The other day I was talking to a woman and she told me, “Rife, I just don’t know how to be everything people want me to be.  I feel like people may want more from me than I’m able to give.”  Wow.  Do I know how she feels.  I don’t know about you, but I feel totally inadequate to meet the needs and demands that seem to be on me to perform and produce.  I have to be successful at being a ……husband, father, provider for my family, employee, church planter, speaker, pastor and secretary.  I look at other guys in my field and they seem to have it going on.  I wonder, “How do they do it?”  I feel overwhelmed at times.  I question myself.  “Is it because I don’t manage my time well?  Are those other guys more gifted or better suited than me?” 

My guess is that a few of you sometimes feel that way, too.  I wish I had an easy Dr. Phil-type answer for you.  I don’t, but I’ll bet one of those “other guys” does.  The only thing I can come up with is…

But He said to me, “My grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So I am very happy to brag about how weak I am. Then Christ’s power can rest on me.  ~2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIRV)

I wont’ give up…I may not be the best, the sharpest, most organized, or innovative, but I won’t stop trying.  I’m going to do the best I can do. 

By the way, that woman I was talking about at the beginning of this blog…that was my wife. 

“A newcomer makes a decision whether or not to attend your church again within the first ten minutes of their arrival.”

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Most of us have forgotten how it feels to be a first-time guest at a new church, especially if the guest doesn’t know anyone who attends.  As your pastor, I want to ask you to please help us keep newcomers a top priority at Jubilee Church.  I know how easy it is to come to see our “church family” each week and spend much of our time greeting and talking to one another.  However, I want to ask you to begin to re-train yourself to “see” the newcomers at Jubilee each week.  

You may feel like you don’t know many of the regulars as it is.  That’s okay; just introduce yourself to them.  Here are a few ways you can help make sure newcomers are always welcome at JC.

1. While at church, be aware of the people around you to see if you can recognize new faces.
2. During worship, introduce yourself to at least 2 new people/families each week during our connection time. 
3. After a couple of weeks, invite a newcomer to dinner on Sunday after church.  Be sure to give them a week’s notice before you invite them.
4. As a part of our hospitality team, greet newcomers with a smile.  Offer to escort them to their respective areas of need (i.e.–nursery, children’s church, sanctuary, coffee bar.
5. Make sure they have a bulletin and ask them if they have filled out a newcomer card.

We love people….let’s prove it!

 ~Pastor Rife

Just a few thoughts on our Father’s Day Sunday:

• Worship was awesome!  (even if we didn’t have an electric–you know how I love electric guitars)
• Pastor Alan’s message “Make Us Love Like You” was absolutely awesome.  Great job PA!  (looking forward to Pastor Ryan next Sunday)
• Had new couple that came for the first time.  Said they had listened to all of our messages online.  (Scott A., the pressures on!)
• There were a few gliches as there will always be, but I appreciate those of you who always step up to the plate and swing for the fence.  (Thanks, Scott W.)
• Nursery, Preschool and JcKidz teams ….we love you and are grateful for your ministry.
• Attendance was down a bit due to holiday and summer…but still overall good attendance. 
• We had $2,500 that was given that we can add to our principle on the “field of DREAMS.”

That’s all for now.  Hope you guys are having a great week!

Pastor Rife