Canaan Baptist Family Blog

“Ask and you will receive that your joy may be full…”

John 16:24

On Sunday School Sunday we were challenged by Jesus’ Model to multiply our classes. Remember that the Lord spent three years preparing the disciples for the time He would send them out to change their world. Effectively Christ was multiplying His small group by twelve! If we’re to double the joy we experience sometime in the coming year we need to be deliberate. Let me suggest a few tried and true steps.

Decide – the Shepherd must lead the class to commit.

Date it – choose a date to work towards multiplying.

Disciple – enlist an apprentice and prepare them.             

Do it! – multiply your joy and celebrate the birth!

Healthy classes that birth new units see themselves in the mirror in one year to 18 months. Twice as many folks experiencing the blessings you enjoy today.

We launched our Season of Discovery this past Sunday evening. How rewarding it is to see so many gathering to discover their unique giftedness and place in the Body of Christ. There’s still time for you and your class to join us this Sunday evening. I’m praying you will commit to three Sunday’s to discover how the Father has uniquely wired you and the fulfillment that awaits as you plug in His Body.

Please pray for our Summer/Fall TOUCH Training Camp. We’re encouraged by the good turnout. Your intercession is critical for each of our teams. Please pray for that the Lord of the harvest will lead us to the homes we need to visit and for the relationships that will be forged over the next seven weeks.

Don’t forget to take the opportunity during August to encourage Bro Jeff, Kristie and their precious family. It has been a real joy to have the Stith’s to be an integral part of our team. Share your appreciation through a card or gift.

Finally I want to mention a few things from this past Sunday. Despite all the distractions God showed up in a marvelous way! How we rejoice in the increased attendance and the wonderful harvest the Spirit is bringing. I hope you’ll take to heart the challenge God gave us Sunday to invest in an unchurched neighbor or friend this coming year. Only heaven will be able to record the results if we’re intentional with our evangelism.

Remember to contact absentees weekly!

Your grateful partner in the Journey,

Bro Morgan

Greetings Prayer Warriors,

You may hear that Bro. Morgan experienced a set back last night after services. He did go to the doctor’s office today and found that this is normal for what he’s going through. The doctor sent him home with medication that should help deplete the symptoms he was having. Please continue to keep him and Mrs. Ritta in your prayers. Our God is an awesome God. He reigns and is still in control.

Church Family and Friends,

Words cannot express our appreciation for the incredible outpouring of support and prayers on our behalf. Truly my family and I remain humbled and grateful. Apparently the Father is expanding the canvas for a portrait of His Grace in my life. We didn’t hear the report we hoped for but we’re confident God is still at work. The good news is that the cancer remains contained in the liver and the spots we found on our last visit haven’t grown. However, the scan revealed three more new spots. They all remain small at this time one centimeter or less. This development changes the strategy somewhat. We still will get our quarterly cat scans, the next on October 14th. If we don’t find many more spots in subsequent scans we’ll consider surgery with oblasion (sp). Chemo theropy is still not an immediate option since these tumors don’t typically respond well to chemo. We’ll try to keep the blog updated with any news. Please continue to pray. We’re resting in God’s will but remain confident that nothing is too hard for Him.

Grateful for Grace,

Bro Morgan

2 Corinthians 2:14

“We shall all be changed - in moment,

In the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.”

1 Corinthians 15:51-52

This past Sunday was an exhilarating beginning to new Sermon Series – When the Last Trumpet Sounds! I’m looking forward to sharing insight from God’s Word each Sunday concerning the major themes of the end times. This past Sunday we explored the jubilant exodus of the church in the rapture. This Sunday we’ll discuss the Judgment Seat of Christ – Cause for Concern. Messages on Last Things is a topic that peaks the interest of the unchurched. Let’s seize the opportunity to invite them!

It’s hard to believe but our new church year is fast approaching! Our Shepherd (SS teacher) enlistment is in full swing. Please be in prayer that the Holy Spirit would lead us to those with a passion for shepherding members of all ages. Our annual equipping for all teachers and workers is Sunday August 1^st. Planning for this special day takes the better part of a year. Please make your plans to be in attendance now.

Daily our headlines are full of unsettling stories from every sphere of life. You can choose from a litany of subjects ranging from our government, environment, economy and the war on terror. People are uncertain about the future! Well we have the answer – His Name is Jesus! Sunday, July 25^th is our next TOUCH Commitment Sunday. I’m praying (as I do every training camp) that every class will be represented. I hope the Lord of the Harvest can count on you and your class.

Let’s remember to contact absentees weekly,

Your grateful partner in the Journey,

Bro Morgan

“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid (hinder) them; for such is the kingdom of God”

Matthew 19:14

All the preparation, prayer, perspiration and participation for VBS paid off in huge Kingdom dividends! Too God be the glory! I want to take this opportunity again to thank our 90+ workers and our leadership team led by director Angela Price and Bro Russ. Many of our workers took vacations to be able to work in VBS! The sacrifice of our Faith Family continues to move the heart of this pastor. Probably over 140 children participated in Saddle Ridge Ranch. They collected nearly $500 for missions (given to the Cooperative Program). Our Family Night with horse whisperer Chance Hill was a huge success with over 300 in attendance. Most importantly we witnessed twelve children have their lives transformed through VBS! Only heaven will be able to record the harvest that will come through all the seeds planted this past week. Let me remind us that the work is not over. It’s time now to cultivate relationships with those unchurched families that God has introduced us to.

This year July the 4^th falls on Sunday and we have an incredible Faith and Freedom celebration planned. Our choir has prepared a patriotic musical that will move all of us. Mae has been compiling for months a pictorial program to honor our veterans. As always we’ll have a time in our services to honor veterans that are in attendance. God’s given me a message that will stir our hearts. You’ll not want to miss Jeff’s special. I hope you’ll make plans to be in church and invite as many folks as possible to join you for this God and Country service.

This Sunday evening at 6 PM is our Annual Men’s Cake Auction for missions in the FLC. This is always an entertaining time of fellowship for our church family. We’ll have judges present to select the best cakes. All the proceeds go to help offset the cost of mission trips for our people.

It’s enlistment time for our SS Shepherds. I hope that you’ll prayerfully consider saying “yes” as you’re contacted. What an incredible privilege to impact lives for the kingdom through Sharing Life.

Let’s not forget to contact absentees weekly (building relationships) and everyone monthly in our SS classes.

Your grateful partner for the Journey,

Bro Morgan

“He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of the darkness…”

Psalm 107:13-14

I’m grateful to be a Believer and a Baptist! It was exciting to participate in this year’s Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando Florida. It’s rewarding to see all that God is doing through our Convention, Churches and missionaries in North America and around the world. Worshipping with 12,000+ messengers led by a 1,000 member choir stirs the soul and gives one a glimpse of glory! The Father’s anointing continues to be upon Southern Baptists as we touch the world for His glory.

Jesus is building His Church in the most unusual places around the world! There is a church growth explosion in Communist China. By some estimates conversions are in the millions across the Muslim world stretching from Indonesia through Africa. Revival fires are burning in South America. Yet in the West were the greatest freedom and resources reside the church remains static and even on the decline. While the persecuted church around the globe offers their faith and obedience to Jesus in the most difficult of situations we seem satisfied to tip God out of our abundance. No one can argue the need for a Great Commission Resurgence – making the main thing the main thing!

The greatly debated Great Commission Resurgence Task Force Report was overwhelmingly passed at the convention. As I shared with the church on the Wednesday before the convention my main concern was tenant #3. Fortunately after much debate the Cooperative Program was returned to its rightful place as Southern Baptists preeminent channel of Great Commission giving. The report now goes to the trustees of the effected entities for them to implement the changes over the next couple of years. I am confident that God has spoken through His people. We must now close our ranks and be about the business of penetrating the darkness!

Father’s Day turned out to be a glorious celebration! God’s House was full and His Spirit fell as we reviewed the resume of a faithful father – Joshua. I hope you’ll make plans to be with us this Sunday as we consider The Myth of Evolution. Bring your bible and an unchurched friend.

VBS Saddleback Ranch is in full swing! We got off to a wonderful beginning Monday. How grateful I am to Angela and Russ’ for their leadership and the small army of faithful workers who minister to our kids. Join me in praying for the harvest. Don’t forget to make your plans to be with us Thursday evening to see Chance Hill the Horse Whisper! Be sure to invite you unchurched family and friends to join you.

The numbers continue to grow as teachers commit to participate in the Shepherd’s Touch – Committing to contact absentees weekly. If your class hasn’t signed up make the commitment this Sunday to build relationships.

Your grateful partner in the Journey,

Bro Morgan

Freedom is not Free

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord”

Psalm 33:12

Sunday we’ve prepared a special Memorial Day service to remember veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for the liberty we enjoy.  It’s important that we reflect on the sacrifices that have been made on our behalf. Periodically we should be reminded that freedom is not free. This will be a special time honor those veterans and their families.

The primary election season is in full swing. June 1^st our church is transformed into a polling center. It’s also a time to welcome the community onto our campus. May we take our responsibility seriously to be Christian Citizen’s. Understand the issues, research the candidates and then vote according to our Christian values. Pray that we will be a nation God can again bless – “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord!”

Let me introduce our new Wednesday focus called The Sunday Connection. Each Wednesday we begin at 6:30 with a brief time of worship. On June 2^nd I’ll launch a new study. We’ll overview the lesson for the vast majority of our Sunday School classes. This will help prepare teachers in every department from preschool through seniors. It will also whet the appetite of every member to get in the word and study the lesson for Sunday. This could inject some exciting participation in each of our classes! If you’ve not been in the habit of coming on Wednesdays I hope you’ll consider joining us.

Let me remind you about our Shepherd’s Touch emphasis for the summer. I’m praying that every class from Preschool through our Seniors will commit to updating their rolls and contacting every absentee weekly. Teachers can enlist members to help them contact weekly through calls, cards, e-mails, visits and prayer. Each Sunday I’ll highlight a different aspect of this important concept.

Patriot and Evangelist Tim Lee will be with us Sunday evening June 13^th. God is using Bro Tim mightily to see scores come to faith in Christ. For us to see a harvest we must begin now inviting our unchurched family and friends! Will you join me in praying and working for the harvest?

What a joy to be your pastor & friend! Let me thank each of you for daily praying for our healing. We join you in expecting God to work supernaturally!

Your grateful partner in the Journey,

Bro Morgan

Bro. Morgan had his scan this past Thursday.  The scan did show two spots on his liver.  The doctor’s opinion is to watch it for three months and repeat the scan to see if anything has changed.  As Bro. Morgan echoed yesterday, God still is in control and using this time in his (and our) life to show His grace and love to others!  Thanks for your continued prayers for our pastor and Mrs. Ritta!

Hobby Christianity

“So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold not hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth…”

Jesus (Rev 3:16)

This past Sunday I coined a phrase that makes us all squirm a little. I wonder if the church in our western culture doesn’t treat their Faith like a hobby. A hobby is something we enjoy doing in our spare time. Hobbies often consume us with real passion. But at times the business of life pushes them to the back burner and they remain in storage only collecting dust. For a season many are passionate about God but then life seems to push our faith to the proverbial back burner. Christ is not indifferent about our indifference – it sickens Him! May we heed the admonition of the Apostle Paul and daily be filled with the Holy Spirit walking circumspectly in wisdom redeeming the time (Eph 5:15-18). Genuine Christianity is not a hobby it’s our life.

Sunday was another stellar day for the Family of Families! Our attendance continues to creep upwards, the Spirit punctuates our services, your enthusiasm for God is contagious and God sees fit to add to His Family. I believe our children’s musical was another milestone in the life of our church. How the children (and our pirate) blessed our hearts! I believe decisions were made for God’s Kingdom. I want to personally thank our children, their leaders, the many helpers and especially Kristie for here leadership. God used each of you wonderfully!

Our Annual Family Fun Day on May 2^nd is less than two weeks away! This will be a wonderful time of relaxed fellowship (Sharing Life) for our Family. Our theme this year is the Great Sunday school Challenge. We’re asking you and your SS class to begin now inviting your unchurched neighbors and inactive members to join us. As we reach each of our attendance goals 525, 550 and 575 a staff member will be dunked by the winning class! After we eat we’ll enjoy the SS challenge between departments in our relay races for each age group. Again the winning departments will have the privilege of dunking some of our staff. Wouldn’t it be wonderful for the community to discover real joy and for souls to be saved along the way?! Let’s all get behind this great opportunity.

Thank you church family for your incredible support! We have felt so loved through your recognition of our 4^th anniversary at Canaan. We also are uplifted by your prayers as we enter the next phase of our Journey with cancer. Our prayer is that we remain a portrait of God’s amazing Grace. We love and appreciate each of you!

Don’t forget our Quarterly Membership Class Sunday at 3:30PM. Please encourage our new members and opportunities to join us!

Your grateful partner for the Journey,

Morgan