changing truth of God’s Word. Specifically, please pray for Simon, Carol, Ida, and Cyrus. Also please pray for Paul as he prepares and teaches.
Please pray for Tommy and Shannon our next-door neighbors. Shannon came to a recent ladies Bible study and really responded to the truths. She has a salvation testimony and a good foundation in the Bible. Last Saturday, Shannon came over and Naomi began a Bible Study using The Encounter which looks at three people in the Bible who met Jesus. Paul is hoping for opportunities with Tommy but has been hindered through scheduling.
For the last few months, we have been joined by Mike and Sue Smith. For several years, Pastor Smith has pastored a small work nearby, but due to various changes out of their control, they felt the need to close their doors– at least temporarily. The Smiths have faithfully served the Lord for many years and have seen God bless their ministry in wonderful ways. The Smiths and their people are joining Living Waters Baptist Church and have already been a great help through preaching, music, and counseling.
You may remember us mentioning the need to replace our modular building. This is where we have children’s classes, ladies Bible studies, and fellowship meals. The current building is a modular and was built in the 1950’s. In recent years, its age has begun to show. Through the sacrifice of God’s people, we are beginning the process of replacing the building. Please pray as we work through many permits, testing, inspections, planning, scheduling, and so much more.
All for Jesus,
Paul and Naomi Sondergaard
Ruthanne, Nathan, Hannah, Aletheia, and Andrew