August 2019

Dear Friends of Rockwood:

I am rejoicing greatly that I have finished my three months of cardio-therapy.  The course was daunting, but proved to be very helpful and productive.  My medical numbers have never been so good in decades, and this is attributed to implementing more control of diet and exercise.  Your prayers have impacted my life and I thank you very much. This has been a particularly challenging year for many in our body here at Rockwood and I am so grateful to serve with a fellowship that is seeking God’s will and prayerfully upholding one another: “thanks be to God who causes us to triumph through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1Cor 15:57.

On Sundays we are continuing our study in Paul’s letter to the Galatians.  This letter was written to refocus the church which was losing its spiritual vibrancy due to the legalistic dogma Satan was introducing to the church through false Judaistic teachers.  Legalism will always use God’s Word as a club, while grace will bring us to liberty and out from under this bondage. In the way of practical application the law will be satisfied with outward conformity, whereas grace will find fulfillment in inward fruit.  We are called to bear fruit which gives us our outward witness for Christ in this world.  Hope you can join us as we explore God’s cardio-therapy (walking in His Spirit) and seek to boost our spiritual numbers to new heights.

It has been a long time coming, but the inside renovation of the church has finally begun.  The white trim and paint has already given us a fresh new look.  The changes in the seating and flooring are in the planning stages and have not fully been determined.  There is significant angst about replacing the pews with chairs and the church leadership is listening to suggestions and proposals as no hard, fast decision has been made.  The same can be said about flooring; should we pursue new carpet or the possibility of a newer style wood floor.  In both of these projects we are seeking estimated costs and the logistics if we try to do the work.  Please do not hesitate to contact us and give us your input as we are hoping to solidify our direction before October.

We have some fun stuff coming up in the second half of this year.  Connect Meeting will get started up again with “The Blue Bell Ice Cream Blowout” at 5 pm on August 25^th  at the Gandillon’s home and “The Eureka Community Barbeque” toward the end of September.   Pastor Fred Hendricks is planning for our Annual Pulpit Exchange with Alton Bible Church is scheduled for November 3^rd .  And we will also have Dr Bryan Sharp with Gentile Ministries coming to Rockwood on November 10^th.  Dr. Sharp is one of the most connected Christian workers ministering first hand with Israel and its leaders.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for you know your labor is not in vain in the Lord.  I Cor 15:58

Serving You in the Joy of Our Lord,

Pastor Pete Patton

Pastor Charles “Pete” Patton    2425 Glencoe Rd, Wildwood, MO 63038