Dear Friends,
I’m sure you’ve heard by now that First Presbyterian Church of Ridgewood is a Matthew 25 Congregation! In Matthew 25:31–46, Jesus calls us to serve with and for “the least of these” — not as a group to be pitied, but as people who are deeply loved by Jesus.
The focus at First Pres will be building congregational vitality. As described on the PC(USA) website, we will build congregational vitality by challenging members to deepen and energize their faith and grow as joyful leaders and disciples actively engaged with their community, seeing new disciples engaged in ministry and longstanding believers develop in faith as the gospel of Jesus Christ is shared in word and deed. Our Session has identified the following Matthew 25/Congregational Vitality goals:
Offer a Matthew 25 Bible Study.
Learn how the PC(USA) understands evangelism today, using The 8 Habits of Evangelism video series.
Choose three Sundays a year to focus our congregation’s worship on the Matthew 25 theme.
Continue to offer opportunities for members/friends to volunteer in service to meet the needs of people in our community or nearby communities and expand those opportunities.
Launch a new all-congregation program or project to serve our neighbors in Ridgewood or nearby communities.
Make a commitment to walk alongside another refugee family.
Support mental health by developing an event or a ministry focused on mental health issue(s).
Continue responding to the needs of people in Paterson.
Please consider joining the Matthew 25 Task Force!
In order to strategize, plan and effectively work to achieve these goals, the Session has established the Matthew 25 Task Force. Six people have already agreed to serve, but we will be more effective in our work with the addition of a few more members. If you have a love for Christ and his church, if you have a heart for mission, if you care deeply for the poor among us, if you have good ideas for outreach and/or you have good organizational skills, please consider joining the Matthew 25 Task Force! We will hold an organizing meeting in May. Please let me know if you’re interested in serving!
Grace and peace, Bruce
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