 Letter From Pastor Ogletree
Greetings People of God, We are blessed to have come through 2007 with all its challenges. The song writer pinned: "Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come...the psalmist under the inspiration of the Spirit wrote: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...God brought us through - Hallelujah! 2008 is the Year of the Favor of God! 2 Corinthians 6:1-2. God brought us through 2007 to experience his kindness, miracles, provision, mercy, acceptance, prosperity, and unmerited favor. We must believe this, confess this, pray this, proclaim this, live this-the Favor of God. Our leaders must embody this, so must our vision builders and our entire membership. The Apostle Paul warned the church "not to receive God's grace in vain". Grace can be wasted or forfeited. There is a purpose for your life and there's grace available for it also. There's an even greater purpose for the First Met family. As a congregation, we must not waste God's favor. We must exercise the faith to fulfill the vision He has for us. We must use our spiritual gifts, talents, resources and financial abilities to see the vision completed and, we must be unified because more can be accomplished when we work together. A divided congregation wastes the Favor of God. The Apostle Paul affirmed the truth present in the church at Corinth and this truth is present today for First Met - "now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation." Our now is 2008. There is favor for Belonging, Connecting, Growing and Serving right now. The favor for three worship services is now. The favor for abundance is now. The favor for multiple income streams is now. The favor for maximizing our potential is now. The favor for Fulfillment Hour II is now. The favor for exponential growth is now. The favor for increased witness to our community, city, and country is now. The favor for the new sanctuary is now! This is our mandate for 2008. Let's go for it! Pastor O
Letter From Lady Ogletree As I reflect back on the year of 2007, I can't help but be encouraged about 2008! Many times I've had to "speak over myself and encourage myself in the Lord". As I ministered unto you, I had to minister to myself. The enemy created walls, but praise God I was able to see all of them fall. So I'm encouraged because I serve a God of No Limits. There is another song that encouraged me this past year and will serve as an icon for 2007, the year of completeness. The song says, Never would have made it with out you (God). I would have lost my mind....Now I'm stronger, I'm wiser, I'm better, so much better. Yes my trials came, but they made be stronger and wiser. Each year I want to be stronger, wiser and much better than the previous year. We just have to remember that the word says God will never leave us nor forsake us. I know that God will always be there for me in the good times and the bad times. When I met my limits in 2007, God showed himself to be a God of No limits. There were a lot of challenges for First Met in 2007, but the Lord delivered us out of them all., and I am certain that He who has begun this great work on the Beltway shall bring it to pass in due season because we will not faint! The Lord is our strength and Faith is our currency! People are saying this will be the year of New Beginnings, and we all welcome something new in your lives, but Our God Is and has always been the God of New Beginnings. He freely gives us new years, new months, and new days our entire life. The question in 2008 is, "What will you do with these New Beginnings God gives you?" Will you do business as usual or will you be a New Creation for God in 2008? Will you give God a new determination, new effort, new commitment, new giving pattern, new worship, a new praise & new testimonies? Will you continue doing the same things the same way expecting new revelation and transformations? God has done his part. Will you do your part? Will you continue to ask for another New Beginning, another chance, more blessings, more favor, more grace, more patience, more time, and more forgiveness? This year of New Beginnings should be a statement about our commitment, not God's. He gives us new beginnings every day but do we keep giving old excuses and stories. God is saying what have you done for me lately? What did you do with the other New Beginnings I gave you? God has a unique plan for us. We are to seek first His Kingdom and everything else will be given unto us. If we honor Him, follow Him, and Obey Him, our New Beginning will meets His New Beginning and we will Walk In His Favor every day of our life. This year, let's stop giving God the same Old ....and Give God A New..... As He ushers us into New Beginnings and Favor, let's give him back New Beginnings. See You In The F.O.G.!!! Lady O
 Who are we?
We are a community of faith with Baptist roots and a non-denominational fertilization. Anointed speakers and singers from all segments of the body of Christ will be brought in to minister to First Metropolitan. Our Facility: We built as a first phase building a Family Life Center rather than a Sanctuary to focus on families and service in the community. Our next phase of construction will be a sanctuary. The Assimilation Process: We believe that every member should discover where he/she fits in the local body of Christ. Everyone is encouraged to attend the 8-week study of Network during Fulfillment Hour on Sunday at 9:30-10:30 am. You will discover your spiritual gifts, personality profile and passion. This study helps one find a place in ministry and aids their understanding of how to appreciate and work with other people. After the eight weeks there is a consultation and an assignment to one or more ministries. We celebrate each class’ completion of the study during the 10:45 am worship. Friendly Atmosphere: From the moment a person enters the campus, we attempt to welcome them and make them comfortable. Our Parking Attendants help facilitate easy assess onto the grounds each Sunday Morning. Once inside Greeters give a hospitable reception to guest and members. Our Worship Attendants facilitate comfortable seating in the Worship Center. Our Worship Our worship is designed for attendees to be in the presence of God and freely express their love and adoration to the Heavenly Father. We encourage praise and worshipping the Father in spirit and truth through the lifting of hands, clapping, dancing, singing, shouting, praying and anointed preaching. We do not prohibit or promote tongues during worship. We believe in the guidance of the Holy Spirit and order. The arts and technology are widely used. Preaching is oriented toward teaching and altar call is given after each message so that people can respond to God’s Word. Women in Ministry We believe that the Heavenly Father chooses both men and women to proclaim the Gospel. The Holy Spirit functions through women as well as men. Even though we believe that men are the heads of their households; it does not negate or diminish a woman’s spiritual gifting.
|
