What a joy to begin a six-week study of the exciting book of Esther this past Sunday!  This week, we will look at Esther 2:5-3:6.  The title of the message is “Beauty And The Beast.” Be reading and praying over the text in advance. 

Let’s take a few moments to celebrate what God is doing in our church this Fall.  Even in the midst of the COVID challenges in our community, God is doing great things in and through our church family:  People uniting with our church, being baptized, and growing in discipleship.  

Our Sunday School teachers are doing a great job, not only in faithfully teaching God’s Word, but in leading their classes to care for others.  I regularly hear wonderful reports from church members who have been cared for and loved through an illness or crisis by their brothers and sisters in the Lord.    

Our children and student ministry leaders are so faithful in the vital ministry God has entrusted to them.  One example is that on Wednesday nights, between Awana and Student Impact, we are now averaging over sixty kids and students on our campus.  This is double what it was prior to COVID.  Remarkable!  

Throughout this time, even when our church could not meet in person, our people were so faithful with their tithes and offerings.  Let me encourage those of you who have been faithful to stay faithful in this, and let me encourage those of you who are not tithing to begin this practice.  When you do, you’ll discover two things:  

1. God is faithful – you can never out-give Him. He will provide for you and come through for you in ways you never imagined.

2. Your faith will grow – you’ll learn that you can trust the Lord, not only to provide for you financially, but in every other situation.  

Your stewardship of the time, the talents, and the treasure that God has entrusted to you makes a great impact in the Body of Christ.  Let’s keep loving, praying, serving, witnessing, giving, and ministering for the glory of Christ and His Kingdom!  I’ll see you on Sunday.   

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,  

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.