Happy summer! This is Sarah, I’d like to get you caught up on what is new here in Goffstown, NH at Restore Church. A month ago, on Father’s Day at our morning gathering, we were challenged about the Biblical roles of fathers being the leaders of their homes. After that a group of us hiked up one of the Uncanoonuc mountains. We had a great time together and enjoyed a picnic lunch at the top.
Another highlight was a cookout we had as one of our church family members opened their home to the whole church. We ate together and then as the kids played some fun group games, the adults had a time of teaching on financial stewardship. We were challenged to be generous and joy filled givers. Since this experience we have had really encouraging feedback as people have shared how God has laid on their hearts areas where they want to give more and takes steps of faith in that area. Praise God for the sensitivity God has given to our church!
We were also blessed on a recent Sunday morning by Landon’s brother, Lonnie Clouse. Lonnie and his family were visiting from North Carolina. He shared with us about how to trust God in the midst of crisis. He used the biblical example of Daniel and his three friends to show how they responded to their trials and how God was faithful to never leave them alone. Lonnie shared how God has worked in his own life through trials of job transition and starting a new ministry called First responders 1st. Even though it was very challenging he has seen God bless and provide every step of the way! After that we had a church picnic on a very hot Sunday afternoon.
Another blessing is that we have a regular Sunday morning children’s program set up and running for babies through 6th grade. We are so thankful for the volunteers who have stepped up to teach our kids. The teachers and kids are having a great time and learning a lot together! We have had new families coming with small children so having volunteers fill these important roles has been so encouraging.
This month we are taking an “official” break from our small group gathering. The plan is to try to make time for other ministry opportunities to engage with the community. One way we did this was by having a backyard movie night. We had a group of church friends and neighbors over to watch “I Can Only Imagine” It was a fun to be together and make new connections. The other small group has decided to continue their gatherings this month and they are gathering food for the Goffstown food pantry. We are also gathering supplies to make backpacks to hand out to homeless people in the city of Manchester. We are so thankful for the ways we have seen this family of believers help each other, love each other and encourage one another and extend that love beyond to their friends, neighbors and coworkers. We plan to multiply and have a new small gathering start up in August.
As you can see God has answered many prayers and is growing His church in Goffstown. We know He is able to do more than we could ask or think. Landon and I were beyond surprised a few weeks ago at an unexpected gift the church presented to us so that we could go out for dinner and a getaway overnight without our kids. We felt so loved and appreciated that they would take care of us in such a thoughtful way.
Please pray for more gospel opportunities, for unity and patience with one another in our body. We know the church is a people that have been called to be in close loving relationships, but we need Gods help. Thanks for praying!