May 16, 2025, 3:00 PM
Greetings in Christ, and I pray you've had a good week so far!
I've noticed something about people: we humans are a lot better at mourning with folks when they are experiencing tough times than celebrating with people when good things happen to them.
I was reminded of this behavior earlier this week when reading the story of the Prodigal Son found in the Gospel of Luke.
The younger son wanted his inheritance early. He took it and blew it on "wine, women, and song" in a far away country. He came to his senses, the Bible says, and finally came home. Rather than rebuke, he was greeted with love and joy from the father. The father threw a party. The older brother, who had been at home the entire time, was angry and would not participate in the celebration.
Why? Probably the same reason we have a hard time doing the same. We are too prideful, too self-centered, and not very forgiving.
Let's all learn to not be like the older brother/son. Let's love and be content with who God made us to be. Stop the comparison game. You'll only stay disappointed and never at peace as long as you continue to play it!
Speaking of celebrating, here's something to celebrate: This coming Sunday (05.18.25) at First Christian Church, we will be ordaining Rafaelito Fraden for Christian ministry.
Rafaelito has been with us at FCC for 10 years. For many of those years, he has faithfully served the church as a Deacon.
In early 2024, myself and the Elders asked Rafaelito to serve as our Worship Minister.
Prior to coming to Kentucky, he has a lengthy history of Christian service.
Rafaelito was born in the Dominican Republic, but was raised in New York City where his father was a minister.
In New York City, Rafaelito served in youth and funeral ministries through his local church. Eventually, he left NYC to help start Spanish-speaking churches in Virginia.
What exactly does this ordantion mean?
Here at FCC, we follow the New Testament precedent to formally and publicly set apart dedicated and prepared people for special leadership offices in the Lord’s church.
This ordination will not impart any special powers or privileges to Rafaelito or make him any better than anyone else.
It does mean, however, that we at FCC are recommending Rafaelito to Christian brothers and sisters everywhere as a person of high moral character who has been adequately prepared for leadership in Christian ministry.
I pray that we would support Rafaelito, pray for him, and stand behind him as he continues to grow as a Christian leader.
One last thing to note is that we are planning on having a Vacation Bible School at FCC for kids 3 years old through 5th grade coming up next month.
We'll have a kickoff on Saturday, June 21st (11 am-1 pm). VBS will then take place nightly from 6:30 - 8:30 pm from June 23rd-26th.
This is a very big deal! Please PRAY!
As you probably already realize, we do not have very many children attending here at FCC.
Our prayer is that we would be able to begin a children's ministry as a result of our VBS.
I encourage you to REACH OUT to any young families with children around you and invite them!
We also have flyers available. Please take one and post it where a lot of eyes will notice.
God Bless, have a great weekend, and I look forward to seeing you at FCC on Sunday!
In Him,
Greg H.
