Pastor Garrett's Greetings
Good afternoon, Beloved!
I (Pastor Garrett, the Youth Pastor here at Calvary) wanted to try something a little different with you all and send out a regular email just to fill you in on things. Furthermore, I want to be able to visit with you all about various things and give everyone the opportunity to reach out to me to ask questions if need be.
This past Sunday, we heard from Bill Grisham on the topic of prayer. I hope it was encouraging and convicting to each of you. Jasmyn (my wife) was especially moved to be more intentional in prayer, which was very convicting to me as well. We have decided to make some more dedicated time for prayer with one another and the kids. Prayer is undoubtedly one of the intimate ways in which we live out the Kingdom of God with one another. Christians really ought to be marked by a rich prayer life, shouldn’t we?
This past weekend, we also saw snow!! Now, for some of you, that may not have been the most desired thing, but we Shrouders sure did love it! Take a look at that snowman Jasmyn and the kids built in the picture below. I missed being able to build it with them as I was away at drill for the weekend. On that particular note, I ask that you all be in prayer for the soldiers in my unit as they spin up for another rotation to Africa later this year. Deployments are never easy for the soldiers or their families, and my ministry within the 437th has been marked by efforts to encourage them as they prepare for it.
A couple more things to share with you… First, as many of you may already be aware, we are going to have the church building closed on Fridays during these 8 weeks of Andy’s sabbatical (and maybe going forward). There are many reasons for this, which I am happy and readily willing to share, so please reach out to me to talk about it if you would like. Regarding this point, however, I do want you all to know that the work of the ministry will NEVER be affected by this. We love you. I love you. It is important, however, that workers of the ministry exemplify all biblical principles that should be lived out in the faith, especially that of true rest. I hope that offering a 2 day weekend (Friday and Saturday) to those who work full time within the church building will allow them to exercise this kind of rest well and, therefore, continue to have rich and broad ministry experiences with you all.
Lastly, we have a couple of folks within the church who are in need of groceries. Food, toiletries (toilet paper, paper towels, etc), and anything else you are willing to give to them is greatly appreciated. Please bring the donations to the church building and get with either myself or Evelyn. On this note, I want to tell you that if you have a need or know of someone who does (WITHIN THE CHURCH), please share that with me. Whether it be for donations or visitations or whatever, I am dedicated to making sure people’s needs are met within our body of believers so that we can meet the needs of the broader community we are in.
Please remember the Baptist Men on Mission in your prayers as they just left for Western North Carolina this morning (Butch Coons, Greg Edwards, Lee Gibson, Parker McKeel, Brian Simmons, George Smiley, and Jackson Taylor). Please remember Martha Wilson and her family in your prayers as she begins physical rehab and the long road to healing. Please remember Francis and Ray Brabble, as well as their family. It does not seem like Francis will be with us on this side of Eternity for much longer. God has blessed her with a long life, but death is always a sting. Please be in prayer for those who are spiritually or emotionally wounded within the church. If this is one of you, know this: You are heard. You are known. You are loved. Be in praise for the richness of ministry we have here at Calvary, for the outreach efforts that are so prevalent, for the faithfulness of the Saints here, for the young children that have been born in the past year and the ones that are coming soon, for Christ, and for His Kingdom.
Fight sin. Oppose evil. Stand firm in the Faith.
In Love, we change the world TOGETHER. (John 13:34-35)
-Pastor Garrett Shrouder
“Pro Deo et Sua Patria.”
P.S. Feel free to contact me at the church office during regular duty hours from 0830-1600 Monday-Thursday. Or at the church building during services on Wednesdays from 1800-2000, and Sundays from 0830-1230 and 1700-1900. You can also call or text me directly on my cell phone at (970) 888-4519 or email me at garrett.shrouder@calvarybaptistchurchrr.com. The point is… DO NOT hesitate to contact me about anything you might need to speak about!