Metro East Family,

I am grateful to God for 2012 and the many blessings we received as a church. I am also thrilled for 2013 and looking forward to what God might do among us. Allow me to share a few thoughts about what’s in store.

Vision

The elders and staff will be rolling out a document very soon that articulates the direction we believe God is leading Metro East. Much of it should sound familiar as it contains many of the things I’ve preached about for the past two years. But you will also find some new ideas, plans, and dreams for Metro East.  The hope is to challenge all of us to use the gifts and resources we’ve received to further advance the Gospel and make more and more disciples. We want to be as clear as possible about who we are seeking to be as a church. You will find many practical ways to live out this vision as well as information on events and plans for 2013. Our goal is for all of our people to be on the same page and pursuing the same vision as we move forward. We are asking for all of you to prayerfully read through the document, give us feedback, and work with all your might to be the kind of church that magnifies God and blesses our city.

App

We are launching a new iPad/iPhone/iPod/Android app in January. This will give you quick access to sermons, news, blogs, and other important information about our church. We are excited to be able to offer this to you.

Sermons

We will finish the book of 1Peter in February and then we move on to a short series through the book of Jonah. After that we will spend some time preaching topically through our vision and core values. We will spend the summer months in the Psalms. The fall/winter sermon schedule is not yet complete so please pray I get to work quickly!

2013 Devotional Guide

This year we wanted to suggest that the entire church use the same devotional guide and reading plan. We recommend Robert M’Cheyne’s Reading Plan and D.A. Carson’s For The Love of God Vol. 1. Click HERE for all the details.

Sunday Nights

We hope to strengthen our Sunday activity in the coming year. While we like to keep Sunday night open for meetings, family time, small groups, and rest, we do sense a need to gather for more specific teaching and fellowship. You’ll find several planned Sunday night events throughout the year. I am really looking forward to this time.

Thanks

I wish to thank our staff, elders, deacons, and all of the volunteers who serve Metro East and make it what it is. I greatly appreciate you all! It is an honor to be your pastor.

Work and Pray and Watch

I am asking God for a great 2013. Let’s pray for God to do big things in our midst. Let’s pray for more conversions and baptisms, more transformed lives, more Gospel proclamation, more boldness, more sacrifice and giving, more volunteers and leaders, more warmth and compassion, and more unity and love.

May God be glorified and honored among us! May the Gospel be adorned and advanced! 

Happy New Year,

Pastor Greg

I got this email yesterday. I must admit it awakened in me an affection to grip my life tightly around the things that matter (the Gospel, my family, the mission, Scripture) and to let go of the trivial things I hold some firmly.