April 7, 2010 AD

“Better Together”

Dear FBCO Friend:

Have you ever noticed how a snowflake by itself is frail but if enough of them stick together they can stop a city? Snowflakes are “better together”.

According to ESPN, 97% of American’s couldn’t tell you where Butler University was. The Butler University team and coaches worked, drilled, disciplined themselves, and played as a team together and they nearly won the NCAA National Basketball Championship. Why? Because the Butler University basketball team discovered they were “better together” than apart.

Sunday a revolution starts! We are calling it “40 Days of Community”. We’ll learn in Sunday School and in worship what the Bible says about relationships. Our theme is “better together”. Please make every effort to be present the next 6 Sundays to learn what God says about relationships. God made us for relationships. Satan mars relationships, God redeems them. Invite someone to come with you for Bible Study and Worship. If you are not plugged into a class, now is a great time to join one, we have great teachers and members. Find one that “fits” and plug into it. To bless our community, together, each class will do a service project of their own choosing. This Saturday is also our last “Saturday Night Caller” and I hope every class calls every member and guest to welcome them to join us. Let me know the results.

Wasn’t Easter awesome? The presence of God’s people worshiping God is amazing! At last count we had 1,860 precious people here on Easter to celebrate the glorious resurrection of Jesus! I talked to several and they remarked how friendly everyone was. I asked them why they came to FBCO and they said:

• “because I was invited by so and so” or…

• “This person is someone I work with and they forwarded me your 'Sunday’s Coming!' devotionals on the Passion Week and I had to come check it out.”

• Still others said someone invited them on Facebook. Still others said…

• “A friend or relative at FBCO invited us with a personal invitation and we came.”

I say all this to say, you make a difference! Thanks to all of you. Those who cared for children, worked in the Christian Arts Ministry, served as an usher, etc. You proved, we really are “better together”.

SUNDAY’S SERMON: “WHY WE NEED EACH OTHER” HEBREWS 10:19-25.

BIBLE BYTE: “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT)

Dear friends, we really are “better together”. Every day is resurrection day for the child of the King! I am eager to see you Sunday to launch "40 Days of Community". Never forget…

The shepherd loves the sheep,

Pastor Roger