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.

That I May Have a Harvest Among You

It was a somewhat unusual service this morning. Saturday night word went out via the prayer chain that Pastor Brad was on his way to the hospital, most likely appendix related. Those of us who gathered at the Breakfast Roundtable learned that Pastor was heading into surgery. By the end of our discussion on the question, "Do I believe God's best blessings are before us or behind us?" we learned that Brad's surgery was already complete, went well and he was in recovery.

Chuck Vanderscheuren stepped into Brad's shoes to lead the service. Darlene was also out today and Ed Newman filled in on piano. Chuck greeted us, and began with announcements which included the following:
1. The Harvest Festival at Twig Town Hall is coming soon. There will be a whole host of activities on September 12 from 8:00 a.m. till 2:30 with a worship service sandwiched in the middle. Hot air balloon rides will begin early, but there will be plenty more, including food, games, art, and a treasure hunt.

2. Volunteers are still needed for the rummage sale.

3. JoAnn Winship talked about Christ formation in our Christian education program and additional programs that are being discussed by our leadership team. There may still be a need for teachers and assistants.

As an introit Ed played Majesty in Spanish on the piano, pronounced Majastad. Chuck led the congregation in a number of hymns, which was followed by an offering and a time of prayer.

That I May Have a Harvest Among You

Chuck began by talking about how sometimes we feel helpless, perhaps like a car spinning on an icy road out of control. He shared a humorous letter written by Eric Borndal from camp to his parents when he was very young. The food and accommodations were so awful he thought he was going to die. Chuck remembered the first day of kindergarten being that way for some kids who cried because they had to leave their parents and come to school.

With this we began a short study of Romans 1:1-17.

Paul begins his letter to the Romans with a little information about himself. This is a letter to the church of Rome, a church which he has never seen, a church which he was not involved in founding, like many of the others he wrote letters to. In the opening he makes reference to his new birth, and his status, "a bondservant of the Jesus Christ."

Chuck described what a bondservant is. In ancient times when a slave has completed his service and is released, he could stay on as a permanent servant/slave to the master. The man would place his ear on the master's door and have it pierced, making him legal property of the master.

Paul was also an apostle, a calling not a job one obtains through ambitious maneuvering. He notes that he has been set aside for the Gospel.

After going through Paul's resume, Chuck asked what our spiritual resume would look like.

Beginning in verse 8, Paul shares his sentiments toward the church in Rome, how he is grateful for them and longs to see them. Paul's aim in coming to Rome was mutual encouragement as they each shared their gifts.

In verse 16 Paul declares that through preaching the Gospel, the power of God is unleashed, and in the God's salvation the character of God is revealed.

This letter was written at a time when Paul was dreaming about the possibilities of the Gospel when he comes soon to Rome. When was the last time you dreamed about seeing God's power released here? The best is yet to come.