Faithfulness is a Rare Gem

“Faithfulness is a Rare Gem . . .”

This thought was impressed upon me this week as I observed the faithfulness of Crane Chapel’s members functioning together as a true Body. ·Board members prayerfully planning church direction ·The Building Committee pouring over the blueprints of a new church facility ·Paulette Lewis along with all the volunteers enthusiastically gearing up for the start of AWANA this Fall !

Faithfulness was genuinely evident to me when I was borrowed a 1985 Crane Chapel church directory. It was remarkable to see that so many of today’s members were just as active in service twenty years ago. Certain things have definitely changed. Let’s just say, “Youth is fleeting.” But your faithfulness is surely not fleeting.

In the world, it is rare to find a truly faithful person – just as it is rare to find a perfect diamond. The word "diamond" comes from the Greek word "adamas", which means indestructible. Diamonds are made of carbon, one of the softest materials on earth. But when carbon is under extreme pressure buried deep below miles of rock and exposed to temperatures over 2,000° F, it changes into a beautiful diamond. Amazing, isn't it, how God produces diamonds?
Amazing too, isn’t it, how God produces faithful servants?

There is a call in Scripture for those in ministry to be faithful:

“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”
-- I Corinthians 4:2

Let’s give praise to a Faithful God who is working through faithful people bringing fruit unto His Glory!

Your Servants,
The Goossens

Dear Church Family...

Dear Church Family . . .

Did you know that there are over 2,700 photographs taken every second around the world? That’s over 200 million memories captured every day and well over 85 billion new memories each year. And these statistics from the United States Department of Commerce are five years old! That's a lot of photos! And what role do all these pictures play in our eternal existence? Why do we do it?

Crane Chapel has pictures this morning from the past week’s Vacation Bible School. We’ve captured some precious memories. Why’d we do that? The answer is simple: We take pictures so that we can remember!

As we partake of Communion this morning, let’s remember the words from I Peter 2:24 and let’s keep Jesus Christ fresh in the photo albums of our hearts and minds:

“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

Not only do we look back and remember during communion, but also we are encouraged to look forward to His coming: “Do this ‘till I come.” . . . And unlike an image from a camera, Christ’s return does have eternal significance!

In His Love,
The Goossens

Dear Church Family...

Dear Church Family . . .

We send our warmest greetings to you today and hope you receive a blessing from the services – Sunday School, Worship Time and a message in the Word. In our study of I Peter, we are now coming to the heart of the book. Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at the proper attitudes we should have as we share Christ within our government, our places of employment, our home, with friends, etc. There are many great insights we can learn from God’s Word in these matters.

Someone shared the story of a picture that now hangs in the meeting room at Matt’s house. The actual picture survived the fire even though the frame is now blackened and the glass is broken and very smoky. The portrait -- that was not harmed at all -- depicts Christ as a builder! I couldn’t help but think of Christ’s words to Peter:

“. . . I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
- Matthew 16:18

In His Love,
The Goossens

A Note from Pastor Mark

A Note from Pastor Mark . . .

It’s hard to believe how fast the summer is going. Especially when we start talking about the Mower County Fair! Let’s pray that God will use the Crane Chapel display along with the literature that is passed out during the fair to his Glory.

I had the privilege of attending a board meeting this past Tuesday. It was long, but I felt the spirit was good. Crane Chapel has so many dedicated servants. It was also good to see enthusiastic volunteers as they planned for Vacation Bible School.

We have much to pray about, though in all things we rejoice that God’s Word will not return void, but accomplish its purpose in many hearts.

. . . so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it”
-- Isaiah 55:11(NIV)

In Christ’s Love
Your Servant,
Mark

Our sympathies go out to the Getchells in their loss.
May they experience God’s comforting love.