Sunday was a bad weather day, and our evening assembly was canceled. Many were unable to get here for Sunday morning Bible class and worship assembly, but we did have a decent crowd all things considered. The sermon Sunday, “Wrestling with Truth,” was a call to consider our commitment to following God’s truth. It was Pilate, while interrogating Jesus, who asked the question, “What is truth?” (John 8:36-38) Interestingly enough, Jesus had already answered that question in His time with the disciples before His arrest.

• “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
• “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17)

It is Christ who is the truth; it is God’s Word that is the truth.

I sincerely hope that if you were unable to be a part of our assembly this past Sunday that you will go to our web site, southforkcofc.org and download and listen to this message. If you were here, you know the depth and significance of what was covered, and may be interested in listening again. The outline is in the Family Page that was emailed last week. I’ll be glad to send you a Word outline that I preached from if you would like one.

This leads us into some thoughts on our Commitment Sunday which is this Sunday.

You are to be commended for your giving in 2013! After being over $30K short on our giving in 2012, our shepherds got together with our deacons and other ministry leaders and worked on a budget that was more in line with our commitment and plan to give. This year our giving is right on course with our budget. And we see your generosity in other ways, such as the tremendous outpouring for some of the needy families in our community whose children are at South Fork Elementary School.

Commitment Sunday is the time for us to prayerfully consider our giving for 2014. Each family unit will receive a Commitment Card to enable our leaders to better plan for our ministries for the coming year. The completed cards need to be returned to the elders no later than Sunday, Dec. 29^th.

The principles stated in 2 Corinthians 8-9 are a good place to look to as we consider this important time in our individual faith journey and in our plans for the Lord’s work here in 2014. Here’s a part of that great passage, which I would encourage each of us to read carefully over the next two weeks.

⁶ Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.⁸ And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ⁹ As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” ¹⁰ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹ You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God…¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! [2 Cor. 9:6-11, 15]