The Pastor's Page

TWO OF THE GREATEST privileges of my life are preaching the word of God and serving as pastor here at Little River. On this page, I'd like to share some of my thoughts, insights, and ideas with you. I invite your comments, and I also hope you will call me at the church office at (703) 327-4837, or e-mail me at pastor@littleriverchurch.org, anytime that I can be of service to you. - Rev. Malcolm McMillan

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Staying focused on what really matters during the busy holiday season
December 1, 2011

It's hard to believe the end of the year will soon be upon us. This past year has been a blur. We [Little River] have packed a lot into this past year with music events (we are thankful for the talent of David Bilowus and all of the other musical talent that we have been blessed by), Homecoming, the Fall Festival and Music event, the combined Thanksgiving service which was a blessing and hosted by the congregation of Mt. Pleasant. All of us should take a look back at the calendar to see what we have accomplished this past year. I'm so thankful for the willingness of everyone at Little River to step up and pitch in to accomplish things so that all of the events could take place. It's a wonderful blessing to be among a congregation that "rolls up their sleeves" and takes on a challenge or a project or an event and see it through to completion.
 
All of this has a purpose, however, and let's not lose sight of that singular purpose – to serve the Lord Jesus so that others may be come to know Him. As we approach the end of the year and celebrate Christmas, let's focus on the One that has made all of this possible and for whom we have "rolled up our sleeves" in service. Let's not let the "busy"ness of everything push aside the focus of drawing close with hearts full of praise and thanksgiving to give honor and glory to the Lord. I recall a passage that would be appropriate in this sense. It's found in John 10:

Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

There are yet many things to do before the year ends, but let's not lose focus on Him. Take time to hear Him, spend time with Him, know Him better. All of the other things will pale in comparison.

Fall: A time to welcome new neighbors and
new memories
September 6, 2011

We're coming upon my favorite season of the year — Fall. Mornings are cool, days are warm, and though the days are shorter, evenings are perfect for walking and being outdoors. The smells in the air are more apparent and seem to travel farther as folks begin to use fireplaces, squeeze in those last cookouts of the year, and the trees begin to shed leaves which start to degrade and give off that particular smell on damp mornings. I recall it was harvest season when I was growing up in the farming community of Southeastern North Carolina. Those were long, hard days harvesting the crops and getting things ready to put away for the winter; but they were enjoyable days.
 
Plans are underway for a Fall Fest at Little River and I hope it brings to memory some of the things that I mentioned above. Or, we'll make some memories of our own. It'll be a time to "wind down" as we fire up the grill(s), play games and have some fun, listen to some great music outside, and top off with roasting marshmallows and making s'mores. It'll get us away from the flat screen, texts, email, and "iWhatever" and into direct conversation — imagine that. It's a community-wide event; plan to be there to meet the neighbors who come by for a visit. Let your neighbors know they are welcome to stop by and say hello and tell them all the information is on the website if they need details or directions. A mailing will be going out soon, so more than likely they'll be getting word through the mail as well.
 
I'm looking forward to seeing you there. If you can help, please let us know; we can always use the extra hands.
 
Grace be with you all. —Pastor Mac

Homecoming: A day of worship, singing, and fellowship
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

As we come to the weekend of homecoming at Little River my thoughts were drawn to a homecoming of another kind as well. This Sunday many will come to Little River from near and far to join together for a day of worship, singing, and fellowship. It is sure to be a joyful time together. As I serve the congregation of Little River I can clearly see how the church has been sustained for over two centuries. First, it is by the provision and grace of God and second by the generosity and commitment of the people who make up the congregation (both past and present) of Little River. Having said that, I hope you will read the introduction at the top of the Pastor's Page on the website. It truly is a privilege to serve the Lord and Little River.
 
As previously mentioned, my thoughts were also drawn to a future homecoming when all of the family of God will be gathered together for the most joyous homecoming of all and for all eternity. Our time together this coming Sunday will, in many ways, be only a glimmer of that future homecoming and the joy that we will share this Sunday will be a taste of what is to come but it will be the love and fellowship of one another in the presence of the Lord that provides evidence to the world of our love for Him and our looking forward to the glory to come in Christ Jesus. As the Apostle Paul stated it, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." [1 Corinthians 13:12-13]
 
As we come together this Sunday it is with love for one another and gratitude for the Lord's grace and mercy that has kept the people of Little River moving forward and committed to His service longer than this land of ours has been a nation. We'll come with praise and thanksgiving in our hearts for each other but first and foremost for the grace and mercy shown toward us in Christ Jesus our Lord. I look forward to seeing all of you as we join together in celebration. Grace be with all of you; especially with those who will be traveling long distances to come. -Pastor Mac

A blessing in music
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
For those of you who missed the concert at Little River last Sunday evening, you missed a wonderful blessing in music. David and Sarah deserve a special note of credit for coming up with the idea and for putting it together. They, along with Chris Wyton who played guitar, were outstanding. Sarah sang several selections and we truly received a blessing from such a beautiful voice. David played selections that he had written and his talent is without question. Chris played wonderfully on guitar and gave us an appreciation for different styles of music on that instrument. I had hoped for better attendance but for those who were there it was a wonderful time together and the treats provided afterwards during our fellowship time were equally wonderful. It was such a great experience to be together on a warm summer evening enjoying the music and the joy of one another's company. And, it was good to meet several people that I hadn't had the pleasure of meeting before. Hopefully it will not be many days before we can repeat such an event if David and Sarah are willing. I would encourage you to express to David and Sarah what a blessing the Lord has provided to Little River through their talent and service. Keep in mind that Homecoming is approaching; if you can assist with the planning and preparation please let us know so that you are involved. Grace be with all of you. - Pastor Mac.

Carry everything to God in prayer
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Today is designated as the National Day of Prayer. David Bilowus and I met at the church this morning and prayed together and we even sang a hymn; yes, just the two of us, and it didn’t sound half bad if I may say so; but then, there was no one to hear us but the Lord Himself and it was for Him to begin with. I thought of what a tremendous privilege we have been given through Christ to go boldly, confidently, to the throne of grace to take our prayers and petitions to the Lord. It is at the same time very humbling. I thought of the line out of a familiar hymn, “What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” Prayer is the “front line” in the life of Christians. David and I prayed for our nation, for our community, and for Little River; for each one of you. Please do not neglect such a precious privilege that we have. Pray for each other and for the work that lies ahead of us that we may serve Him well.

I know who holds my tomorrow
Thursday, April 28, 2011
I have heard a friend of mine and fellow worker in the preaching of the Gospel, Thurman Coleman Sr., pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church of Jeffersontown, KY, say many times, “I don’t know what my tomorrow holds but I know who holds my tomorrow.” There are many in our nation who has suffered loss of life, homes, and businesses as a result of the violent storms that have swept across the nation’s midsection and parts of the South this week and last. The power of some of those storms is unfathomable. As powerful as they have been, I can’t help but think of the awesome power of the One who created the heavens and the earth. If we are in relationship with Him through His Son Jesus then we are under His loving care; we belong to Him. In the words of the Apostle Paul, “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Ro. 8:37-39) Please remember to pray for all of those who have suffered loss as the result of the violent weather; and while you are praying, give praise and thanks to the One who is all powerful and to whom we belong in Christ Jesus for His grace and mercy.

What Easter means to me
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
For a number of years now, during the week leading up to Easter, I have read the texts of the Gospel accounts of the last week of Jesus’ life from the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem to the Crucifixion at the place called Golgotha. It is a reminder of the price that was paid for me that I may spend eternity with the Lord. It is a time of reflection, a time to ask myself if I am living my life “walking in a manner worthy of the Gospel.” I save the reading of the texts about the Resurrection for Easter morning, about sunrise. The joy that comes from reading the resurrection accounts prepares me for the Easter worship service. It is a time of celebration, a time of joy, and I hope that all of us who call upon His name are filled with joy as we gather this Easter Sunday. I look forward to sharing a joy-filled Sunday morning with all who come.

The Internet and Little River Baptist Church
Friday, April 8, 2011
As all of you have heard me mention, more than once – hopefully not too many times – the website that has been developed for Little River is looking better and better. A huge amount of the work has to be attributed to Lori Peterson who has really made this vision become a reality; and to Velma Simmons, who has learned quite a bit about "webmastering" in a very short amount of time! If we are to reach the community for Christ we must use every means possible, and this technology is one way of doing that. In fact, it is a way to reach out beyond our community. It has not gone unnoticed. I received an e-mail this week noting that it was good to see information about “my home church” on the web. During your encounter with friends, families, and acquaintances, mention the website as part of your invitation to visit Little River on a Sunday morning. It will be a great lead-in for an invitation and will give the person being invited a way to get to know us beforehand.