On October 18 when I preached from Romans 12 on a Biblical understanding of church membership, the sermon was not exhaustive when I spoke about letting love be genuine in our body of Christ relationships. Being members of one another “in Christ” with Christ as our very life, we are called to love, too, by rejoicing and weeping with one another. Being in Christ together, we feel genuine joy or sorrow when our brothers and sisters are rejoicing or weeping. Jesus in us moves us to celebration and weeping by His Spirit.
God has blessed us at Rocky to weep with our church family in recent weeks. Yes, it is a blessing because the love of Christ has been shown to be very real and comforting. Two RBBC couples have experienced the death of a child. Richard and Theresa Pate’s daughter, Kelli, died unexpectedly after 40 years on earth. Greg and Lauren Tomaschko’s son, Jonathan, died expectedly, at age 40 minutes. And we wept with both families because we love them in Christ. Both families are looking to the Lord for His strength and comfort, resting in the truth of His Word. Please continue to pray for and love them. Also, please be aware of the Tomaschko family’s blog where you may share in their experiences with their precious son, Jonathan--
www.jonathansbabyjournal.blogspot.com. Their testimony resounds to the glory of God and is one to pass on to others!
This week the Rocky family has another opportunity to weep with those who weep. Jon and Julie Baum have been foster-parenting two wonderful children, Edgard and Nicole, whose mother, Anna Marie Benjamin, died last week. A memorial service for Anna, with Jon leading it, will be on Friday afternoon, October 23, at 4:00 P.M. in Genesis Hall. Please pray for all the Baum family, including Edgard and Nicole.
The beautiful thing about a "Church Family" is the word "family". I don't know how a non-Christian can cope with the pitfalls in this world without this kind of family. We are indeed so blessed at Rocky!! Thanks for pointing this out, Pastor!
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