The Pastor’s Blog
Home Study January 9 to 14, 2011
Monday – Read I Thessalonians 4:9-12
Why does God call His followers to live in love?
By whose power can we love?
How can we increase our ability to live in love?
What can we do to win the respect of those outside the church?
Why is this important? How does this challenge you?
Tuesday – Read I Corinthians 3:1-9
Why does God give each of us a different job to do in the work of His church?
Who is the one that makes things grow?
According to verse 8, what are we rewarded for, the size of our harvest or our faithfulness to do what God has called us to do?
Why is this important?
What has God called you to do? Are you being faithful?
Wednesday – Read II Corinthians 9:6-11
How does this apply to giving to the work of God’s church?
How does this challenge you?
How will you respond?
Thursday – Read Titus 2:11-15
To whom has the grace of God that brings salvation appeared?
How can we help others to understand and apply it to their lives?
Who is your life needs to accept God’s grace? What can you do?
Friday – Read II Timothy 2:14-19
What do we need to do correctly handle the Word of God?
Why is this important?
How can we help others to better understand the Word of God?
How does this passage challenge you? How will you respond?
Saturday – Read I Thessalonians 5:12-15
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Youth Group Events
Secondhand Dreamers & Harmony Hi-see
Outreach Concert Friday, January 20th
6 p.m. at MFC – Admission is Free! Bring a Friend.
Sunday, January 22nd
3 p.m. Youth meet @ MFC for ride to the RRRink
Cost $6 with ID. Sign-up in Ross Chapel.
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January 2012
Wycliffe Associates Report
Sunday, January 8th at 9:30 a.m.
It has been a joy and blessing to have Josh, Audra, Raeleigh and Gabe Cadd with us as they have been on vacation from their work with Wycliffe Associates in Kenya. During worship on January 8, 2012, they will be sharing with us about their work and the ways that they have seen God working. Plan to come and expect to be challenged!
Ladies You Are Invited to a Baby Shower for Chelsie Hayes, Tuesday, January 10th, at 7 p.m. in the fireside room. Chelsie and Jeremy are having a baby boy, named Luke, and they are registered at Target.
Wednesday Night Activities will Resume January 11th Simple Meal at 6 p.m. Followed by Wed. Night Kids, Youth Group, and Adult Study at 7 p.m. If you haven’t been here on Wednesday evenings in the past, come and join us this year!
New Carpet for Ross Chapel
The Stewards are pleased to report that we will be having new carpet installed in Ross Chapel on January 17, 2012. On Monday, January 16th we need a crew of people to remove the old carpet and prep the floor for installation. We will begin this work at 9 a.m. on the 16th and if you can help please be sure to let Dick Hall or Mark Burton know.
Thank you to everyone who gave so generously!
As a church family we were able to give Christmas gifts to 31 children and young people and Christmas dinner boxes to 20 families. There are so many people in our neighborhood who need a helping hand right now and we are blessed to be able to share the love of Jesus with them.
Ladies Meetings in January:
Friends Women – All ladies are invited and welcome to join us for sharing & caring fellowship. We will meet Tuesday, January 17th, at the home of Glenda Workman. Denise Fleming is co-hostess.
FWMF (Friends Women Missionary Fellowship) is open to all women of our church. Our time together is spent in fellowship and learning about the work of our missionaries, their needs and those people to whom they minister. This year’s theme is “God’s Global Network.” All ladies are welcome to join us at MFC, Thursday, January 19th, at 10 a.m. A buffet luncheon will follow the meeting.
Help Wanted on Wednesday Nights 6:45 to 8 p.m.
On Wednesday nights we have a small but great group of kids that range from pre-school to elementary age. Patsy Burton works with the kids but could use another person to help. If you are interested in helping minister to these kids or have questions please see Patsy or Mark Burton.
All Church Potluck – Sunday, January 15th
Bring a main dish & a salad, vegetable or dessert and join in the fellowship following the 11 a.m. Sunday School hour.
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January 2012
Happy New Year!
When I was a kid these words always held out so much promise and hope. The promise that the next 12 months would be different than the last 12, and the hope that I could leave behind my failures and struggles of the past and that things would go the way that I wanted and I could become the guy that I wanted to be.
That was a lot of hope to put on three words and on one moment in time, and try as I might, most of the time the new year ended up being so much like the one before it, with me having the same hopes and struggles as before. However, after submitting my life to Jesus He began making changes in me and taking me to places that I had previously only dreamed about. And the promise and hope that I desired as a kid was no longer something that was only available to me at 12 midnight on January 1st of each year, but as Lamentations 3:22 – 24 reminds us:
“Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.’”
Another good part of living my life submitted to Jesus is that I no longer have to make the plan for my life and then try to make it happen, but instead, I can trust Jesus and as I live for Him, seeking His plan and His will, He will guide me in the way I should go. In Jeremiah 29:11 God made an incredible promise to His people, a promise that extends to us as His people today:
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’”
This promise doesn’t mean that God will make us all healthy and wealthy, but it does mean that even though we will encounter the difficulties of life, God will work for our good, giving us a hope and calling us to a future with Him.
As we begin this new year, take time each day to submit your life to Jesus, be open to who He is and all that He is doing in your life, and then join Him in the work that He desires to do in and through you!
Expecting Great Things Each Day,
Mark
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