This week, Pastor David begins a series on the first few chapters of 1 Corinthians, a letter written to an ancient church with modern-day problems. Despite all the issues at Corinth, Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 that the believers there are called to be holy, and that God will keep them blameless until the day of Jesus’s return. How does this passage reveal that “Jesus is the subject”? (And what does that phrase mean?) Click below to listen in to this week’s sermon!
The Belong Blog
Today I would like to let you in on a little project that is growing among some friends of mine. Several of us went to seminary together and have remained in contact even though we are serving in different parts of the country (and world). You may recall that two of these friends pastor the churches with whom we sponsored Sudipta Nanda to attend last year’s Global Gathering in Anderson. We all care deeply about the Church of God, and we believe in what it stands for. And this year, we are starting with a new series of blog posts: each of us will take a turn explaining how we came to the Church of God and why we are committed to its future.
This blog is found online at www.mthaley.org/belong – it is hosted on our church’s website but is completely separate from our church’s online presence. Please take a few minutes to read the initial post of this series (written by my friend Gwynne Watkins from Dayton, Ohio) and my contribution to the series. And check back in regularly, because more stories will be posted in the coming weeks! Please do leave comments to let us know what you think, as well. We believe this conversation is important!
Pastor David
The Message is For You
Enter into the world of Theophilus, the addressee and recipient of a two-volume document known as Luke and Acts. In the midst of the story of Acts, Theophilus reads about a man who sounds very familiar to him: a centurion named Cornelius. Listen in as Pastor David preaches on Peter’s speech to Cornelius in Acts 10:34-43.
In the Beginning
The Gospel according to John opens with three famous words: “In the beginning…” On this, the first Sunday of 2014, Pastor David preaches on John 1:1-18, a passage which introduces to us the Word of God: Jesus Christ himself. How can this Word and the light he brings into the world transform our lives? Listen in to this week’s sermon!
The Year in (P)Review
Today is the last day of 2013, and a new year is soon to dawn. In fact, I have a friend who lives in New Zealand, and at this moment she is already several hours into 2014! The future is always very nearly upon us.
At this time of year, we often look back on the year that has passed, and we consider what the upcoming year may hold. I invite you to take a few moments to reflect on the life of Mt. Haley Church of God with me.
January Youth Update
We welcome the New Year 2014 as we count the BLESSINGS of 2013. We have grown spiritually and in youth numbers as we enter the New Year and it is awesome to know how much God loves and cares for us – each and every day. His BLESSINGS are so apparent and our appreciation of how he blesses us just continues to grow. Thank you God, thank you parents, thank you youth and thank you Mt. Haley Church of God. May we proclaim His Gospel!
Christ Our Brother
This Sunday was the fifth day of Christmas, a season which lasts twelve days and extends all the way to Epiphany, the next holiday in the church calendar. On this day, Pastor David highlights “five golden rings” from Hebrews 2:10-18, a passage that explains the connection between Jesus’s birth and death. Listen in to this message, and allow the word of God to transform your life!
Veni, Veni Emmanuel
This Christmas Eve, Pastor David led us in a reflection on an ancient Christian hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” which has lyrics that date back to at least the 9th Century. The seven stanzas of this hymn contain a powerful message that you won’t want to miss. Listen in to this message and celebrate the great truth that Jesus Christ is indeed here with us – and that he will be here again soon!
You can read the Latin and English lyrics by downloading this PDF file, which shows the back side of tonight’s order of worship: VeniVeni.pdf
Sing Lullaby
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19 NIV)
What if Mary, the mother of Jesus, had known the entire course of her son’s life at the moment of his birth? What if she knew that his life and ministry would spark a religious conflict in Jerusalem resulting in his execution? What if she could grasp the prophetess Anna’s words, “and a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:35b NIV)? What if she could see the glory of Jesus’s resurrection, the promise of eternal life, even as he lay in her arms as a newborn?
A Smelly Kind of Love
Something smells a little fishy, doesn’t it? The well-known story of Joseph and Mary from Matthew 1:18-25 describes how a husband had to deal with a surprising unplanned pregnancy. Listen in as Pastor David explores this passage with us and gives us a couple of challenges for the Christmas season and beyond.