First 5 Next 5

Today is our fifth anniversary, and Pastor Lane reminds us how far we’ve come and what we’ve left to accomplish. Therefore, now is the time to be praying for LPC. Pastor Lane provides five prayer requests that we all need to bring before God for our church. Listen to “First 5 Next 5″ now…

For a supplement to this week’s sermon, check out our live worship experience Twitter page. It’s almost like being there…

City on a Hill December Update

What an incredible fall for LifePoint Church! The Lord continues to bless and move among his people in mighty ways. Fall 2008 will be known as a strategic marker in vision and development of LifePoint Church. I don’t know that I have ever personally worked longer, harder, or more comprehensively for a season in the church. While preparations were made before 2008, our labor began in the spring to prepare for our City on a Hill campaign. This has been a defining season in uniting our people around vision, praying unto the Lord and seeking his will, trusting in the Lord as he leads, and following the Lord in his plan.

The initial steps toward the re-location of LifePoint is underway. In November, we interviewed and selected a general contractor to lead the project. Larry Snyder Construction Company was chosen to lead the project, and they will work alongside Bob Stockdale and his team at Creative Ink Architects to design a building that maximizes our facility based on budget and ministry requirements. This work will take the remainder of this year and into early 2009. Once the “footprint” of the building is established, plans can be finalized and dirt work to prepare the site can begin. Due to the nature of our land, this could be a large project. It has been speculated that there may be rock on our land. <insert pastoral sarcastic tone /> The first clue was the big rock sticking out of the front.

Once excavation is complete, construction can begin. Construction is projected to begin mid-February. The projected timeline for construction is about nine months. This means that we could be moving into our new facility by December 2009. WOW! What has seemed like forever away now seems to be incredibly close! Obviously there are many unknown variables that can influence this timeline.

We will continue to do periodic updates as new information becomes available. Stay connected to www.lifepointozark.com for more info. In the meantime, prayer for these projects points:

• General Contractor: Pray for favor on their behalf as they coordinate the project among hundreds of people.
• Architects: Pray for the plans as they continue to draw a building that maximizes space for mission.
• Weather: Winter in Missouri. Need I say more?
• Budget and Finances: Pray that in this process LifePoint is able to get a premium facility for ministry and mission that represents faithful stewardship unto the glory of God!

For today, let us continue to pray and seek the Lord in all ways. Let us labor for the gospel as the Lord gives us favor with people and influence for his kingdom purpose. Love your neighbor and share the love of Christ with them. Pray that God will continue to pour out his blessings on LifePoint in the days to come. This is certainly not the most stable of times to be engaging in a project of this nature. But among the circumstances of uncertainty God is orchestrating the plan of his will for his glory. Nothing could be more solid. Encourage one another with the grace and love of Jesus!

City on a Hill—A Call to Pray

One question we will surely hear over the next several weeks is “What is City on a Hill?” Each week we will communicate more information in answering this question. Let me begin by simply saying this, City on a Hill is a vision for LifePoint Church to become an ever-increasing influence for the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Lord has prepared the way and is now leading LifePoint to follow him and build a city on a hill.

For today, we must recognize City on a Hill as a campaign to take the first step in following the Lord’s leading as we pray together so God can shape us to his will and use us, unite together so Holy Spirit can empower lead each person, and commit together so the Lord can reveal his will for how each person will participate in this vision. Every true movement of God begins in prayer. Join us and pray for…

• Unity among the people of LifePoint. Each person must be surrendered listen to and follow God’s Spirit as he moves among LifePoint (Psalm 133; 1 Peter 3:8).
• Guard against attacks form the Evil One. Guard your mind (Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:4-8). Guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23). Guard your way of life (1 Timothy 6:11-12).
• People will make a deepening connection with Christ and LifePoint (Hebrews 13:1-19).
• Spiritual growth for each person and for LifePoint as a church (1 Peter 2:1-3; Ephesians 2:19-22).
• Favor with people for missional advancement (Colossians 4:5-6).

As we pray together, the Lord will work in each heart that is surrendered to him and bring forth the purpose that he has ordained for LifePoint. There will be a time for each person to consider and commit to a financial pledge. There will be a time for each person to gather and bring their offering to the Lord. There will be a time for LifePoint to consider and count the costs in order to be faithful stewards of God’s entrustment to us. Today is not that day. Now is the time to pray and prepare for God’s move among LifePoint. Let us bow before him in humility and surrender. If you were unable to be present with LifePoint on Sunday, September 7, listen to the sermon here and let the Lord begin to prepare your heart.

Let LifePoint delight ourselves in the Lord, so he might delight in LifePoint.

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