We are often motivated by three powerful things: fear, shame, and guilt. These often influence how we talk about Christian faith, too. How do we move away from unhealthy fears to the honestly good news of Jesus? Listen to Pastor David’s sermon on John 2:1-11, Jesus’s first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee.
What to Expect This Sunday, January 10
Happy New Year! On this second Sunday of January, we will worship the Lord in song and through scripture:
- Welcome/Announcements: We take care of the business of the church.
- Opening Prayer: We invite God to be attentive to our worship of him.
- “Whom Shall I Fear?”: We sing a song of praise that reminds us that God is always right by our side.
- Responsive Reading (Psalm 29): We recite an ancient song that celebrates the power of God and the peace that he gives his people.
- “God of Wonders”: We continue in praise by worshiping the Lord of heaven and earth.
- Offering: We give our tithes and offerings as an act of thanksgiving to our almighty Lord.
- “Victory in Jesus”: We sing a song of testimony, because the power of God transforms our lives!
- Scripture Reading (Isaiah 43:1-7): The Old Testament prophet reminds us that God loves us and is always with us.
- “Wonderful Peace”: This hymn of reflection speaks of the peace we have because God is with us.
- Scripture Reading (Luke 3:15-17, 21-22): In this gospel reading, John the Baptist points the way to Jesus and then baptizes Jesus.
- “Open My Eyes That I May See”: As a response to the glory revealed at Jesus’s baptism, we prepare for prayer by asking God to open our eyes to see Jesus, too.
- Prayer: We lift up our requests before the ever-present, ever-loving Lord.
- Special Music: Our faithful piano player Deann Smith will present an instrumental offering of worship to the Lord.
- Message: Our guest preacher for the day will be Pastor Jim Shanks, a good friend of ours from Eagle Ridge Church of God.
- “Consecration”: We close the service by consecrating ourselves to the Lord’s service.
- Benediction: We depart in peace, knowing that Christ goes with us everywhere we go.
Come and worship!
Observing a Baptism Service
Yesterday afternoon, a neighboring church celebrated the baptisms of eight people, each of whom has experienced salvation in Jesus and is dedicating his or her life to following him. Together with seven other people who were baptized in September, the Midland Missionary Church has now seen fifteen people go through the waters of baptism in the past few months. Praise the Lord for how he is moving in that congregation! Continue reading
The Bible – Year in Review
Several of us committed to read the Bible all the way through in 2015. If you are in that group, did you make it? If you are not in that group, is there someone you know who participated? We used the “Chronological Bible,” a reorganization of every verse of scripture according to the order of biblical events. It has been a fascinating journey through scripture, and now that it’s complete, I’d like to offer a couple of reflections on the process. Continue reading
Coming Into the Light
Light shines into the darkness: the Wise Men. Isaiah 60:1-6. Ephesians 3:1-12. How has God shined his light into our lives? And what should our response be? Listen to Pastor David’s sermon on this Epiphany Sunday.
Give Thanks to God
While in their old age, Simeon and Anna had meaningful encounters with the infant Jesus, and this gave them hope for the future. What does this ancient story say to us today? Listen to Pastor David’s message on Luke 2:22-40 here.
A Long Time Ago, In a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Christmas Eve and Star Wars: What do they have in common? How does the birth of Jesus begin a new, epic saga for the ages? Listen to Pastor David’s Christmas Eve message here:
January Youth Update
Whew! We made it through the Christmas Season and are heading into the New Year with full force! Not the “Force” but the real of meaning of Christmas in our minds as we serve and celebrate the glory of Jesus Christ. A New Year, new beginnings, resolutions and all that go with the only holiday that is celebrated in the entire world (as we wish Christianity was) – the New Year? But what does it matter? Did you know that only 12 percent of us ever keep the New Year’s resolutions that we make? We celebrate the ball drop in New York City – a tradition that has happened since 1904 – say nice things we are going to do and then work on it for a few weeks. Sadly enough, many do not make any resolutions, and then there are no expectations for us to meet. After all, God loves us just the way we are –TRUE, but we could all still use a little improvement in one area or another. Why is it so hard for us to change, even when we want to? There’s a saying that “God loves me too much to leave me the way I am.” What do you think God would want you to work on this year? Continue reading
What to Expect This Sunday, December 27
Happy Christmas Eve! Soon we will gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Savior. Here is a preview of our Sunday morning service, so you can prepare yourself for this encounter with the living Messiah.
- Welcome/Announcements: We take care of the business of the church.
- Prayer: We acknowledge God’s presence among us and invite him to be attentive to our worship.
- “Angels We Have Heard on High”: We celebrate the birth of Jesus with this carol: Glory to God in the highest!
- “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing”: We continue in praise of our newborn King.
- Christ’s Birthday Observance Offering: We give a special offering to honor the birth of Jesus. This offering supports national and international ministries of the Church of God.
- “This Little Light of Mine”: We join in singing this spiritual as we give our special offering.
- Responsive Reading (Psalm 148): We praise the Lord by reading a psalm of praise together.
- “Jesus Messiah”: In song we adore Jesus, the one who became our righteousness: love so amazing!
- Scripture Reading (Isaiah 61:10-62:3): We hear an ancient text that inspires us to sing praise to God in our souls.
- Scripture Reading (Luke 2:22-40): The sermon text calls us to center our thoughts on an encounter with the newborn Jesus.
- Message (“Give Thanks to God”): Mary and Joseph brought young Jesus to the Temple, where he was greeted by Simeon and Anna. We reflect together on this marvelous story.
- “Come, Share the Lord”: We sing this song to prepare ourselves to meet Jesus face to face.
- The Lord’s Supper: This is the highlight of the service. In the bread and cup, we meet our crucified and risen Savior. This is a mystery – but it’s one that we share with each other with eyes wide open.
- Offering: We give our regular tithes and offerings to the Lord, in response to the gift he has given us: life with him.
- “You Have Been Given”: We sing this chorus to prepare ourselves for prayer.
- Prayer: We lift up our praises and petitions before the Lord.
- Special: We hear a story from one of our dear, elderly saints.
- “Good Christians, Now Rejoice”: We sing this carol to remind ourselves of our call to rejoice in the Lord always.
- Benediction: We receive a blessing as we depart, changed forever by this encounter with the living Jesus.
Shining the Light
You are the light of the world. But is the light of Christ shining fully into your life and your relationships? Make peace happen this Christmas. Listen to Pastor David’s sermon, from the last Sunday of Advent, on Matthew 5:14-16.