Transformation Means Letting Go

This sounds similar to what Paul wrote to a church in the city of Philippi. In helping people focus on the goal of growing to spiritual maturity he wrote, “I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
We read that growing requires a forward focus and a willingness to let go—to risk the security of the present, in order to realize the benefits of further growth.
As we transition to the two-worship-service schedule detailed here, we have an opportunity to “forget what lies behind and reach forward” to the next chapter of ministry for First Federated Church and spiritual growth individually and collectively. This can be an exciting time as we build into the future. It can also be a time that causes apprehension and fear.
“Forgetting what lies behind” involves the risk of letting go of the present for an unknown future. The security of the known can seem to be threatened. However, as former Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas said, “Security can only be achieved through constant change, through discarding old ideas that have outlived their usefulness and adapting others to current facts.”
Letting go of the security of the present for an uncertain future feels risky, but isn’t that what faith in God is all about?

Sunday Mornings

Starting May 3, 2009

9:10–10:25am

Combined Traditional / Celebration Service | Auditorium
Concurrent children, youth and adult ministry programming
• *Infant & Preschool programming remains in the same rooms at the same times
• *K–4th Sunday School | Drop off in gym
• Xtreme AM (Grade 5–6) | Room 205
• Heirborn (7th–12th Grade) | The Backdoor
• Adult
-College/HUB
-Channel ABF
-Connections ABF
-Small Groups
-Foundational Electives

10:45–Noon

The River at First Federated Church | Franklin Hall
Concurrent children, youth and adult ministry programming
• *Infant & Preschool programming remains in the same rooms at the same times
• *KZ Church (Kindergarten–4th grade) | Room 240
• 5th & 6th Grade options:
-Serve as part of the KZ Crew
-Take part in a small group study/class
-Serve as a preschool helper (with their parent)
• Heirborn (7th–12th Grade)
-Take part in a small group study/class
-Serve in the Children’s Ministry
• Adult
-Homebuilders ABF
-Cornerstone ABF
-Ezra ABF
-Koinonia ABF
-Galilean ABF
-Immanuel ABF
-Friendly Fellowship ABF
-Who ABF
-Women’s ABF
-Men’s ABF
-Worship ABF
-Ecclesiastes Elective
-Foundational Electives

*Children’s Ministry programming will run concurrently with each worship service and be scheduled for the full hour and 15 minutes. There will be no children’s dismissal from either service.
At 10:30, parents of Kindergarten–4th grade will pick up their children from their classrooms