Today marks the beginning of a new series that I hope will give shape to the concept of “discipleship,” one of the two primary thrusts of the Christian life. I call the other primary thrust “outreach,” and I am convinced that anyone who desires to follow Jesus should be actively involved in each of these modes of spiritual growth. What that involvement looks like will, naturally, change over time and from person to person. My hope is that this series of articles will prompt you to think about how the practices of discipleship and outreach can take shape and grow in your own life.
April Youth Update
The snow is LEAVING! We are down to BIG piles and patches here & there, then with a little more rain and a few warmer days they will be gone. Almost like sin, although it never disappears because of the world we live in, a little bit of God’s Word each day, some good relationships and fellowship with Christians, some regular attendance of church and a whole lot of prayers will help you avoid some of the sins we encounter in our daily walk with Christ. Let Christ do the power lifting in your walk with him and more joy & contentment will fill your days.
Forgiveness: Our Responsibility
This week, we conclude our brief look at forgiveness, the theme of our sermon series during the season of Lent. In Ephesians 5:8-14, we find a clear call for people who have been forgiven: that we should live as children of light, having nothing to do with the deeds of darkness. What does this look like, and what does it all mean? Listen in to Pastor David’s message on this passage:
Why I Love Baseball
March is well-known in the sports world for being the time of “March Madness,” when over sixty college basketball games are packed into three weekends. Over the years, I have enjoyed filling out a bracket for fun and watching how most of my predictions turn out to be completely wrong. And I’ve grown an appreciation for the pace, tempo, and energy of that kind of game.
But nothing in the sports world compares to my love of baseball.
Forgiveness: God’s Reconciliation
Romans 5:1-11 contains some of the most meaningful language in scripture: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This passage is crucial for our understanding of how God reconciles us to himself through Jesus Christ. What does this have to do with our journey toward the cross during Lent? And how can it be transformative for our spiritual lives down the road? Listen in to Pastor David’s message:
The Bible and Cosmos
Last year, many Christians – including me – were very excited by a new TV miniseries entitled “The Bible.” That miniseries retold the great stories of our faith through modern eyes. Another retelling of some fantastic stories is taking place in another new TV miniseries entitled “Cosmos.” And I am equally as excited about this series as I was about “The Bible” last year.
Christ in the Passover
On Monday, April 14, at 7:00pm, we will host a “Model Seder” meal presented by a representative from Jews for Jesus. This event is free of charge and is open to any who wish to come.
The “seder” is the organized meal which Jews have practiced every year for millennia. This meal commemorates the Exodus of the Israelites from captivity in Egypt during the time of Moses. It was this Passover meal that Jesus shared with his disciples just before he was arrested and crucified.
The “Model Seder” meal, presented by Jews for Jesus, is designed to reveal the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ through the sharing of the Passover seder. We will share in elements from the traditional Passover meal (note: not a full dinner) and see how the story of the Exodus is fulfilled in the story of Jesus. We will also celebrate the Lord’s Supper as part of this experience, which promises to be a moving, enlightening, and transformative moment in your spiritual walk!
Please come – and bring a friend!
Special note: We will give a love offering to Jews for Jesus at this event to help sponsor our presenter and the mission of this organization.
Sign up by completing this simple online form. Or you may sign up by calling LeAnn at 989-496-9148.
More information about Jews for Jesus:
Jews for Jesus is an agency that proclaims that Jesus is the Messiah of Israel and Savior of the world. The late Moishe Rosen, a Jew who has believed in Jesus for over 35 years, founded the organization. However, Dr. Rosen was quick to point out that he did not “start” Jews for Jesus. “Jews for Jesus began about 2,000 years ago, around 32 C.E., give or take a year. Jesus’ first disciples were Jewish, and there have been some Jewish people who have believed in him ever since.”
The organization has permanent branches in eight North American cities (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Toronto, New York City, Washington D.C. and Fort Lauderdale) as well as over 127 volunteer chapters spanning some 41 states and five countries. The group’s international branches are headquartered in Johannesburg, London, Paris, Odessa, Moscow, Essen, Rio de Janeiro, Kharkov, Dnepopretrovsk, and Tel Aviv.
To the Jews for Jesus, believing in Jesus makes sense in light of the Jewish Bible and in light of their experiences as “believers.” For those who argue that Christianity contradicts the meaning of Judaism, the Jews for Jesus say there are answers, which their representative will be happy to discuss after the presentation. Call (989) 832-3570 or visit http://www.mthaley.org for more information. There will be no admission charge.
Forgiveness: God’s Response to Sin
As we begin the season of Lent, Pastor David preaches the first of three sermons on forgiveness. Take a look at Romans 5:12-19 and consider how great the Lord’s love is for us, how marvelous his forgiveness is! Listen in to this week’s sermon:
Assigned to a Task
Paul planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God gave the growth. So what is the implication for us as believers today from this passage (1 Corinthians 3:1-9)? What is our task as “plants” in God’s field? Listen in to Pastor David’s sermon on this passage.
March Youth Update
Lamb or Lion? It has been a cold snowy winter and the long rides on Sunday and Tuesday evenings after youth meetings have been chilly. We are not only ready to have March come as a lamb, but to continue to put our trust in the “Lamb of God.” God has been GOOD!!
Our adventure to Guatemala was fantastic. After enduring weather in the 70’s for the week, it was hard to come home to another snowstorm. Because of weather, we were blessed with two extra days in Guatemala and some extra sightseeing. The whole trip was a “once in a lifetime” experience and blessings were flowing. Our team will be presenting a report to the Mt. Haley congregation on Sunday, March 16, in the morning Worship Service at 11:00 AM. Come and share in the blessings of the trip.