Scripture & Questions for Sunday (5/31/15)

Diana Snodgrass is having surgery today at noon please keep her in your prayers.

We will have a brief called session meeting following church Sunday to hear a report from Rick Wilson about Grace Place.

Our 5th Sunday special program will be held May 31 during the Sunday school hour starting at 9:45. Breakfast will be served then Dr. Franklin House will share with us a story from one of his mission trips to the Marshall Islands. The children and youth of the church will be singing as well about the Fruits of the Spirit.

Come to Fellowship Hall for coffee then prayer @ 9:15 each Sunday then stay for Sunday School.

Sunday School starts at 9:45 for all ages Angela Ervin is there to provide child care for those too young to attend a class.

Scripture
Acts 18:1-17 (ESV) 

After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.  [2] And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them,  [3] and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.  [4] And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.

[5] When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.  [6] And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."  [7] And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue.  [8] Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.  [9] And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,  [10] for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people."  [11] And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

[12] But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal,  [13] saying, "This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law."  [14] But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint.  [15] But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things."  [16] And he drove them from the tribunal.  [17] And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.

Questions for Reflection

1. What makes you most impatient?
2. How do you express your feelings when you are frustrated?
3. When you are disheartened, what usually encourages you?
4. What did Paul have in common with Aquila and Priscilla? (18:3)
5. What did Paul do every Sabbath in Corinth? (18:4)
6. What did Paul spend his time doing when Silas and Timothy arrived? (18:5)
7. Why was Paul able to stop tentmaking when his friends arrived from Macedonia? (18:5)
8. When the Jews opposed Paul, how did he react? (18:6)
9. In Corinth, why did Paul turn to the Gentiles? (18:6-7)
10. How do Christians take for granted their freedom to practice their faith?
11. What encouraging encounters and experiences did Paul have while in Corinth?
12. What means has God given you to be an encouragement to others?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (5/24/15)

Scripture
Acts 2:1-13 (ESV)  

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.  [2] And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. [3] And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. [5] Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. [6] And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. [7] And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? [8] And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? [9] Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, [10] Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, [11] both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." [12] And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" [13] But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine."

Questions for Reflection

1. When the Holy Spirit filled the believers, what did they do? (2:4)
2. Who was staying in Jerusalem? (2:5)
3. How did the God-fearing Jews visiting Jerusalem react when they heard Christians speaking their languages? (2:6-11)
4. What languages were the Jews from Galilee speaking? (2:9-11)
5. What was the topic of conversation among the crowds? (2:11)
6. Besides being amazed, how did the crowd react to the unusual happening they witnessed? (2:12-13)
7. If you saw the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, how do you think you would have responded? Why?
8. How does God use us to witness to others?
9. When has God enabled you to do something that you didn't think you could do?

Announcements

Announcements

• Session Meeting tonight!
• The children and youth of the church will be practicing for their 5th Sunday program Wednesday May 20th and 27th at 6:00 PM, as well as Sunday during the Sunday School hour.
• Our next 5th Sunday special program will be held May 31 during the Sunday school hour starting at 9:45. Breakfast will be served then Dr. Franklin House will share with us a story from one of his mission trips to the Marshall Islands. The children and youth of the church will be singing as well about the Fruits of the Spirit.  Children will need to practice each Sunday until then.  If parents would like more info or a copy of the songs and scriptures please contact Teena Hagood.
• Come to Fellowship Hall for coffee then prayer @ 9:15 each Sunday then stay for Sunday School. 
• We will have our stated session meeting Tuesday, May 19th 6:00 PM in the green room.
• Youth Group for grades 6-12 – Wednesday, 6-7:30  (This is our last meeting for the year)
• The Flower Calendar is in the bulletin board in the hallway. 
• We now have a “taxi service” for any children or youth that desire to come to Sunday School if they cannot secure a ride.  Please contact Bill McMillan 325-446-3439  (home) or 325-446-7983 (cell) or Charles Hagood at 325-446-3554 (home) or 325-446-6265 (cell), by 8:30 am each Sunday.  They will gladly come to get the children.  Parents are responsible for getting their children back home.  Be sure the child has all the contact numbers with them in case of an emergency.  
• Sunday School starts at 9:45 for all ages Angela Ervin is there to provide child care for those too young to attend a class.
• PreK-1st meet in the Concrete Room taught by Marcia Clark
• 2nd-5th meet in the Blue Room taught by Zee Wootan
• Middle and High School meet in the Red Room taught by Ford Johnston
• We also have 3 adult classes meeting 
• 1. Taught by Jim or Laurie in the green room currently studying Church History
• 2. Taught by Jennifer Kneese in the Fellowship Hall currently studying the names of God
• 3. Taught by Phil Stapp meets in the church parlor

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (5/17/15)

Scripture
Psalm 1:1-6 (ESV)  
    Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
    nor stands in the way of sinners,
        nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
    [2] but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
        and on his law he meditates day and night.
    [3] He is like a tree
        planted by streams of water
    that yields its fruit in its season,
        and its leaf does not wither.
     In all that he does, he prospers.
    [4] The wicked are not so,
        but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
    [5] Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
        nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
    [6] for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
        but the way of the wicked will perish.

Questions for Reflection
1. When has peer pressure influenced your attitudes or actions?
2. What’s most important to you about your friendships with Christians?
3. What activities does the righteous person avoid? (1:1-3)
4. What is the theme of this psalm? (1:1-6)
5. How are the righteous and the wicked different? (1:1-6)
6. What are the main points the psalm writer makes in this poem? (1:1-6)
7. How can we demonstrate our delight in God’s Word?
8. What kind of “fruit” should we yield?
9. In what specific ways does this psalm encourage you to seek righteousness?

Announcements, Scripture & Questions for Sunday (5/10/15)

Announcements:

• Tuesday, May 12th there will be a special meeting of the session at 6:00 PM to review and set goals for the various committees.
• Our next 5th Sunday special program will be held May 31st during the Sunday school hour starting at 9:45. Breakfast will be served then Dr. Franklin House will share with us a story from one of his mission trips to the Marshall Islands. The children and youth of the church will be singing as well about the Fruits of the Spirit.  Children will need to practice each Sunday until then.  If parents would like more info or a copy of the songs and scriptures please contact Teena Hagood.
• On May 18th at 5:15 in the Fellowship Hall Chelsea Blackbird “The Christian Nutritionist” will be coming to do a Nutrition Workshop. If you would like to attend please email Jurahee Silvers at Jurahee.silvers@gmail.com by 5/11. Everyone that does the workshop will be able to see what imbalances and burdens are most prevalent in their body and the best nutritional approach to take to give your body back what it needs. The cost for the workshop is $35. You must fill out a computer generated questionnaire as well as a health history form and client agreement form that are then all sent back to Chelsea. At the workshop you will receive a folder with your specific nutrition evaluation, symptom burden analysis as well as tips and meal guides. The group setting allows for discussion and learning together that benefits everyone.  
• Come to Fellowship Hall for coffee then prayer @ 9:15 each Sunday then stay for Sunday School.
• Youth Group for grades 6-12 – Wednesday, 6-7:30 PM. 

Scripture 

John 15:9-17 (ESV)  

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.  [10] If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.  [11] These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.  [12] "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  [13] Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.  [14] You are my friends if you do what I command you.  [15] No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.  [16] You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.  [17] These things I command you, so that you will love one another. 

Questions for Reflection

1. What did Jesus urge His disciples to do? (15:9)
2. How were Jesus’ disciples to remain in His love? (15:10)
3. Why did Jesus talk with His disciples about vines and branches? (15:11)
4. What command did Jesus give His disciples? (15:12)
5. What is the greatest manifestation of love? (15:13)
6. Who did Jesus say were His friends? (15:14)
7. Why did Jesus call His disciples friends? (15:15)
8. When do you struggle with loving others the way Jesus has loved you?
9. What kind of friend are you to Jesus?

May 2015 Newsletter

Click on the link to open this month's newsletter.

May 2015 Newsletter

Have a great day!!
~ Carmen