A New You

With Thanksgiving behind us the sanctuary has been decorated for the upcoming holiday season. Chuck Vanderscheuren greeted us with the traditional greeting, "The Lord be with you." Pastor White was away for the weekend.

Announcements
Tuesday 7:00 a.m. Men’s Prayer Group meets here at the church.
Sunday December 17, 4:00 p.m. is our Christmas program with dinner following.

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We transitioned to worship with Darlene playing a medley beginning with “Open Our Eyes Lord” as a transition into worship. Beautiful as always, weaving “Be Thou My Vision” into the theme.

We were treated to a song by the trio Tina, Holly and Gail, “The God of the mountain is the God of the valley” while the offering was taken. And then we spent some time in prayer for the needs in our church family.

A NEW YOU

Chuck Vanderscheuren delivered the message today. The message was drawn from Colossians 3:8-17

Chuck began by noting that there was a lot of calamity in the New Testament times. Schisms, heresy, misunderstandings, false teachings, compromise, legalism, hypocrisy, martyrdom, immorality… In other words, a lot like our modern times.

There are two ways to "make oneself new." One is to focus on externals. Chuck cited a few of these: facelifts, botox, implants, makeup, new clothes. God isn’t impressed by Grecian Formula, or new clothes, he said. All these are temporary.

What matters is not external, but internal. And it’s not a modification, it’s a transformation.

The Christian cannot enjoy sinning because he or she has the Holy Spirit inside.

“Things are not going to change until Christians become desperate for God," Chuck said. "God will do His part, but we have our part to do as well."

One area we need to deal with is anger. Anger undealt with festers, smolders, and corrupts us.

A Biblical view of anger is not a denial of it, nor is all anger sin. Ephesians 4:26 affirms that anger is a normal emotion, because we are human, but we're instructed to not let it turn into sin.

Other items in Paul addresses in the Colossians passge include rage, malice, slander.

Matthew 12:34-37

Chuck noted that the external behaviors people see stem from what is going on in our hearts.

Instead of those behaviors that we must cats aside, Paul instructs us to "clothe yourself with a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

Chuck elaborated on each of the character qualities we’re called to. "Bear with one another and forgive one another. And over all these things, put on love." When we let Jesus rule and reign in our hearts, we will experience the peace that passes understanding.

At the end of this section Paul writes, “And be thankful.”

Verse 16 ties the whole passage together. Feast on the word of God, and let the message of Christ live among you.

Being desperate for God means you fill yourself with the Word. Don’t be a fast food junky with your Bible. Learn how to feast on it.

After the sermon, Mark Hagemeyer came forward, joining Chuck & Darlene to close the service with the song, "Yes I Am."

Or so I thought. After this, the trio of ladies came forward again and led us in a closing number.

Give Thanks

Shoeboxes filled with gifts for children abroad.

Pastor Terry White welcomed us and as it is Thanksgiving week today's theme is about gratitude.

Announcements
Tuesday, Men's Prayer Group, 7:00 a.m.
Thursday, Free Thanksgiving Dinner at 2:00 p.m. (Please call RSVP so we know how much food to prepare.)
Saturday, Noon to 3:00 p.m., Easy Peasy Painting ckass fir 12-16 year olds. No experience necessary. $20 fee includes supplies.
There was a brief reminder that we are collecting things for the needy at the Salvation Army. Long underwear and warm socks are always welcome.

Pastor Terry opened by reading from Psalm 100, prayed and led us in a time of song.

Susan Jessico led the Children's Challenge, which had as its theme Thankfulness. The kids each shared something they were thankful for. It's certainly heartwarming to hear all these things that were so special to our little ones. There are more than 30 verses in Scripture about giving thanks beginning with "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever."

An offering was taken as Grace Heine played Nearer My God To Thee on the violin. We spent time in prayer before Pastor Terry stood to present the message.

Give Thanks

Terry had us turn to Psalm 100 again. He noted that the feather we have been given are for us to write something we are thankful for. These will be collected and shared. The message revolved around the idea of thanksgiving as a mindset.

He began by sharing an observation from coaching girls basketball. Sometimes we hear so many good ideas that we are overwhelmed and can hardly take in any more.

When the pressure is on it's even worse. We screen out everything, and have difficulty focusing on what matters.

This applies to more than just sports. It's the way things are in all of life. How does our faith hold up when we encounter injustice and when we're mistreated, misunderstood and experiencing unfairness.

Though Scripture calls us to be thankful at all times, it is not always easy.
Terry asked "What are some moments when it is difficult to be grateful?" Many items were shared, including the loss of a loved one.

Terry again read Psalm 100, and shared how grateful he is for the evidences of God's work here. We were reminded of recent sermons about the life of Joseph and its many lessons. One lesson is that even when sold into slavery by his brothers he did not abandon his trust in God.

How has God's faithfulness been a blessing in your life? God is faithful, his mercies are new every morning.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, it is a good time to be mindful of the the things we can be thankful for. What are you thankful for?

What Do You Want?

Pastor Terry White was clearly moved by last week's tragic shooting at a Baptist Church in Texas last week, fully conscious of the reality that a church sanctuary is intended to be a safe place, a sanctuary in the true sense of the word. We were reminded of the pain many people must carry in a broken world, and today's service was intended to be a time of healing for each of us.

Announcements
Joanne shared that this Wednesday we will be packing of shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. You may bring items for boys or girls in variety of ages. Join us.

Veterans Day was yesterday and Pastor Terry preceeded worship by having our veterans stand up to be honored, those who have served on behalf of our freedom. There was an impressive outpouring of appreciation. 

Darlene shared that our Faith & Fabrics group meets 2nd Thursday of the month from 10-2.

Terry pointed out that we have now added a visitor card to the seatbacks. It includes a place to write your prayer requests so you can drop these into the offering plate when it comes around.

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Each of the bulletins today had a Post-It note in it and we were asked to write out a list of things keeping us separated from God. Terry then asked us to write I John 1:9 at the top of this list: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

The theme for today's service is Healing. It's time to surrender to what God is doing in us. "Time for a milestone, to begin again, re-evaluate who I really am.... It's time to surrender to what's going on inside of me... Time to face up, clean this old house; time to breathe in and let everything out."

Terry read some passages pertaining to our theme today:
Joel 2:12-17

Psalm 139:1-6, 17-18, and ending with verses 23-24.
Search me, God, and know my heart; 
 test me and know my anxious thoughts. 
See if there is any offensive way in me,
 and lead me in the way everlasting.

Romans 14:7-12

Luke 5:17-26

Darlene and Terry sang a moving and sensitive duet during the offering, a prayer for healing, wisdom, comfort, and blessing.

We closed with the song "Whom Shall I Fear?"