Come and See!

Friday, December 15, 2017

Christmas Play this Sunday (12/17/17)

The Christmas Play is this Sunday, December 17th during our regular worship hour.  Please have all play participants here by 9:30 that morning. Breakfast starts at 9:45, please bring a breakfast dish to share.

Bob Winship is in Shannon Hospital and would appreciate our prayers.

Friday, December 8, 2017

Scripture for Sunday (12/10/17)

Parents please have your Children at the church by 9:45 for play practice. The Christmas Play will be Sunday, December 17th during our regular worship hour.  Please have all play participants there by 9:30 that morning. Please bring a breakfast dish to share.

Women of the Church:  Please bring 2 dozen cookies to your meeting Tuesday for a cookie exchange.

Scripture for Sunday
Mark 1:1-8 (ESV)  
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
    [2] As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
    "Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
        who will prepare your way,
    [3] the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
        Prepare the way of the Lord,
        make his paths straight."
   [4] John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  [5] And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.  [6] Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey.  [7] And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.  [8] I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." 

Friday, December 1, 2017

Scripture for Sunday (12/3/17)

Men's Breakfast Saturday morning at 8 AM. Coffee will be on at 6:30 so come early to visit and bring a friend.

The Kimble County Youth Show is tomorrow.  Come support our youth. 

Rehearsals for the Children’s Christmas Play begins this Sunday and will continue during the Sunday School hour each week until December 17th.

Scripture
Mark 13:24-37
24 "But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,  25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.  26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.  27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.  28 "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.  29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.  30 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.  31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.  32 "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.  34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake.  35 Therefore stay awake- for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or in the morning- 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.  37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake."

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Announcements!

Tonight ~ Hanging of the Greens!
Help decorate the church for Christmas.
Chili will be served at 5:30 PM.

Practice for the Christmas Play begins Sunday, Dec 3rd. 
Please have children at the church by 9:45 AM.

The Children's Christmas Play will be Sunday, Dec 17th 
during our normal worship hour (11 AM).
We will have a church family breakfast at 9:45 AM. 
Please bring a breakfast dish to share.

Friday, November 10, 2017

Scripture for Sunday (11/12/17)

Announcements
Last Sunday was pretty amazing for us.  The Thanksgiving lunch was a big success; thank you all for coming. For others, it was a day of fear, grief and tragedy. The people of 1st Baptist Sutherland Springs never expected evil to enter their sanctuary.  Now, we will have to be more vigilant.

We will have a brief congregational meeting Sunday to elect four people to the nominating committee. They will be seeking three people to serve as Elders for the class of 2020.

Monday, I will be flying to Florida to help my dad some more.  I will return Friday.

Scripture for Sunday
Amos 5:14-24 (ESV)  
    Seek good, and not evil,
        that you may live;
    and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you,
        as you have said.
    [15] Hate evil, and love good,
        and establish justice in the gate;
    it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts,
        will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.
 [16] Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord:
    "In all the squares there shall be wailing,
        and in all the streets they shall say, 'Alas! Alas!'
    They shall call the farmers to mourning
        and to wailing those who are skilled in lamentation,
    [17] and in all vineyards there shall be wailing,
        for I will pass through your midst,"
says the Lord.
    [18] Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord!
        Why would you have the day of the Lord?
    It is darkness, and not light,
        [19] as if a man fled from a lion,
        and a bear met him,
    or went into the house and leaned his hand against the wall,
        and a serpent bit him.
    [20] Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light,
        and gloom with no brightness in it?
    [21] "I hate, I despise your feasts,
        and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
    [22] Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,
        I will not accept them;
    and the peace offerings of your fattened animals,
        I will not look upon them.
    [23] Take away from me the noise of your songs;
        to the melody of your harps I will not listen.
    [24] But let justice roll down like waters,
        and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Friday, November 3, 2017

Scripture for Sunday (11/5/17)

Men's Breakfast Saturday morning 8 AM. Coffee will be on at 6:30 so come early to visit and bring a friend.

Thanksgiving Lunch following worship Sunday.  The church is providing Smoked Turkey, Pulled Pork, and dressing. 
Please bring a side dish to share.

Scripture for Sunday 
1 Kings 19:1-21 (ESV)  
Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.  [2] Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow."  [3] Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. [4] But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, "It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers."  [5] And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, "Arise and eat."  [6] And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again.  [7] And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, "Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you."  [8] And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God. 
[9] There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"  [10] He said, "I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away."  [11] And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  [12] And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.  [13] And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"  [14] He said, "I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away."  [15] And the Lord said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria.  [16] And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place.  [17] And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death.  [18] Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him." 
[19] So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him.  [20] And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, "Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you." And he said to him, "Go back again, for what have I done to you?"  [21] And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him. 

Friday, October 27, 2017

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (10/29/17)

Men's Breakfast will be Saturday, November 4th.

Scripture 
1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 (ESV)  
Then Samuel went to Ramah, and Saul went up to his house in Gibeah of Saul.  [35] And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel. 
[16:1] The Lord said to Samuel, "How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons."  [2] And Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me." And the Lord said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.'  [3] And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. And you shall anoint for me him whom I declare to you."  [4] Samuel did what the Lord commanded and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, "Do you come peaceably?"  [5] And he said, "Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice." And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 
[6] When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord's anointed is before him."  [7] But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."  [8] Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, "Neither has the Lord chosen this one."  [9] Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, "Neither has the Lord chosen this one."  [10] And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, "The Lord has not chosen these."  [11] Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all your sons here?" And he said, " There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here."  [12] And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, "Arise, anoint him, for this is he."  [13] Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah. 

Psalm 51:10-15 (ESV)  
    Create in me a clean heart, O God,
        and renew a right spirit within me.
    [11] Cast me not away from your presence,
        and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
    [12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
        and uphold me with a willing spirit.
    [13] Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
        and sinners will return to you.
    [14] Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
        O God of my salvation,
        and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
    [15] O Lord, open my lips,
        and my mouth will declare your praise.

Friday, October 6, 2017

Announcements, Scripture for Sunday (10/8/17)

Announcements:
  • Men's Breakfast Saturday morning 8 AM. Coffee will be on at 6:30 so come early to visit and bring a friend.
  • Kimble County EMS is having a BBQ cook off this weekend to raise  money for our service. Judges are needed! Please contact Ted Sandlin if you are willing to help.
  • Jim will be out of the office Monday October 9-16. Jim is going to Florida to make sure his dad's house is livable.  It suffered some damage from hurricane Irma. Jim's dad is getting rehab from surgery at a facility in Leesburg, FL. 
  • Wednesday October 11th at 6 PM we will be having a spaghetti dinner catered by Brian and Bobby Lyn McLaughlin followed by a program from Charles and Melissa Johnson, Presbyterian missionaries serving in Zambia. 

Scripture for Sunday
Isaiah 40:28-31 (ESV)   
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. [29] He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. [30] Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; [31] but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

John 6:16-21 (ESV)  
[16] When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea,  [17] got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.  [18] The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.  [19] When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened.  [20] But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid."  [21] Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Oct-Nov 2017 Newsletter

Click on the link to view the latest newsletter.

Oct-Nov 2017 Newsletter

Have a great day!
~ Carmen

Friday, September 29, 2017

Announcements - Scripture for Sunday (10/1/17)

Announcements
1. Sunday, October 1st - Covered Dish Dinner followed by worship at Roosevelt 5:00 PM.
2. Charles and Melissa Johnson, Presbyterian missionaries serving in Zambia will be with us Wednesday, October 11th @ 6:00 PM to share their stories with us.

Scripture for Sunday
Exodus 3:1-15 (ESV)  
Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.  [2] And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed.  [3] And Moses said, "I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned."  [4] When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am."  [5] Then he said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."  [6] And he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 
[7] Then the Lord said, "I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings,  [8] and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Periz-zites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.  [9] And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.  [10] Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt."  [11] But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?"  [12] He said, "But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain." 
[13] Then Moses said to God, "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?"  [14] God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.' "  [15] God also said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.  

Exodus 4:1-5 (ESV)  
Then Moses answered, "But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, 'The Lord did not appear to you.' "  [2] The Lord said to him, "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A staff."  [3] And he said, "Throw it on the ground." So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it.  [4] But the Lord said to Moses, "Put out your hand and catch it by the tail"—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— [5] "that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you."  

Exodus 4:10-16 (ESV)  
But Moses said to the Lord, "Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue."  [11] Then the Lord said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?  [12] Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak."  [13] But he said, "Oh, my Lord, please send someone else."  [14] Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, "Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.  [15] You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do.  [16] He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him.  

Friday, September 15, 2017

Scripture for Sunday (9/17/17)

Sunday School for all ages starts Sunday. "Come and See!"

Scripture
Genesis 22:1-18 (ESV)  
After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." [2] He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." [3] So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. [4] On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. [5] Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you." [6] And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. [7] And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here am I, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" [8] Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together. 
    [9] When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. [10] Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. [11] But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." [12] He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." [13] And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. [14] So Abraham called the name of that place, "The Lord will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided."
    [15] And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven
    [16] and said, "By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, [17] I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, [18] and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice." 

Saturday, September 9, 2017

Harvey Relief Supplies

Harvey Relief Supplies 

Cleanup Bucket (Value $75)
1 — 5-gallon bucket with resealable lid*
5 — scouring pads
7 — sponges, assorted sizes
1 — scrub brush
1 — pkg. cleaning towels (18 reusable, like Easy Wipes®)
1 — box dry laundry detergent, 50-78 oz.
1 — liquid concentrated household cleaner (like Lysol®), 12 oz.
1 — bottle liquid disinfectant dish soap (like Dawn®), 24-28 oz.
1 — 1 pkg. clothespins, 48-50 Clothesline, two 50 ft. or one 100 ft.
5 — dust masks
2 pair — latex gloves (like Playtex®)
1 pair — work gloves
1 — 24 to 28 count roll heavy-duty trash bags (30-45 gallon, remove from carton)
1 — bottle insect repellant (pump, drops or lotion; not aerosol), 6-9 oz.

Please purchase all liquids in plastic bottles. Send only new, unopened materials. Put all items in the plastic bucket, packed securely to avoid damage during shipment, and seal lid with packing tape.

*Some local fast-food restaurants are willing to give pickle buckets (or other 5-gallon buckets with re-sealable lids) or offer them for a small fee. These can be washed out and used for the cleanup buckets.

Hygiene Kit (Value $15)
1 — hand towel (approximately 16" x 28", no fingertip or bath towels)
1 — washcloth
1 — wide-tooth comb (remove from package)
1 — nail clipper (UPDATE: nail clippers with metal files or emery boards attached are now accepted; remove from package)
1 — bar of soap (bath size in wrapper)
1 — toothbrush (in original packaging)
10 — Band-Aids® or other adhesive bandage strips
Please do not add toothpaste to the Hygiene Kit. Toothpaste which has an extended expiration date will be added to international Hygiene Kit shipments just prior to shipment. Seal all items in a one-gallon plastic bag with a zipper closure.

School Kit (Value $15)
1 — pair of blunt scissors (rounded tip)
3 — 70-count spiral notebooks or tape-bound pads of 8" x 10 1/2" ruled paper or pads with 200-210 sheets of ruled paper. Do not include filler paper.
1 — 30-centimeter ruler (12")
1 — hand-held pencil sharpener
6 — new pencils with erasers
1 — large eraser
1 — box of 24 crayons
1 — cloth bag, 12" x 14" to 14" x 17" finished size cotton cloth bag with cloth handles; pattern available.  (Please, do not use reusable shopping bags or backpacks.)
Pack all items in the cloth bag.

Scripture for Sunday (9/10/17)

Sunday School Kickoff Breakfast
Sunday, September 10th, we will have our annual kickoff breakfast starting at 9:45 AM in the fellowship hall. Please bring a breakfast dish to share.

KFC (Kids For Christ), our after-school program for Elementary students starts Tuesday, September 12th.  Jim will pick-up the children in the church van at 3:30 at the school.  KFC finishes at 5 PM.

Scripture for Sunday
Genesis 1:1-2:3 (NIV)  
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. [2] Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. [3] And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. [4] God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. [5] God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning--the first day. [6] And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." [7] So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. [8] God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning--the second day. [9] And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. [10] God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good. [11]  Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. [12] The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. [13] And there was evening, and there was morning--the third day. [14] And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, [15] and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. [16] God made two great lights--the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. [17] God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, [18] to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. [19] And there was evening, and there was morning--the fourth day. [20] And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." [21] So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. [22] God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." [23] And there was evening, and there was morning--the fifth day. [24] And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. [25] God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. [26]  Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." [27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. [28] God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." [29] Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. [30] And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground--everything that has the breath of life in it--I give every green plant for food." And it was so. [31] God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning--the sixth day. [2:1] Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. [2] By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. [3] And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

Friday, September 1, 2017

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (9/3/17)

No Men's Breakfast Saturday September 2, we will resume in October

Scripture for Sunday
James 3:13-18 (ESV)  
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. [14] But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. [15] This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. [16] For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. [17] But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. [18] And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Questions for Reflection
1. What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom?
2. What kinds of jobs or occupations require wisdom or discernment?
3. Where do people often go to get wisdom?
4. How can a person demonstrate wisdom and understanding? (3:13)
5. How can we tell when a person is wise? (3:13)
6. What common attitudes do we need to avoid boasting about? (3:14)
7. What is wrong with the “wisdom” of a selfish and bitter person? (3:14-15)
8. What life experiences increase our wisdom?
9. What are the marks of humility in a person?
10. How can we get or experience heavenly wisdom?

Friday, August 25, 2017

Scripture for Sunday (8/27/17)

Scripture for Sunday
Psalm 90:1-17 (ESV)  
Book Four
A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.
    Lord, you have been our dwelling place
        in all generations.
    [2] Before the mountains were brought forth,
        or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
         from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
    [3] You return man to dust
        and say, "Return, O children of man!"
    [4] For a thousand years in your sight
        are but as yesterday when it is past,
        or as a watch in the night.
    [5] You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,
        like grass that is renewed in the morning:
    [6] in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
        in the evening it fades and withers.
    [7] For we are brought to an end by your anger;
        by your wrath we are dismayed.
    [8] You have set our iniquities before you,
        our secret sins in the light of your presence.
    [9] For all our days pass away under your wrath;
        we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
    [10] The years of our life are seventy,
        or even by reason of strength eighty;
    yet their span is but toil and trouble;
        they are soon gone, and we fly away.
    [11] Who considers the power of your anger,
        and your wrath according to the fear of you?
    [12] So teach us to number our days
        that we may get a heart of wisdom.
    [13] Return, O Lord! How long?
        Have pity on your servants!
    [14] Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
        that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
    [15] Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
        and for as many years as we have seen evil.
    [16] Let your work be shown to your servants,
        and your glorious power to their children.
    [17] Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
        and establish the work of our hands upon us;
        yes, establish the work of our hands!

Luke 12:40-48 (ESV)  
You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
[41] Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?"  [42] And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?  [43] Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.  [44] Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.  [45] But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk,  [46] the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful.  [47] And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.  [48] But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. 

Friday, August 18, 2017

August - September 2017 Newsletter

The latest newsletter is available. Keep up with the church and all our upcoming events. Click on the link below.

August 2017 Newsletter

Have a great day!

~ Carmen

Friday, August 11, 2017

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (8/13/17)

Scripture for Sunday
John 6:56-69 (ESV)  
Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. [57] As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. [58] This is the bread that came down from heaven, not as the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever." [59] Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum. [60] When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" [61] But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, "Do you take offense at this? [62] Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? [63] It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. [64] But there are some of you who do not believe." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) [65] And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." [66] After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. [67] So Jesus said to the Twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?" [68] Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, [69] and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."  

Questions for Reflection
1. What is something that you enthusiastically started but were later tempted to quit?
2. For what causes have people willingly suffered and even died?
3. How did many of Jesus’ disciples respond to His teaching? (6:60)
4. Who did Jesus say could come to Him? (6:65)
5. What was Peter’s reply to Jesus’ question? (6:68-69)
6. What teachings of Jesus have you found difficult to understand or accept?
7. What makes some of Jesus’ teachings difficult to understand and follow?
8. What might cause someone to stop following Jesus?
9. What has kept you from turning away from Christ?

Monday, August 7, 2017

Scripture for Sunday (8/6/17)

Scripture for Sunday
Psalm 146:1-10 (ESV)  
    Praise the Lord!Praise the Lord, O my soul!
    [2] I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
         I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
    [3] Put not your trust in princes,
         in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
    [4] When his breath departs he returns to the earth;
        on that very day his plans perish.
    [5] Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
        whose hope is in the Lord his God,
    [6] who made heaven and earth,
        the sea, and all that is in them,
     who keeps faith forever;
        [7] who executes justice for the oppressed,
         who gives food to the hungry.
     The Lord sets the prisoners free;
        [8] the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
     The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
         the Lord loves the righteous.
    [9] The Lord watches over the sojourners;
         he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
        but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
    [10] The Lord will reign forever,
        your God, O Zion, to all generations.
     Praise the Lord!

Isaiah 43:16-21 (ESV)  
    Thus says the Lord,
        who makes a way in the sea,
        a path in the mighty waters,
    [17] who brings forth chariot and horse,
        army and warrior;
    they lie down, they cannot rise,
        they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:
    [18] "Remember not the former things,
        nor consider the things of old.
    [19] Behold, I am doing a new thing;
        now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
    I will make a way in the wilderness
        and rivers in the desert.
    [20] The wild beasts will honor me,
        the jackals and the ostriches,
    for I give water in the wilderness,
        rivers in the desert,
    to give drink to my chosen people,
        [21] the people whom I formed for myself
    that they might declare my praise.

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Scripture for Sunday (7/9/17)

Scripture for Sunday
Psalm 13:1-6 (ESV)  
    To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
    How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
        How long will you hide your face from me?
    [2] How long must I take counsel in my soul
        and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
    How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
    [3] Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;
         light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
    [4] lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him,"
        lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
    [5] But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
        my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
    [6] I will sing to the Lord,
        because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Rev. 6:9-11 (ESV)  
When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne.  [10] They cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"  [11] Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

VBS & Camp-out, July 7-8

Vacation Bible School and Camp-Out
July 7-8, 2017
GETTING S’MORE OF JESUS      

2017 FPC VBS for our church family begins on Friday, July 7th.  We will meet at the church at 2:00 PM to carpool to the campsite at the McMillan cabins.  We will spend the night and have scheduled events on Saturday.  Fish Fry for the entire church family on Saturday night at 6 PM (eat at 7 PM) then clean up and disband.

Please RSVP for camp-out ASAP to Jim or Laurie, Molly, Teena, Sandra or Linda Moss or with the church office by July 5th.  If your child is under 8 and spending the night, they need an adult chaperone, so please plan on that.

Supply list: bug spray, sunscreen, cap or hat, river shoes, tennis shoes and socks, change of clothes, swimsuit, large towel, flash light.   Life jacket.   Bring an extra washed T-shirt (plain) for craft.  Put your name on everything.  NO electronics please.  If you are spending the night bring a sleeping bag, your preference for mattress or cot, and pillow. 

Monday, July 3, 2017

Scripture for Sunday (7/2/17)

Next week is our week to make sandwiches for the children of our community. We need 4 or 5 volunteers to make about 90 sack lunches each day. Please let Jim know if you can help. Children and youth are welcome to help. I am headed to Sam's today to buy supplies.

Scripture for Sunday
Romans 8:18-39 (ESV)  
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.  [19] For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.  [20] For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope [21] that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.  [22] For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.  [23] And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.  [24] For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?  [25] But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 
[26] Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.  [27] And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.  [28] And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  [29] For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  [30] And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. 
[31] What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  [32] He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?  [33] Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.  [34] Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.  [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?  [36] As it is written,
    "For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
        we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
 [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  [38] For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,  [39] nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Monday, June 26, 2017

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (6/25/17)

Scripture for Sunday
Psalm 8:1-9 (ESV)
    To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David.
    O Lord, our Lord,
        how majestic is your name in all the earth!
    You have set your glory above the heavens.
        [2]  Out of the mouth of babes and infants,
    you have established strength because of your foes,
        to still the enemy and the avenger.
    [3] When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
        the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
    [4] what is man that you are mindful of him,
        and the son of man that you care for him?
    [5] Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
        and crowned him with glory and honor.
    [6] You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
         you have put all things under his feet,
    [7] all sheep and oxen,
        and also the beasts of the field,
    [8] the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
        whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
    [9] O Lord, our Lord,
        how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Questions for Reflection
1. What do you like most about the outdoors?
2. What lessons about life have you learned from nature?
3. What did David find most amazing about God’s creation? (8:3-4)
4. How do people get all of their power and responsibility? (8:3-6)
5. What attitude did David have about himself and all people? (8:4)
6. What does this psalm tell us about self-esteem and responsibility?
7. How does our attitude toward creation reflect our perspective of God?

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

June 2017 Newsletter

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

June 2017 Newsletter

Have a great day!
~ Carmen

Monday, June 12, 2017

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (6/11/17)

The food bank is running low on food of all kinds. Donations of any kind would be welcomed. You may drop food off at our church or the Ministerial Alliance building on the corner of 15th and N Llano Street.

Don't forget we have Bible Study every Wednesday at 5:30.   

Scripture
John 3:1-17 (ESV)
    Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.  [2] This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him."  [3] Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."  [4] Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"  [5] Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  [7] Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'  [8] The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
    [9] Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?"  [10] Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?  [11] Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.  [12] If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?  [13] No one has ascended into heaven except him who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.  [14] And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,  [15] that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."
    [16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
 [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Questions for Reflection
1. When have you felt like you wanted to start life all over again?
2. What is required to enter the kingdom of God? (3:5-6)
3. How did Jesus compare the wind to the Spirit? (3:8)
4. Why should Nicodemus have understood what Jesus said? (3:10)
5. What is the result of believing in the Son of Man? (3:15, 18)
6. How did God demonstrate His love for the world? (3:16)
7. Why did God send His Son into the world? (3:17)
8. How would you describe what it means to be born again to someone?

Friday, June 2, 2017

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (6/4/17)

Men's Breakfast Saturday morning 8 AM. Coffee will be on at 6:30 so come early to visit and bring a friend.
This Sunday is Pentecost; wear Red

Scripture
Acts 2:1-21 (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." 
[14] But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.  [15] For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.  [16] But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 
    [17] " 'And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
    that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
        and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
    and your young men shall see visions,
        and your old men shall dream dreams;
    [18] even on my male servants and female servants
        in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
    [19] And I will show wonders in the heavens above
        and signs on the earth below,
        blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
    [20] the sun shall be turned to darkness
        and the moon to blood,
         before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
    [21] And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

Questions for Reflection
1. If you could speak another language fluently, which one would you choose? Why?
2. When the Holy Spirit filled the believers, what did they do? (2:4)
3. How did the God-fearing Jews visiting Jerusalem react when they heard Christians speaking their languages? (2:6-11)
4. Besides being amazed, how did the crowd react to the unusual happening they witnessed? (2:12-13)
5. What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
6. What areas of unbelief must you deal with in order to become more open to the movement of God in your life?
7. How can we cultivate sensitivity to the Holy Spirit?

Friday, May 26, 2017

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (5/28/17)

Next Sunday, June 4th, is Pentecost, the birthday 
of the church. Please wear red.

Scripture
Galatians 3:1-9 (ESV)  
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.  [2] Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?  [3] Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?  [4] Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?  [5] Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— [6] just as Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"? [7] Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.  [8] And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed."  [9] So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. 

Galatians 3:23-29 (ESV)  
Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.  [24] So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.  [25] But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,  [26] for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.  [27] For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  [28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  [29] And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. 

Questions for Reflection
1. If someone close to you displayed a lack of knowledge about a subject you knew well, what would you do about it?
2. What was the purpose of the Law? (3:19)
3. How was the Law put into effect? (3:19)
4. Why did God give both the Law and promises? (3:21-22)
5. How did the Law pave the way for the gospel? (3:22-23)
6. What freedom did faith in Christ bring? (3:23-25)
7. How does faith in Christ set us free from legalism?

Friday, May 12, 2017

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (5/14/17)

No Wednesday Bible Study this week (5/17).  We will resume on Wednesday, May 24th. 
Graduate Luncheon will be Sunday, May 21st following worship service. Please bring a Mexican dish to share.

Scripture
Acts 15:1-12 (ESV) 
But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."  [2] And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.  [3] So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.  [4] When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.  [5] But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses."
[6] The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.  [7] And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.  [8] And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us,  [9] and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.  [10] Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?  [11] But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."  [12] And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 

Questions for Reflection

  1. When faced with a problem, do you want someone else to solve it, or do you like to figure out for yourself what you should do? Why?
  2. What is most challenging to you about enforcing rules?
  3. When Paul and Barnabas arrived in Jerusalem, how did the church receive them? (15:4)
  4. What did the believing Pharisees say? (15:5)
  5. How did the church leaders respond to the Pharisees? (15:6)
  6. What did Paul and Barnabas add to Peter’s testimony? (15:12)
  7. What was wise about using a council to deal with the thorny issue of how non-Jews could be saved?
  8. How was the problem of this council larger than the issue of circumcision?
  9. When dealing with difficult issues, what do we need to include in the decision-making process?

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Presbyterian Women

In an attempt to expand our membership, the Presbyterian Women have decided to establish a second circle to accommodate more peoples' schedules.  Our first meeting to launch the group will be Sunday, June 4th, after church.  Food will be provided.  We look forward to seeing you there!  If you are interested in participating, please leave us your contact information (phone number and email) in the notebook in the foyer of the church.
Also, those who have Facebook, please join us at https://www.facebook.com/PWJunction/.

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

May 2017 Newsletter

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

May 2017 Newsletter

Have a great day!
~ Carmen

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (5/7/17)

Scripture
Acts 8:26-39 (ESV)  
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is a desert place.  [27] And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship [28] and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.  [29] And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and join this chariot." [30] So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?"  [31] And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.  [32] Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:
     "Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
        and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
             so he opens not his mouth.
    [33] In his humiliation justice was denied him.
        Who can describe his generation?
             For his life is taken away from the earth."
[34] And the eunuch said to Philip, "About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?"  [35] Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.  [36] And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?"  
[37]  [38] And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.  [39] And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.  

Questions for Reflection
1.    What reading material do you find difficult to understand?
2.    Who is one of the best teachers you ever had?
3.    How did Philip present the good news about Jesus? (8:35)
4.    What did the eunuch do after he believed in Jesus? (8:36-38)
5.    How does God use us to take the message of Christ to others?
6.    What passages of Scripture are difficult for you to understand?
7.    Why are some parts of the Bible difficult to understand?
8.    Where can we get help understanding the Bible better?
9.    When was the last time you explained the Scriptures to someone else?

Friday, April 28, 2017

Scripture for Sunday (4/30/17)

Sunday, following morning worship, we will have a covered dish lunch in celebration of our recent baptisms and new members. The church will provide drinks.  
Please bring a dish to share.

Scripture
Acts 6:1-7:2 (ESV)  
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.  [2] And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.  [3] Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.  [4] But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."  [5] And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.  [6] These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. [7] And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. [8] And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.  [9] Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen.  [10] But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.  [11] Then they secretly instigated men who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God."  [12] And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council,  [13] and they set up false witnesses who said, "This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law,  [14] for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us."  [15] And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. [7:1] And the high priest said, "Are these things so?"  [2] And Stephen said: "Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,  

Acts 7:44-60 (ESV)  
"Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen.  [45] Our fathers in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our fathers. So it was until the days of David,  [46] who found favor in the sight of God and asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.  [47] But it was Solomon who built a house for him.  [48] Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, 
    [49] " 'Heaven is my throne,
        and the earth is my footstool.
    What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord,
        or what is the place of my rest?
    [50] Did not my hand make all these things?'
[51] "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.  [52] Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered,  [53] you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it." [54] Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.  [55] But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  [56] And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."  [57] But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him.  [58] Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.  [59] And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."  [60] And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep. 

Monday, April 17, 2017

Scripture and Questions for Sunday (4/16/17)

Scripture for Sunday
Luke 24:1-12 (ESV)  
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. [2] And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, [3] but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. [4] While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. [5] And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? [6] He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, [7] that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise." [8] And they remembered his words, [9] and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. [10] Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, [11] but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. [12] But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened. 

Questions for Reflection
1. When was a time you told a true story that other people found hard to believe?
2. What did the women do after the men had told them that Jesus had risen from the dead as He had predicted? (24:9)
3. How did the apostles react to the women’s testimony? (24:11)
4. Why did the apostles not believe the women? (24:11)
5. In what way were Peter’s actions different from the other apostles? (24:12)
6. How did Peter respond to the sight of the empty tomb? (24:12)
7. Why did the disciples express disbelief even though Jesus had told them clearly that He would rise from the dead?
8. What does this passage teach us about witnessing and evangelism?
9. What does this account teach you about the people to whom God reveals His good news?

Friday, April 7, 2017

Holy Week Schedule

Holy Week Schedule
April 12, Bible Study, Red Room 5:30 PM
April 13, Maundy Thursday Communion Service 7 PM
April 14, Good Friday Tenebrae Service 7 PM
April 16, Easter Egg Hunt during the Sunday School Hour

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (4/9/17)

Scripture for Sunday
Luke 19:28-44 (ESV) 
And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. [29] When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, [30] saying, "Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. [31] If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' you shall say this: 'The Lord has need of it.' " [32] So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. [33] And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying the colt?" [34] And they said, "The Lord has need of it." [35] And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. [36] And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. [37] As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives— the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, [38] saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" [39] And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." [40] He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out."
[41] And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, [42] saying, "Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. [43] For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 
[44] and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation."

Questions for Reflection

  1. How do people commonly show admiration for famous people?
  2. How did people react to Jesus’ entrance into the city? (19:36-37)
  3. Why did all of the disciples begin to praise God? (19:37)
  4. In what way were the words of the disciples’ praises significant? (19:38)
  5. Why were the Pharisees in the crowd upset? (19:39)
  6. How did Jesus respond to the Pharisees’ rebuke? (19:40)
  7. What does this passage teach us about Jesus’ regard for celebrity status?
  8. What can we learn from the example of the disciples in this account?
  9. What has the Lord done for you recently that causes you to praise Him?

Friday, March 31, 2017

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (4/2/17)

Men's Breakfast Saturday morning 8 AM. Coffee will be on at 6:30 so come early to visit and bring a friend.

We will have a church cleanup following morning worship Sunday, April 2. Bring a sack lunch and dress comfortable.

Bible study Wednesday at 5:30, The Essentials of the Christian Faith.

Scripture
Luke 18:31-19:10 (ESV)  
And taking the twelve, he said to them, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished.  [32] For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. [33] And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise." [34] But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said. 
[35] As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.  [36] And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. [37] They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." [38] And he cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" [39] And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" [40] And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, [41] "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me recover my sight." [42] And Jesus said to him, "Recover your sight; your faith has made you well."  [43] And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. 
[19:1] He entered Jericho and was passing through. [2] And there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. [3] And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature. [4] So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. [5] And 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 and came down and received him joyfully. [7] And when they saw it, they all h grumbled, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." [8] And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold." [9] And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. [10] For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." 

Questions for Reflection
1. What does it feel like to be criticized by other people?
2. In what circumstances does the criticism of others not matter to you?
3. How did the crowd respond to the blind man’s actions? (18:39)
4. What did the blind man do in response to the criticism of the crowd? (18:39)
5. What can we learn from the blind man in this account?
6. How is faith involved in Jesus’ miracles?
7. In what situations should you not be concerned about the criticism of others?
8. In what way do we all need healing from the Lord?

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Announcements

A new Bible study starts TODAY, Wednesday, March 29th at 5:30 PM, The Essentials of the Christian Faith. We will be going to go through the Apostles' creed line by line.

College Street Church of Christ will have a prayer and lament service tonight, open to anyone in the community. It will begin at 7:00 PM after a meal. All are welcome.

A memorial service for Lexi Cardwell is planned for Thursday, March 30 at 2 PM in the high school stadium.

PLEASE NOTE: In lieu of flowers, the Cardwell family has requested that donations be made to a scholarship fund in Lexi's honor through First State Bank. Checks can be made out to "Lexi Cardwell Memorial Fund" and given directly to First State Bank or to the College Street Church of Christ.

We will have a church cleanup following morning worship Sunday, April 2. Bring a sack lunch and dress comfortable.

Friday, March 24, 2017

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (3/26/17)

There will be a Benefit Supper for Sarah Rotge, daughter of Jeremy & Sandy Rotge on March 25, 2017, at Roosevelt Community Center at 6 PM. Bring a covered dish or dessert. Meat, beans, bread & drink are furnished. Silent Auction from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. Items Appreciated. Contact Jane Allison 325-446-2382 or Janis Wiggins 325-446-2313

A new Bible study starts Wednesday March 29th at 5:30, The Essentials of the Christian Faith. We will be going to go through the Apostles' creed line by line.

We will have a church cleanup following morning worship Sunday April 2. Bring a sack lunch and dress comfortable.

Scripture
Luke 16:1-13 (ESV)  
He also said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. [2] And he called him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.' [3] And the manager said to himself, 'What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. [4] I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.' [5] So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' [6] He said, 'A hundred measures of oil.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' [7] Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' He said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.' [8] The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. [9] And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.
[10] "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. [11] If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? [12] And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? [13] No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

Questions for Reflection
1. How is a shrewd businessperson viewed in our society today?
2. In what ways does our culture pressure us to love money?
3. What plan did the manager devise to secure his future? (16:4-7)
4. How did the rich master react to the dishonest dealings of the manager? (16:8)
5. What did Jesus mean when He said, “Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves”?

Friday, March 17, 2017

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (3/19/17)

There will be a meet and greet with Dr. Udderback on Sunday, March 19th, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM at our church sponsored by the Kimble Hospital Foundation.

Scripture for Sunday
Luke 15:1-10 (ESV)  
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. [2] And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." [3] So he told them this parable: [4] "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? [5] And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. [6] And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' [7] Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 
[8] "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? [9] And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' [10] Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents." 

Questions for Reflection
1. What comes to mind when you hear the word “sinner”?
2. What does a conscientious shepherd do when one of the flock is lost? (15:4)
3. What happens when a shepherd returns to his home and flock after finding a lost sheep? (15:6)
4. How does heaven react when a sinner repents? (15:7)
5. How might the one sheep have gotten lost?
6. In what ways do we go astray?

Friday, March 10, 2017

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (3/12/17)

Daylight Savings time begins.  Don't forget to set your clocks forward one hour Saturday night. 

Scripture
Luke 13:1-9 (ESV)  
There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. [2] And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? [3] No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. [4] Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? [5] No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." 
[6] And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. [7] And he said to the vinedresser, 'Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?' [8] And he answered him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. [9] Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.' " 

Questions for Reflection
1. When was a time you felt that God was letting you suffer because you had sinned?
2. What did Jesus hear about a group of Galileans? (13:1)
3. What explanation for the tragedy did Jesus propose? (13:2)
4. What were Jesus’ listeners to learn from the two stories? (13:3-5)
5. What does it mean to “bear fruit”?
6. Why do we often assume that people suffer because they are uniquely bad?
7. What people or groups of people do we sometimes blame for their suffering?
8. What can we do to keep from judging people by their circumstances?
9. What second chances have you been given?
10. What can we learn from this parable?
11. What does God want us to do?