Pastor's Weekly Recap, week of March 7, 2010
Family Recap for March8, 2010
Meditation verse for these next few weeks come from what is known as “The Bridge.” This week we are looking at Rev 3:20 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. I f anyone hears my voice
and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”
I am going to keep my comments short this week. Yesterday was a sweet time together as a family. We were drawn into the presence of God through our worship together and then we took on what some call is the toughest chapter in all of Revelation. For sure we did not exhaust our study of the chapter as we looked briefly at three areas of John’s vision. We looked at the temple he saw, we considered the time frame of 42 months or 1260 days, and then we spent much of our time on the two witnesses and their ministry.
Rather than revisiting who these witnesses are, I would like to concentrate on their ministry. They were witnesses during a very dark period, a very antagonistic period, a period of time in which the Antichrist will be ruling. It will be a time in which the things of God will be under incredible persecution and suffering. Times will be so hostile to the thing of God that Jerusalem will be trampled down, demolished, reduced to little more than a road way. It will not be easy to testify of Christ during these days but these two witnesses do not shrink back. It appears they are very bold and confrontational for we are told that people are “tormented” by their message. Difficult days to say the least.
What is very noteworthy of these two witnesses is that they are divinely protected during this time, anyone who tries to harm them is consumed by fire that comes from their mouths. Yet a short while later we read that the beast that comes up from the abyss is able to attack them, overpower them and kill them. How could this be since they were under the divine protection of God. The answer is found in the opening phrase of v7 “Now when they had finished their testimony….” When their witness was complete, these two where gloriously received into heaven in the same manner as Jesus Himself – what an honor!
The point I wanted to make is that when it comes to our witness for Jesus Christ, in the classroom, restaurant, workplace or golf course, you and I can be bold for Jesus knowing that nothing can touch us, “until we have finished our testimony.” John had earlier written in his first letter these words 1 Jn 5:18 “We know that those who have become part of God’s family do not make a practice o sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot get his hands on them.” What freedom, what confidence this ought to instill in us in living for God. We can be risk takers for the things of God especially if we truly believe we are close to the end.
Be a witness for Christ this week, knowing you are divinely protected.
Focus – In line with the summary of yesterday’s message – With whom does God want you to share His Son?
What’s goin’ On?
New– Tonight! 6:30pm Gals Night Out! – Secret prayer partners will be revealed over coffee, cake and good fellowship.
New– Daylight Savings Time - Set your clocks 1 hour ahead next Saturday night!
New– Easter Flowers - Jan Nelson is taking orders for Easter Flowers (6 different varieties are available) – order forms are on the literature table – help us decorate the church for Easter.
Repeat – VBS - Mark the dates on your Calendar now - 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.
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 until 6:15 pm
5:30 pm BRICK Class for students in grades 6-8
6:30 pm Kids Club or Jr Youth
Sr Youth Groups meet in the Youth Center
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New– Parents! - Are you looking and thinking about summer camping for your kids? There are numerous possibilities out there. Registrations should be completed shortly to get the week and camp you would like. A flyer outlining a few of the camps is on the literature table. Call Lisa Simonson (721-4307) if you are interested in going with friends and she’ll try and put you in touch with others that are going.
Reminder – March is Food Share Month – It was encouraging to see the items being brought in to fill the food boxes. I hope that by the end of this month we will see a great offering that will feed many over the coming months.
Revised – “ALPHA” - We meet Wed nights at 6:30 pm. Sometimes we think of the Holy Spirit in a mystical sense and fail to fully appreciate that He is full and real member of the Trinity. This weeks topic – “Who is the Holy Spirit?” will help you better understand Him. Come join us!
Reminder– Walkers! – Mon, Wed, and Fri from 11-noon. A great way to get a little exercise during these winter days.
Revised– “Easter Schedule” – A flyer outlining our Easter celebration will be in the next issue of the Fredenberg Newsletter and is also posted around the church. Here is a summary of the events you’ll want to take part. There is no charge for any of these events and we highly encourage you to invite others to come with you. This is one of two times during the year that people outside the church actually expect an invitation! Don’t disappoint them!
Good Friday – April 2nd – 6:30 pm – Messianic Passover Seder Meal – You must reserve a place
Saturday – April 3rd – 10 am – Easter Egg Hunt for children up through 5th grade
Easter Sunday – Sunrise Service – 7:30 am
Easter Breakfast – 8:30 amEaster Worship Service – 9:30 am
New – “Osnaburgh 2010” – If you are interested in
going on a short term mission trip to Osnaburgh, contact
Kevin for details. Two possible dates have been identified.
It’s a great place to be a witness of Christ’s love.
