Come and See!

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Announcements, Scripture for Sunday (5/3/15)

Announcements:
  • Men Saturday May 2, 2015, our normal men's breakfast will be held at Kelly Kothman's and we will have a special Dutch oven menu. To get to Kelly's take 377N towards London, it is 1 mile on the LEFT from the Y to Kelly's gate. You will see a set of cattle pens and a bump gate. Come through the bump gate and bear left and come to the barn.
  • 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  
  • Thursday, May 7, will be National Day of Prayer.  We will be having prayer time on that day on the grounds of the City Hall on Main Street at 12 noon.
  • The Flower Calendar is in the bulletin board in the hallway

Scripture
Romans 1:1-17 (ESV)  
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, [2] which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, [3] concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh [4] and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, [5] through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, [6] including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, [7] To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [8] First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. [9] For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you [10] always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. [11] For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— [12] that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. [13] I want you to know, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. [14] I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.  [15] So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. [16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. [17] For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."

Questions for Reflection
1. For what was the church at Rome well-known? (1:8)
2. How did Paul describe his commitment to God? (1:9)
3. What kind of concern did Paul have for his audience? (1:9-10)
4. What happened to Paul’s plans to visit the church in Rome? (1:10-13)
5. What did Paul want to give the Romans when he visited? (1:11-12)
6. Who would benefit from Paul’s visit? (1:12)
7. What are some of the positive reports you would want other people to hear about your faith in God?
8. How does remembering someone in prayer help him or her?
9. In what ways are we helped when we help someone else?
10. When have you learned something from someone whom you initially believed had nothing to teach you?

Monday, April 27, 2015

Announcements, Scripture & Questions for Sunday (4/26/15)

Announcements:

  • From Barbara Smith, Methodist Church Secretary – Request:  please bring to the church office recycled bags (plastic groceries bags) for use in the Food Bank.  
  • Men mark your calendars for Saturday May 2, 2015, our normal men's breakfast will be held at Kelly Kothman's and we will have a special Dutch oven menu.
Scripture
Acts 16:9-15 (ESV)  
And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."  [10] And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 
[11] So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis,  [12] and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.  [13] And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.  [14] One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.  [15] And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us. 

Questions for Reflection
  1. If you arranged a long vacation and you were suddenly required to cancel it for business, what would you do?
  2. How did God guide the missionaries in their travels? (16:6-7)
  3. What did the missionaries do after they understood what God wanted them to do? (16:10)
  4. When did Paul and his companions respond to God’s instructions? (16:10)
  5. How do you think Paul, Silas, and Timothy recognized the Holy Spirit’s directions as they traveled around Asia Minor?
  6. How can we be receptive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance?
  7. What do you do when the Holy Spirit thwarts your plans?
  8. How does God usually speak to His children?
  9. How does God speak to you?
  10. What does the example of Paul and his companions teach us about obedience to God?


Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Announcements & Scripture for Sunday (4/19/15)

Announcements

  • Men mark your calendars for Saturday May 2, 2015, our normal men's breakfast will be held at Kelly Kothman's and we will have a special Dutch oven menu.
  • Come to Fellowship Hall for donuts and coffee then prayer @ 9:15 each Sunday then stay for Sunday School.
  • After School Program for grades K-5 – Tuesday, at 3:30-5 PM.
  • Youth Group for grades 6-12 – Wednesday, 6-7:30 PM. 
  • The Flower Calendar is in the bulletin board in the hallway
Scripture 

Acts 10:1-17 (ESV)
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, [2] a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. [3] About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, "Cornelius."  [4] And he stared at him in terror and said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. [5] And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. [6] He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside." [7] When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, [8] and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.  [9] The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. [10] And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance [11] and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. [12] In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. [13] And there came a voice to him: "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." [14] But Peter said, "By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean." [15] And the voice came to him again a second time, "What God has made clean, do not call common." [16] This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.  [17] Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate  

Acts 10:34-35 (ESV)  
So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, [35] but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

Questions for reflection

  1. At an ethnic food festival, would you try a variety of international dishes or immediately seek out the hot dog stand? Why?
  2. What did Peter experience while food was being prepared for him? (10:10-16)
  3. What did Peter see in a vision? (10:11-12)
  4. What did the voice instruct Peter to do? (10:13)
  5. Why did Peter protest against the command to eat? (10:14)
  6. How were Peter’s objections silenced? (10:15)
  7. What are some reasons we reject or avoid certain people?
  8. Peter’s dream was unexpected; how does God deal with us in surprising ways?
  9. How does God give us clear directions through other Christians?
  10. How should your church treat visitors who are different from the rest of the congregation?
  11. How can you show acceptance of those who don’t “fit in”?

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (4/12/15)

Scripture 
Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV) 
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.  [17] And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.  [18] And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Questions for Reflection
1. What is the most exciting news you have received in the last month?
2. Why did the disciples assemble on the specific mountain they chose? (28:16)
3. Who appeared to the disciples? When? (28:16-17)
4. What responses did Jesus’ appearance elicit? (28:17)
5. What did Jesus say about Himself? (28:18)
6. Where did Jesus tell His disciples to go? (28:19)
7. What did Jesus tell His disciples to make? (28:19)
8. What activities were the disciples to be involved in? (28:19-20)
9. With what words of comfort did Jesus leave His disciples? (28:20)
10. What does it mean to “make disciples”?
11. What role do you have in making disciples?

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

April 2015 Newsletter

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

April 2015 Newsletter

Have a great day!! ~ Carmen

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Scripture for Easter Sunday (4/5/15)

Holy Week Schedule
  1. Maundy Thursday, April 2nd, Communion Service 6:00pm 
  2. Good Friday, April 3rd, Tenebrae Service 7:00pm
  3. Saturday, April 4th, Men's Breakfast 8:00am
  4. Easter Sunday, April 5th, Easter Egg Hunt During the Sunday School Hour.  Please bring some cookies to share for fellowship time.  Come to Fellowship Hall for donuts and coffee then prayer @ 9:15 each Sunday then stay for Sunday School.

Scripture
Matthew 28:1-10 (ESV)  
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.  [2] And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.  [3] His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.  [4] And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.  [5] But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  [6] He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.  [7] Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you."  [8] So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.  [9] And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.  [10] Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."

Questions for Reflection

  1. In your opinion, what is the most significant event in history?
  2. What amazing news did the angel announce to the women at the tomb? (28:5-6)
  3. What invitation did the angel give the women? (28:6)
  4. What command did the angel give Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary”? (28:7)
  5. How did the women feel as they left the tomb? (28:8)
  6. What kind of meeting took place as the women were going to tell the disciples about Jesus? (28:9)
  7. How did the women respond when Jesus met them? (28:9)
  8. What words of challenge and comfort did the women receive? (28:10)
  9. Why is the Resurrection important to us as Christians?
  10. What attitude should we have in light of the fact of Jesus’ resurrection?