We’ll be using our time together this Sunday starting at 10 am to worship and then go out and serve. This is a great opportunity to encourage and build each other up as we invest in community together and share stories of how God has and is working in our lives. This will also be an incredible way to serve our community and present the Gospel message. Take a look at Colossians 4:2-6 where we get some encouragement and direction. We are first and foremost directed to devote ourselves to prayer and be aware of what God is doing in and around us. Take time to pray with your group as you go out and serve and keep open eyes to see the Gospel opportunities God will present while you’re serving. Colossians encourages us that going out and serving will open doors for the story of Christ to be shared and for us to proclaim confidently what God has done in our lives. We are encouraged to be wise in how we treat outsiders and to make the most of every opportunity we have. Finally we’re encouraged to let our conversations always be full of grace so that we are salt and light to a fallen world.

Join us this morning as we grow in our faith. Join us as we grow in our community. Join us as we love and serve.
Join us this morning as we Live the Sermon!

​~Dan Grenier

​What pleases God? This seems like such an obvious question with an obvious answer. Sacrifice seems to be an important part of this. Solomon once sacrificed 1,000 animals! However, later on the Israelites are faced with prophets that begin condemning them for the way they have turned from God. They find out from the prophet Micah, in 6:6-8, that the Lord isn’t pleased with burnt offerings or incredible sacrifices, the Lord is pleased when we act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him. We desire to learn from this and live it out here at Central. We desire to give sacrifices with the same heart Abel had as he gave his best to God. One of the ways we do this is by emphasizing the importance of serving our community. We desire for each of you to live lives of service that are evident and visible to those around you. We also invite you to join us in community as we look for ways to love and serve our community selflessly and sacrificially. Next Sunday, June 30th, is Live the Sermon day. Join us as we act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly alongside God to love and serve those in our Lufkin community.

~Dan Grenier

​My experience in college changed my life. During my first year at University of Wyoming and the following three years at Abilene Christians University I grew as a follower of Christ in leaps and bounds. I sought after God in new and unique ways with perseverance and intentionality and I constantly looked for and took action to serve and love others. I was always a good person but during my time in college I made it a priority to become a fol-lower of Christ. I could describe all the things that brought me to this point and led me through it but instead I’ll de-scribe the one thing that consistently comes to mind that helped me grow. Community. God placed incredible men and women of God in my life that inspired, challenged, encouraged, and convicted me to grow as a follower of Christ. Mentors that constantly poured into me. Intentional friendships that were devoted to each other not just our-selves. Being surrounded by Christian community changed my life. We encourage you to experience this today. It’s not always easy though. Read 1 Thessalonians 2:8-12 and see how Paul describes the way he helped create community. Community is full of challenges but here at Central we desire for it to be full of God as well!

​~Dan Grenier

I remember my first crush. We went to preschool together, our moms were good friends, and we spent quite a bit of time together. But when I started kindergarten, we lost touch and I didn’t take much effort to continue the relationship. This was a bit of a pattern for me all the way through college. There were a lot of girls I had crushes on but they never turned into much because I didn’t pursue them. Something changed after college as I got to know a new girl and felt God leading me toward a different way of pursuing a girl. I learned what it means to fight and sacrifice for someone. My pursuit showed this girl how much she meant to me and I eventually married her. But the pursuit hasn’t ended, it’s gotten even stronger. Every day I choose to pursue her.

Here at Central we relentlessly follow Jesus. Take a look at 1 John 2:1-6. We desire to know God and to be with Him. 1 John tells us that this isn’t a simple pursuit. Following Jesus and knowing God is a lifelong pursuit that demands we obey His commands and walk as Jesus walked.

This takes relentlessly following Jesus and choosing, every day, to pursue God.

~Dan Grenier

We relentlessly follow Jesus Christ to strengthen lives, build relationships, and serve our community to the glory of God.

• What might it look like for you to take up your cross and follow Christ here in Lufkin?
• What sacrifices might you need to make? What priorities might you need to change?
• What leadership opportunities is God calling you to step into?

Join with us in prayer as we move into a new season here at Central and seek God’s calling on our lives to be part of His mission!

​~Dan Grenier