The OBC Elders met for their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 25 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting began with Pastor Pat leading the elders in a time of prayer. The Lord, who is head of the church, commands us to pray. We pray for all things, but especially for the local church ministry and the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

We are so thankful for his power, plan, and sovereignty to save sinners wholly and completely. The church is an amazing reality, planned and created by God alone. As our confession states, Jesus Christ is a great mediator.

Obviously, these are better days for the life of the church, with the Covid-19 virus restrictions ending for worship and ministry. We are praising the Lord that we can continue to assemble for public worship and other ministries.

Mike Grimes read through Chapter 27 of the London Baptist Confession of 1689, “Of the Communion of Saints.” It was, again, so great to read and hear from our confession of the incredible details of all Christians who stand united together in Christ.

We all participate in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory. It’s amazing to realize and know that we all are in union with Christ and at the same time have obligations to love and serve one another in the body of Christ as well as to have faithful testimony to the watching world as we love and serve our neighbors.

All of this is the result of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. He changes our private and public lives for his glory and honor. We know we have done nothing on our own to receive salvation in Christ.

It is all the work of God that causes us to be born again from above. We pray that many in Omaha would hear the saving message of Christ and believe, especially now that so many are able to attend public worship on Sundays. Pray for 2022 that, Lord willing, it will be a great year of gospel preaching.

With winter in full swing, many great indoor ministries are currently going on beside our public worship service. There are Sunday Schools classes for adults and children of all ages as well as several theology classes and youth groups on Wednesday nights. 

Also available are Home Groups located all over the city. Sign up is available by calling the office. I would greatly urge you to be in prayer about the ministries here and your participation, especially when needs arise. We as elders are so encouraged that so many of our church body serve and pray for this church.

Also continue to pray for Pastor Pat and his preaching ministry. He has finished the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Matthew and is about to begin the book of Acts. It will be exciting to hear and respond to the tremendously important account of Dr. Luke recorded in Holy Scripture.  

Finally, Dave Guthrie discussed the Giving and Attendance Report from December 2021. The giving was very strong for the month of December and we are so thankful. Income was well over the budgeted plan and with a strong December our year-to-date totals of income are over the budgeted plan as well.

Please continue to pray for the church to meet our financial budget and for sacrificial giving to continue in the months ahead (February through May). We are praising the Lord that our needs are being met! 

The meeting closed at 8:07 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is planned for February 15, 2022.