Galax, Virginia
MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER
“PENTECOST POWER”
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses....” Acts 1:8
As we think about Pentecost in the Christian church, 50 days after Easter, the story seems strange with the crowded room, the rushing wind, the tongues of fire and people from many nations hearing the disciples speak in their native languages. What does it all mean for us today?
Jesus's words, “You will be my witnesses.” give meaning to the event. He intended for the apostles to witness His resurrection and to proclaim the Good News in word and deed. They were to bear witness in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. What a tremendous challenge! The disciples stood there confused, weak, afraid—wavering in their witness.
The purpose of Pentecost is the same for us. We are to be His witnesses—in our homes, next door, at work, in our community, and throughout the world. What a task! We hesitate, rationalize, stumble, fear—wavering in our witness. For that reason, God makes available to us the power of Pentecost. The disciples were emboldened to bear witness. Uneducated, sinful, afraid, the Holy Spirit transformed them into unashamed witnesses who spoke the things that they had heard and seen in the temple, before the council, and in the synagogues. They received Pentecost power in the Word of God.
When we begin to waver in our witness, we also can receive God's Pentecost power. Peter points us to the crucified and risen One, Jesus Christ. When we are convicted of our witnessing sins, we repent and believe the Gospel, that Jesus Christ fully paid for our sins on the cross. The Word of God works. The sacraments heal and empower. We can speak and live the things that we have heard and seen through God's Word with the Pentecost Power.
Randy Morris, Minister
**************************
First Christian Church of Galax is located in the beautiful setting of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We are a part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and have served our community for more than 100 years.
We are a traditional church that is ecumenically minded and active within our community. Our motto is First Christian Church Galax embracing, becoming, and sharing the Good News. We accept our role within the world with courage and love.
In our effort to fulfill what we have been called into being as the church we seek to serve our community in many ways. We have a food bank ministry called 'Soul Feed', where not only is the goal to feed the hungry with groceries but with the Word of God. We have a Thanksgiving Community Meal where we prepare and deliver over 200 meals to individuals and families within our community and to those at the church who help to prepare the meal. We are a host site for the Community Holy Week Services leading up to Easter where everyone in the community may enjoy a free lunch, worship and music. We work alongside other churches to help make these and other ministries a reality and a blessing.
We are a church that believes in giving to our community. We give financial support to the local Free Clinic, the Tri-Area Pregnancy Resource Center, the Gideons, and many other organizations. We are a meeting place for the American Red Cross. Our facilities are used for weddings and picnics.
Sunday School 10:00 A.M.
Sunday Worship 11:00 A.M.
Youth Group (CYF) 12:00 P.M. Meets every Sunday after worship.
Soul Feed 6:30 P.M. Meets the first and third Monday of each month.
CWF/CMF 8:00 Breakfast at Flossies 3rd Saturday each month.
Choir 6:15 P.M. Meets each Wednesday
Bible Study 7:15 P.M. Meets each Wednesday (except the third Wed. )
First Christian Church of Galax, Virginia
Minister Randy Morris
