The Wandering Hebrews Now and Then

THEN:  

On January 9th 2012 I sent the following email after meeting at Jim and Sue Ebersoldt's home.

Last night’s fellowship group aka "The Flash Mob church" was a gathering inspired by the Holy Spirit. People thru the ages have been brought together by Gods calling for many reasons. One story that comes to mind when I think about our new beginning are the Hebrew people who left Egypt and started a journey to the promised land.

I like that analogy for our group because that is exactly where we find ourselves at this moment in time. We have stepped out in faith into the unknown on a journey that promises to be exciting.  Yet, we are not sure exactly where it is we are going. One of the lessons to be learned from the Hebrews flight from Egypt on their journey to the promised land is: Listen closely to Gods prompting and direction. Pray for guidance, be patient, and watch and listen closely for the opportunities that God will show us. It was the straying from God's directions that kept the Hebrews from entering the promised land for 40 years. 

Let me share with you something I have learned over the years about praying and listening for God's direction and this is very important. " Do not have a pre conceived idea of what God wants this group to do or become!"

God's ways are not mans ways. God will, through all of us, bring into focus what our mission will be. It could be something that we have not even considered and may be something that we least expect. Whatever it is you can rest assured that it will bring huge blessings to many as long as we do our part by staying close to God’s word and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. We will talk about all his more as we move forward. In the mean time we will continue to gather to sing, worship, fellowship and listen for Gods direction. 

To everyone who attended Last night. Blessings to you, be uplifted and excited. Let love, compassion, forgiveness and healing fill all of your hearts and dominate your life. And most important, talk with God every day and ask Him for direction. He really does hear and answer, but we must keep an open mind and willing heart to know His direction.

Love, Kent

NOW, 7 months later: 

We have come amazingly far since then. We are all part of a miracle unfolding. We have been accepted with open arms by the members of Esic Church. Our Sunday night meetings are at capacity in the sanctuary. We are experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit and the life changing power that comes when we come with love and gratitude in our hearts. We are finding a strong family bond amongst those who come to our worship services. There is happiness, joy, and a feeling of hope and love with everyone I speak with. 

So now we come to another critical time in our growth. Where do you want to go from here?  Remember we as Christians are here to serve!  We are to take the light, the love, the compassion, the hope and the healing that Jesus has blessed us with into this hurting world.  Each and every one of us has a ministry. We have more and more people coming to our services for the the love and hope, and release that we are all experiencing. 

I have requests for Sunday school opportunities. I have requests to do services every Sunday instead of only on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. I have those wondering where are we going to put  ore people as our group continues to grow.  So my question to all of you is this, "What is your vision, and how can you help build that vision?"

This is exciting!  God is moving among us, "The Wandering Hebrews."  

Last Sunday I made a public commitment to this ministry, that I would dedicate all my time, energy, and ability to the ministry of Jesus and to Praise Community Fellowship. I symbolized that commitment by being baptized by Pastor Barry Harris, Esic's retired pastor. 

As I mentioned in an earlier email this past week I will begin helping Esic on Sunday mornings by preaching on a rotating schedule and by conducting a bible study class. There are opportunities opening up for all of us to help make our ministry a beacon of hope and light. The Holy Spirit is moving in this church.  Big things are happening. We are creating a movement!  

My VISION:  Our church is going to be so wonderful, so filled with loving, compassionate, forgiving and non-judgemental people and so Spirit filled, that we will have a waiting line of broken people trying to get into our services to be touched by the Holy Spirit. That we will have a facility that provides needed services to the community seven days a week always with the top priority being bringing people into a close personal relationship with Jesus.  

We are not even one year old and think of how far we have come and all we have accomplished with the help the Holy Spirit and the generosity of Esic Church. There is an energy brewing and it is a very wonderful spirit filled energy. Come be a part of this ministry. All are welcome. 

Start dreaming big dreams because with God, all things are possible!.   

Sincerely and with love, Kent Schuette.       Call me 618-334-3575

  

Thursday August 16th

Greetings Praise Community Fellowship Family

My fingers are sore from playing the new guitar, but it is a real good soreness!  Thank you. I am still in complete awe and so blessed to have received such a fine instrument. It plays beautifully and it is truly a work of art.

Eden Band had rehearsal last night in the sanctuary to prepare for the service coming up on the 26th of August at 6:30, we dug out some of our old tunes from long ago and it is going to be a very special service. There are a couple songs that haven't been played in probably over 12 years maybe longer, wow we are getting old!

The sermon topic on the 26th will be, "Step Back, Take a Look at Your Life!"   I guess that gives some of you a clue as to one of the songs that will be played.  Our little church is really feeling like home to me, I hope all of you are feeling the same. Praise Community Fellowship is continuing to meet with the Esic Baptist congregation to look at our potential future together.

Personally, I see a lot of opportunities developing for us to share in Sunday morning Sunday school, Sunday morning worship, and of course continuing with our Sunday evening services on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. We will be updating everyone about all these other opportunities as they unfold but in the mean time we are invited to participate in The Esic Baptist services on Sunday mornings at 10:00 am. and they are inviting us with complete love and open arms.

Since pastor Barry Harris has retired as the pastor of Esic Baptist, I have volunteered to be a fill in pastor as needed at their services. I will keep you posted as I learn more about that opportunity.

What I hope everyone who is associated with Praise Community Fellowship understands is, God has put us here in this place, in this time, in these circumstances for a reason. The ultimate reason is always to further His mission on this earth.  We have one responsibility at this junction and that is to continue to pray for God to lead us as to what His will is for this church. In the mean time we will continue to meet, love one another, forgive one another, sing, worship, serve, and be grateful for all that He has already done for us in such a short period of time.

I do hope you mark your calendars and plan to join us on the 26th because I promise it is going to be a very special Sunday. I hope to see all of you then.

PS Music will always be a large part of who we are. God has a plan for you!  Sincerely, and with love,  Kent Schuette  618-334-3575

Monday August 13th

I am blessed and humbled by your generosity!

I am still recouping from the big surprise last night. Wow, what a surprise. To everyone another huge thank you. I have been getting to know my new and fabulous gift this afternoon. It is almost too pretty to play. It sounds amazing.  For those of you who may not know, I am talking about a wonderful birthday gift of a new guitar given by the members of Praise Community Fellowship. It was a surprise that will last my lifetime. Thank you Wilma Jean for the delicious apple pie, what a treat!  I am a very blessed man.

My dream is simple. I want to serve the lord as your pastor. I know that I was put here in this place in this time for this purpose, that I have no doubt. I promise to always do my best to bring meaningful worship to our services. I know I have a lot to learn. Please be patient with me. Every week I critique myself very critically about what I need to do to improve, to make my self clearer, more interesting, more uplifting, but most of all I rely on the Holy Spirit to help me.

My goal is to help bring people into a relationship with Jesus. A relationship that is so real that no matter what one is facing they will know that it is going to be OK. A relationship that removes doubt and fear from peoples lives.  That relationship is possible and real. You don't need me to have such a relationship but if I can be of assistance then I too will be blessed.

So what is on the horizon?  
Raise the Praise Rehearsal starts soon.
Our next service will be on August 26th at 6:30. Eden Band will be providing the worship music.
I look forward to seeing you then.  

God really does have a plan for your life!     Love, Kent

Bluegrass Sunday

Just a reminder, this coming Sunday, August 12th at 6:30 Praise Community Fellowship will be meeting for a wonderful fun filled, good old fashioned Bluegrass Music Sunday. This will also be a communion service. We had a great time at practice tonight, Jack and the girls are wonderful. Come and join us for great fellowship, music, message and communion.   God has a plan for you!  Sincerely, Kent

REMINDER:  We will NOT have service this Sunday. We will meet next Sunday August the 12th. This will be a communion Sunday and we will be starting at 6:30 pm so mark your calendars.

We will be enjoying a bluegrass Sunday with music provided by Jack Tweston and friends. I hope you can come and be a part of this wonderful family of friends. There will be pickin and grinnin  and some real foot stomping gospel music going on.

My  sermon is going to tackle a few tough questions that come up when you read some of the old testament like why did God tell Joshua to go and destroy the inhabitants of the promise land and how in the world can that relate to us today?  Part of the message will cover the salvation message so it would be a good Sunday to bring in friends and family who may need a little "Hope" in their lives. I promise it won't be a Downer message but a message that may change the way you look and think about things in this life.

Then on August 26th I am going to have a very special surprise during the service. It has to do with a special guest and a special message, thats all I am saying for now. 

Hope to see everyone next Sunday at 6:30. Be blessed.  Love, Kent