“Making and Maturing Disciples of Jesus Christ”
This year, Pentecost falls on May 23rd. To me, part of this season in which we find ourselves is akin to the time before the first Pentecost. We are waiting expectantly for a better day that sets farther on up the road, but we do not know exactly where, and we don’t know when we
Read MoreThere’s an old joke from Punxsutawney, PA about a Sun- day School teacher who thought she wasn’t reaching the children. The kids could name every secular holiday, but knew nothing about the church and its faith. She asked them about Easter. After comments about eggs and bunnies and chocolate, she asked if anyone knew what
Read MoreIn Lent, we are called back to the basics of our faith. It is a season to give up those things that prevent us from following the Lord fully. It is also a time to pick up those practices that focus our lives on the Lord and doing His will. One of those practices is
Read MoreTitle: It’s That Away Theme: We need to know the truth—and the absolute truth! Objects: a picture of the Scarecrow from The Wizard of OZ Scripture: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?” Matthew 11:7b Good morning! Sometimes, we don’t like rules. We want to stay
Read MoreTitle: But I Want Cupcakes Theme: Sometimes, we should take what we need not what we want Objects: none needed Scripture: 17“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’” Matthew 11:16-19 Good morning! I know we talked about food last week, but I’m
Read MoreMuch has been made about the psychological toll of the pandemic. With increased isolation, mental health markers have deteriorated while stress levels increased. When looking at people’s face swathed in bands of cloth, we have lost the ability to see one an- other’s full humanity and their complete responses to our presence. A lot of
Read MoreCall to Worship/Lighting the Advent Wreath 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all
Read MoreCall to Worship/Lighting the Advent Wreath 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God
Read MoreCall to Worship/Lighting the Advent Wreath 5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, He said, “Sacrifices and offerings You have not desired, but a body have You prepared for Me;6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings You have taken no pleasure.7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God,
Read MoreCall to Worship/Lighting the Advent Wreath 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7
Read MoreCall to Worship/Lighting the Advent Wreath 3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that He
Read MoreCall to Worship/Lighting the Advent Wreath 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
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