Pastor's Weekly Recap, week of January 24, 2010
Family Recap for January 25, 2010
Meditation verse for these next few weeks come from what is known as “The Bridge.” This week we are looking at the penalty of sin through Heb 9:27 (NIV) ”Just as man is destined to die once, and after that face judgment”
What a weekend! The ice on Saturday made driving, especially early in the morning, very difficult. And then on Sunday the snows came. For those of us who were able to make it out yesterday, we had a very enjoyable and intimate time because it is always good to gather together as a family where encouragement and support can be found.
As we continued our study in Revelation we came to Chapter 6 and the opening of the six of the seven seals. I made a crude example of what a scroll might have looked like and the reason I did so was because I wanted people to see visually that the scroll could not be fully opened until all 7 seals had been broken which doesn’t happen until chapter 8 verse 1.
We began yesterday by going back to the book of Daniel to get a picture of the timing for the book of Revelation. In Dan 9, a vision is given to Daniel which outlines history from the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity (which lasted 70 years), to the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem as the promised Messiah, followed by Daniel’s 70 week, which is often referred to as the Tribulation period. All of this is very specifically laid out 100’s of years before Christ arrived and John received his vision called The Revelation. Revelation deals with this last week of the prophecy, the 70th week.
Now I won’t go back and review each of the six seals that are covered in chapter 6. I would encourage you to read the chapter about the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse, the saints under the altar and the cosmic disturbances of sun, moon, stars and sky. It is truly a sobering picture of what is coming. But I want to empress upon you the critical importance of what we are now getting into. The events we are going to be looking at are indeed catastrophic in nature and as I pointed out yesterday, none of us would want anyone to face what is coming without the company of Jesus Christ. Therefore I urge you to invite others to join us over these next several weeks as we look to see what God’s plan is for the redemption of His creation. It will not be by flood, he promised that long ago, but there is a judgment coming that is very similar in scope and it will usher in a New Heaven and a New Earth where Christ will reign.
Something to chew on
Focus – Yesterday I mentioned that I believe the person riding the white horse is that of the antichrist. One piece of evidence for this is the description of Christ on a white horse in Rev 19. Compare the description of the two. What do you think? Why?
What’s goin’ On?
Reminder – Wednesdays
9:30 am Ladies Bible study (repeated Thursday 6:30 pm)
4:00 pm After school Community Center activities
5:15 pm Evening meal will be served
5:30 pm BRICK Class for students in grades 6-8
6:30 pm Kids Club
Jr and Sr Youth Groups meet in the Youth Center
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Revised – “ALPHA” - We meet Wed nights at 6:30 pm. Come have dinner with us then join us. This week’s lesson focuses on the question “Why did Jesus have to die?” How would you answer that question to a non Christian in a gracious way?
New – LADIES BIBLE STUDY - There is NO study this week. Use this time to get acquainted with the new study that will begin on Feb 3-4. The workbooks are available at Jesus is Life Book Store. Be sure to get your copy before class begins.
Repeat – SUPER BOWL SUNDAY – Sunday, Feb 7th, the youth will be sponsoring a Super Bowl party in the Youth center. Festivities get under way at 4:30 pm. It’s a great time of fun even though the Vikings did not quite make it.
Repeat– Walkers! – Mike and Jan are walking each Mon, Wed, and Fri from 11-noon. Why drive all the way to the Mall or risk frost bite, come and join them.
New – “VBS” - Anne Johnson has agreed to take on the director position of this year’s school. The dates are June 13-17. Once again it will be an evening school and we hope you will assist us in getting the word out. This year we will take a trip to Egypt and follow the story of Joseph. It promises to be a great week. Anne said on Sunday, she will be needing all of us to step up and lend a hand.
New– “Haiti” – There is a critical need for medical persons in Haiti. If this describes you and God is stirring your heart as to how you can be of assistance, let me know and I will put you in touch with a team that is forming from our area churches in the Northland. I have an email that I can forward to you with some of the particulars. Let me know and I will forward it to you.
New– “Easter is Coming” – This year Easter falls on April 4th and plans are underway to make this a most celebrative event. We will once again host a Seder meal and we want to invite the community to this wonderful event. We’ll have our annual Easter Egg hunt on Saturday and then our two services on Easter Sunday. This is an excellent time to invite friends and neighbors. This and Christmas are the two times of the year that people are very open to being invited to come to church so let’s take advantage of it and invite them to come to the chapel for any one or all of the events.
New– After School Treats - Each Wednesday afternoon a group of kids are meeting at the skating rink. We serve them cookies and hot chocolate. If you can help provide either of these, bring them to the chapel or contact Kevin for arrangements.
