Brethren,
Greetings.
Peace, mercy, and grace be with you all from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Spring is in full swing, and we've enjoyed a great month of association. The work here is quite vibrant. We hope that all is well with all of you.
Working with the Brethren
April was a fantastic month for association with brethren; events surrounding the spring lectureship and during the lectureship provided plenty of opportunity for brethren to work together and spend time together. The month proved to be very beneficial.
Mark (the preacher for the lectureship, as explained below) and I were able to visit many brethren during the lectureship and tried to strengthen them.
Some of the brethren are suffering challenges in their marital relationships. One couple came forward to recommit themselves to the Lord, to the brethren, and especially to each other; we will begin going through a series on love and respect in a marriage relationship to help them work through some of their difficulties. Unfortunately, another couple as of now has separated, and there is apparent immorality involved. We seek your prayers for that situation, especially since young children are in the middle of it.
One of our younger ladies also came forward for encouragement and guidance to help her boyfriend understand the need to be right with the Lord, and we intend to do all that we can to assist in that situation.
Despite some setbacks and challenges, the brethren remain strong and committed to the Lord, to each other, and to the promotion of the Kingdom.
Lessons and Classes
Beyond our lectureship (which will be discussed below), morning lessons focused on the difficulty of a lack of knowledge of God and the need we have as individuals to assist the poor. We have begun an examination into sin in the evening lessons, discussing what sin is, its consequences, and sexual immorality. The lessons, as always, are available in outline and mp3 form at norwalkchurch.org.
The adult class is being led in a study of personal evangelism, and the class on the Gospel with the 4th through 6th graders is progressing well.
There was no monthly study in April on account of the preparations for the lectureship. We may not have another one until the fall.
The ladies' Bible classes have continued, and the women are working together to find ways of improving their service to the brethren. It is quite encouraging!
Evangelism
Our evangelistic efforts in April focused mostly on the spring lectureship. We spent two Saturdays in advance of the lectureship knocking on doors, and between the two days we knocked on over 450 doors.
The lectureship went well and exceeded our expectations. Mark Hatfield, who was born in Norwalk but now works with the church in Chillicothe, Ohio, came and presented lessons on his work in Chillicothe, on teaching in the home and in the church, a presentation of the big picture of the Bible, and the five lessons of the lectureship: what God has to say about security, finances, the environment, immigration, and family values. Member attendance was quite strong, and we were very pleased to have eleven community visitors with us during the lectureship. One of these visitors came on account of our door-knocking activities, and Mark and I were able to have a study with her during the lectureship week. Souls were greatly strengthened, and we were quite happy with the format of and response to the lectureship.
The Bible Correspondence Course work continues. We were blessed to receive our first request from the posters we have placed in various public areas, and we hope to continue to expand the program.
We will continue to knock on doors monthly through the summer, to expand the Bible Correspondence Course, and to prepare for both the county fair in August and the fall lectureship in September.
Support
I would like to thank all of you for your participation in the work here in Norwalk, either through your prayers or through encouraging me or through financial support. I would like to solicit your continual prayers so that the work here may prosper.
May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits.
Response/Feedback
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