Come and See!

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (7/5/15)

We are back from a wonderful vacation in Florida where we were able to spend time with my mother and father and visit Walt Disney. Yesterday we celebrated the life of Diana Sue Snodgrass. Late this afternoon we are heading to Laurie's parents to handle some business there and will return Friday afternoon.  ~ Jim

Scripture for Sunday
Acts 22:22-29 (ESV)  
Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, "Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live." [23] And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, [24] the tri-bune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. [25] But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, "Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?" [26] When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, "What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen." [27] So the tribune came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" And he said, "Yes." [28] The tribune answered, "I bought this citizenship for a large sum." Paul said, "But I am a citizen by birth." [29] So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him. 

Questions for Reflection
1. What rights does your citizenship give you that people of other countries don’t have?
2. Why did the commander tell Paul that his citizenship had been bought? (22:28)
3. How did Paul cap the commander’s comment? (22:28)
4. Why did the commander become alarmed? (22:29)
5. Why was Paul’s Roman citizenship an asset?
6. How did Paul show good judgment in the middle of an extremely stressful situation?
7. What about you gives you unique opportunities to talk with others about Christ?
8. In what ways can we show respect to others even when they treat us disrespectfully?

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (6/14/15)

Scripture
Acts 20:13-38 (ESV)  
    But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. [14] And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. [15] And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus  [16] For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
    [17] Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. [18] And when they came to him, he said to them:
    "You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia  [19] serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; [20] how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, [21] testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. [22] And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, [23] except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. [24] But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. [25] And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. [26] Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, [27] for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. [28] Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. [29] I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; [30] and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. [31] Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. [32] And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. [33] I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. [34] You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. [35] In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
    [36] And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. [37] And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, [38] being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.

Questions for Reflection
1. If you knew that this would be your last day with your loved ones, what would you want to say to them?
2. How do you usually say good-bye?
3. What did Paul say in review of his ministry in Ephesus? (20:18-21)
4. What were the future responsibilities of the Ephesian elders? (20:28-35)
5. How did the elders display their deep love for Paul? (20:36-38)
6. How did Paul and the elders say their good-byes? (20:36-38)
7. How does Paul’s life and work challenge you?
8. How did the Holy Spirit help Paul?
9. How does the Holy Spirit lead and guide us?
10. What does it mean to commit someone else to God?

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

June 2015 Newsletter

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

June 2015 Newsletter

Have a great day!
Carmen

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (6/7/15)

We will be having Men's Breakfast Saturday at 8:00am

We will have a luncheon on June 14th with a ceremony to dedicate the plaque, in honor of our veterans, that has been placed by the church sign.  The church will provide fried chicken. Please bring a dish to share.

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 19:23-41 (ESV) 
About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. [24] For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. [25] These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, "Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. [26] And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. [27] And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship."
[28] When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" [29] So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's companions in travel. [30] But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. [31] And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. [32] Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. [33] Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. [34] But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"
[35] And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, "Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? [36] Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. [37] For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess.  [38] If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. [39] But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. [40] For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion." [41] And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

Questions for Reflection

  1. To whom does “the Way” refer? (19:23)
  2. Who was the ringleader against Paul and the Christians? (19:24)
  3. On what basis did Artemis make a case against those of the Way? (19:25-27)
  4. To what group did the silversmith present his case? (19:24-25)
  5. Why did the silversmith’s talk create such an uproar? (19:27-29)
  6. How did the city clerk bring order to the crowd in the Ephesian theater? (19:35-40)
  7. What reasons did the city clerk give for dispersing the mob? (19:35-41)
  8. What underlying motive did the silversmith have for his protest?
  9. How do Christians sometimes compromise the kingdom of God for money?
  10. How can a person make idols out of work, money, or success?
  11. In what ways can money become more important to us than it should?
  12. What price did Paul and his friends pay for doing what was right?