So then, just a you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world, rather than on Christ.  Col. 2:6-8

I was in the kitchen the other day when our daughter walked in the door excited to show me a letter from a pen pal she had received as a result of a school partnership with another 1st grade class out in the state of Washington.  The note was an exchange of information about their states as well as themselves.  Abbie couldn't wait to have me read the the bottom statement on the letter she received.  After a brief synopsis of details about her state, she talked about herself and finished with, "Do you know about God?".  He sent His Son to die on a cross for our sins." Abbie was so excited and she had an opportunity to write this young lady back and share her own testimony of faith in Jesus Christ and tell her about her baptism several months ago.  

This pen pal letter gave me a chance to sit down and talk with my daughter about God being at work around the world and not just at Heritage Community Church.  It was also an encouragement to Abbie about being active in telling others about what she believes.

Talking about beliefs... when I think about the discussion of "what I believe", I am reminded that each one of us has a system of beliefs and a source of formation and influence for those beliefs, but for the follower of Christ, our "drivers manual" should be God's Word itself.  There are no other added sources of truth.  Over the next few weeks, we will take an honest look at several areas of basic Christian Doctrines (teachings) and look at how those teachings are to become the foundation on which we build and live a Legacy of Faith.  

The Psalmist said, "Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.  My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end."  

We will use this blog site to capture our steps along the way.  We will begin the journey next week with "God's Word".

Phil. 3:20-21-- But our citizenship is in heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior from there , the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.

He looks like his dad!  I have often heard people associate my son Caleb with me just by taking one look at him.  I wonder if it is his eyes, hair, or size that gives him away. Or is it his demeanor? Whatever the case, he is my offspring and there is no denying it.  Others see it, and they are quick to point it out.  

I wonder if people see any likeness between me and my heavenly Father?  I would hope that there is an increasing resemblance that grows daily as my life is transformed into His likeness.  How about you?  Who are you looking like these days?  As the song says, "Make me like You Lord, make me like You".  Our lives are a megaphone for His glory!!

Question of the day -- How am I treating people in my sphere of influence?  People Matter!

The past two weeks we have used a video series by Louie Giglio on Hope. If you missed a week, want to watch it again, or would like a friend or family member to see it, you can view both weeks on the Sermon page of our website.

Hebrews 4:12

For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

As Heritage Community Church continues to grow, so will the small group opportunities.  I am so excited that we are getting ready to begin our first Women's Bible Study this Tuesday, April 15th at the home of John and Sheila West.  You can get more information by clicking here.

In addition, we have several men's groups that are presently meeting and hoping to begin more. If you are not in a men's small group, but would like to participate, we will help you find the right spot. Also be looking for a small group experience for couples that will be lead by Tom and Sandy Fentress. Students will have a small group experience that will begin this month as well.  

Stay tuned to the website as opportunities for spiritual growth are birthed.  We want you to be included in what God is doing. Everyday, we are experiencing the blessings of the Lord at Heritage Community Church.  We celebrate this week with decisions for the Lord and it also looks that after praying for 18 months, a condo that the Brock's owned in the Sanford, Florida area has sold!!!!!! We also were blessed today by having Ms. Gail Holder visiting with us in our services.  Gail has given financial and prayer support to Heritage Community Church from a distance.  Her now deceased husband, Wally, was Merideth's Family Pastor while she was growing up in New Hampshire.  We are so thankful for those who are partnering with us in "Living a Legacy of Faith."  

We will continue our series next week on "When life hurts most." Hope to see you there!

Men, it would be awesome for those of you who are married to encourage your wives to attend the Women's Bible Study by handling things around the house and taking care of the kids those nights!

We love you dearly,

Sidney and Merideth and Brian and Brooke

Acts 2:42-47

42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

We celebrated our first Family Day at Heritage on Sunday.  It was a special time seeing what our kids are learning as well as celebrating the baptisms of 6 people and eating a great meal after the service.  One of my favorite times is seeing father's having the opportunity to participate in the baptism of their children as well as listening to the new believers' stories of their decision to follow Christ.

Our experience Sunday so much reminds me of the stories of the early church.  May we not take for granted these early days of planting Heritage Community Church, and may we always  be sensitive to the unity of the body of Christ and His Church and be active in carrying our the Great Commission of taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His love to the ends of the Earth!

"On February 20, 1962, at 9:47 A.M., the spacecraft Friendship 7 rose on a pillar of fire, piloted by lone astronaut John Glenn. Leaving the coast of Florida far behind, the space capsule orbited the earth three times, traveling 81,000 miles in less than four hours. As the craft began its descent from space, mission controllers in Houston received a warning signal. A sensor indicated that the capsule's heat shield was in danger of detaching. If the heat shield came loose during reentry, the capsule would burn like a meteor--and John Glenn would die.

Because radio waves cannot penetrate plasma, the spacecraft experienced a total communications blackout--what astronauts and mission controllers call a "black hole".
The minutes crawled by and the suspense mounted in the Houston control room. NASA engineers felt totally helpless. Finally, after five minutes of silence, mission controllers heard Glenn's voice crackling over the radio: "Friendship 7 to Houston?"

Shouts of joy shook the control room. John Glenn was coming home. Although neither Glenn nor the mission controllers knew it at the time, the heat shield was absolutely firm and reliable. The fears for John Glenn's safety during his black hole experience were unfounded.
If you've ever been through a major crisis, you probably know what a communications "black hole" feels like. While you are in the pit of adversity, you feel that your world is collapsing, that your life is out of control--and that God is silent. The silence of a black hole is deafening. You feel isolated and alone. You question God's love, His care for you, and even His existence.

But even when it seems that God is distant and silent, your "heat shield" is still there, firm and reliable. In your black hole experience, God is teaching you to go deeper into your relationship with Him. You may think that your life is out of control and burning like a meteor, but in reality God, your heat shield, still protects you from the fiery forces that surround you. "

(taken from Prime Time with God by Os Hillman)