Saturday, December 29, 2012

Bible Challenge 12/30 - 01/05

Greetings All!

The New Year is upon us! You know what this means? It means a new year to spend reading and being transformed by God's Word. It means a new year to participate in our Read the Bible In a Year plan together.

I hope that if you participated in 2012 that you are back for more. I also hope, that if last year just did not quite work out for you, you are back to try again.

For those of you unfamiliar with the plan, basically it is just a reading plan that when followed will take you through the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice, in one calendar year. We read almost everyday and we read four chapters a day.

Please do not let this exercise be filled with pressure for you. I simply encourage you to do what you can, as you can. If you find that you have missed a day, do not go back and try to catch up. Four chapters a day adds up quick! Just pick up fresh when you can with that days readings. Any time you can spend reading through the Bible with us, is time God can and will use to reach out to you. Come and join us, have fun with it, and I know you will not only learn something new, but you will also grow deeper in your walk with Christ.

This week we start with the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew is the first of the Gospels recorded in the New Testament and is also one of the three "synoptic Gospels" (meaning similar or together because they include some of the same stories in the same sequences and the same words - John is the exception). This Gospel is attributed to one of Jesus' disciples, Matthew the tax collector. From the information and perspective he includes we can tell that he was writing to a primarily Jewish audience: he stresses Jewish law, he doesn't explain Jewish customs, and in the beginning of the Gospel he includes a genealogy which takes Jesus' ancestry all the way back to Father Abraham. There are seven main sections in this Gospel, with a prologue about Jesus' early life, five sections covering his ministry and the last section about his death and resurrection.

Here is the schedule for this week:

30, Sunday: No Reading

31, Monday: No Reading

1, Tuesday: Matthew 1-4

2, Wednesday: Matthew 5-8

3, Thursday: Matthew 9-12

4, Friday: Matthew 13-16

5, Saturday: Matthew 17-20

May God add his richest blessings to the reading, the hearing and most importantly the living out of his Holy Word. Amen.


Friday, December 28, 2012

Friday Fives

Not quite five, but just a few reminders...............

1. Worship This Weekend - On December 30th we will be blessed and honored by having Robert Bledsoe return to us to lead us in worship. He is home for the Christmas break and will join us to lead worship in my absence. So come on out and hear how God has been working in Robert's life since his time with us this past summer. Invite a friend and come on out as you begin to ring in the new year. 






2. January Leadership Training in Ocala - There will be a district wide training for church leaders on Saturday, January 5th at First UMC in Ocala. The training is free and runs from 8:30am-12:30pm. No advance registration is required. There are several sessions including:

Call of the Laity
Finance 101
Finance 201
Health Resources and Benefits Update
Trustees
Leading for Effective Ministry/Role of Church Council
Staff Parish Relations
Local Church Representative to Annual Conference Training
Growing Mature Disciples
Who are your church neighbors and 6 ways to reach them!
Reclaiming an intergenerational church
Bullying
How can we make a difference in the lives of the incarcerated re-entering our communities?
College Students and Young Adults
Charting Your Church's Course
Your Church Disaster Plan
Responding to Poverty and Childhood Hunger
Children's Ministry






3. Church Office - will be closed New Year's Eve and New Year's Day and will reopen on January 2nd.








Have a Happy New Year!


Saturday, December 22, 2012

Bible Challenge 12/23 - 12/29

Greetings All!

With only six days of reading this week, we'll be finished with the last three books of the New Testament!

Here is some background information to give light to your reading this week:

III John - The final letter is another private one addressed to Gaius to commend a party of Christians who had gone on a mission to preach the Gospel, to encourage him and to warn him of a group of other believers who are not cooperating.

Jude - This book is often attributed to one of Jesus' brothers. This 25 verse letter was composed as an encyclical letter - not directed at any one church but rather intended to be circulated and read in all churches. Addressed to Christians in general, it warns about the doctrine of certain errant teachers. Many examples of evildoers and warnings about their fates are given in some of the most strongly worded language in the New Testament. The letter concludes with a doxology (short hymn of praise), one of the highest in quality in the Bible.

Revelation - Also attributed to John the disciple and probably written during John's exile at Patmos, this book is the piece of apocalyptic literature in the New Testament, a genre that relies heavily on visions and symbolism (like Daniel in the Old Testament).

23, Sunday: III John, Jude, Revelation 1-2

24, Monday: Revelation 3-6

25, Tuesday: No Reading - Merry Christmas!

26, Wednesday: Revelation 7-10

27, Thursday: Revelation 11-14

28, Friday: Revelation 15-18

29, Saturday: Revelation 19-22

May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing and most importantly the living out of His holy word. Amen.


Friday, December 21, 2012

Friday Fives

1. Preaching Series - This week we continue our Advent series entitled, March to the Manger. Each week we will take a different character from our nativity scene and look to the Christmas story through their eyes. This week we will focus on the baby Jesus as we discover how God was revealed to us in this wonderful gift for humanity. Invite a friend and I hope to see you there.






2. Christmas Eve Service - Monday, December 24th, we will gather at 6 P.M. in our Sanctuary for our Candlelight Christmas Eve Service. This will be a time for fellowship, for prayer, for singing, and to hear the Word of God proclaimed. We will conclude our preaching series, March to the Manger, as we look to hope that is ours because of the birth of the Christ Child. We will conclude our worship time by processing out of the Sanctuary, by candlelight, singing Silent Night. This service a a wonderfully moving time for all of us to come together and be moved by the Holy Spirit. I look forward to seeing you and all you invite on this special night.







3. Blue Christmas - This time of year is intended to be full of hope and joy. It is intended to be a time to celebrate and experience the love of Christ and family. However; for those that have lost someone to death, it can be a time of great sorrow and grief. On Sunday, December 23rd, at 12:15pm, we are going to gather for a Blue Christmas service in our Sanctuary. This service is one of remembrance and hope where we will acknowledge our grief, but also the hope that comes from God’s constant presence. I pray you will join us for this time of worship and that you will benefit from the bond it will provide.






4. Guest Speaker - On December 30th we will be blessed and honored by having Robert Bledsoe return to us to lead us in worship. He is home for the Christmas break and will join us to lead worship in my absence. So come on out and hear how God has been working in Robert's life since his time with us this past summer. Invite a friend and come on out as you begin to ring in the new year.






5. Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser - The Masons from the Morning Star Lodge along with their spouses and other faithful worshipers have said they would serve another spaghetti supper fundraiser for our Church. Last time, they raised over $1,000. This year, the money raised will go into the newly established fund to purchase a new organ for the sanctuary. It will be “all you can eat” spaghetti with meatballs, salad, rolls, dessert and beverage. The date is Friday, January 18, 2013 from 4:30 to 7 pm. The cost is $7 for adults, $4 for children (ages 6-12) and free for children under 6. Tickets will be available the first week of January for sale to your family and friends. This is sure to be a great time of fun, fellowship, and food. I hope to see you all there!



Have a great weekend!



Thursday, December 20, 2012

Midweek Moment

There has been much written about the events in Newton, Connecticut that transpired last week. I would like to share with you all the viewpoint of Adam Hamilton, a United Methodist pastor at Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. I feel his thoughts are very important for us to remember as we process our feelings of this tragedy. I pray these words help you in your questions and provide you a means of talking about this with others. I want us to be bold in our faith and not afraid of the question of "Why?" when presented to us.

Here is a post from his blog:

“Everything happens for a reason,” he said as he reflected upon the terrible events that had occurred in Newtown, Connecticut. I suppose these words were meant to be comforting. Implicit in them is the idea that there is a grand plan, this horrible tragedy is a part of that plan, and that with time we’ll see and understand the good that was the result of this horrible evil.

But, is the shooting of twenty children and their teachers really a part of a grand plan – an essential means to a greater end? This implies that there is a script that has already been written by which the events of our world unfold, one leading to another, until the happy ending is finally reached. In this picture of reality, we’re all characters in the novel that God is writing. We merely do or experience what the Author intends.

Here’s why I think this is wrong: If everything happens for a reason, according to God’s plan, then the plot to kill twenty children and six teachers and administrators did not originate in the mind of Adam Lanza, but in the mind of God. God intended this, and put it in the mind of Adam Lanza, because it was a part of God’s plan. What kind of “god” intends children to be killed? What greater good could possibly justify the horrible pain their parents must endure? If “everything happens for a reason,” then every act of evil is ultimately God’s doing. Rape, abuse of children, terrorism, the cruelty human beings perpetrate on one another – are all of these really the will of God?

This line of reasoning does two things: It removes human responsibility for evil acts, and it makes God culpable for all evil, having intended it to happen. What kind of monster wills all the horrible events in this world, even if for some greater good? Can the ends really justify the means when the means are the murder of a child or the many other forms evil takes in our world?

A more accurate assessment is that the evil that happens in this world is not God’s will and is, in fact, a thwarting of his plan. The Bible calls us to love our neighbors, and to do justice and love kindness, not to indiscriminately kill one another. So how do we explain the kind of evil we saw in Connecticut last week? I suspect that here theists and atheists would agree: Human beings have within them the ability to choose evil or good. We wake up each day facing the age-old struggle of good and evil. In some situations mental illness clouds our judgment.

Our struggle with good and evil is manifest in a hundred small decisions each day: Will I text and drive, or leave my phone alone until I get where I’m going? Will I gossip about my co-worker or choose to speak about them the way I hope they would speak about me? Will I act upon my worst impulses or my best? Will I show mercy or seek revenge? Will I bless or curse? Will I live only for myself, or will I love my neighbor as myself?

The senseless killing of twenty children and their teachers and principal at Sandy Hook Elementary School was not part of God’s grand plan. It was a thwarting of God’s plan. It was the misuse of human freedom. Why then did God not stop it? For the same reason he does not stop you from texting and driving, or living selfish and self-absorbed lives; the same reason he allows us to ignore the poor, or to cheat on our spouses or to abuse power: Because the freedom to make choices is an essential part of what it means to be human.

Yet God has not left us entirely to our own devices. God seeks to influence humanity. This is at the heart of the Christmas story. It is the story of light coming into the darkness, of a Savior to show us the way, of light overcoming the darkness, of God’s work to save the world.

The Christmas story ends at a cross and an empty tomb. God becomes subject to the evil humanity is capable of. He is tortured and hung on a cross and dies there in agony. But this is not the end of the story. On the third day, the tomb is empty, and Christ is risen. Easter declares that death and hate and evil will never have the final word.

Even now, in Newtown, Connecticut, evil will not prevail. Every act of evil produces a thousand acts of goodness. We’ve seen this in the stories coming out of Connecticut. We’ve felt it in our own hearts. This terrible tragedy touched a nation, and aroused kindness and compassion in our hearts. While some misuse their freedom to perpetrate evil, millions respond by feeling compelled to use their freedom to do good. Everything doesn’t happen for a reason, if by this we mean evil is a part of God’s plan. But God does ensure that evil will not prevail and that light will always, ultimately, overcome the darkness. If we follow God’s lead, our work is to push back the darkness.

Have a great week and I will see you all Sunday!

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Bible Challenge 12/16 - 12/22

Greetings All!

This week we finish up the book of Hebrews and read 5 others. We are SO close to the finish line now!

Here is more background information to help in your reading.

James - Most believe the author of this letter to be James the brother of Jesus. Many people wrestle with this letter because it appears to contradict Paul's stance on justification by faith alone. James emphasizes works, but not in the sense of justifying oneself before God; rather in the sense that works are evidence of  a person's inward faith.

I and II Peter - Attributed by their titles to the Apostle Peter, these are some of the latest writings to be included in the New Testament. The first letter is the only one scholars really attribute to Peter; probably written while Peter was the bishop of the church in Rome. In this letter addressed to believers dispersed through five different provinces in Asia Minor (Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia) is a word of encouragement to those undergoing religious persecution. The second letter is most likely not authored by Peter because it quotes a later letter extensively (Jude). The main purpose of this letter is to identify Jesus with God and to correct a growing heresy since Jesus had not yet returned.

I John and II John - These letters are attributed to the disciple John who also wrote the Gospel of John and Revelation. The first two letters were probably written in Ephesus between 95-110 AD to counter the heresies that Jesus did not come in the flesh but only as a spirit. The first letter is a general one and lifts up how Christians are to discern true teachers: by their ethics, their proclamation of Jesus and by their love. The second letter is a private one written to "an elect lady" and much speculation exists as to who this person is.

I pray your readings this week are fruitful and transformative. Here is the schedule:

16, Sunday: Hebrews 5-8

17, Monday: Hebrews 9-12

18, Tuesday: Hebrews 13 - James 3

19, Wednesday: James 4 - I Peter 2

20, Thursday: I Peter 3 - II Peter 1 

21, Friday: II Peter 2 - I John 2

22, Saturday: I John 3 - II John 

May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing and most importantly, the living out of His Holy Word. Amen.


Friday, December 14, 2012

Friday Fives

1. Christmas Cantata - This week in worship we will be enveloped in song as the choir from the Belleview Seventh-Day Adventist Church joins our choir to present the musical, Gather at the Manger, created by Dennis and Nan Allen. This combined choir presentation will surely bless you as you listen to the message it presents. This cantata will feature six songs, narration, solos, and some old favorites. Invite a friend and I hope to see you there.





2. Bible Study - This week we will conclude our Advent Bible Study entitled, Christmas Gifts that Won't Break. Those are gifts that cannot be lost, that never go out of style, and that are independent of the chances and changes of life. They are the gifts that have been graciously given by God. That is what gives Advent a permanence that speaks to generations past, present, and future. This week we will look to the Gift of Joy. It is never to late to join, so come on out and be a part of this wonderful study.





3. Fellowship Lunch - This week we will host the choir members and families from the Belleview Seventh-Day Adventist Church as they combine with our choir to present the Christmas Cantata. In order to help display our radical hospitality, I would ask you all to consider bringing a dish to share for our fellowship luncheon after worship. We are expecting about 25-35 extra people and we want to make sure we have enough food for our new friends. Thank you for your consideration.





4. Blue Christmas - This time of year is intended to be full of hope and joy. It is intended to be a time to celebrate and experience the love of Christ and family. However; for those that have lost someone to death, it can be a time of great sorrow and grief. On Sunday, December 23rd, at 12:15pm, we are going to gather for a Blue Christmas service in our Sanctuary. This service is one of remembrance and hope where we will acknowledge our grief, but also the hope that comes from God’s constant presence. I pray you will join us for this time of worship and that you will benefit from the bond it will provide.





5. Ocala Health and Rehab Service - This Sunday is our week to go and minister to the residents of Ocala Health and Rehab. I want to extend an invitation to all of you to come and join us, Sunday at 2pm. Ocala Health and Rehab is located just down the street from the church on the corner of Lake Weir Road and SE 24th Road. We begin with a few hymns, I give a brief devotion, and we wrap it up with a few more hymns and a prayer. It is a wonderful time of fellowship and spreading the love of Christ. I am sure you will enjoy it and be glad you participated! I hope to see you there!


Have a GREAT weekend and I will see you Sunday!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Midweek Moment

As I sit here and type this, it is very “blah” outside. The sky is overcast, the sun is masked, and it just gives me this dreary feeling. Now last night I watched a few minutes of the old claymation favorite, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, with my boys. In one scene the town is full of snow and decorations, and everyone is outside dancing around having a wonderful time. Remembering that scene and then looking at what is currently outside my window…big difference.

This time of year can often have that type of contrast for those people that we love and care about. While for a child, this time of year is full of hope and possibilities; with the coming of Santa, the possibilities of the gifts they may receive, and the fun times to be spent with family and friends. For others, this can be a time of intense loneliness and grief. Especially, if this is the first Christmas without a loved one.

During this time of Advent, I have encouraged you to participate in the practice of preparation. I have invited you to be honest with God about where you are on your spiritual journey and the state of your relationship with God. We have talked about how this time of year, we are to prepare for the second coming of Christ and do our best to live into everything God has created us to be. In that vein, one of the things we have to be honest about is the state of our spirit. While it is my sincere hope that each person reading this in the midst of a joy so deep and profound that they can hardly stand it, I know that is not the reality for all of us.

Therefore, this year we are going to participate in a Blue Christmas service. Sunday, December 23rd, at 12:15 P.M. in the Sanctuary, we are going to gather for a time of worship. We are going to acknowledge the sorrows and grief we may be experiencing and we are also going to acknowledge the hope we have in Jesus Christ. There will be a time of singing, a chance to pray, a time to listen, and if you feel lead, a time to participate. If you have lost a loved one, if you are grieving this Advent season, if you are struggling to find the joy of Christmas, then please come and join us. All are invited and everyone is welcome.

I pray this season you experience the peace of God, the love of Christ, and the hope of the Holy Spirit in ways like never before. I long for the joy of this season to wash over you in a deep and meaningful way. God loves you and so does Druid Hills. Please do not forget that.

May the hope, peace, joy and love of our Triune God be yours today and every day!

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Bible Challenge 12/09 - 12/15

Greetings All!

This week we finish up the book of Colossians, read 6 others and get started in Hebrews! Whew!

Here is a bit of background info you:

I and II Thessalonians - Thesaalonica was a city in Greece that still exists today. These two books were written probably only months apart around 52AD. Paul only stayed with this church for a few weeks after beginning it and seems to be writing the first letter to encourage them in their faith and remind them of some important doctrines of the faith. Apparently there was some misunderstanding regarding the return of Christ and the second shorter letter appears to deal solely with correcting that understanding.

I and II Timothy - Paul found Timothy during one of his visits to Lystra where Timothy is mentioned as a disciple. From the Scriptures it seems his mother and grandmother were Jews who had become believers; the only thing mentioned about his father was that he was Greek. Timothy becomes Paul's traveling companion going to Phyrgia, Galatia, Mysia, Troad, Philippi, Veria and Corinth. Eventually around 65AD, Paul installs Timothy as the bishop of the church at Ephesus, a post he would hold for at least the next fifteen years. Timothy was eventually stoned to death when he took a stand against a pagan procession of idols, ceremonies and songs. The first letter from Paul to Timothy seems deals mainly with forms of worship, organization of the church, the responsibilities of the bishops and deacons and keeping faithful amid surrounding errors. The second letter seems to be more of a personal goodbye as Paul is nearing the end of his life.

Titus -  Titus is mentioned in Galatians as one of Paul's traveling companions to Jerusalem. He was then dispatched to Corinth and later went to Crete as the bishop there. This letter mainly deals with the requirements for bishops and elders in the church.

Philemon -  Philemon was a wealthy Christian and leader (possibly bishop) of the church in Colosse. This is the shortest of all of Paul's letters and deals mainly with the topic of forgiveness.

Hebrews - The author of this letter is not known or identified although many associate it with Paul or suppose it to be written in his style by one of his followers. The book provides a unique look at Jesus as both exalted Son of God and high priest of the people. Most believe the title to be a reference to its original audience: Jewish Christians of the second century who are apparently being tempted to avoid severe persecution by "shrinking back" in their faith. It is a letter written with hope and perseverance in mind. 

Here is the schedule:

09, Sunday: Colossians 3 - I Thessalonians 2

10, Monday: I Thessalonians 3 - II Thessalonians 1

11, Tuesdya: II Thessalonians 2 - I Timothy 2

12, Wednesday: I Timothy 3-6

13, Thursday: II Timothy 1-4

14, Friday: Titus 1 - Philemon

15, Saturday: Hebrews 1-4

May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing and most importantly, the living out of His Holy Word. Amen.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Friday Fives

1. Preaching Series - This week we continue our Advent series entitled, March to the Manger. Each week we will take a different character from our nativity scene and look to the Christmas story through their eyes. This week we will focus on Mary and Joseph as we discover how God was revealed to them in the midst of their circumstances. Invite a friend and I hope to see you there.





2. Bible Study - This week we will continue our Advent Bible Study entitled, Christmas Gifts that Won't Break. Those are gifts that cannot be lost, that never go out of style, and that are independent of the chances and changes of life. They are the gifts that have been graciously given by God. That is what gives Advent a permanence that speaks to generations past, present, and future. This week we will look to the Gift of Joy. It is never to late to join, so come on out and be a part of this wonderful study. *As a side note there will be NO night class this week, just the morning session.*





3.Christmas Gift Cards - If you normally buy gift cards for the holidays I want to invite you to consider buying them through the church this year. This is an excellent way for you to buy those cards for your loved ones and allow the church to raise extra funds, all at the same time. In order to guarantee delivery by the 25th, your order must be in by noon, this Monday, 12/10. For a full listing of all participating vendors you can contact Carole in the church office by phone, 629-5688, or email her by clicking here.





4. Giving Opportunity - This year you can help be a Santa to a Senior. This outreach is part of a national program, now in its ninth year, that has helped provide more than one million gifts to 700,000 seniors in North America. The Garden Club of Stone Creek is partnering with Home Instead Senior Care of Ocala to bring some much-needed help to those in need in our community. The gift requests are typically simple presents like sweaters, lotions and blankets. While these gifts may seem simple, they make a huge difference to "isolated" seniors, those not fortunate to be surrounded by family and friends. Some other gift suggestions are small fleece lap blankets, toothpaste and toothbrushes, stationary, stamps, and pens, socks, and puzzle books. If you'd like to help in some way, you can buy one of these types of gifts and drop them off in the church office, or you can call 622-6447.





5. Brad Fuller Memorial - Tomorrow, Saturday, December 8th, at 10am, we will gather in our sanctuary to celebrate the wonderful life of Brad Fuller, who passed away last week. I invite you to come and join us as we offer love and support to the Fuller Family.







Have a great weekend and I will see you Sunday!

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Midweek Moment

Here we are. Another year almost gone and another Advent season upon us. While at first read, those two sentences may seem to sound deflating, they can also be the beginning of a grand opportunity. Let me explain.

Advent basically means preparation or to prepare. This is the time of year that we are to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. Now the thought that permeates this season is the “coming” we should prepare for is the coming of the Christ Child. However, that has already happened. What we are to prepare ourselves for is the second coming of Christ. We are called to take this time of year and reflect on our faith journey and our relationship with God. We are encouraged to ask ourselves a few questions. Are we as close to God as we can possibly be? Are we fulfilling the call God has placed on our lives? Are we at all times and in all places living out the model of Jesus Christ? Can people simply look at us and how we live and know we are Christians, disciples of Jesus Christ?

While none of us can possible answer yes to all of those, the whole no one being perfect condition coming to bear, we can hope and strive to be better this year than last. John Wesley understood the condition of original sin and its effect on humanity, but he still called for all believers to “strive onto perfection”. While we can never attain perfection on this side of life, we can keep reaching for it.

So…how will you spend this Advent season? How will you prepare yourself for the coming of Christ and seek to be that beacon of hope, peace, joy, and love? Personally, I read. I find an Advent devotional and I use that as my starting point to reflect and remember the Advent stories and the purpose of this season. I then move through quiet prayer time, speaking my heart and listening for God’s. There are many, even hundreds, of books out there that you can use. Other people find a mission project to become a part of and work with them during Advent. All of us are created with different means of expression and various ways of connecting with God, so take time to find the one that works best for you and then adopt into your daily routine.

I encourage you this Advent to find a way, to spend some dedicated time, and prepare yourselves for Advent. Do not let the hustle and bustle of this season, or anything else rob you of the opportunity to grow closer to your Creator. God is waiting. God is eager. So go to God and be refreshed, encouraged, and strengthened.

May this Advent season draw you closer to the one that loved you first!

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Bible Challenge 12/2 - 12/8

Greetings All!

This week we finish up the book of II Corinthians and make our way through Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and part of Colossians.

Here is some background information that may assist you in your readings.

Galatians - The book of Galatians is thought to be Paul's earliest letter, corresponding with the events of Acts 11:30. Here he addresses a group of churches in a Roman province known as Galatia, now in modern-day Turkey. This letter mainly addresses the question of whether the Mosaic law is binding on Gentiles.

Ephesians - Here Paul is writing to the church in Ephesus (now Selcuk, Turkey) while he is imprisoned in Rome (about 62AD) to address the unity of the church between its many Jewish and Gentile believers. Ephesus was the second largest city in the Roman empire in Paul's day and home to one of the seven ancient wonders of the world (temple of Artemis). Paul started the church in Ephesus as recorded in Acts 18 and eventually he would send his young protege Timothy to serve as their pastor. One of my favorite passages is Paul's admonition in Ephesians 6 to put on the full armor of God.

Philippians - Philippians has a different tone than many of Paul's letters - it is written about 62AD to the church in Philippi (now Filippoi, Greece) which was one of the first church's that Paul ever started. From the tone of his letter, Philippi is often called Paul's "sweetheart" church.

Colossians - Colossians is directed to the church at Colosse (now Honaz, Turkey) and was probably written during Paul's first imprisonment in Rome. Apparently, the church had been incorporating pagan elements into their practice including the worship of elemental spirits and Paul's letter declares Christ's supremacy over the entire created universe and reminds the believers to live godly lives.

May this information guide your reading this week. Here is the schedule:

02, Sunday: II Corinthians 4-7

03, Monday: II Corinthians 8-11

04, Tuesday: II Corinthians 12 - Galatians 2

05, Wednesday: Galatians 3-6

06, Thursday: Ephesians 1-4

07, Friday: Ephesians 5 - Philippians 2

08, Saturday: Philippians 3 - Colossians 2

May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing and most importantly, the living out of His Holy Word. Amen.

Friday, November 30, 2012

Friday Fives

1. Preaching Series - This week we will begin our Advent series entitled, March to the Manger. Each week we will take a different character from our nativity scene and look to the Christmas story through their eyes. This week we will begin with the Angels and the Shepherds as we look to the response of the shepherds to the message of the Angels. Invite a friend and I hope to see you there.





2. Bible Study - This week we will continue our Advent Bible Study entitled, Christmas Gifts that Won't Break. Those are gifts that cannot be lost, that never go out of style, and that are independent of the chances and changes of life. They are the gifts that have been graciously given by God. That is what gives Advent a permanence that speaks to generations past, present, and future. This week we will look to the Gift of Love. It is never to late to join, so come on out and be a part of this wonderful study.





3.Christmas Gift Cards - If you normally buy gift cards for the holidays I want to invite you to consider buying them through the church this year. This is an excellent way for you to buy those cards for your loved ones and allow the church to raise extra funds, all at the same time. In order to guarantee delivery by the 25th, your order must be in by noon, on 12/10. For a full listing of all participating vendors you can contact Carole in the church office by phone, 629-5688, or email her by clicking here.





4. Giving Opportunity - This year you can help be a Santa to a Senior. This outreach is part of a national program, now in its ninth year, that has helped provide more than one million gifts to 700,000 seniors in North America. The Garden Club of Stone Creek is partnering with Home Instead Senior Care of Ocala to bring some much-needed help to those in need in our community. The gift requests are typically simple presents like sweaters, lotions and blankets. While these gifts may seem simple, they make a huge difference to "isolated" seniors, those not fortunate to be surrounded by family and friends. Some other gift suggestions are small fleece lap blankets, toothpaste and toothbrushes, stationary, stamps, and pens, socks, and puzzle books. If you'd like to help in some way, you can buy one of these types of gifts and drop them off in the church office, or you can call 622-6447.





5. Brad Fuller Memorial - On Saturday, December 8th, at 10am, we will gather in our sanctuary to celebrate the wonderful life of Brad Fuller, who passed away last week. I invite you to come and join us as we offer love and support to the Fuller Family. Have a great weekend and I will see you Sunday!





Have a great weekend and I will see you Sunday!


Saturday, November 24, 2012

Bible Challenge 11/25 - 12/1

Greetings All!

This week we finish up the book of Romans, read all of I Corinthians and most of II Corinthians.

In Romans, we will read Paul' argument regarding God and Jesus. The flow is as follows: 1) God's wrath revealed against the unrighteous (1:18-3:20); 2) God credits righteousness to all (3:21-5:21); 3) The gift of God's righteousness results in righteous living (6:1-8:39); 4) God's righteousness in the case of Israel (9:1-11:36); 5) God's righteousness reflected in the righteous lives of believers (12:1-15:13); and 6) God's righteousness shared by Paul as minister to the Gentiles (15:14-33).

That will lead us into I and II Corinthians. I Corinthians was written from Ephesus (16:8), a city on the west coast of today's Turkey, about 180 miles by sea from Corinth. According to Acts, Paul founded the church in Corinth (Acts 18:17), then spent approximately three years in Ephesus. The letter was written during this time in Ephesus, which is usually dated as being in the range of 53-57 AD.

Corinth was the meeting point of many nationalities because the main current of the trade between Asia and western Europe passed through its harbors. Paul's first visit lasted nearly two years and his converts were mainly Greeks. In his first epistle, he mainly concentrates on addressing some divisions in the church, some problems with immorality and teaching about marriage, Christian liberty, worship and resurrection. In between I and II Corinthians, Paul visited Corinth another time (a painful visit) and wrote at least one other letter that is now lost. It would seem that the situation in Corinth was still complicated and Paul felt attacked. He defends himself with some of his important teachings - forgiving others, God's new agreement that comes from the Spirit of the living God, the importance of being a person of Christ and giving generously to God's people in Jerusalem and finally ends with his own experience of how God changed his life.

Here is the schedule:

25- Romans 8-11

26- Romans 12-15

27- Romans 16 - I Corinthians 3

28- I Corinthians 4-7

29- I Corinthians 8-11

30- I Corinthians 12-15

1 - I Corinthians 16 - II Corinthians 3

May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing and most importantly, the living out of His Holy Word. Amen.


Friday, November 23, 2012

Friday Fives

1. Preaching Series - This week we will celebrate Hanging of the Greens during worship. Come and join us as we transform the sanctuary from dark and un-decorated to bright and beaming with the hope of Advent. We will completely decorate the sanctuary during our time together and you will hear the meaning behind each of our decorations. This is truly a wonderful service, so invite a friend and I hope to see you there.





2. Bible Study - Beginning this Thursday, November 29th, we will begin our Advent Bible Study entitled, Christmas Gifts that Won't Break. Those are gifts that cannot be lost, that never go out of style, and that are independent of the chances and changes of life. They are the gifts that have been graciously given by God. That is what gives Advent a permanence that speaks to generations past, present, and future. I hope you will all make plans to attend. It will be offered twice a day on Thursdays; 10:30am and 7pm. For more information and to sign up you can click here, or call the church office, 629-5688.





3.Christmas Gift Cards - If you normally buy gift cards for the holidays I want to invite you to consider buying them through the church this year. This is an excellent way for you to buy those cards for your loved ones and allow the church to raise extra funds, all at the same time. In order to guarantee delivery by the 25th, your order must be in by noon, on 12/10. For a full listing of all participating vendors you can contact Carole in the church office by phone, 629-5688, or email her by clicking here.





4. Giving Opportunity - This year you can help be a Santa to a Senior. This outreach is part of a national program, now in its ninth year, that has helped provide more than one million gifts to 700,000 seniors in North America. The Garden Club of Stone Creek is partnering with Home Instead Senior Care of Ocala to bring some much-needed help to those in need in our community. The gift requests are typically simple presents like sweaters, lotions and blankets. While these gifts may seem simple, they make a huge difference to "isolated" seniors, those not fortunate to be surrounded by family and friends. Some other gift suggestions are small fleece lap blankets, toothpaste and toothbrushes, stationary, stamps, and pens, socks, and puzzle books. If you'd like to help in some way, you can buy one of these types of gifts and drop them off in the church office, or you can call 622-6447.





5. Fellowship Opportunities
  • Advent Breakfast, December 1st.
  • Prayer Shawl Ministry beginning December 19th.
For more information about these events check the announcements in the bulletin this Sunday or look at our bulletin on the church website by clicking here.

Have a great weekend and I will see you Sunday!