Five Receptions

No, I am not talking about Detroit Lions Football (though they are making many of their fans ROAR this season).   New Wine had five of our people officially received into the work of the Anglican Mission in America.  Pat & Judy Self, Jim & Barb Sartor, and Peggy Hott all were welcomed into the Mission by our Bishop Doc Loomis Sunday, October 5th at a regional service in Livonia, MI. 

The Bishop suggested that we not see this action as some sort of time to extend the "handshake of fellowship" to these persons, but that its another opportunity to pray for them as Spirit-filled missionaries who have been called by name and loved by our Father.   Doc took time to pray with and over each of the 8 people who came forward Sunday night.  Three AMIA churches had people being recieved and being sent out to join us in mission.

I know each of our members are already strong, Spirit-filled believers.   I was recently reminded how special our church is.  Though not large in numbers yet we have people who are ministering in our community and abroad.  Here are just a few of the ministries the people of New Wine are involved in:  A 2 year missionary in China,  A Board Member of Open Arms Orphanage in Columbia,  Member of Christ Enrichment Center Finance Committee, an ESL tutor for immigrants in Flint,  Team Leader at Flushing Outreach Center,  Blood Drive Coordinator, several Cell Group Facilitators,  Mentor to a fatherless man who had been in legal trouble.  

To be a mission-minded church it takes fully-devoted followers of Christ who are committed to going in His power into the World.  We are thankful for the opportunity to sacramentally celebrate this reality with our Bishop last night.