Daily Devotional - I'm Sorry

Tuesday, April 21, 2009 I'm Sorry
I've been wanting to write to you for some time now.
Seems like every time I would try, I never could find the right words to say. We pass each other every Sunday. Sometimes even during the middle of the week.
But for some reason, I just don't feel like we're as close as we once were.
I'm sure there are a number of reasons for that. We both probably share some of the blame.
But I felt like it was my time to apologize for a few things that may have driven us apart.
I'm Sorry.

For that time one of my ushers told you that seat was reserved for our "special guests."

I'm Sorry.

For those times I said our evening services would end at 9pm, but ended at 10:30pm.
(I realize how difficult that can be with children that still have to get up early for school.)
I'm Sorry.

For that time you called one of my leaders for prayer and never received a call back.
I'm Sorry.

For sometimes being way too critical on how you choose to dress for service.
I'm Sorry.
For those times it seems like I'm always asking for some kind of financial assistance.
(I realize how you and others give so faithfully. I just wish there were more like you.)
I'm Sorry.

For the times I may have appeared more interested in gaining new members, than serving and being a disciple to those members (like you) who were already coming.
For that time your friend (the one you invited to come visit on last Sunday) got screamed at by one of my parking lot leaders for going the wrong way. She really didn't know.
I'm Sorry.

For those times you had questions about some of my messages and were afraid to ask.
And I'm (Really) Sorry....

For the times you've felt I place too much emphasis on the pastor. I admit sometimes I can get a bit carried away.
I can't imagine how many other things I may have done to make you feel the way you do. I never meant to disappoint you and want you to know how important you are to me.
If there is anything the last few years have taught me, is that I desperately need to make some changes. I realize I've picked up a pretty bad rap recently. So much so I thought about giving up.
But just when I was about to throw in the towel, I read in Ephesians 5:25 that Christ loves me, and even gave Himself up for me (despite my many shortcomings).
I figured if Christ could love me, with all that I've done in the past, there still may be hope for the two of us. Although I can't promise everything is going to be perfect, I know that together, we still can do some great and awesome things. I hope you will consider forgiving me and working alongside me.
We have so much to do.
Yours always,
The Church

2009 revival poster.pdf - Adobe Reader

 

Letter from the Pastor

"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it". (Psalm 118:24)

Greetings to all of the Saints of St. Luke. I greet you in the name of the Lord.

I would like to first like to Thank You for keeping up your end of the bargain on going out. If you remember we agreed that if we cut down on the eveving services you all would come out in big numbers, and come out you did. We had a marvelous time at Greater Faith. God was well pleased.

We have come a long way with our giving, we are doing extremely well, but we can do better, and as you know nothing on this earth is free so to reach our goal we have to dig a little deeper.
God has given me a vision for our building campaign we will be starting real soon called "From Vision to Victory". We are going to start off with the Vision and keep working till we get the Victory. I can see us now marching into our new sanctuary.

I can't end this letter without giving a shout out to the Youth of St. Luke. They are truly growing and they are doing a marvelous job(and they are tithing). I would like to thank the Saints who are working with them. God Bless You!

I would also like to thank God for our new converts we are Baptizing today. I want us as a Church to hold on to all the ones that are coming into the fold of St. Luke. Let's embrace them and show them LOVE.

Last but not least I would like to thank everyone who participated in the Member Orientation Month. If you missed it you really missed a treat.

Pray for the Men of St. Luke as we start our Saturday Men's Fellowship on next Saturday. We are hoping to have all the men, young & old to be present.

So Saints let's keep up the good work, keep on praying for each other and remember "We are soldiers in the Army, We have to fight although we have to cry, We have to hold up the bloodstained banner, We have to hold it up until we die.
Your Pastor,
Rev. Robert C. Drake Sr.

"Christian Tips for Critical Times"

"This is the Day That the Lord Has Made, Let's Rejoice and be Glad In It"

We had a wonderful "Worship Experience" yesterday, it was so good I don't know where to begin. The youth of our church were in charge of the whole service except for preaching and they did a wonderful job (they brought tears to my eyes). They sung and they did the announcements, they even did the devotion part of the service. I am really proud of them, and I have to give thanks to the ones who worked with them also.
We preached from the books of Hebrews 10:22-25; Psalm 19:14, "Christian Tips for Critical Times"

• Christian Tip #1: Draw near to God. Hebrews 10:22 says "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith" This is no time to put your faith on hold.

• Christain Tip #2: Hold Fast! Hebrews 23 tells us not to let our faith waver. If we put down our shield of faith, the darts and arrows of misfortune will soon plunge their way into our heart. Keep the hope that is found in Jesus.

• Christian Tip #3: Stick Together! Hebrews 24 and 25 reminds us to pay attention to each other and stay close together. The truth is, we need each other.

What we need to do is let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in His sight and say Oh Lord because He is our STRENGTH and He is our REDEEMER and He is a rewarder to those who diligently seek him. I challenge you to keep on seeking Him, even in these critical times keep on seeking Him.

Last Sunday

We really had some church at St. Luke all day last Sunday. The spirit was high and Sis. Gaston took ill during altar prayer and the way the church responded was just fabulous. We kept her together until EMS got there. God just took over and everybody started praying and praying and praying later that evening she went home from the hospital. You can't tell me God ain't good (Oh taste and see that the Lord is good) I preached about "A "Strategy for Burden Management"Gal. 6: 2,5 ;1 Peter 5: 7 ;
Psalm 55: 22a.

Sunday evening we went to Greater Faith Church for Rev. Streeter's Anniversary. The St. Luke Choir really did their thing, I was very proud to be the pastor of St. Luke. The membership of St. Luke showed up also. I preached about "A Pastor Who Walks by Faith" Hebrews 11:6. We really had chuch (LOL). This was the church where I was baptized as a child. The Lord took me back to where I first believed.

Pushin" Your Product (Mark 1: 14-15)

Yesterday was both the first day and the first Sunday of March, 2009. Can you believe it? This year is really flying by. It has been good so far and I know God will only make it gooder gooder and gooder (I know it's not a word but I am going to use it anyway). I am sorry it has been over a month since I have written in my blog, but I am still getting use to pastoring.

We started our Member Orientation classes yesterday and I have to say it went well. I was a little uneasy about it at first but the more I studied it I realized it couldn"t do nothing but help our members grow spiritually. When I first started trying to do this it was going to be for the New Members only but then they would know more than the so-called seasoned members so God guided me to do it for the whole church and it is going to help the whole church (Mind, Body and Soul).

Yesterday was a great day we had a great service brought two more into the kingdom. God is truly blessing St. Luke. We spoke on the subject of "Pushing Your Product". In the book of Mark John was going around telling everybody to Repent, The Kingdom of God is at hand, in other words He's Coming and he was saying it with urgency. My idea is if we would push our product like that what a difference we would make in this sin sick world. Our product is the "Good News -The Gospel" If we would push our product like these infomercials we would get into the minds of the people.

We also had a business meeting yesterday we introduced all the officers to the church and took care of all the church business and reports. The meeting went very well we had an agenda and we stuck to it. I would like to thank my assistant for making up my agenda for the meeting it made it go very well.

MLK Oratory winner: Gerra Gistand

Gerra Gistand of MacGregor elementary won first place during the 13th Annual Gardere MLK Jr. Oratory. Finalists gave original five-minute speeches on the topic: If Dr. King were alive today, what do you think he would say about current events?