What should be our focus for 2018? What should be our focus for 2018?

Strengths: Weaknesses: Opportunities: Barriers:

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing: “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth Ezra 1:1-6 NIV (Pew Bible Page 458)

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing: “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, Ezra 1:1-6 NIV (Pew Bible Page 458)

and He has appointed me to build a temple for Him at Jerusalem in Judah.  Any of His people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them. 

And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.’” Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites – everyone whose heart God had moved – prepared to go up and build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem.

All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings.

What should be our focus for 2018? What should be our focus for 2018?

Vision is looking to our future, not our past!

Hope (vision) was initiated by God - moving in the heart of Cyrus

What is His vision for us this year? What is a church vision? Vision is how we see our church, by God's grace and power, as we project ourselves into the future. How does God see this church? What is His vision for us this year?

My thoughts of what the vision that God could be placing before us at CFC A church that is being renewed and refreshed by the Spirit (evidenced by worship, prayer & service) A church that is serious about evangelism A church that is becoming more multicultural A church with a growing children’s ministry

Hope (vision) was inspired by God – opening their eyes to His promises

“When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you … and I will bring you back from captivity…”  Jeremiah 29:10-14

Hope (vision) was inspired by God – opening their eyes to His promises God’s promise to Carmel Friends Church: “Lo, I am with you always …”

Hope (vision) was ignited by God - moving their hearts by His Spirit “Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites – everyone whose heart God had moved – prepared to go up and build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem” V. 5

We need faith for our vision We need a faith that prays expectantly We need a faith that plans expectantly We need a faith that creates a sense of ownership

We have no idea what God can do when we trust in Him and say “Yes, I’ll play my part”