Ministries:
Adult | Teens | Children

Pastor's Pen's:
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001

Sermon Series:
Following Jesus
Earthly Cross
His Name Is
Apostles Creed
Dealing with Feelings
Jonah
Get Real
Promised Land Living

Grace Church
257 Kendall Street
Burlington, WI 53105

(262) 763-3021

Email:
Pastor Scott Carson

Secretary Patti Hall

PASTOR'S PENS 2003

Grace Church of Burlington September 21, 2003       "Courtesy is simply doing unto others what you would like them to do unto you."                                           Anonymous             According to one Roper study, common courtesy is making a comeback. How we live in relation to one another is becoming increasingly important, even in our parenting. Growing numbers of Americans say that parents need to teach their children good behavior. The Bible continually commands us to "love our neighbors as ourselves." Courtesy and politeness are the frontline for demonstrating this love. One of the first symptoms of deterioration in any relationship is when common courtesy begins to disappear. When spouses (or friends) no longer say please or thank you to another, the relationship is headed toward trouble. Courtesy is the oil that keeps relationships running smoothly and keeps friction to a minimum. Yet, because they too easily fall by the wayside, periodically we need to check our manners meter to see how we are doing, and potentially make the necessary adjustments.             A local church according to Scripture is a big family. You and I are brothers and sisters in Christ. At Grace, we too need to periodically check out our good manners meter to see how we are doing. So, how can we demonstrate brotherly and sisterly love to one another in this area of courtesy at Grace?             1) Be on time. When something is important to us, we’re prompt and even early. Tardiness is usually a symptom of both poor priorities and poor planning. The worship service involves greeting, affirming and encouraging your other brothers and sisters. While late you will still be able to participate in part of the singing and hear the message and will receive a blessing, you miss out, though, on the opportunity and privilege of being a blessing to others. It’s vital, too, that Nursery workers, worship team members and Sunday School teachers be early so that are able to focus and be prepared for ministry. And please be thoughtful of our nursery workers and mid-week ministers by being prompt in picking up your children afterwards.               2) Don’t eat and run. Make sure that you greet those around you. Engage them in conversation. Seek to be a blessing. Find out their needs and burdens. In God’s providence you might be sitting near to someone who really needs a tender touch from another believer that day.               3) Lend a hand. God has been so good to us in that we have a reciprocal relationship with Cooper Elementary. The school is very kind to us. All it costs us is a little sweat equity each week. What a blessing!! Many churches pay big bucks for what has been "given" to us. Obviously, we must buy land and build. In the interim we need to be good guests. Every week we need help with tear-down (and set-up if it is your ABF’s turn). We also need to pick up after ourselves and be careful with their property. Hopefully, it goes without saying that we should never use items or rooms that we don’t have permission to use (i.e., no one should ever be in the kitchen or use their kitchen utensils).                        4) Be thoughtful. If for some reason you have the rare occasion to be late (hopefully, very rare), please stand at the back if prayer, special music, or Scripture reading are taking place. Our ushers have been instructed to not let people seat themselves during those three aspects of the Worship Service. Also, please do not set up chairs. That’s our ushers’ responsibility (and the usher’s union will file a grievance if you do their job ). Then, please make certain that your children have taken care of all biological functions prior to the service.              Please too, if you attended first service and have music or other responsibilities during second service, make certain that your children/teenagers wait inside the gym for you. Recently, we’ve had several young folk wandering the halls during second service. They need to be in the gym during the service or until you are ready to leave. Also, if you attended first service, once second service (or the ABF in the gym has started), please move to the foyer. Too many times people do not realize how loud they are talking and how much of a distraction they are from worship.              5) Roll out the red carpet. Every week we have newcomers. Let’s leave the first few parking spaces near the door for them. And be sensitive to those who may be new. Make yourself a committee of one to make them feel welcome! If they have younger children, please make sure that they know that we have a nursery and children’s church. If they do not have a newcomer’s packet, please get them one. And make sure that they received a bulletin. God brings many seekers our way and we want to make certain that we are helping them find the Kingdom, not being hindrances to it!