Jerusalem Project

As you know, we are in a “rebuilding” stage at Smithfield Avenue Congregational Church, and my theme for this year is going to be called the “Jerusalem Project: rebuilding the church” (physically and spiritually). This is based on Ezra and Nehemiah where Zerubabble, Ezra, and Nehemiah were called to lead the rebuilding of Jerusalem physically, spiritually and socially. The people joined together as one to do this project. And, yes, as in any rebuilding, there was resistance and opposition, but in the end Jerusalem was rebuilt for God was with those who were committed to the rebuilding.

The church is not just a building, but also the people. We need to rebuild the physical church (roof, inside, etc.) and you will get more information on this. We need to rebuild our spiritual lives (grow in Christ) and the Deacons, CE Board, Rev. Lois Bryant and myself (along with a few others), are working on that. And we need to rebuild our membership which is the job of all, but the Church Growth Committee has and is working in this area.

With all of us working together we can accomplish this Jerusalem project. In this I am going to weave 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. We are one body, yet many members. Each member has talent, gifts, etc. Some are good in area of finances, some in the area of visitation, some in evangelism, some in teaching, etc. You may be asked to do things…volunteer to do things. We need everyone’s involvement. And with God’s help, we will be victorious. God bless you.

Our capital campaign project will be called the Nehemiah Project.

Nehemiah Project Fact Sheet

Most of you have heard about, and/or seen, the Nehemiah Project. We can see things two ways: We can see the times as exciting with many possibilities, or we can see the times as doom and gloom and think we are dying. I want to encourage all of us to see the times as exciting with many possibilities. Smithfield Avenue Congregational Church has been around for over 100 years, and that, in itself, is a testimony. As we look forward, and see the many possibilities we have, we will be around for many more years as we carry out the…

Ministry and Mission of Smithfield Avenue Congregational Church:

Jesus said in John 14:12 and in John 15:5

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Ø MISSION: SACC is a community of God’s people called to worship, to teach, to serve others in the way of our Lord Jesus Christ – all to God’s glory. (Mission Statement formed in 2000 with Rev. Daehler Hayes, RI Conference Minister, at an all church seminar)

Ø OBJECT: To seek to build up its membership in the knowledge of God as revealed in Jesus Christ, endeavoring to make His will dominant in the lives of people, individually and collectively, especially as that will is set forth in the gospel of Jesus Christ and to work for the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. (Church Constitution)

Ø GOVERNMENT: This church acknowledges the Lord Jesus Christ as its head and receives the Holy Scriptures as its only infallible guide in matters of faith, order and discipline. (Church Constitution)

Ø PRAYER: Prayer is communion with the living God. Without prayer the life flow from Christ to His body is cut off, the church ceases to be a living organism and becomes little different from any other organization. Having a praying church is not just a good idea; it is the foundation from which everything else flows. Prayer needs to permeate every ministry within the church and every outreach of the church.

The Nehemiah Project

We all want to carry out the ministry and mission of Smithfield Avenue Congregational Church. In so doing we need to keep the building in good shape...thus the Nehemiah Project.

After the Babylonian captivity (exile) there were three rebuilding projects in Jerusalem. In the first return, Zerubbabel was called to rebuild the temple of Jerusalem in the first year of King Cyrus of Persia. The second return, about 60 years later, in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes, Ezra was called to rebuild the spiritual condition of the people The third return happened in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes where Nehemiah was called to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Our Mission: Nehemiah 2:17-18

Then I said to them, “You see the problem that we have: Jerusalem is desolate and its gates are burned. Come on! Let’s rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that this reproach will not continue.” Then I related to them how the good hand of my God was on me and what the king had said to me. Then they replied, “Let’s begin rebuilding right away!” So they readied themselves for this good project.

As we carry out the Nehemiah Project let us be aware that we are not only rebuilding the church building, but also enabling us to carry out the different ministries we have. Our ministries are both inreach and outreach in nature.

Here are just some of the what we offer and will be offering:

Church Programs

v Traditional and Contemporary Worship for all ages

v Nursery

v K.I.D.S. Church (Kids in Divine Service) for children ages 3-12

v Teen Church for young people

v Bible Study and prayer for all ages

v Choir/music ministry

v Senior Ministry (visits and communion ministry at this time)

v Worship at Capital Ridge (will be adding more places)

v Moms/Parents in Touch: a ministry to parents with children

v Nursery School and Kindergarten

We open our doors to the Community to programs such as:

v AA

v MEN2B

v Neighborhood Watch

v Girl Scouting

v Cub and Boy Scouting

As our community changes we need to be able to change, or do things differently, without compromising our ministry and mission. With all helping as the body of Christ this can happen.

Thank you for your involvement,

Pastor David