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Compiled by the Faith Newsletter editor: Burt Pearson
Contents:
From your Pastor
From The Deacons
So You Want to Be Happy. Serve!
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From your Pastor |
January is always a good time to make some fresh commitments. I don’t really like to call it making resolutions because those only seem to last a week or two. Rather, think of it as prayerful commitments by God’s grace. So that is what I am asking for you to do in this article.
As important as corporate worship is, (and as Christians I believe that corporate worship is one of the most vital parts of our walk with Christ, and an important means of grace to the believer) Christian education is also a vital part of our walk. Don’t worry. This is not a guilt trip, but rather loving pastoral encouragement. We all need to regularly study God’s word, discuss God’s word, fellowship, and pray together in smaller groups. We have venues and formats where you can participate in these smaller groups in very meaningful ways. Will you prayerfully consider committing to at least one of these studies in 2010.
Adult Bible Studies
1. Sunday School – 9:00 am
Adult 1
An expositional study of the book of Zechariah. This is an in depth, verse by verse study.
Teacher: Phil Plemmons
Adult 2
A foundational study of basic biblical doctrines (Beginning January 2010).
This is a great study if you are new to Reformed theology, or if you simply want to review the great foundational biblical doctrines.
The study guide is, Confessing Christ- by Great Commission
Teacher: Burt Pearson
Adult 3
A study of the “end times,” or “the last things” with a survey of the 3 millennial views using: The Millennium and Beyond, Stanley N. Gundry, series editor and Darrell L. Bock, general editor.
Teacher: Mike Gallogly
Sr. High Youth 9th –12th Grade
A general study of the prophets, and why they came, what they said, and why God sent them. This is a great class to help continue to grow in your relationship with Christ, and to fellowship with other youth.
Teacher: Tony Chambers
Jr High Youth 7th + 8th Grade
Great Commission Curriculum
This is a great class to help continue to grow in your relationship with Christ. Good group interaction, fellowship, and an opportunity to wrestle further develop a Christian world view.
Teacher: Bryan Holmes
2. Mid-Week Studies in the Ministry Center
Wednesday Morning- 10:00am
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Read and discuss the Westminster Shorter Catechism and study the Scripture that supports these doctrines of grace.
Teacher: Pastor Adams
Thursday Morning Women’s Study 10:00am
An in-depth study of the book of Esther. This is also a great discipleship / fellowship for our women.
Teacher: Corlie Grey
(Babysitting provided)
3. Community Groups
North Brevard – Titusville (Wednesday evenings)
Facilitator: Bryan Banks
Host: Bryan and Melissa Banks
This is a marriage study that meets on Wednesday evenings using the book, Each for the Other, by Bryan Chappel. An opportunity for discipleship, fellowship, prayer, accountability, and encouragement.
Please call Bryan and Melissa at 383-7797 for additional information.
South Brevard- (Every other Tuesday evening beginning January 2010)
Facilitator: Frank Heeman
Host: John and Diane Perez
This is a foundational study of Reformed Theology using the book, When Grace comes Home, by Terry Johnson
Please call Frank and Kristi Heeman at 254-5517 for additional information.
These are the current opportunities we have for additional Christian education, discipleship, and fellowship. We are eager to add additional study opportunities as the need and commitment level in our congregation continues to grow.
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Grace and peace,
Pastor Adams |
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From The Deacons |
Control
by Charles R. Swindol
Galatians 3
It's easy to get confused these days. "Out of control" isn't what we want to be. People who drink too much are said to be "out of control." Those who worry too much become emotionally "out of control." The same goes for those who go too far with anything: prescription drugs, food, fitness, sex, work—you name it.
But wait. Does this mean we're supposed to be "in control"? Is that our goal? I know a boss (in fact I know several) who is definitely "in control." Folks who work for him either grin and bear it or jump ship as soon as another job surfaces. Some fathers are, without question, "in control." They intimidate, dominate, moderate, and manipulate.
But being "in control" doesn't necessarily mean "controlling." A healthy, happy life requires being in control of ourselves. To be punctual, we must control the use of our time. To be prepared and ready, we must be in control of our schedule. To be a good listener, our minds and tongue must be controlled. To get a project completed, our tendency to procrastinate must be under the firm control of our determination.
This means, then, that we need to be in firm control of ourselves . . . but not controlling of others. Our example? Christ, of course. He got the job done. Without wasted effort, personal panic, or extreme demands, He accomplished the objective. Right on schedule, He went to that cross. When He sighed, "It is finished," it was. Absolutely and completely.
Did most believe? Are you kidding? The vast majority back then, as now, didn't give Him the time of day. Could He have grabbed the controls and forced them to sit up and take notice? I hope to shout! Remember what He said? "Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matt. 26:53). I'd call 72,000 angels being in charge, wouldn't you? It was His own control that restrained Him from controlling others.
The Christian life boils down to a battle of the wills: Christ's vs. our own. Every day we live we must answer, "Who's in charge here?"
Recently I received a letter from a fine Christian couple, and I smiled understandingly at one line: "Although the Lord has taken good care of my wife and me for the past thirty-eight years, He has taken control of us for the past two and a half."
Tell me, how long has the Lord taken care of you? Be honest now . . . has He also taken control of you? It's easy to get confused these days. It's even easier to take control.
Don't get "out of control" because you're so determined to stay "in control."
Excerpted from Day by Day with Charles Swindoll, Copyright © 2000 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. (Thomas Nelson Publishers). All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.
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Submitted by
Rudy Seiffer |
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So You Want to Be Happy. Serve! |
Quoting John Stuart Mill, who is recognized as one of the most intelligent persons who ever lived, he said, “Those only are happy who have their minds fixed on some object other than their own happiness, on the happiness of others, on the improvement of mankind, even on some art or pursuit, followed not as a means but as itself an ideal end. Aiming thus at something else, they find happiness by the way.” Paraphrasing, we can say that the only people, who are truly happy are those, who are not concerned about their own happiness but, rather, about the happiness of others, about betterment of mankind, or are totally involved in some art or other pursuit for the sake of that pursuit alone, that , thus, forgetting themselves, they find happiness along the way.
The tenth commandment, handed down to the Israelites by Moses says, “You shall not covet anything that is your neighbors.”
Most bodies of religious laws or social mores include a rule that simply encourages us to treat others the way you want to be treated. Christians call it the golden rule.
Whether or not one believes in a higher power, I think we can all agree that the world would be a better place if everyone’s life reflected these principles.
On a large scale, there would be no wars, no oppression, no crime, no prejudice, no corruption in government.. Those in positions of authority would truly serve, not looking for what they could get, but truly seeking to do what’s best for those they serve.
Closer to home, we would all do our jobs to the best of our abilities, anxious to lend a hand to others. “That’s not my job” would never be heard. We would think about the customer, the various operations necessary to provide what the customer wants, and try to find ways to do things better, and the better we did, the better we would feel about ourselves and the happier we would become. We would show respect to each other person, not degrading his work, his speech, his appearance. What we say and what we do would reflect sensitivity to the feelings of others. We would be anxious to get to our place of work, because of the opportunity to be with people we enjoy working with. Blue Mondays and “Thank God it’s” Fridays would not exist.
Employers would be sensitive to the feelings of their workers, never ridiculing suggestions they received, but grateful, even when suggestions can’t be used, because people are thinking about the improvement of the business. They would be looking for ways to reward their workers in the manner they would like to be rewarded if their positions were reversed, showing appreciation in various ways for their ideas and efforts.
Certainly, no one would try to do her job just well enough to avoid the fear of being fired, but, rather, would work to the best of her ability, even if only for her own personal satisfaction.
I once read about former president Carter’s efforts on behalf of “Habitat for Humanity”. The article said that president Carter had really used the presidency as a stepping stone so that he could lend his name and his efforts to a worthy cause. There were photos of him, hammer in hand, actually building a house for the homeless. Imagine, using the most powerful office in the world as a stepping stone to better serving others.
Jesus, the most powerful person, aside from God the father, in the universe, insisted on getting down on his knees and washing each of the disciple’s feet. There are several possible meanings to the lesson taught through that act of Jesus. It teaches humility and the depth of love for one another that we should have, that no service for another should be too demeaning to us. I think it also shows that true greatness and fulfillment is only realized in service to others.
I wonder how many of us feel we are really happy most of the time. “Serve the Lord with gladness.” “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Think back to when you may have been the happiest. It was likely when you were serving in some fashion, probably working with others on some worthwhile project. Maybe you helped out at a hospital, maybe you worked with others on a building or maintenance project at church, maybe you helped out on a special activity of some sort. Whatever it was, It was likely a time when you got outside yourself and served others in some way.
It is unlikely that we can change the world. However, we can lead our lives in a manner that reflects the two great commandments which Jesus said, were to Love the Lord with all our minds, hearts, souls and strengths and love our neighbors as we love ourselves and if, we do live this way and the world recognizes that we are Christians, wouldn’t we also bring glory to God, which, according to scripture is our purpose for living).
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Submitted by
Burt Pearson |
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