The Invisible 12thActs 2:1-4 and John 14:23

Bible Challenge 11/02 - 11/08

Greetings All!

This week's reading has us finishing up Mark, the second of the four Gospels in the New Testament and getting several chapters into Luke. Over 40% of the Gospel of Mark focuses upon the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus' final week.

The Gospel of Luke is the first part of a two-part book written by the same author. The first part is an account of Jesus' life; the second part, the book of Acts, is an account of the early life of the church. The author Luke was a physician who was a traveling companion of Paul on some of his missionary journeys. He addresses the books of Luke and Acts to Theophilus, probably a Gentile that was either a new believer or someone who wanted to know more about Jesus (theophilus means "lover of God"). Luke elaborates on a lot of the information from Matthew and Mark, including more parables and more stories about Jesus' interactions with people which show his interest in the non-Jewish world and the poor.

Here is the schedule:

2: Mark 4-7

3: Mark 8-11

4: Mark 12-15

5: Mark 16; Luke 1-3

6: Luke 4-7

7: Luke 8-11

8: Luke 12-15

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

Friday Fives

1. Sermon Series - This Sunday we are concluding our preaching series entitled, The 11, based upon a book by Rev. Leonard Sweet. To live our life alone not only robs us of wonderful experiences and fellowship, it is almost impossible. We need to people to walk with us, support us, and absolutely love us along the way. We need others to help us be the best person we can be, the person God intends for us to be. For the next several weeks we are going to look at the types of people we need in our lives as a way of helping you identify who in your life fills those roles for you. It is sure to be an exciting time of discernment and maybe even a bit surprising. For a schedule you can click here. Invite a friend and I hope to see you all there!





2. FAD Night - What a wonderful presentation we had last night from Carole Savage and her staff and students from PACE! Next week, Pastor Daryl will talk about his reflections from his time in the Holy Land and how apparent God's love was to him and Pastor Debbie during their travels, complete with pictures!  

FAD Night is a time for us to share a simple meal together and then break off into our groups; children, youth, and adults. After that we come back together for a time of music and prayer. Please consider coming and being a part of both of these opportunities as we grow together in faith and fellowship.





3. Block Party - Our Annual Block Party is next Saturday, 11/1, from 2-5pm. Come on out, have some fun, and bring a friend. This is a great way to introduce people to who we are and allow us to love on them for a spell. This is our chance to tell our community that we are here, that God loves them, and so do we. I encourage you to come on out, volunteer to help us out, show your support for our family and spread God's love to those that we will encounter.

We also have a special bonus this year; The Lion's Club Sight Van. The Lion's Club will be coming out to offer free sight screening for adults as well as children. There will even be a special preschool age screening for our friends between 1 and 6 years of age. They will also accept any old reading, prescription, and non-prescription glasses and sunglass that you might like to donate. It is sure to be a great time! I hope to see you there!






4. Pumkin Patch Cleanup - Tomorrow morning, 11/1, at 9:30am we are meeting at the church to take down and the Pumpkin Patch and reset the area for the Block Party. Please make plans to come on down and help us get ready for the afternoon's festivities. Remember, many hands make light work! Hope to see you there!







5. Advent Challenge - We are at just about at the half way point of our challenge this year and we are just about half way to our goal of $5,000. This year the monies raised will be split between a local and global charity. Of our goal, $2,900 will go to our global charity, Stop Hunger Now, as we strive to host another meal packaging event to help those children around the world that are suffering from malnourishment. The other $2,100 will go to our local mission, a Church Has Left the Building event, scheduled for early 2015.

Please prayerfully consider how you might give, above and beyond your normal giving, to support this challenge so we may reach out and share the love of Christ with other people. If you want more information about this challenge, including updates for how much you have raised, please click here.






See you soon!

Midweek Moment

This week I want to say “thank you!” October is Pastor Appreciation month and I want to say thank you for all of the ways you expressed your appreciation. From the cards, to the incredible gift presented to me in worship last week, to the time you took to have a conversation and share your feelings with me face to face. I greatly appreciate all of the ways you affirmed me and the support you shared with me!

I said this Sunday and I will say it again, I am honored to be here and be your pastor. To see the ways you allow the Holy Spirit to move through this congregation, for your willingness to try new things and see how they unfold, and see you support this community in so many varied ways, it is truly awe inspiring.

This is a vibrant church and that is because of you. So thank you not only for the gifts and kind words, but for being you. I am grateful for you, amazed by you, and so humbled to live life with you.

I am excited to see what God will do through us in the future and thank you for allowing me to be a part of this family.

God bless you all and see you Sunday!

Where is Your Jerusalem?Luke 19:41-44 and Luke 10:1-12

This is the message from worship on October 26, 2014

Bible Challenge 10/26 - 11/01

Greetings All!

This week's reading has us finishing up the first of the four Gospels in the New Testament and getting a couple of chapters into the second Gospel of Mark. The Gospel of Matthew has seven main sections, with a prologue about Jesus' early life, five sections covering his ministry and the last section about his death and resurrection.

Mark is believed to have been the first Gospel written, about 50AD, as the other three Gospels all quote it, but Mark does not quote the others. The author is believed to be John Mark, the son of a Jerusalem widow whose home was a meeting place for early believers (Acts 12:12). Mark most likely recorded the event as he heard them firsthand from the disciple Peter. The book's non-Jewish flavor suggests it may be have been written to believers in Rome. At this time, Rome had begun persecuting Christians. This is book is clearly meant to encourage suffering believers. Mark shows Jesus as the suffering servant who came to die as the Savior for the world (including non-Jews).

Here is the schedule:

26 - Matthew 4-7

27 - Matthew 8-11

28 - Matthew 12-15

29 - Matthew 16-19

30 - Matthew 20-23

31 - Matthew 24-27

01 - Matthew 28; Mark 1-3

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

Friday Fives

1. Sermon Series - This Sunday we are continuing our preaching series entitled, The 11, based upon a book by Rev. Leonard Sweet. To live our life alone not only robs us of wonderful experiences and fellowship, it is almost impossible. We need to people to walk with us, support us, and absolutely love us along the way. We need others to help us be the best person we can be, the person God intends for us to be. For the next several weeks we are going to look at the types of people we need in our lives as a way of helping you identify who in your life fills those roles for you. It is sure to be an exciting time of discernment and maybe even a bit surprising. For a schedule you can click here. Invite a friend and I hope to see you all there!





2. FAD Night - While our current Bible Study concluded yesterday FAD (Faith and Discipleship) Night is still in full swing and we would love to have you be a part of this time of fellowship! Next week, we will have one of our church members, Carole Savage, come and share with us about what the PACE Center for Girls is doing. This is a mission and school our S.O.S group helps to sponsor. I want to encourage you to come and hear about the impact this organization in making for the young ladies of Marion County.

FAD Night is a time for us to share a simple meal together and then break off into our groups; children, youth, and adults. After that we come back together for a time of music and prayer. Please consider coming and being a part of both of these opportunities as we grow together in faith and fellowship.





3. Car Ride - We have a member of this congregation that is need of a ride to church on Sundays. She lives in the neighborhood east of Greenway Park, near Baseline Road. If you would be willing to offer her a ride once a month or so, please let me know so I can put you in touch with her. Thanks for your consideration!





4. Advent Challenge - We are at just about at the half way point of our challenge this year and we are just about half way to our goal of $5,000. This year the monies raised will be split between a local and global charity. Of our goal, $2,900 will go to our global charity, Stop Hunger Now, as we strive to host another meal packaging event to help those children around the world that are suffering from malnourishment. The other $2,100 will go to our local mission, a Church Has Left the Building event, scheduled for early 2015.

Please prayerfully consider how you might give, above and beyond your normal giving, to support this challenge so we may reach out and share the love of Christ with other people. If you want more information about this challenge, including updates for how much you have raised, please click here.

5. Block Party - Our Annual Block Party is next Saturday, 11/1, from 2-5pm. Come on out, have some fun, and bring a friend. This is a great way to introduce people to who we are and allow us to love on them for a spell. This is our chance to tell our community that we are here, that God loves them, and so do we. I encourage you to come on out, volunteer to help us out, show your support for our family and spread God's love to those that we will encounter.

We also have a special bonus this year; The Lion's Club Sight Van. The Lion's Club will be coming out to offer free sight screening for adults as well as children. There will even be a special preschool age screening for our friends between 1 and 6 years of age. They will also accept any old reading, prescription, and non-prescription glasses and sunglass that you might like to donate. It is sure to be a great time! I hope to see you there!





Have a great weekend and I will see you soon!