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CITY WIDE YARD SALE, August 6 & 7, will start in our parking lot at 7:00 a.m. Different groups, committees, and individuals will clean various areas of the church building and prepare items for the sale. The Men’s group
has volunteered to do the Annex Basement and the area under the stairwell in the Fellowship Hall. Other areas to be cleaned and gleaned are the kitchen, the choir room, and baptistery rooms. Call the office to volunteer for an area.
A HUGE THANKS to everyone who volunteered in the Picnic booth and to all who came by to visit. Special thanks to Jennie Barrett for chairing the project and Don Wooldridge for set up and transport of items to our space. Eighteen volunteers filled the hours at the booth so that our congregation could have a presence at the picnic.
OUR YOUTH, facilitated by Lisa Cochran, parked cars during the picnic to help supplement the camp tuition and replenish the youth fund. Appreciation to Lisa for her oversight and to Kendall Voris for painting the parking lot. Also our thanks to Quentin Walsh for mowing the lot and bringing the sawhorses to hold the signs.
During the picnic project the story of the loaves and fishes kept coming to my mind. The little boy brought his little bit and offered it to Jesus and Jesus expanded it to be more than any of them could have imagined! And so it was with our picnic/parking lot project. We each brought our little bit--an hour here and an hour there. We trust Jesus to bless and expand the little bit we brought to him to accomplish his purposes.
Last Sunday, July 11, our worshiping attendance was 58. Today, the Sunday after the picnic (traditionally a much lower attendance) Doug counted 58! That in itself is beautiful and encouraging, but after the count 2 or 3 people came in, so the unofficial count for the Sunday after the Picnic is 60 or 61. We give our little bit--an hour here, an hour there. We trust Jesus to bless and expand the little bit we bring to him to accomplish his purposes.
Reflecting on the Scriptures: The Hope of GLORY
Colossians 1:15-28. We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God—but Christ in you is the hope of glory! Jesus brought reconciliation, forgiveness and hope—a mystery hidden for generations revealed to the saints!
Luke 10:38-42. In his life Jesus pointed away from the worries and distractions of this world. His teachings call us to listen and learn from him. Christ in us shaping our values and priorities is the hope of glory. Choose the better part.
Amos 8:1-12. R rated due to violence! God’s judgment is promised to those who reject God’s word, ignore God’s warnings and continue to use, abuse and cheat others.
Psalm 52. When evil prevails our only hope is a faithful God in whom we take refuge—a faithful God revealed in Jesus Christ! Christ in you, the hope of glory!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Pastor's Notes for July 11, 2010
OUR SUMMER BULLETIN has our order of worship on the left opening; the prayer concerns, week’s activities, and servers for today and next week on the right. On the back of the bulletin you find my notes and on the front the office information and services. Nothing’s missing!
Our desire in minimizing the bulletin and the order of worship is to bring the service into a concise hour. Endurance and patience are important characteristics for the gathered worshipping community of faith.
COMMUNITY WORSHIP in the Park, sponsored by El Dorado Springs Ministerial Association, experienced God's rain even as we prayed for God's reign! But the moisture didn't dampen our spirits.
GG Cole from Abundant Life Ministry Center led congregational worship and special music was provided by the reassembled community choir and by the Johnston family.
The community choir, directed by Judi Willman of Park Street Christian, represented six congregations:
Abundant Life Ministry Center
Church of God (Holiness)
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Park Street Christian Church
Presbyterian Church
United Methodist Church
The Johnston Family made up of Dennis, Chelsea, Stacy and Josh brought a bluegrass flavor to the worship.
Participating ministers included three pastors new to our community:
David Woods at Herriamn Chapel Church of God (Holiness)
Ron Marsh at First Baptist Church and
Larry Daniel at Park Street Christian Church
They served alongside Howard McPeak (Pape Christian), Mike & GG Cole (Abundant Life), Dennis Johnston (Bethel Freewill Baptist), and Barbara Minton (Disciples).
REMEMBER
~ Monday, July 12, @ 5 p.m. Picnic Booth Orientation in the annex.
~ Thursday—Saturday, July 15, 16, & 17
~ Youth parking cars from 4 to 6 p.m.
~ FCC Picnic Booth 6 to 10 p.m.
YOUTH GROUP service project at Second Chance Barnyard was postponed again--this time due to rain. Hopefully sometime in August we will be able to make our trip to the Barnyard.
Reflecting on the Scriptures: Inheriting LIGHT
Amos 7:7-17. The message of the prophet does not set well with the priest or the king! Truth spoken to power is like light shone into darkness. Despite rejection Amos speaks truth.
Psalm 82. The weak plead with God to bring light into the darkness of ignorance, to judge the earth with justice.
Luke 10:25-37. Knowing the right answer and living out the truth of what one knows can be like day and night! Jesus says, live what you know… “Do this and you will live.”
Colossians 1:1-14. The Father has enabled us to inherit light! He rescues us from the power of darkness, empowers us to speak truth to power, equips us to seek justice for the weak, and expects us to live out what we know! Wow!
Our desire in minimizing the bulletin and the order of worship is to bring the service into a concise hour. Endurance and patience are important characteristics for the gathered worshipping community of faith.
COMMUNITY WORSHIP in the Park, sponsored by El Dorado Springs Ministerial Association, experienced God's rain even as we prayed for God's reign! But the moisture didn't dampen our spirits.
GG Cole from Abundant Life Ministry Center led congregational worship and special music was provided by the reassembled community choir and by the Johnston family.
The community choir, directed by Judi Willman of Park Street Christian, represented six congregations:
Abundant Life Ministry Center
Church of God (Holiness)
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Park Street Christian Church
Presbyterian Church
United Methodist Church
The Johnston Family made up of Dennis, Chelsea, Stacy and Josh brought a bluegrass flavor to the worship.
Participating ministers included three pastors new to our community:
David Woods at Herriamn Chapel Church of God (Holiness)
Ron Marsh at First Baptist Church and
Larry Daniel at Park Street Christian Church
They served alongside Howard McPeak (Pape Christian), Mike & GG Cole (Abundant Life), Dennis Johnston (Bethel Freewill Baptist), and Barbara Minton (Disciples).
REMEMBER
~ Monday, July 12, @ 5 p.m. Picnic Booth Orientation in the annex.
~ Thursday—Saturday, July 15, 16, & 17
~ Youth parking cars from 4 to 6 p.m.
~ FCC Picnic Booth 6 to 10 p.m.
YOUTH GROUP service project at Second Chance Barnyard was postponed again--this time due to rain. Hopefully sometime in August we will be able to make our trip to the Barnyard.
Reflecting on the Scriptures: Inheriting LIGHT
Amos 7:7-17. The message of the prophet does not set well with the priest or the king! Truth spoken to power is like light shone into darkness. Despite rejection Amos speaks truth.
Psalm 82. The weak plead with God to bring light into the darkness of ignorance, to judge the earth with justice.
Luke 10:25-37. Knowing the right answer and living out the truth of what one knows can be like day and night! Jesus says, live what you know… “Do this and you will live.”
Colossians 1:1-14. The Father has enabled us to inherit light! He rescues us from the power of darkness, empowers us to speak truth to power, equips us to seek justice for the weak, and expects us to live out what we know! Wow!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Pastor's Notes for July 4, 2010
SUMMER WORSHIP will be more casual and, we hope, contained within the hour. The order of worship has been modified, but none of the essential elements are missing. Come with a grateful heart as we gather together in Jesus’ name. With this in mind the service last Sunday was almost as long as usual--at least an hour and fifteen minutes. As one person said, its over when its over. We come to worship, not watch the clock. Enter to worship, depart to serve.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE DATES:
Sunday, July 11 at 4 p.m. Community Worship in the Park.
Thursday—Saturday, July 15, 16, & 17
~ Youth parking cars from 4 to 6 p.m. See Lisa Cochran to volunteer.
~ FCC Picnic Booth 6 to 10 p.m. See Jennie Barrett to volunteer.
~ We still need volunteers in both places. We also need someone to help the youth mark off the parking lot.
Sunday, July 25, 6 p.m. Youth Cookout @ Minton’s
Youth will host a cook out , inviting their families and the hosts and their families. More information will follow.
Reflecting on the Scriptures: …LEST WE GROW WEARY
2 Kings 5:1-14. Naaman, army commander in Aram, weary of his leprosy, took the advice of a little servant girl from Israel and went to a prophet in Samaria to ask for healing. Read the rest of the story. The servants are the heroes!
Psalm 30. The psalmist reflects on a time of weariness—weeping, dismayed, crying out to the Lord. But his mourning turns to dancing, joy replaces sack cloth and praise prevails.
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20. The Lord sends his followers out with a mission and specific instructions. Be faithful, be frugal, be grateful for your provision—yet expect rejection from time to time. Above all, Jesus says, be intentional and consistent with the message of the kingdom …lest you grow weary.
Galatians 6:1-6) 7-16. We reap what we sow, so be mindful of your actions because actions have consequences. Look at the big picture, beyond the present to the end …lest we grow weary in well-doing.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE DATES:
Sunday, July 11 at 4 p.m. Community Worship in the Park.
Thursday—Saturday, July 15, 16, & 17
~ Youth parking cars from 4 to 6 p.m. See Lisa Cochran to volunteer.
~ FCC Picnic Booth 6 to 10 p.m. See Jennie Barrett to volunteer.
~ We still need volunteers in both places. We also need someone to help the youth mark off the parking lot.
Sunday, July 25, 6 p.m. Youth Cookout @ Minton’s
Youth will host a cook out , inviting their families and the hosts and their families. More information will follow.
Reflecting on the Scriptures: …LEST WE GROW WEARY
2 Kings 5:1-14. Naaman, army commander in Aram, weary of his leprosy, took the advice of a little servant girl from Israel and went to a prophet in Samaria to ask for healing. Read the rest of the story. The servants are the heroes!
Psalm 30. The psalmist reflects on a time of weariness—weeping, dismayed, crying out to the Lord. But his mourning turns to dancing, joy replaces sack cloth and praise prevails.
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20. The Lord sends his followers out with a mission and specific instructions. Be faithful, be frugal, be grateful for your provision—yet expect rejection from time to time. Above all, Jesus says, be intentional and consistent with the message of the kingdom …lest you grow weary.
Galatians 6:1-6) 7-16. We reap what we sow, so be mindful of your actions because actions have consequences. Look at the big picture, beyond the present to the end …lest we grow weary in well-doing.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Pastor's Notes fo June 27, 2010
MARK THE DATE, Sunday, July 11 at 4 p.m. for Community Worship in the Park sponsored by the Ministerial Association.
AT THE ANNUAL PICNIC, July 15, 16, & 17 FCC will have a booth from 6 – 10 p.m. each evening. At the booth we will offer information about our congregation & sign-up for a drawing on the last day of the picnic. We will give away a woman’s purse, a man’s wallet, and a children’s Bible story book.
HOW CAN YOU BE INVOLVED with the congregation at the picnic?
1) Volunteer an hour at the booth. [See Jennie Barrett to sign up for an hour.]
2) Pray for the outreach.
3) Drop by for a few minutes when you are in the park if you're not a volunteer.
4) Donate bags of Tootsie Roll Pops. [After a person registers for a gift we will give them information about our congregation and a Tootsie Roll Pop with the invitation, 'Pop in and see us sometime.']
SEVERAL HAVE ASKED, “Do we still need money for the campers?” The answer is, “Yes.” We also need an adult who will work with the kids to park cars during the picnic. 2010 Campers: Sara Culbertson (June 14-19), Lydia Anderson (July 25-31), Ben Vickers & Kayla Cochran (August 1-7).
Reflecting on the Scriptures: FREE FROM THE LAW!
Galatians 5:1, 13-25. Christian freedom from the law is NOT unrestrained permission to do whatever one pleases. Neither is it the separation from relationships. FREEDOM IS God-centered living; a gift of God empowering us to live and serve like Jesus did. Paul contrasts a self-centered life to a God-centered life, one empowered by God’s Holy Spirit, the other motivated by selfish passions and desires.
Luke 9:51-62. As his ministry on earth came to its end Jesus experienced rejection in Samaria and ignorance among his disciples! From the crowd came an eager one who had not yet counted the cost of discipleship, another one who made excuses when invited to follow Jesus, and one who wanted to postpone a commitment. Where are we?
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14. The mantle is passed! Literally, the prophetic ministry of Elijah ends and Elisha picks up the old prophet’s mantle and continues the ministry. Elijah was intentional in this, inviting & helping Elisha develop skills for ministry before giving the responsibility to him.
Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20. The psalmist in deep despair recalls the Lord’s work in the past and begins to speak directly with God, recounting aloud God’s might and majesty. [The readings from Luke, Kings, & Psalm give examples from scripture of God-centered lives for us to imitate.]
COMMUNION MEDITATIONGalatians 1:1, 4; 5:1,13b, 24
Let the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians guide our thoughts as we come to this table. Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead… The Lord Jesus Christ…gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age… For freedom Christ has set us free. ...do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires and are empowered by the Holy Spirit toward good.
We have the freedom in Christ to love and to serve—to live as our Lord lived dedicated to the Father and empowered by the Holy Spirit!
And so that we can remember how he lived and how he died, he gave us this meal. On the night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread—blessed it and broke it, saying: “This is my body, given for you. Take and eat. Do this in remembrance of me.” In like manner, after the meal, Jesus took the cup saying: “This is my blood of the new covenant poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Take and drink, in remembrance of me.”
AT THE ANNUAL PICNIC, July 15, 16, & 17 FCC will have a booth from 6 – 10 p.m. each evening. At the booth we will offer information about our congregation & sign-up for a drawing on the last day of the picnic. We will give away a woman’s purse, a man’s wallet, and a children’s Bible story book.
HOW CAN YOU BE INVOLVED with the congregation at the picnic?
1) Volunteer an hour at the booth. [See Jennie Barrett to sign up for an hour.]
2) Pray for the outreach.
3) Drop by for a few minutes when you are in the park if you're not a volunteer.
4) Donate bags of Tootsie Roll Pops. [After a person registers for a gift we will give them information about our congregation and a Tootsie Roll Pop with the invitation, 'Pop in and see us sometime.']
SEVERAL HAVE ASKED, “Do we still need money for the campers?” The answer is, “Yes.” We also need an adult who will work with the kids to park cars during the picnic. 2010 Campers: Sara Culbertson (June 14-19), Lydia Anderson (July 25-31), Ben Vickers & Kayla Cochran (August 1-7).
Reflecting on the Scriptures: FREE FROM THE LAW!
Galatians 5:1, 13-25. Christian freedom from the law is NOT unrestrained permission to do whatever one pleases. Neither is it the separation from relationships. FREEDOM IS God-centered living; a gift of God empowering us to live and serve like Jesus did. Paul contrasts a self-centered life to a God-centered life, one empowered by God’s Holy Spirit, the other motivated by selfish passions and desires.
Luke 9:51-62. As his ministry on earth came to its end Jesus experienced rejection in Samaria and ignorance among his disciples! From the crowd came an eager one who had not yet counted the cost of discipleship, another one who made excuses when invited to follow Jesus, and one who wanted to postpone a commitment. Where are we?
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14. The mantle is passed! Literally, the prophetic ministry of Elijah ends and Elisha picks up the old prophet’s mantle and continues the ministry. Elijah was intentional in this, inviting & helping Elisha develop skills for ministry before giving the responsibility to him.
Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20. The psalmist in deep despair recalls the Lord’s work in the past and begins to speak directly with God, recounting aloud God’s might and majesty. [The readings from Luke, Kings, & Psalm give examples from scripture of God-centered lives for us to imitate.]
COMMUNION MEDITATIONGalatians 1:1, 4; 5:1,13b, 24
Let the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians guide our thoughts as we come to this table. Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead… The Lord Jesus Christ…gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age… For freedom Christ has set us free. ...do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires and are empowered by the Holy Spirit toward good.
We have the freedom in Christ to love and to serve—to live as our Lord lived dedicated to the Father and empowered by the Holy Spirit!
And so that we can remember how he lived and how he died, he gave us this meal. On the night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread—blessed it and broke it, saying: “This is my body, given for you. Take and eat. Do this in remembrance of me.” In like manner, after the meal, Jesus took the cup saying: “This is my blood of the new covenant poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Take and drink, in remembrance of me.”
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Pastor's Notes for June 20, 2010
COMMUNITY WORSHIP IN THE PARK. Sunday, July 11, the Ministerial Association will host the annual worship in the park. The community choir will be revived, directed by Judy Willmon of Park Street Christian church. To participate in the choir contact Park Street’s new minister, Larry Daniel, at 876-2992 for more information.
ONE WEEK OF SUMMER CAMP costs from $290 to $315. Families provide half of the camp tuition and campers also park cars during the Picnic to supplement their camp expenses, but, like a three-legged stool, our contributions continue to be an important part of camp participation. 2010 Campers: Sara Culbertson, Ben Vickers, Kayla Cochran & Lydia Anderson.
Reflecting on the Scriptures: WHY THE LAW?
1 Kings 19:1-18. Elijah, discouraged after what appears to him to be futile ministry, is strengthened and encouraged by the Lord. He is assured that others will continue the work the Lord began with the prophet Elijah—the circumstances are not as dire as the prophet thought!
Psalm 42 & 43. The psalmist recognizes the longing and anguish of his own soul—a longing for God and the anguished feeling of hopelessness. Then, remembering God’s promises, the psalmist questions himself and tells himself to find hope in a faithful and loving God.
1 As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
Luke 8:26-39. When Jesus encounters the miserable and hopeless (even today) he asks us to name that which plagues us and proceeds to progressively heal us! Then he sends us on our way to declare what God has done for us!
Galatians 3:23-29. God’s unmerited favor (grace) is received by faith, not by keeping the Law of Moses. God’s favor is not earned by our obedience to any legal system. Then, why the law? The law exposes our sinfulness, our inability to live up to God’s standards. The God-given rules discipline us until we can come to God’s promises revealed in Christ. Read all of chapter 3 to see Paul’s reasoning.
ONE WEEK OF SUMMER CAMP costs from $290 to $315. Families provide half of the camp tuition and campers also park cars during the Picnic to supplement their camp expenses, but, like a three-legged stool, our contributions continue to be an important part of camp participation. 2010 Campers: Sara Culbertson, Ben Vickers, Kayla Cochran & Lydia Anderson.
Reflecting on the Scriptures: WHY THE LAW?
1 Kings 19:1-18. Elijah, discouraged after what appears to him to be futile ministry, is strengthened and encouraged by the Lord. He is assured that others will continue the work the Lord began with the prophet Elijah—the circumstances are not as dire as the prophet thought!
Psalm 42 & 43. The psalmist recognizes the longing and anguish of his own soul—a longing for God and the anguished feeling of hopelessness. Then, remembering God’s promises, the psalmist questions himself and tells himself to find hope in a faithful and loving God.1 As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
Luke 8:26-39. When Jesus encounters the miserable and hopeless (even today) he asks us to name that which plagues us and proceeds to progressively heal us! Then he sends us on our way to declare what God has done for us!
Galatians 3:23-29. God’s unmerited favor (grace) is received by faith, not by keeping the Law of Moses. God’s favor is not earned by our obedience to any legal system. Then, why the law? The law exposes our sinfulness, our inability to live up to God’s standards. The God-given rules discipline us until we can come to God’s promises revealed in Christ. Read all of chapter 3 to see Paul’s reasoning.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Pastor's Notes for June 13, 2010
IF MOVED BY THE LORD see Jennie Barrett to sign up to help at the picnic—for an hour on July 15, 16, or 17, 6pm to 10pm or for set up & take down before and after. Planners: Jennie Barrett, Mary Horn, Lonnie McNeese, Don Wooldridge & Bill Yurk.
Jennie and I will provide an orientation for all volunteers on Monday evening, July 12.
IF MOVED BY THE LORD help send one of our youth to camp. Your check can be placed in the collection plate, designated CAMP in the memo. Campers include Sarah Culbertson, Ben Vickers, & Kayla Cochran.
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES to help better understand our reading of Galatians: Saul (becomes Paul), Acts 7:54—9:31; Barnabas & Saul commissioned, Acts 13:1-3; Saul becomes Paul, Acts 13:4-12; first mission trip continues thru Acts 14:28; teachers of ‘another’ gospel, Acts 15; Paul’s testimony, Acts 22:6-21 & 26:12-23; Paul preaching in Galatia, Acts 13:16-52; towns in Galatia = Iconium, Lycaonia, Lystra, Acts 14.
Reflecting on the Scriptures:
MADE RIGHT WITH GOD, BUT HOW?
Psalm 5:1-8. A sigh, a cry, a prayer and a plea goes up to God for righteousness to prevail, all the while trusting that the steadfast love of the Lord will lead us in the right path.
1 Kings 21:1-21a. The Lord abhors the blood thirsty and deceitful yet injustice seems to prevail! Injustice seems to win until the word of the Lord is boldly spoken against it.
Luke 7:36—8:3. Many sins forgiven, much love shown; fewer sins forgiven, less love shown! How do you estimate your sins before God, a little or a lot?
Galatians 2:15-21. A person is not made right with God by keeping the ten commandments, temple rituals, Hebrew dietary laws or covenant circumcision but rather through faith in Jesus Christ, though the faithfulness of Jesus Christ.
Jennie and I will provide an orientation for all volunteers on Monday evening, July 12.
IF MOVED BY THE LORD help send one of our youth to camp. Your check can be placed in the collection plate, designated CAMP in the memo. Campers include Sarah Culbertson, Ben Vickers, & Kayla Cochran.
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES to help better understand our reading of Galatians: Saul (becomes Paul), Acts 7:54—9:31; Barnabas & Saul commissioned, Acts 13:1-3; Saul becomes Paul, Acts 13:4-12; first mission trip continues thru Acts 14:28; teachers of ‘another’ gospel, Acts 15; Paul’s testimony, Acts 22:6-21 & 26:12-23; Paul preaching in Galatia, Acts 13:16-52; towns in Galatia = Iconium, Lycaonia, Lystra, Acts 14.
Reflecting on the Scriptures:
MADE RIGHT WITH GOD, BUT HOW?
Psalm 5:1-8. A sigh, a cry, a prayer and a plea goes up to God for righteousness to prevail, all the while trusting that the steadfast love of the Lord will lead us in the right path.
1 Kings 21:1-21a. The Lord abhors the blood thirsty and deceitful yet injustice seems to prevail! Injustice seems to win until the word of the Lord is boldly spoken against it.
Luke 7:36—8:3. Many sins forgiven, much love shown; fewer sins forgiven, less love shown! How do you estimate your sins before God, a little or a lot?Galatians 2:15-21. A person is not made right with God by keeping the ten commandments, temple rituals, Hebrew dietary laws or covenant circumcision but rather through faith in Jesus Christ, though the faithfulness of Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Pastor's Notes for June 6, 2010
HELP SEND A CHILD TO CAMP. Your check can be placed in the collection plate, designated CAMP in the memo. Campers are Sarah Culbertson, Ben Vickers, and Kayla Cochran.
PICNIC VOLUNTEERS see Jennie Barrett to sign up to be in the FCC booth for an hour, 6pm & 10pm, July 15, 16, or 17. Picnic planners Jennie Barrett, Mary Horn, Lonnie McNeese, Don Wooldridge or Bill Yurk can answer your questions.
ELDERS, please forgive us in the office. The following changes failed to register in the June newsletter:
June 6—Jeanie Ogle & Kyle Vickers
June 13—Darlene Walsh & Jim Pope
June 20—Rhonda Culbertson & Mike Frier
June 27—Dick Culbertson & Debbie Vickers
July 4—Kathy Dains & Mike Frier
Reflecting on the Scriptures:
WHERE HAVE WE SEEN GOD AT WORK?
1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24). Scripture calls our attention to the people without a voice—the widow, the orphan, and the stranger. Prophet Elijah becomes a stranger in a foreign land and receives help from a widow who has lost hope.
Psalm 146. The Lord watches over the stranger, the orphan and the widow and calls God’s people to execute justice for them, the oppressed and the hungry, to engender hope.
Luke 7:11-17. In Nain Jesus has compassion for the grieving widow who is burying her son. Like Elijah, Jesus raises him to life and is declared a prophet by the people. Seeing a compassionate response means God is at work in their midst and the crowd gives glory to God.
Galatians 1:1-24. Paul testifies to God’s intervention in his own life and celebrates his god-given task to take the good news of Jesus Christ beyond the Jewish community. Paul becomes the stranger, estranged from his own heritage in order to tell the nations that God is at work in Jesus Christ.
The following summary of our service will appear in our local newspapers this week.
Grace—God’s unexpected generosity—God’s unmerited favor—God’s love poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit given to us—the Lord Jesus Christ giving himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age! That’s the good news of God’s grace! That’s the gospel!
The acolytes Ben Vickers and Dustin Burlingame lit the candles as a symbol of Christ present in our midst. Bobby Huber brought in the bread and the cup of grape juice for the communion table, more reminders of the Lord’s presence.
Worship leader, Shirley Lynn, welcomed us and made the announcements. Then Pastor Barbara reminded us that June 1 was the fifth anniversary of the congregation’s gracious call to her to transition from part-time interim minister to permanent full-time minister.
The theme of grace continued in our call to worship and in our hymns. “By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God….” Pastor Barbara emphasized the importance of our remembering that God initiated the process that brought us back to the safety of God’s loving embrace.
In our testimony we might forget that God went out looking for us like the shepherd looking for the lost lamb. It was God who swept the floor and moved furniture, searching for us like the woman who finally found the lost coin and rejoiced. “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…” Grace at work!
PICNIC VOLUNTEERS see Jennie Barrett to sign up to be in the FCC booth for an hour, 6pm & 10pm, July 15, 16, or 17. Picnic planners Jennie Barrett, Mary Horn, Lonnie McNeese, Don Wooldridge or Bill Yurk can answer your questions.
ELDERS, please forgive us in the office. The following changes failed to register in the June newsletter:
June 6—Jeanie Ogle & Kyle Vickers
June 13—Darlene Walsh & Jim Pope
June 20—Rhonda Culbertson & Mike Frier
June 27—Dick Culbertson & Debbie Vickers
July 4—Kathy Dains & Mike Frier
Reflecting on the Scriptures:
WHERE HAVE WE SEEN GOD AT WORK? 1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24). Scripture calls our attention to the people without a voice—the widow, the orphan, and the stranger. Prophet Elijah becomes a stranger in a foreign land and receives help from a widow who has lost hope.
Psalm 146. The Lord watches over the stranger, the orphan and the widow and calls God’s people to execute justice for them, the oppressed and the hungry, to engender hope.
Luke 7:11-17. In Nain Jesus has compassion for the grieving widow who is burying her son. Like Elijah, Jesus raises him to life and is declared a prophet by the people. Seeing a compassionate response means God is at work in their midst and the crowd gives glory to God.
Galatians 1:1-24. Paul testifies to God’s intervention in his own life and celebrates his god-given task to take the good news of Jesus Christ beyond the Jewish community. Paul becomes the stranger, estranged from his own heritage in order to tell the nations that God is at work in Jesus Christ.
The following summary of our service will appear in our local newspapers this week.
Grace—God’s unexpected generosity—God’s unmerited favor—God’s love poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit given to us—the Lord Jesus Christ giving himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age! That’s the good news of God’s grace! That’s the gospel!
The acolytes Ben Vickers and Dustin Burlingame lit the candles as a symbol of Christ present in our midst. Bobby Huber brought in the bread and the cup of grape juice for the communion table, more reminders of the Lord’s presence.
Worship leader, Shirley Lynn, welcomed us and made the announcements. Then Pastor Barbara reminded us that June 1 was the fifth anniversary of the congregation’s gracious call to her to transition from part-time interim minister to permanent full-time minister.
The theme of grace continued in our call to worship and in our hymns. “By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God….” Pastor Barbara emphasized the importance of our remembering that God initiated the process that brought us back to the safety of God’s loving embrace.
In our testimony we might forget that God went out looking for us like the shepherd looking for the lost lamb. It was God who swept the floor and moved furniture, searching for us like the woman who finally found the lost coin and rejoiced. “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…” Grace at work!
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