Dear Church at Litchfield Park family,

Today, we come together to explore the powerful message conveyed in Revelation 3:1-6 (NIV), directed to the church in Sardis.

"To the angel of the church in Sardis write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

This message to the church in Sardis holds crucial lessons and calls to action for us as followers of Christ. Let's take a moment to reflect on this passage and consider its significance in our lives.

Here are some questions to guide our contemplation:

• The church in Sardis had a reputation for being alive, but Jesus revealed that they were spiritually dead. How can we ensure that our faith is vibrant and not merely an outward appearance? What steps can we take to continually seek spiritual renewal and growth?
• Jesus urges the church in Sardis to wake up, strengthen what remains, and repent. In what areas of our lives do we need to wake up and renew our commitment to Christ? How can we actively engage in strengthening our faith and turning away from anything that hinders our relationship with God?
• Jesus acknowledges a faithful remnant in Sardis who have not compromised their faith. How can we remain faithful and uncompromising in a world that often tempts us to conform to its values? What can we learn from the example of those who have remained steadfast in their devotion to God?
• The victorious ones in Sardis are promised white garments and the assurance of their names in the book of life. What do these rewards symbolize? How can we strive for victory in our spiritual journey and hold fast to our faith until the end?
• How can the message to the church in Sardis be applied to our own lives and our church community? What changes or actions can we take to ensure we are not just going through the motions, but actively living out our faith?

As we meditate on these questions, let us invite the Holy Spirit to speak to our hearts and guide us in aligning our lives with God's will. 

May we be awakened to any areas of spiritual complacency and wholeheartedly pursue a vibrant and authentic relationship with Jesus. May our faith be marked by ongoing repentance, perseverance, and a fervent commitment to live in accordance with God's Word. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ fill us with renewed passion and devotion, and may His Spirit empower us to be a shining light in the world around us. May we, as the Church at Litchfield Park family, be known not just for our reputation but for our genuine faith and transformative impact on those we encounter.

Grammarly AI Enhanced

Pablo Quijas has been serving as the Worship Leader of our 10:45am worship service since last Spring. Earlier this year, he took on additional responsibilities overseeing our Audio, Visual & Lighting (AVL) ministries. It has been such a blessing seeing him grow as a leader and we appreciate his ministry. We plan to thank him for his service at CLP on Sunday, July 9 as he plans to return to the classroom to focus on Optometry later this year.

Thank you, Pablo! We wish you an abundance of God’s blessings as you continue to follow all the ways you are led.

ASSOCIATE PASTOR UPDATE

While we were not searching for a new Associate Pastor, God brought a candidate to us with a unique set of gifts and experience that meets our needs. The Rev. Kristofer McCoy has a Master of Divinity degree and degrees in music, communications, and global business. After two interviews, the Board of Directors invited him to lead worship at the 10:45 am worship Sunday, July 2, and voted to extend an offer to him shortly thereafter. Pastor Kris accepted our offer to serve as an Associate Pastor at CLP and will begin on Sunday, July 16. His primary responsibilities will be leading worship at the 10:45 am service and the Overflow worship services, overseeing communications, assisting with pastoral care, preaching occasionally, and potentially assisting with men’s ministries and/or adult studies.

Kris and his wife Terri recently served as missionaries in Germany and have three teenagers: Dylan, Megyn, and Kaitlyn. Please join us in celebrating God’s goodness for bringing the McCoy to CLP!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS UPDATE

The board held a special meeting on July 2nd after the 10:45 service.  A quorum was present, and the board approved the following items: Long time church member, George Dallas, volunteered and was appointed interim Vice-President.  George will chair the Nominating Committee as stated in the by-laws, with his term ending December 31, 2023. The board unanimously agreed to hire a recruiter for the Sr. Pastor search and has chosen Vanderbloemen.  The fee for working with Vanderbloemen is 33 percent of the base salary (combination of elected salary and housing) and $5,900 for travel and related expenses.  The savings from the following will cover the recruiter fee: CLP not paying for an Associate Pastor for 11 weeks, paying a part-time salary for our current Worship Leader for 6 ½ months, and Health Reimbursement (HRA) savings. The reasons Vanderbloemen was chosen are: The founder of Vanderbloemen was a pastor for 15 years and has planted churches, they have placed 300 Sr. Pastors, they clearly understand the culture of a church, and they have a two-year guarantee.  Their guarantee states: “If the candidate you hire is one that Vanderbloemen introduced and recommended to you and is terminated or leaves you for any reason within 24 months of their acceptance of the role, Vanderbloemen will conduct a replacement search for no additional professional fee, only charging for related expenses (such as travel).” Nancy Oreshack, Personnel on the Board of Directors, and Sr. Pastor Search Committee Chair, will be the contact with Vanderbloemen going forward.  

Join Men's Fellowship for dinner and watch the 2023 Major League All-Star Baseball Game!

If you love to cook or bake and have a favorite recipe you'd like to share, register here and be a guest chef! Register here and a member of the fellowship will connect with you and get you on the calendar. 

We have collected a lot of wonderful school supplies and backpacks! Help us assemble and prepare the backpacks for delivery.

All items in the shop are 50% off through July.

Join your church family for August's Family Movie Night, where we'll enjoy hot dogs and popcorn while we watch The Secret of Kells.

In the remote Irish woods, Cellach (Brendan Gleeson) prepares a fortress for an impending attack by a Viking war party. Unbeknown to Cellach, his young nephew Brendan (Evan McGuire) -- who has no taste for battle -- works secretly as an apprentice in the scriptorium of the local monastery, learning the ancient art of calligraphy. As the Vikings approach, revered illuminator Aidan (Mick Lally) arrives at the monastery and recruits Brendan to complete a series of dangerous, magical tasks.

This movie is ideal for children 9+. Find out more about this rating here: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-secret-of-kells

Stewardship, quite simply (and according to Dr. Google), is recognizing that everything we have and everything we are is a gift from God and being grateful and generous with these gifts.  God reveals His perfect and infinite love for us most visibly in His son, Jesus Christ.  A steward makes God’s love visible by imitating Jesus.  Sharing in fellowship activities in our Church is one way, among many, to be a good steward.  You are all encouraged to participate in the many fellowship activities provided by the Church under the leadership of the Fellowship Committee.  Anyone interested is also invited to join our Committee.          

-Monte Sriver, Board Member and Chair of the Fellowship Committee

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES
8 and 9:15am in Sanctuary
10:45am in Souers Community Hall

OFFICE HOURS
Monday through Thursday ~ 9am to 4pm

300 North Old Litchfield Road
Litchfield Park, AZ  85340
(623) 935-3411
info@clp.church
https://clp.church