New Sunday School Year Begins Sunday!

Each Septmber a new year in our Sunday School department begins!  Children who have advanced a grade in school are promoted to the appropriate Sunday School grade.  This first day of the new class is always an exciting time! 

 

This is also a great time for our families to recommit to Sunday School attendance.  Nothing works to help us grow in Christ like dilgently and purposefully coming to God's house to learn His Word and fellowship with other believers.  Sunday School attendance shows dedication, commtitmenet and diligence in our Christian walk.  When our families are faithfully coming to Sunday School, they are strengthened and in turn our church is strengthened.  Will you commit grow in the Lord this new year?

 

The next few week's lessons include:

 

• Tell others about the hope you have as a Christian. (Sept 2)
• Demonstrate holiness in your life. (Sept 9)
• Forsake sinful behavior and grow as a believer. (Sept 16)

"God has called every Christian to a holy life.  There are no exceptions to this call."

Jerry Bridges

 

 

New Game In Town

The Game Show Network debuted a new game show Thursday night (Aug. 23) -- "The American Bible Challenge," hosted by Jeff Foxworthy. Did you tune in?

The show features three teams of three contestants, each playing for $20,000 for a charity. The rounds featured categories like What Do You Noah 'Bout the Ark? and postings from various Biblical characters' "Faithbook" pages.

The winning round is titled The Final Revelation and is a speed round with tough questions, so the two teams that make it that far get to do a quick backstage Bible study before they take on the speed round. Plus, there's an in-hour choir that sings gospel songs going into and out of commercial breaks.

 

How refreshing to see a tv show with biblical content!  Hope you'll tune in and take the Bible Challenge!

What Does It Mean To Be a Follower of Jesus?

Our message last week was titled "What Does It Mean To Be a Follower of Jesus?" 

This was based on the Beatitudes given by Jesus in Matthew 5:1-6:

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.   Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

 

Jesus declared that people who exhibit particular characteristics are divinely blessed. Not that people should strive to attain these characteristics so they could earn the right to tap into God's blessings.  But that these characteristics identify people who by God's grace are citizens of the kingdom of heaven. This does not imply they are perfect, but indicates a following of the Lord and to actively cultivate those characteristics He planted in us. 

 

The Beatitudes are eight qualities or characteristics that define one group - those following the Lord.  The first four reflect inner attitudes:

 

Poor in Spirit:  This is the opposite of arrogance and self sufficiency.  When we realize how vast our spiritual need is and we have nothing to offer God, we are ready to repent and receive His gracious gift of salvation.  Poverty in spirit is the prelude to riches of salvation. Being poor in spirit opens the door to God's grace . 

 

Those Who Mourn:  This occurs when we understand our sinful condition and are truly sorry for our sinful state.  We mourn when we not just know, but repent.  When we're sorry enough about our sin to quit sinning.

 

Meek:  Meekness is not weakness.  This attitude of gentleness puts the focus on others rather than self.  This is not our natural tendency and can be a challenge.  Gentleness stems from an awareness of our own failures and limitations and allows us to deal kindly with others. 

 

Hunger and Thirst For Righteousness:  This is the inner desire to make right choices, say right words and do right actions which is part of God's work in us to make us more like Him.  As we walk faithfully with Him, He instills in us more purpose and power to please Him. 

 

The Beatitudes are more than a passage of Scripture to memorize.  They are qualities to seek after and develop in our Christian walk which sets us apart and identifies us with Christ. 

The Family Challenge

The real question is: Will you commit to passing your faith on to your kids? It doesn't happen automatically. Just living in your home doesn't mean your kids are catching your faith.

 

Although you may send your kids to a Christian School, or take them to Sunday School or other church activities, God designed the family to be the place where spiritual values are passed on to kids. You are the primary spiritual trainer of your child.

 

The Family Challenge is part of a global initiative to motivate and train parents to be the primary spiritual trainers of their own children. Being spiritual leaders is not optional. It’s the way God designed that his values be passed on to the next generation.

 

4/14 Family Challenge is a website filled with resources and a challenge to families to a challenge to put teaching faith and values to our children. 

 

Using, as the model, Deuteronomy 6. The whole chapter is worth reading but three things together can make spiritual training happen in your home:

 

1. Build Relationship
2. Share Scripture
3. Practice Faith

 

If you are interested in a stronger family and following His commands to teach and train our children in His Ways, visit 4/14 Family Challenge. 

Prayer Needs

There are several needs in our church family this week that we would like to share and encourage you to be in prayer for:

• Clyde and Norine B's son Kenneth is having gallbladder issues, but is also battling a severe infection.  They must get the infection under control before removing the gall bladder.
• Aaron B. (Clyde and Norine's grandson) had hernia surgery this week and is at home recovering.
• June H.'s husband has major abdominal surgery, but is doing well now.  Please pray for a smooth recovery.
• Bill D.'s son Ben had open heart surgery and is at home recovering.
• Liz H.' father has been in the hospital with major health problems.  He is now at home under hospice care.
• Ryan W. is battling liver issues, on the list for a transplant.  Please pray for healing and for wisdom for the doctors as they work on treatments.
• Janet W's mom and step-dad - Her mom is home from a recent hospital stay and they both continue to need our prayers.
• Chip C. has been suffering with some illness this week.
• Kathy B.'s daughter in law will undergo surgery next week.

Please be mindful to keep these and others lifted up in prayer.

Prayer Walk This Saturday

The first day of school will be Monday (August 20).  This Saturday, there will be an opportunity to walk around and pray for the schools in our district.  What better way to begin a new school year than to pray for each school, student, teacher that God will bless, guide and give wisdom to? 

Plans are to meet at the Association Office at 9:00 AM and the prayer walk will follow. 

July 4th Celebration

Here are a few scenes from our July 4th Celebration: