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This Week at First

November 16th: Should I or Not?

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    In the Lord’s Prayer, we ask that we not be led into temptation. While God will do his part, we need to know how to avoid temptation. Is it a temptation to be around nonbelievers? Should we avoid being with atheists, Muslims, Jews, and those of other faiths? This week, we will address the issue using two seemingly conflicting passages. We will read from 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, where Paul is telling the church to avoid those living irresponsibly, and from Luke 19:1-10, where Jesus invites himself to the home of a man of ill repute. Our message is titled “Should I or Not?”


    See you Sunday.


    Grace and Peace,

    Pastor Jim


    2 Thessalonians 3:6-13


    Warning against Idleness

    6 Now we command you, beloved,[a] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are[b] living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they[c] received from us.  7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you,  8 and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you.  9 This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate.  10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat.  11 For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work.  12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.  13 Brothers and sisters,[d] do not be weary in doing what is right.


    Luke 19:1-10


    Jesus and Zacchaeus

    19 He entered Jericho and was passing through it.  2 A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich.  3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature.  4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way.  5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.”  6 So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him.  7 All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.”  8 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.”  9 Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham.  10 For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”









    10:30am Service: Click to View on YouTube


    November 9th: A Life of Prayer

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      Is prayer really important? Apparently, God thinks so. In Jeremiah 29:4-7, the prophet speaks on behalf of God asking the people of Israel to pray for Babylon, the city where they are being held captive. In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells us to pray always. Our message will be “A Life of Prayer.” This week’s special music will be provided by the children of Noah’s Little Ark Christian Preschool at the 10:30 AM service.


      See you Sunday.


      Grace and Peace,

      Pastor Jim


      Jeremiah 29:4-7


        4 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:  5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce.  6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease.  7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.  

      Luke 18:1-8


       4 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:  5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce.  6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease.  7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.  









      10:30am Service: Click to View on YouTube



      November 2nd: Ultimate Blessings

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        All Saints’ Sunday: Each year, we take time on the first Sunday of November to remember and celebrate the lives of those who have crossed the bar and joined the Church Triumphant. Using both Ephesians 1:11-23 and Luke 6:20-31, our message will be “Ultimate Blessings.” The service will include communion and lifting the names of those who have gone to glory since our last All Saints’ Service.


        See you Sunday.


        Grace and Peace,

        Pastor Jim


        Ephesians 1:11-23


         11 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance,[a] having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will,  12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory.  13 In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit;  14 this[b] is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.

         

        Paul’s Prayer

        15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love[c] toward all the saints, and for this reason  16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.  17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him,  18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints,  19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.  20 God[d] put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,  21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come.  22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church,  23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.


        Luke 6:20-31


        Blessings and Woes

        20 Then he looked up at his disciples and said:

        “Blessed are you who are poor,    

        for yours is the kingdom of God.

        21 “Blessed are you who are hungry now,    

        for you will be filled.“

        Blessed are you who weep now,    

        for you will laugh.

         

        22 “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you[a] on account of the Son of Man.  23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.

         

        24 “But woe to you who are rich,    

        for you have received your consolation.

        25 “Woe to you who are full now,    

        for you will be hungry.“

        Woe to you who are laughing now,    

        for you will mourn and weep.

         

        26 “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

         

        Love for Enemies

        27 “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.  29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.  30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again.  31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.












        10:30am Service: Click to View on YouTube

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