Each year we choose a theme that will focus our hearts on our        relationship with Jesus and motivate us to the task he has given      us to do, that is, to make the Father known by sharing his Good        News.  This Good News is that God sent his Son, Jesus, to pay            the price for our sin and, if we accept his work on the cross and      trust him as our Lord and Savior, we are safe from the judgment      of sin.

    This year our theme is: “Growing in Christ.”  Jesus said much            about what it meant to be a disciple.  In Matthew 28:19-20, he          gave us a job to carry out.  We are to “make disciples” that are        growing and walking with God.  To make healthy disciples, we          must first be one ourselves.  Just like any relationship both people need to work at getting to know each other better and better.  Of course, God knows us intimately for he created us and provided the way to be rescued from the condemnation of sin.  We need to work at knowing our heavenly Father.  He has graciously provided his Bible to teach us about him and what his ways look like            (II Timothy 3:16-17).  He provides teachers to help guide us in our maturity (Ephesians 4:11-13).  He has created his church that is represented in many local fellowships to encourage Believers to stay on mission and make the Father known (I Corinthians 12:7; Hebrews 10:25).