Session Four (the final session) of the “Essential 100 Challenge” Women’s Whopping Bible Study will start Wednesday, April 21 and run through May 19 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the church. Please sign up at the information table at the back of the sanctuary if you plan to attend, or contact Women’s Ministry Director Brenda Fassnacht at [email protected]
Archives for April 2010
The First Martyr – Acts 6:8-8:8
Scripture text for Wednesday, April 14th, 2010: Acts 6:8-8:8
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“On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria . . .Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.” Acts 8:1 and 4
Chapters 6 and 7 of Acts describe Stephen, the first Christian martyr, to us. He was “a man full of God’s grace and power” and “did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people,” (Acts 6: 8). Men tried to argue with him, but “they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke,” (6:10). Stephen was a mighty Christian force empowered by the Holy Spirit!! One might wonder why God allowed this Spirit-filled man to be slandered and put in the hands of His enemies to die an early death.
Growth and Persecution – Acts 3:1-4:37
Scripture text for Tuesday, April 13th, 2010: Acts 3:1-4:37
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Our passages today are Acts 3:1-4:37. As I read through this weeks passages, I struggled to see what God wanted me to share with you. Then one thing kept jumping out at me! He was filled with the Holy Spirit, in 4:8, 4:25 and 4:31. As Dan shared on Sunday the Holy Spirit is a light for us. When we accept Christ our light has been lit, it is small, and as we grow in our faith our light grows and shines brighter. When we get into scripture and pray we have a greater opportunity to encounter the Holy Spirit in fullness of light!! This verses explains it well 2 Corinthians 4:6 For God who said, “Let light shine out of the darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light and the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
E100 Week 14 Discovery Hour
Lesson from Sunday, April 11th, 2010
Though this is the week following Easter, the E100 program had us reading passages from Passion Week including the Crucifixion and Resurrection, this week. One of the aspects of this that I have found interesting, related to the Stations of Cross practiced by the Catholic Church and even the prayer stations we used at our Maundy Thursday service, are what are referred to as the seven last words of Christ. A more accurate name would likely be the seven last statements. In any case, here they are:
Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34)
I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in Paradise (Luke 23:43)
Dear woman, here is your son (John 19:26)
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Mark 15:34)
I am thirsty (John 19:28)
It is finished (John 19:30)
Father, into your hands I commit my spirit (Luke 23:46)
The Day of Pentacost – Acts 2:1-2:47
Scripture text for Monday, April 12th, 2010: Acts 2:1-2:47
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God meant business when He descended to Mt. Sinai. He showed up as consuming fire. Billowing smoke. Clouds. Earthquakes. WOW! When His people rebelled and made an idol, three thousand died.
Fast-forward to a time fifty days after Jesus’ death. He appeared again as something that sounded like wind and looked like fiery flames – the merciful Holy Spirit. The difference this time? The cross. Three thousand were saved for eternity.
Peter also meant business on the day of Pentecost while delivering the first sermon of the Gospel age. He boldly represented Jesus not as just an exemplary man, but the Lord of Life. Empowered by the Spirit, he preached the necessity of turning from old ways, being baptized, and receiving the Holy Spirit. This rugged outdoorsman with his spontaneous tongue and aggressive personality became a “thunderbolt” in his own right, quoting David and Joel’s earlier prophecies in the context of the hope, grace, and forgiveness now available because of the cross.
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