Good day everyone,

            I pray this letter finds you well. Since our last letter, we have been preparing for our revival that starts Monday, April 14^th thru 16^th, and Pastor Chuck Owens will be our speaker. I’m so excited to see what GOD has in stored for us!

            Two weeks ago, we came from the Book of Mark 9:31-37, with a message titled, “Who is the Greatest?” Peter, James, and John had been witnesses to one of the spectacular events, The Transfiguration of Jesus, as well as seeing Elijah, a representative of the Prophets, and Moses, the writer of the Pentateuch, the 1^st five Books of the Law given by GOD to mankind. They had the Best Teacher, Preacher, & Friend; they witnessed first-hand the miracles that Jesus performed; they learned directly from the master, and yet… when push came to shove, they failed. We asked the question: Are we any different from them… today? Through it all, Jesus continued to mold these leaders into the great disciples we know them to be. Peter, James, and John were talking amongst themselves about what they had just witnessed and asked the question of who was the greatest among themselves. When Jesus asked about their conversation, they didn’t say a word. Yet, Jesus went right to the heart of the matter, “'And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, ‘If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.” Mark 9:35. Jesus rephrased that saying in a different Book by saying this way: “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Matthew 16:24. As my former Pastor used to say, “Others, Lord… let this, my motto be. Others, Lord…let me love as thee.” What a great thought! The greatest servants serve others as though they were serving GOD almighty! So, who is the greatest? Jesus, Himself because His sole purpose was to serve others before going to the Cross!

            Last week, we saw that while Jesus was on HIS way to Jerusalem to the Cross of Calvary, HE passed through a community known as Jericho. As HE past through with the usual crowd commotions, a blind beggar and the outskirts of town asked, “What’s going on?” Those closest to him responded by saying Jesus was passing by. Bartimaeus had heard of the miracles performed by Jesus, and he cried out, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” The crowds to him to be quiet and leave Jesus alone, but Bartimaeus didn’t know if Jesus would be back. All he knew was this, Jesus was right here, right now, and he wanted to take advantage of it. The more the crowds told him to be quiet, the louder and more desperate he became. After his last plea, Jesus stopped and stood still! Wow! Imagine that… on HIS way to the Cross and heard a cry from one his children and stopped what HE was doing and respond to the cry of help. Far too often, we don’t cry out to Jesus because we don’t want to disturb HIM with our simple little pleas, and yet… that is exactly what Jesus is asking us to do today. Bring him our burdens, our cares and simply give it to HIM and HE will give us rest. Bartimaeus got his sight restored and followed Jesus the rest of his days. The moral is this: Don’t let anything stop you from crying out to GOD with anything! He will stop what HE is doing just for you because HE loves you that much!

            This past Sunday, instead of speaking of Palm Sunday, the LORD led me in a different direction, sort of a pre-revival message. The title of the message was simple, “Even Now!” coming out of the Book of John 11:1-27. All of us have experienced times when we have been praying for one thing or another and as soon as one prayer was answered another situation would arise that needed prayer. Have you ever had one of those days when it seemed like there was no light at the end of the tunnel? Aren’t you glad we don’t have to live by our feelings? Mary, Martha, and Lazurus were close friends with Jesus, and so when Lazurus became gravely ill, Marthas and Mary went for Jesus. He didn’t respond right away because there was a greater purpose. Far too often, we pray for GOD to do something or simply answer us right away, and yet... we find a lot of times that HE answers on HIS time, when its truly needed. When Martha heard that Jesus was finally coming, she ran to him and simply unloaded everything she was feeling: the good stuff, the bad stuff, even the ugly stuff about Jesus not showing up before Lazurus had passed away. Crazy isn’t it? Being angry with GOD simply because HE didn’t immediately respond to our request. Yet, we see that Jesus didn’t respond back as most of us would have, matching wits. No, what we saw was that Jesus displayed Love, Compassion, and went right to the heart of the issue…resurrecting Lazurus. Martha makes a statement that speaks volumes! Even though she was experiencing one the worst moments of her life, she sated, “But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.” John 11:22. Even Now…Jesus was right on time to show the world once more the true power of GOD is LOVE as HE resurrected Lazurus, but before HE did, HE asked Martha a question that we all should be asking of ourselves daily, “Do you really believe in Me?” I do not know what you are dealing with but, what I do know is that “even now” in that situation God is moving… even if we don’t see it right away.

I hope that this helps you and encourages you to continue to grow in your Faith. Know that our Father loves each and single one of you dearly. The Reason of Christmas is the Purpose of Easter! Restoring mankind once and for all and making a way into salvation where there was no way. Jesus left the throne room of Heaven, to pay the sin-debt for humanity once and for all, and all HE asks in return is to believe in HIM by Faith! Friends, I can think of no greater way to display love than through Jesus Christ! Hae a great day and remember… GOD loves you!

 

Pastor Sonny

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 Good morning, Aspen Grove Church family! 11MAR25

I hope this letter finds you well. The last two weeks, we continued building upon the idea of “Being about our Father’s Business,” coming out of the Books of Ruth and 1 Samuel. From the Book of Ruth, we preached a message titled, “Between Moab and a Hard Place’” dealing with the results of working out of the Will of the Father coming from Ruth 1:1-8. We asked 4 Questions: 1—What is Moab; 2-- What would cause us to Moab; 3-- What will cause us to stay in Moab; & 4-- How can we leave Moab? In this life, we need to understand a few things. 1st thing is that when the tests of life come, we need to understand that these tests aren’t meant to break you, but they are to make you into what God sees in you. You wouldn’t make any major decisions about moving or changing jobs without seeking some advice from your spouse or parents, so why would you not seek God’s opinion first about all things in your life? Why would we go somewhere like Moab without making sure that it is God’s will for us to do so. Naomi lost her husband and both sons in Moab, but if they had just stuck it out back in Judah, would they have still been alive? Each of us has some life altering decisions to make on our journey in this world. Why wouldn’t you seek God’s council on the events that transpire in your life? I say… slow down, seek God, then follow His choice by simply “stepping out on Faith!” So, are you on your way to Moab? Considering a move to Moab? If so, did you seek the Will of God first?

This week, we read from the Book of 1 Samuel 15:1-23 and we asked the question, “Are we really ALL IN or not at all?” Three main topics stood out: 1—Be careful what you wish for; 2: Partial Obedience is NO Obedience; & 2—Its ALL or Nothing. We saw how the Israelites wanted a king, just like the rest of the world. One Problem… they had GOD already as their KING. After warning the folks of what their human king would be like, they still wanted a king and GOD granted a king for them. In the beginning, King Saul was a good king, honoring and staying in the will of GOD…BUT his human nature came into play. GOD told Saul to wipe out entirely everything of the Amalekites: the men, women, and children, babies, and ALL the livestock. Saul, however, saved King Agag and the best of the best of the livestock for sacrifices. Saul partially obeyed GOD and he learned the hard way that is just the same as not following any direction and GOD removed HIS anointing from Saul. With GOD, we are either ALL IN or we are all out of HIS Will. Church, today we are at a crossroads, and we are going to have to decide on our obedience or God will. We learned today that an undecided vote is simply saying “No God.” I cannot imagine God saying, “It repenteth Me for…” while speaking of me. As Joshua challenges the Israelites to choose this day who they will serve, that challenge is before us now. Are we ALL in or are we all out? I pray that this encourages you to continue to seek GOD and grow in your FAITH. May GOD bless you! I love you, but more importantly GOD loves you so much more. Have a great day. Sincerely, Pastor Sonny!

 Good morning, Aspen Grove Church family! 

I hope this message finds you well. My name is Sonny R. Williams, Jr., and I am honored to be your new pastor. I believe that God has brought us together so that we can grow and mature spiritually as a community. In these challenging times, especially here in the U.S., there is a noticeable departure from sound biblical teachings, which has led to many issues in our nation. It is my conviction that every believer should be engaged in The Father’s Business. What does that entail? It means sharing the Gospel as outlined in the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8. While we cannot save anyone ourselves, however we can share the Gospel with everyone we encounter. God asks us to be faithful and obedient to His calling, and He will take care of the rest. 

This year, we have started teaching the fundamental beliefs of our faith as taught in the Word of God. We began with God’s greatest gift, His Son Jesus Christ. We have also discussed the importance of a strong prayer life and having our own personal prayer Closet—our war room. This past Sunday, we explored the gifts from God: whether to receive them, how to use them, and the cost and reward of our obedience in using these gifts. I am excited about what God has in store for us both individually and as a church. 

Let us strive to be the “light on the hill” for our community, a beacon pointing to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Together, let us use our gifts and talents to strengthen one another and spread the Gospel in our communities and circles of influence.  

Let’s be like Peter, stepping out of our comfort zones and walking by faith on water! Today is a new day and a new opportunity to grow in our faith and be better than we were yesterday. Have a wonderful day, and may God bless you all! 

Your brother In Christ,  

 

Pastor Sonny 

 Subject: A Time of Transition and a Warm Welcome to Pastor Sonny Williams

Dear Church Family,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

As my time serving as your interim pastor comes to an end, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for each of you. It has been an incredible honor to walk alongside this congregation, to worship together, to share in God’s Word, and to witness His faithfulness in our church.

During this season, I have seen God move in so many ways—through your faith, your prayers, your generosity, and your love for one another. Thank you for allowing me to serve, to teach, and to grow with you. Your support and encouragement have meant more to me than words can express.

As one chapter closes, another begins, and I am excited to welcome Pastor Sonny Williams as he steps into the role of lead pastor. I truly believe that God has called him for such a time as this, and that under his leadership, our church will continue to grow in faith, love, and mission. I encourage each of you to welcome him with open hearts and to pray for him as he begins this new journey with us.

Transitions can bring mixed emotions, but we know that God is always at work, leading us forward in His perfect plan. As Joshua 1:9 (NKJV) reminds us:

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

I may be stepping away from this role, but my love and prayers for this church family remain steadfast. Thank you for allowing me to serve. Thank you for your kindness, your prayers, and your unwavering faith. May God bless you all as you continue His work, and may He guide Pastor Sonny as he leads with wisdom and grace.

With love and gratitude,
Bill Doane
Interim Pastor, Aspen Grove Church

 Dear Church Family,

Grace and peace to you all in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I pray this letter finds you well and that your hearts are full of His love and presence.

As we gather each week to worship, I want to take a moment to reflect on the importance of coming before the Lord with an open heart. Worship is not just about the songs we sing, the prayers we offer, or the sermons we hear—it’s about the posture of our hearts before God.

In Psalm 95:6-7, we are called, “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care.” This invitation isn’t just about physical posture but about a spiritual one—one of humility, surrender, and openness.

When we enter into worship with open hearts, we allow God to move in us and through us. We lay aside distractions, burdens, and preconceived notions, making room for the Holy Spirit to work. An open heart is a heart that is ready to receive, to be transformed, and to respond to God’s love and grace.

I encourage each of us to prepare our hearts before we come together—through prayer, reflection, and a willingness to be vulnerable before the Lord. Let’s come expecting God to speak, to heal, and to guide. Whether through music, Scripture, or fellowship, God meets us where we are when we come to Him with sincerity and openness.

Let’s be a church that embodies true worship—not just in our gatherings but in our daily lives. As Romans 12:1 urges us, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

May our worship be a reflection of our love for God and a testament to His goodness. Let’s open our hearts fully to Him and watch as He does immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine.

Blessings and love in Christ,

Bill

Faith Over Fear

Scripture: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

Devotion:

Fear has a way of creeping into our lives, whether through uncertainty, challenges, or unexpected circumstances. It whispers lies that paralyze us, making us doubt God’s power and our ability to overcome. But as believers, we are reminded in 2 Timothy 1:7 that fear is not from God. Instead, He has given us power, love, and a sound mind.

When Peter walked on water toward Jesus (Matthew 14:29-31), he started strong, but as soon as he focused on the wind and waves, fear overtook him, and he began to sink. The same happens to us when we take our eyes off Christ. Fear distorts our vision and makes us forget who is in control.

But God calls us to stand in faith. The power He gives is not our own—it is His strength working through us. His love casts out fear (1 John 4:18), and with a sound mind, we can rest in the truth of His promises.

No matter what you face today, remember: fear may knock on the door, but faith answers. Trust in God’s power, walk in His love, and hold on to the peace of His presence.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that fear does not come from You. Help me to stand firm in Your power, rest in Your love, and walk in faith with a sound mind. When fear tries to creep in, let me fix my eyes on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.