Over the past several weeks, we have been challenged by the theme for this year; Christ in us reveals Christ to our community. From the depths of my heart, it is my desire that Merrimack Valley Baptist Church will glorify God by shining the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ in our community. Maybe I should say communities, plural. We are called to shine the light of the gospel as we live in community together as brothers and sisters in Christ, but we are also called to shine the light of the gospel in our communities outside the walls of our church building. This may seem like two different responsibilities to shine the light, but I prefer to look at it as one responsibility to always shine the light of Jesus Christ. That is the message of Matthew 5:16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. There is never a time when we are supposed to take a break from shining the light. 

As we approach another time of corporate worship, I ask you to consider how the light of Jesus Christ is shining through you. I am reminded of a song by Ron Hamilton which includes the words:

When I stand before my Father

To receive my life's reward,

And my soul is bathed in God's eternal day

When this race on earth is run,

And God sees the works I've done,

More than anything I long to hear my Father say:

I saw Jesus in you,

I saw Jesus in you,

I could hear His voice in the words you said-

I saw Jesus in you,

In your eyes I saw His care,

I could see His love was there,

You were faithful,

And I saw Jesus in you,

I, too, long to hear those words when I step into the presence of God. If your neighbor sees Jesus in you, God is glorified. If our communities see Jesus in us, God is glorified. Please take a moment to speak to God in prayer and ask how He desires you to shine His light into the lives of those you interact with everyday. 

Vote on SMCA-related Constitutional Amendments

The constitutional changes related to the creation of the SMCA School Board were published for review in July and we received helpful feedback from the congregation as well as the National Center for Life and Liberty, a Christian legal organization of which we are members. The responses led us to believe that we needed to revise some aspects of the constitutional changes being presented. We are working through those revisions and will be publishing new information for the congregation to consider soon. Currently, we are anticipating the congregational vote to be held during the Business Meeting expected to be held on December 11.

Fall Discipleship Classes, Prayer Group, and Life Groups

Fall classes began last Sunday, but you can still join this Sunday at 8:45 a.m. Sign up for the Beginnings, Community, Serve classes, Sunday morning Prayer Group, or Life Groups today.

Fall Children's & Teens' Programs

Fall Sunday & Wednesday programs for children ages infant through teens entering grade 12 began this week! We’d love to have your children and/or teens join us. Click here to sign up!

Believer's Baptism

We have another opportunity for those who are interested in being baptized on Sunday, October 16. If you are interested in following the Lord in Believer's Baptism, please contact the Church Office.

Services

Sunday Worship & Sunday School @ 8:45 a.m. – In-person

Sunday Worship @ 10:30 a.m. – In-person and Livestream

Children's Sunday Programs – In-person

Wednesdays @ 6:45 p.m. – In-person and Livestream

Teen Life (MVT) @ 6:45 p.m. – In-person

AWANA@ 6:30 p.m. – In-person 

Job Postings

MVBC has part-time job opening for a Financial Assistant. Contact Dave Deselle in regards to the Financial Assistant position. 

Giving

You can still worship through giving from home. You may either mail checks to 517 Boston Post Road, Merrimack, NH 03054, or donate online here. To view last week's giving information, click here.

If you would like to give through MVBC to help some missionaries/ministries that are caring for Ukrainian refugees and their needs, please mark your giving "Ukraine Offering" online or on your offering envelopes.

Seeking to serve,

Greg Odiorne