Children's Ministry Day

On Saturday our children will be participating in Children's Ministry Day - a day set aside for children to be involved in a hands on mission project.  

The mission opportunity is to help provide a few needs for a local family with 4 children.  Some of the needs include snacks for school, clothes, diapers and undergarments (socks and underwear).  Our children would like offer the opportunity for the church family to be a part of blessing this family and any donations would be appreciated.  Please have them at the church by Saturday morning.

Children and sizes are:

Boy - size 10

Boy - size 8

Girl - size 24 months

Girls - size 6-9 months

Thank you for your support and for your prayers for this family as well as our children as they extend love and blessing to them.

New Class, New Ministry, Prayer Needed

The mid week service at Antioch will be undergoing some changes as shared in an earlier post.  In our Sunday School department, a new ministry is being offered - a College and Career Class.

This isn't just a new class being introduced.  This is an effort to reach an age group of vital importance.  Studies show that at this age - after graduating high school and before marriage is a time when many leave the church.  This group often feels like there is no place where they fit, they are no longer teens, but not yet ready for adult ministries. As they may feel distanced from finding their place at church, the world places new temptations and responsibility to distract them.  This group needs our attention and prayers.

Two teachers have stepped up at ABC with a heartfelt conviction to reach this age group and will begin a Sunday School Class on March 1 for them.  If you have or know someone that would fit into this class group, please encourage them to come.

If you don't have anyone to encourage to be a part of this class, PLEASE, be in prayer for them.  Please pray for lives to be centered on the foundation of our Lord, for His knowledge to be poured into them and for them to passionately live our their faith in today's world. 

Giving Up for Lent

Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent are here. As this season of Lent approaches, many of us think about something to “give up.” Unfortunately, these things often have little impact up on our life and walk with Christ.  

A recent article offered up 40 things you might consider giving up for Lent this year. There is one for each day of the season. And these are things to give up not just for Lent, but for the rest of your life.

1. Fear of Failure – You don’t succeed without experiencing failure. Just make sure you fail forward.
2. Your Comfort Zone – It’s outside our comfort zones where new discoveries are made.
3. Feelings of Unworthiness – You are fearfully and wonderfully made by your creator. 
4. Impatience – God’s timing is the perfect timing.
5. Retirement – As long as you are still breathing, you are here for a reason. You have a purpose to influence others for Christ. Our work is not always tied to a paycheck.
6. People Pleasing – I can’t please everyone anyways. There is only one I need to strive to please.
7. Comparison – I have my own unique contribution to make and there is no one else like me.
8. Blame – I am not going to pass the buck. I will take responsibility for my actions.
9. Guilt – I am loved by Jesus and he has forgiven my sins. Today is a new day and the past is behind.
10. Overcommitment – Do less better and accomplish more.
11. Lack of Counsel – Wise decisions are rarely made in a vacuum.
12. Impurity – Live lives pure and without blemish.
13. Entitlement – The world does not owe me anything. God does not owe me anything. I live in humility and grace.
14. Apathy – Life is too short not to care.
15. Hatred – Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good
16. Negativity – I will put the best construction on everything when it comes to other people. I will also minimize my contact with people who are negative and toxic.
17. The Spirit of Poverty – Believe that with God there is always more than enough and never a lack.
18. Going Through the Motions – The more you invest yourself, the more you will get back.
19. Complaint – Instead of contributing to the problem, be the solution.
20. The Pursuit of Happiness – God wants something greater and more lasting than happiness. It is called joy.
21. Bitterness – The only person I am hurting by holding on to this is myself.
22. Distraction – Life is filled with distractions that will take our eyes off the prize.
23. Giving up – God never gives up on us.
24. Mediocrity – If you are going to do something, then give it all you got.
25. Destructive Speech – Encourage one another and all the more as you see the day approaching 
26. Busyness – It is a badge of honor to be busy. But that does not always translate to abundance.
27. Loneliness – With Jesus I am never alone. He is with me wherever I go.
28. Disunity – If two of you agree on earth about anything, it will be done for them by the Heavenly Father 
29. The Quick Fix – Rarely does true transformation happen overnight.
30. Worry – God is in control and worrying will not help.
31. Idolizing – Don’t assign anyone a standard they cannot live up to.
32. Resistance to Change – Change is certain. It is not if we will change, but how we will change.
33. Pride – Blessed are the humble.
34. Small View of God – Don’t tell God how big your problem is, tell your problem how big your God is.
35. Envy – I am blessed. My value is not found in my possessions, but in my relationship with my Heavenly Father.
36. Ungratefulness – You have been blessed in a way greater than you realize.
37. Selfish Ambition – God has a mission for me that is bigger than me.
38. Self-Sufficiency – Jesus is my strength. I can do all things through him 
39. Sorrow – Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning 
40. My Life – Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  

Church Changes

There are some changes coming up in March for our mid week services.  In an effort to involve and connect our families in mid week church attendance some times and classes are being changed.

Time Change:

Wednesday night services will begin at 5:30 with a meal each Wednesday night.  First Wednesday of the month will be Family Meal - where all bring a covered food dish to share.  The following Wednesdays a meal will be provided and available for all for a donation.  

Children Classes:

Beginning March 4, there will be 2 children's classes beginning.  One for pre-school up to 1st grade and one for children from grades 1-6.  

Youth classes will continue as well as adult prayer meeting which provides a ministry for the entire family.  

Please be in prayer for this ministry and for our church family as we seek to grow up the body of Christ.  

Love One Another

AAWWW....love is in the air!  This weekend is Valentine's Day and we wish you and yours a very special time of celebrating and cherishing marriage and family love.  This weekend, is usually a time to express our love to one another and celebrate the gift of love.  

As Christians, love is more than an occasion to celebrate, it is our responsibility and should become our lifestyle.Love is affectionate devotion. We are to have it for God first, and then others. Thankfully God doesn't just issue a cold command. He shows us the way.

The best way to learn this kind of love is to look to Jesus. His love for us is selfless, it does not expect anything in return, it is kind and gentle, sacrificial and unconditional. This is how Christians should love each other. We must cultivate real affection for each other and devotion for one another’s good. This is especially true for those who are in your church, community group,Bible studies, family and neighborhood. Love seeks, serves, and sacrifices in joy for what it reflects (the glory of God) and what it does (blesses another).

Love is patient and kind, not envious, boastful, arrogant, or rude (1 Cor. 13).  This love comes out in the way we talk to our friends, comment online and act towards those who hurt or frustrate us.

Good works are actions and words that flow from faith and a heart that loves. The Apostle Paul talks about good works quite a bit and actually uses this phrase 6 times in the book of Titus alone.

Good works is how we obey God, imitate Jesus, honor fellow believers, care for our neighbors, and how we shine light into a godless society.

The Christian life is one shared with others and a large part of it is finding ways to inspire each other to follow Christ, practically, in love and good works.

Here are some practical ways we can stir each other up to love and good deed.

1. By getting to know fellow Christians

You are an important part of the body of Christ. You have been given talents and gifts that are to be used for the benefit of others. Getting to know people takes time but it will make your life so much more rich and it will enrich the life of others.

2. By sharing what you are learning

I am always so encouraged when I hear my fiends share what they are studying, learning and reading. It is sometimes the kick in the pants I need to get back to God’s word and other times it excites me to share with them the things that I am learning.

3. By Praying

Never underestimate the power of prayer. God uses it to work wondrous things in the lives of his people. It is easy to say “I will pray for you” and then forget all about it. It might be better to pray for someone first and then tell them that you did.  It is encouraging to know that someone has thought of you and prayed for you.

4. By example

Our lives should be such as men may safely copy. – C. H. Spurgeon

It means taking the high road, forgiving others when they sin against you (and they will), practicing hospitality and speaking kindly of others. It is handling disappointment in a godly way,  visiting someone in the hospital, taking a meal to someone, or babysitting for a worn out mom who desperately needs a date with her husband.

Excerts rom Love God Greatly

Working Together - Different Gifts - Same Purpose

“Jesus works in community. For that reason, you find no personal pronouns in the earliest description of the church.”- Max Lucado

Each of us purposely unique, specially designed with certain gifts and abilities to serve, encourage and strengthen the body of Christ, our community…the church.

The church is not a solo act, but rather a beautiful orchestra.
Each one of us needs to play our music with the gifts, skills, talents that God designed us to play.
TOGETHER…we can play the most majestic of songs….but only when we are working together, focused on our “conductor” as He directs our song.

1.  God is the giver of our gifts and the purpose of our gifts is to build up the church…not individuals. We need to realize all gifts and abilities come from God. There is no reason to “think of ourselves more highly than we ought.” In Romans 12:3 Paul is not saying we need to have poor self-esteem, but rather that our identity should not be in who we are or what we can do, but in Christ alone.

2.  God has gifted each of us with certain gifts to help strengthen the church. We are not called to be sideline spectators, instead we are to use the gifts God has given us to build up His church.
“…the main thing in being the church is every member growing in the ability to minister a unique grace to others in the body and a unique witness to those outside and a unique tribute to God in heaven.”- John Piper

3.  Do what you do best…God has uniquely gifted YOU to play a special part in His story, in His orchestra. Together, we can make beautiful music.

4.  Use our gifts for God’s glory…not our own. When we live our lives for God’s glory, God takes what He has done through us and ripples it throughout the next generations.

5.  Be thankful. Instead of wishing God had given you a certain gift, be thankful for the spiritual gifts He has given you and use them to the best of your ability to bring glory to God.
“I believe God intends to create a perfect a people for himself not ready made as immediately perfected individuals; rather he intends to create and perfect a people for himself by having them use their gifts toward each other so that they join God in the process of helping each other grow in knowledge and faith and hope and love.”- John Piper

6.  Let’s do this together…
 “God works through different men/women in different ways, but it is the same God who achieves his purposes through them all” (1 Cor.12:6). God uses all types to type his message. Logical thinkers. Emotional worshippers. Dynamic leaders. Docile followers.
The visionaries who lead, the studious who ponder, the generous who pay the bills. Action-packed verbs. Rock-solid nouns. Enigmatic question marks. Alone, we are meaningless symbols on a page. But collectively, we inspire.

“All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a separate and necessary part of it” (1Cor 12:27).- Max Lucado

Youth Sponsored Dinner

Our youth group will be going to camp in July and are seeking ways to help with the camp expenses.  On March 8 there will be a church wide spaghetti dinner which will be prepared and ready immediately following morning worship. Dinner will include spaghetti, green beans, salad, bread and dessert.  There will be no set cost per plate, but your donation will go towards sending our youth to camp.

Please mark the dates and help support our youth. 

Real Men's Event

Men, mark the date - February 28th, 2015.  This will be the annual Real Men's Event!

The purpose of the Real Men's Event at Skeeter Ranch is to provide men an opportunity to be encouraged by enjoying God's great creation together in a God-honoring way and to endeavor to reach those who only know of our Great God by his creation, the great outdoors.

Here is the schedule of events..

Schedule - Saturday
7:00 a.m. Registration Begins

8:00 a.m.   Kick-off

8:30 a.m. All Events Open

11:30 a.m. Lunch is Served

12:30 p.m.  Message

1:30 p.m. All Events Open

5:00 p.m. Ending Remarks and Prizes

Events

General Admission is $30 for adults and
$20 for guys 13 and under.

This includes:

Pulled BBQ Pork and Hotdog Lunch,
Plus
Golf: 9 Holes
Archery
Pellet Gun Shoot
Cast Master: Distance/Accuracy
Airsoft
Turkey Shoot
Knife and Hatchet Throw
Baseball Fast Throw
Football Challenge
Greased Pig
Target Shoot
600' Zip Line

Quail Hunt Demonstrations
Vendor Displays

See more information at Real Men's Event

Valentine's Movie Weekend...Choice 2

Why are Christians against Fifty Shades of Grey?

It’s interesting that OLD FASHIONED is coming out at the same time. One movie is about sex and abuse leading to love, which many people would quickly label fantasy. Of course, harmful might be a much better label. The other movie is about two people moving out of abusive pasts, who know that sex alone guarantees nothing relationally. Is there really hope for old-fashioned, godly romance in today’s culture? 

Is OLD FASHIONED just a reaction to Fifty Shades? 

OLD FASHIONED was written and produced long before Fifty Shades. But it’s fair to say the movie is a powerful response to today’s hookup culture that informs Fifty Shades of Grey. 

Read a comparison at OLD FASHIONED..

Synopsis

A romantic-drama, OLD FASHIONED centers on Clay Walsh, a former frat boy who gives up his reckless carousing and now runs an antique shop in a small Midwestern college town. There, he has become notorious for his lofty and outdated theories on love and romance as well as for his devout belief in God. When Amber Hewson, a free-spirited young woman with a restless soul, drifts into the area and rents the apartment above his shop, she finds herself surprisingly drawn to his strong faith and noble ideas, which are new and intriguing to her. And Clay, though he tries to fight and deny it, simply cannot resist being attracted to her spontaneous and passionate embrace of life. Ultimately, Clay must step out from behind his relational theories and Amber must overcome her own fears and deep wounds as the two of them, together, attempt the impossible: an "old-fashioned" and God-honoring courtship in contemporary America.

Let's be encouraged to support a movie that promotes chivarly and an old fashioned commitment!  Be encourage to read more about this movie at : http://www.oldfashionedmovie.com

Valentine's Weekend... Choice 1

Valentine's Day is rapidly approaching!  What a great opportunity this is for Christians to remind the families in our church of the beauty of the Lord’s definition of marriage that included the elements of personhood, paradise, equality, a helping companionship, leaving, cleaving, and sexuality.  In our churches we need to be reminded of the beauty of romantic love as it was designed by God, of the true meaning of the tradition of Valentine’s Day and of their own personal commitment as Christians - to engage in those activities which glorify God in our body and which avoid the fulfillment of the lust of the flesh. We will read, watch, and listen to those things which are of positive benefit to our spiritual well-being.

This Valentines Day two movies are being released in national theaters.  "Fifty Shades of Grey" and "Old Fashioned".  

 The movie, Fifty Shades of Grey is scheduled to launch in movie theaters across America on February 13,

2015. The movie is based on the enormously popular book trilogy which has sold over 100 million

copies across the world, 10 million in the United States alone...BUT...

It is considered a literary phenomenon and the books were all at or near the top of the New York Times

best selling works in 2011 and 2012.  BUT....The contrast between the message of Fifty Shades of Grey and God's design for self-giving and self sacrificing love, marriage and sexual intimacy could not be greater. The books and the movie undermine everything that we believe as members of the faith community.

Here are a few highlights from Christian articles about this movie...

"Because of their popularity the message of Fifty Shades of Grey has become acceptable and

popular in the main stream culture. As members of the faith community we need to inform our

constituencies about the destructive message of this movie and to highlight the beauty of God's design

for loving relationships between a husband and wife in the covenant of marriage. We urge you to do

the following:"   Religious Alliance Against Pornography Statement

"We Americans get really angry when oil companies spill toxic fuel in our oceans; yet we applaud

when Hollywood dumps a tanker of poisonous garbage like Fifty Shades of Grey on our country—

with no offer to clean up the damage. We should be outraged. I'm not going to picket my local

theater when this movie debuts, but I'm urging people to think before they spend $10.50 to flush

what's left of American decency down the toilet."  Charisma Article

Is it wrong to see Fifty Shades?

Movies help shape culture. Picture a young woman you care about. Does she sit and

eat her popcorn while watching a pretend story of dominance, wealth, power and

emotional weakness? Or is she better off investing two hours watch a couple ditch the

Me-First Romance Rulebook as they opt for godly romance and love?

This is the first movie.  Be informed about the deception this movie presents about God's plan for romance and love.  Watch for the next blog post about a Christian alternative movie.

Family Meal Tonight!!

Don't forget, tonight is Family Meal, beginning at 6:00 PM.  Bring a covered dish and let's enjoy some fellowship around the table before mid week ministries!!