Christmas Eve!

As I sit in the office this morning preparing for our Worship Service this evening, I thought I'd also share my sermon from yesterday.

I hope you are having a Christmas season that is like nothing you've experienced before -- joy and love.

Merry Christmas
Chris

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone. Wednesday night we will have worship with "A Charlie Brown Christmas" being the center piece. We begin at 6:30, with a sack dinner at 5:45.

The Lord's blessing upon you all!

Chris

Sunday, December 9th

What a wonderful Day!



We worshipped Sunday morning and were blessed to hear Dan Gillen share a little about his Christmas memories living in Latin America.



My sermon is also available online.



In the afternoon, we were blessed by the voice of J. T. Anglin who performed a Christmas concert for us.

Blessings,
Chris

Gautier City Parade: The GPC Float!!!

Hey Folks,

Hope you had a great weekend! We had such a joy Sunday as Joseph Chakkungal and his family and Shiny and her daughters shared their experience of Christmas in India!

The December newsletter is now available.

Grace,
Chris

Sunday, November 25th, 2007

Hey Folks,

Hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving holiday! My family and I were truly blessed to be up in the mountains of North Carolina (our accomodations a gift from one of the volunteer families that served here at the church after Katrina) for Thanksgiving.

Yesterday was Reign of Christ Sunday. It is the last Sunday in the Christian year, when we celebrate Christ reign in Heaven. Here is the Sermon.

Grace,

Chris

Pledge Sunday Sermon

Hey folks,

My sermon, based on II Corinthians 12: 11-18, is now up on the web. The children's message is available as well!

I hope every one is enjoying these days before Thanksgiving. I hope each day is a blessing to you.

Chris

GPC Hosts Ultreya Saturday!

What a joy it was for our church to host the Ultreya for Mississippi Presbyterian Cursillo this last Saturday! A big thank you to all our members who worked so hard to make the Ultreya a special day for everyone.

Aubin's Birthday!!!

On her Birthday, Aubin Clements was named Miss Congeniality while serving at the Mississippi Cursillo this last weekend.

Happy Birthday Aubin!

Donate to our Living Waters for the World project

Hey folks,

Would you like to contribue to our Living Waters for the World trip online? Here is your opportunity.

Chris

Further conversations with our recent Missionary, Nuhad Tomeh

Would you like to continue talking with Nuhad? You can email him.

Chris

Living Waters for the World

Hey Folks,

If you missed the video about Living Waters for the World, here it is. Please continue to pray for this ministry and consider being a part of it. A reminder that we are challenging each member of the church to give $50 to this ministry before the end of the year.

Chris

Volunteer Opportunity

Hey Folks,

Nuhad Tomeh shared an opportunity to volunteer with Presbyterian Churches in Damascus. Here it is. If anyone is interested, please come by and talk with me,
Chris.

Nuhad's Visit

GPC hosts Nuhad Tomeh, Missionary to Lebanon

It has been such a blessing to have Nuhad with us these last few days. I hope everyone has had an opportunity to sit down with him and talk about mission work and the work of the PCUSA in the Middle East.

Tuesday, Nuhad went out with Karen's church to see some of the volunteer mission work going on post Katrina... and ended up lending a hand.

The Lord's blessing,

Chris

Letter to all our Volunteers

Hey Folks,

Thought you all might enjoy the letter we just sent (via email) to all the churches and organizations that worked with us these last few years.

Blessings,
Chris

Sunday, October 14th 2007

The sermon from yesterday's service: "Tearing down walls," is now available online. Also, keep our Wednesday evening service in your prayers and consider making it a part of your week. We meet at 6:30.

Grace and Peace,
Chris

Sermon from Sunday, September 30th

Well folks,

I've finally managed to upload the final sermon in our Evangelism Worship Series. This sermon focuses on the Great Commission. Give it a listen.

(Unfortunately, the dog ate my latest sermon (October 7th).... and that's my story.... Alas, it will never make it to the Web).

Blessings,

Chris

October and November Newsletter

Hey Folks,

Hot off the press: the Newsletter!

Enjoy

Chris

Sunday, September 23rd, 2007

Hey Folks,
Here is the third installment of our worship series on Evangelism: "Fools for Christ." Enjoy.

Chris

Sunday, September 16th, 2007

Hey Folks,

The Second Installment of our Evangelism Worship Series is now online: "Who we are." Enjoy. Please keep our Wednesday Evening Service in your prayers as well. We are experimenting with Power Point. Consider making it a part of your spiritual life.

Chris

"If there were no Jesus?"

Such is the title of my first sermon (September 9th) in an Evangelism Worship Series. Please join us throughout September as we explore Evangelism, how we can share the way Jesus Christ has touched our lives.

Blessings,
Chris

The English Tea

Although I did not have the pleasure of attending the ENGLISH TEA our ladies hosted yesterday. I heard from my wife, that it was a wonderful success, despite the failings of our Air Conditioner. Thought I'd share some photos from the event.





Blessings,


Chris

We're Back!....

We had a wonderful time at the Evangelism conference in Nashville. The Workshops and worship were terrific. May the Lord offer us opportunities to share what we were offered at this truly amazing gathering.

From: National Evangelism Conference

Hey Folks,

We are arrived last night to Opryland and have enjoyed some down time before the conference begins tonight. We are thoroughly looking forward to our time here. Blessings to you all.

Chris

Dan Gillen on Living and Dying Well

We were finally able to sit down with Dan Gillen and have him re-record his thoughtful witness that he shared for us during our worship service on "Living and Dying Well." I am very thankful for he and Aubin's messages. They are well worth hearing again, or if you missed that worship service, hearing for the first time.

Blessings,
Chris

National Evangelism Conference

Hey folks,

As many of you know, we (my family and I and several elders) are headed to the National Evangelism Conference this week. We are excited. I have added the latest edition to our "Work and Faith" worship series: "Finding a job you can enjoy." Also, we have added my children's messages to the website! Enjoy.

Sunday, August 19th, 2007

"Designed for Work," my sermon from last week is now on the blog. Enjoy.

Aubin's Message

Two weeks ago, our worship service focused on: "Living and Dying Well," and we asked two older members of the congregation to share about their life and particularly about "living well." Aubin was one of the persons asked to share. It is a delight to hear her share, in her own words, about life and living. Enjoy...

Blessings,
Chris

The Pope and Us

Pastor’s Corner

So the Pope doesn’t think we are true Christians.

Apparently this is news and bad news to some folks. Me, I’m less concerned about the Pope than I am about whether Christ recognizes us as part of the true Church. That, I believe, is the only question on the table, and one that we should always be skeptical about because of the seriousness of human sin and its ability to lead the church away from its one and only true calling, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The Pope spoke about apostolic succession, noting that we Protestants are not true Christians, because we do not follow the chain of custody of the Gospel from Cardinal to bishop to priest, all the way back to Peter: A laying on of hands from one priest to the other without interruption. Protestants have never believed that this laying on of hands was necessary for the church to be the church.

What is more alarming than apostolic succession is whether a church, any church, is the bride of Christ: Whether we are so wed to Christ as to be eternally focused upon him in love and adoration, sharing his love with glee and wonder.

Many have criticized the Pope for excluding members of the Christian union (Protestants) by his statement.

What we should be more critical of is whether we are personally excluding people from union with Christ because of our lukewarm sharing of His good news.
Just some musings from your protestant (not priest) pastor,

Chris

Sunday, August 12th, 2007

We had a wonderful service today. Our worship focused on the Living Waters of the World, which is a mission initiative of our Synod. Bubba Martin who works with the project gave a moment for mission during worship and a presentation in the Fellowship Hall after worship. My sermon is online for you.

In addition, please note that the Newsletter for August and September is now online.

Montreat Wee Kirk

Would you like to attend the fabulous Montreat Wee Kirk Conference? It is October 22-24th in Montreat. It is amazingly affordable as well, costing you just $75, all inclusive, not including travel to and from Montreat. If you'd like to go, please call Jan in the office as soon as possible!

Peace,

Chris

Work as an ADVENTURE! August 5th

If you missed worship Sunday, or just wish to listen to my sermon , it is now online. The Scripture for the sermon was Ecclesiastes 5:18-25:

Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

We will Host a Missionary in October

I was excited to learn this morning that we will be hosting a missionary from Lebanon here at Gautier Presbyterian Church in late October. His name is Nuhad Tomeh. Please keep him in your prayers as we prepare to welcome him.

Chris

Sunday, July 29th

Hey Folks,

What a wonderful day!!! We had a wonderful worship service. The sermon is now available online. We also had a ball this afternoon with the Cake Walk, Dunkin' Booth, Castle Bouncer....and don't forget the ice cream.

Ice Cream Social this weekend

I hope by now everyone receiving this post knows about our Ice Cream Social this Sunday afternoon at 3:00. We are going to have a great time with home made Ice Cream, a bouncer for the children and a Dunkin' Booth.

Please come and join us. Bring your children, neighbors, friends and come out for a great afternoon.

Peace,

Chris

Worship for Sunday, July 15th

Hey folks,

This morning's sermon is online now. Take a listen. Please keep all the VBS crew in your prayers as we begin to round up the children for Avalanche Ranch tomorrow morning...

Stay tuned for pictures from the Ranch....

Food Pantry July 12th 2007

Hey Folks,

I just thought I'd share a few photos from the Food Pantry this morning. Clicking on this link will start the slideshow.

VBS

Hey Folks,

VBS begins this Monday at 8:30!!! Round up those children and make sure they get to Avalance Ranch.... Yahooo!

Living Waters for the World

Hey Folks,

As our church begins to prayerfully consider a relationship with Living Waters for teh World, I thought you might find this short video helpful.

Chris

Hear Pastor Chris' Sunday Sermon (July 8th): Ministry to Singles.

Hey! From the Christian Life Conference in Montreat

Hey folks,

We are just loving our time here in Montreat. The Christian Life Conference has been wonderful. The music has been phenomenal and the speakers, John and Nancy Ortberg, have been wonderful. Keeping all of you in our prayers....

Love,

Chris

Pastor Chris at Montreat

Okay folks, I'm ought'a here for about week. My family and I are headed to Montreat for the Christian Life Conference. Keep us in your prayers! We love you!

Chris

Chris's Sermon: Youth and Wisdom

Here is the MP3 of yesterday's service. The service as well as the sermon focused on Teenagers.

VBS

Hey Folks,

We are getting ready for our VBS this July: Avalance Ranch. We will be saddling up July 16th - 20th from 8:30-11:30. Get the word out, ya' hear!

Montreat Christian Life Conference

Hey Folks,

Just to let you know... My wife, Noah and I will be heading up to Montreat this Friday for the Christian Life Conference. We are really excited to be going to this conference. Its title is: “Empowered by the Spirit.” I just like being in Montreat as well. It is good for my soul. We will return on Friday, July 7th.

Blessings...
Chris

Overview of the Bible: A New Bible Study

1. I will be leading a new Wednesday Night Bible Study starting the second week of July. It starts at 5:00 and is followed by a small dinner and then Vespers.

Cover to Cover: Getting the Bible's Big Picture

What do we have to gain from those long Old Testament sections on the law? What about all that history? What can we learn from Paul's letters to the church in the New Testament? By introducing each of the major sections of Scripture, this guide helps us gain perspective on the whole message of God's Word.

Remembering our Baptismal Covenant

If you happened to miss our Worship Service yesterday, it is now available online.
Blessings, Chris

Prayer List

Hey Folks,

We now have a prayer list blog. This is a good way to see who we are lifting up in prayer this week. If you would like to add to the list, email us here at the church.

Food Pantry

Wow, what an exciting morning at the Food Pantry.

There were so many people here! Church members (including six youth/children) and volunteers, and then, we guestimate, over 100 customers to the pantry--a lot of them new ones.

If you have not come and helped out, I really encourage you to do so.

Chris

Fish Fry and Silent Auction

Hey Folks!



Here are some pictures from Sunday Night's Fish Fry! A wonderful occasion. A big thank you to Bruce Maghan for fryin' up the catfish and Brandy Meenink for organizing the Silent Auction. I believe we raised about $2,000 for the Building fund from the auction and the rummage sale on Saturday.

Sermons on the Website.

Hey Folks,

I am now able to post my sermons on the web. Here is this weeks: The Joy of Children.

Chris' Family???

Some questions have been asked about my relatives.... Maybe this will clear the matter up a little?