Sermon Notes - Sunday, January 8, 2023

Life Goals: New Year's Revelation

Matthew 2:1-12 NIV

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 6 "But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel." 7 Then Herod call the Magi secretly and found out from the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with is mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

One Word: "LIFE"

Look In - Look Up - Look Out

But Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. 8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. - Jeremiah 17: 7-8 NIV

Daily Scripture Readings Week of January 9-14

Monday Jeremiah 17:7-8

Tuesday Isaiah 61: 1-3

Wednesday Colossians 1: 9-12

Thursday Ephesians 3: 14-19

Friday Philippians 4: 8-9

Saturday Hebrews 12: 1-3

Prayer for this week:

Holy Loving God of Grace,

Open my eyes and my ears

My heart and my mind

My hands and my feet

To receive and respond

To Your Word and Your Spirit

Today and every day

For my good and Your glory

Which is all of our greatest good.

In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen.

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Sunday, January 1, 2023

Sermon Notes: Life Goals: Relationships

Prayer for this week:Gracious and Loving Holy God,Open my eyes and my earsMy heart and my mindMy hands and my feetTo receive and respondTo Your Word and Your SpiritToday and every dayFor my good and Your gloryWhich is all of our greatest good.In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen.

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Sunday, December 18, 2022

Sermon Notes: Roots: Love

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Sunday, December 11, 2022

Sermon Noes: Roots: Joy

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Sunday, December 4, 2022

Sermon Notes: Roots: Peace

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Sunday, November 27, 2022

Sermon Notes: Roots: Hope

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen

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Sunday, November 20, 2022

Sermon Notes: Thanks Be To God - Generosity

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen

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Sunday, November 13, 2022

Sermon Notes: Thanks Be To God - Veteran's Day

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen

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Sunday, November 6, 2022

Sermon Notes: Thanks Be To God

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen

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Sunday, October 30, 2022

Sermon Notes: Fellowship Forward: Witness--How to Be a Burning Bush!

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen

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Sunday, October 23, 2022 Sermon Notes: Fellowship Forward: Gifts-How to Fan the Flame Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen

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Sunday, October 16, 2022

Sermon Notes: Fellowship Forward: Gifts-How to Light A Match

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen

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Sunday, October 9, 2022

Sermon Notes: Fellowship Forward: Presence-How to Gather the Wood

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen

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Sunday, October 2, 2022

Sermon Notes - How To Build An Altar

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen.

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Sunday, September 25, 2022

Sermon Notes - How To Start A Fire:

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen

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Sunday, September 18, 2022

Sermon Notes: Faith Sharing - What is the Gospel?

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen

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Sunday, September 11, 2022

Sermon Notes: Faith Sharing - Truth Telling

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen

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Sunday, September 4, 2022

Sermon Notes: Faith Sharing - Reason Giving

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen

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Sunday, August 28, 2022

Sermon Notes: Faith Sharing

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen

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Sunday, August 21, 2022

Sermon Notes: Faith Sharing - Selfless Serving

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Sunday, August 14, 2022

Sermon Notes: Faith Sharing

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen

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Sunday, August 7, 2022

Sermon Notes: Shaped to Share

1 Corinthians 12: 4-6

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Sunday, July 31, 2022

Sermon Notes: UNPOPULAR

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen

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Sunday, July 24, 2022

Sermon Notes: UNPOPULAR

John 14: 1-7

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen

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Sunday, July 17, 2022

Sermon Notes: UNPOPULAR

Matthew 20:1-16 NIV 1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5 So they went. “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ 7 “ ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, July 3, 2022 Sermon Notes: UNPOPULAR: “Free Us For Joyful Obedience”

John 8:31-36 NIV 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” 34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Sermon Notes: UNPOPULAR: “Free Us For Joyful Obedience” “What does this mean?” (and) “What shall we do?”

“Forgive us we pray. Free us for joyful obedience through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.”

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

Daily Scripture Readings Week of July 4-9 Monday: John 3:1-4 Tuesday: John 3:5-15 Wednesday: John 3:16-21 Thursday: Mark 10:17-19 Friday: Mark 10:20-22 Saturday: Mark 10:23-27

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, June 26, 2022

Sermon Notes: UNPOPULAR

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

Daily Scripture Readings Week of June 27-July 1 Monday: 2 Corinthians 10:4 Tuesday: Mark 8:27-30 Wednesday: Mark 8:31-34 Thursday: Mark 8:35-38 Friday: Galatians 2:20 Saturday: Romans 12:2

Prayer for this week: God, You have called me to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow You. I pray that you would give me the focus and strength to do that daily. Help me to discern what that looks like for me. I don't always get it right but I know there is plenty of grace to cover me when I mess up. Thank You for loving me, sustaining me, and equipping me. Thank You that You are the Messiah, the Son of God. Thank You for being my Savior and my Lord. Amen.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage? IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life? APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, June 19, 2022 Sermon Notes: UNPOPULAR: “God Our Father” “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:14-16 NIV “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” - 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” - Matthew 6:9 NIV “one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” - Ephesians 4:5-6 NIV “...yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.” - 1 Corinthians 8:6 NIV

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

Daily Scripture Readings Week of June 20-25 Monday - Jehovah Jireh--LORD our Provider--Genesis 22:14 Tuesday - Jehovah Rapha--LORD our Healer--Exodus 15:26 Wednesday - Jehovah Nissi--LORD our Banner--Exodus 17:5 Thursday - Jehovah Shalom--LORD our Peace--Judges 6:24 Friday - Jehovah Raah--LORD our Shepherd--Psalm 23:1 Saturday - Jehovah Tsidkenu--LORD our Righteousness--Jeremiah 23:6

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen.

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Sunday, June 12, 2022 SERMON NOTES: VBS LIVE--Make Waves What you do today can change the world around you! Our memory verse for this week: Psalm 93:4 NIrV "Lord, You are (Point up.) more powerful than (Muscle arms) the roar of the ocean (Hands by mouth). You are stronger than (Muscle arms) the waves of the sea. (Arms make waves) We’ve had a great week at Make Waves VBS we learned: God can help you change the world around you.

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

Daily Scripture Readings Week of June 13-18 Monday - Genesis 1 & 2 Tuesday - Matthew 14:22-33 Wednesday - John 18-21:14 Thursday - John 13:34-35 Friday - Acts 8:26-40 Saturday - Galatians 5:22-23

Prayer for this week: Read through the attributes of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. Then pray: “God, please grow the fruit of the Spirit in us so we can love You, love others, and change the world around us.”

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Sunday, June 5, 2022 Sermon Notes: Domino Effect: "The DOMINO EFFECT of Pentecost" Acts 2:1-16; 37-42 NIV “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God- fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine. 14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call. 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

Daily Scripture Readings Week of June 6-11 Monday - Acts 2:17-21 Tuesday - Acts 2:22-24 Wednesday - Acts 2:25-28 Thursday - Acts 2:29-33 Friday - Acts 2:34-35 Saturday - Acts 2:36

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen.

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Sunday, May 29, 2022 Sermon Notes: Domino Effect: “The DOMINO EFFECT Of Sacrifice” Colossians 4:7-18 NIV 7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. 10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. 17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.” 18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

QUESTION FOR THE WEEK: “How can my life be an example of sacrifice to others?”

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

Daily Scripture Readings Week of May 30-June 4 DOMINO EFFECT Monday - Acts 1:1-2 Tuesday - Acts 1:3-5 Wednesday - Acts 1:6-9 Thursday - Acts 1:10-11 Friday - Acts 1:12-14 Saturday - Acts 1:15-26

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen.

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Sunday, May 22, 2022 Sermon Notes: Domino Effect Reflections from our CrossRoad Youth Graduates Colossians 3:12-17 NLT 12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

Daily Scripture Readings Week of May 23-28 DOMINO EFFECT Monday - Colossians 4:1 Tuesday - Colossians 4:2 Wednesday - Colossians 4:3-4 Thursday - Colossians 4:5-6 Friday - Colossians 4:7-9 Saturday - Colossians 4:10-11

Prayer for this week: May you “be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that [you] may have the full riches of complete understanding in order that [you] may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

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Sunday, May 15, 2022 Sermon Notes: Domino Effect: “The Long View” Colossians 1:24-2:5 NIV 24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. 2 I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: God uses it all — the good, the bad, and ugly... To bring about his good purposes in the world... In and through the Domino Effect of our lives.

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

Daily Scripture Readings Week of May 16-21 DOMINO EFFECT Monday - Colossians 1:24-26 Tuesday - Colossians 1:27 Wednesday - Colossians 1:28-29 Thursday - Colossians 2:1 Friday - Colossians 2:2-3 Saturday - Colossians 2:4-5

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Sunday, March 13, 2022 Sermon Notes: JSL: “The OBEDIENCE Of Jesus”

Luke 6:46-49 NIV 46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Matthew 5:20 NIV 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Sermon Notes: JSL: “The OBEDIENCE Of Jesus” “There is no such thing as a Jesus-shaped person who does not obey God because Jesus’ life was marked by obedience to the Father.” - From The Jesus-Shaped Life by Steve Cordle

“One act of obedience is better than 100 sermons.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Daily Scripture Readings Week of March 14-19 The Jesus-Shaped Life

Monday - 1 Cor. 13:1-17 Tuesday - Acts 7:57-60 Wednesday - 2 Cor. 5:16-21 Thursday - 1 Thess. 4:1-8 Friday - 1 John 2:12-14 Saturday - Matthew 22:36-40

Prayer for this week: “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.” (NIV)

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, May 8, 2022 Sermon Notes: Domino Effect: “Change Of Clothes”

Colossians 3:1-17 NIV 1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Sermon Notes: Domino Effect: “Change Of Clothes”

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: “In Christ — you always have a change of clothes!”

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

Daily Scripture Readings Week of May 9-14 DOMINO EFFECT: “Change Of Clothes”

Monday - Colossians 3:1-4 Tuesday - Colossians 3:5-11 Wednesday - Colossians 3:12-14 Thursday - Colossians 3:15-17 Friday - Colossians 3:18-21 Saturday - Colossians 3:22-25

Prayer for this week: (“A Prayer For Mother’s Day”)

God of Grace and God of Peace, We give You thanks for gifts that never cease.

The gift of those who hold our hearts, Who watch and pray when we’re apart.

Who place our needs above their own, Who let us know we’re not alone.

Who show us all love like no other, Help us all be more like a “Mother”.

In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, May 1, 2022

Sermon Notes: "The Domino Effect"

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

Daily Scripture Readings Week of May 2-7 "The Domino Effect" Monday - Colossians 2:1-3 Tuesday - Colossians 2:4-5 Wednesday - Colossians 2:6-7 Thursday - Colossians 2:8 Friday - Colossians 2:9-10 Saturday - Colossians 2:11-12

Prayer for this week: God of Grace and Peace, Fill us with the knowledge of Your will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that we may live a life worthy of the Lord Jesus and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that we may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the You, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of Your holy people in the kingdom of light. For You have rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son You love, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. In Jesus’ name. Amen. (From Colossians 1:9-14 NIV)

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Sunday, April 24, 2022 Sermon Notes: "The Domino Effect" “1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant,[c] who is a faithful minister of Christ on our[d] behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. 9 We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[e] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[f] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” - Acts 1:8 NIV QUESTION FOR THE WEEK: Where is God calling you to take a small step of Faith and Love?

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

Daily Scripture Readings Week of April 24-30 "The Domino Effect" Monday - Colossians 1:1-2 Tuesday - Colossians 1:3-8 Wednesday - Colossians 1:9-14 Thursday - Colossians 1:15-20 Friday - Colossians 1:21-23 Saturday - Colossians 1:24-29

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Sunday, April 17, 2022 Sermon Notes: JSL: “The RESURRECTION Of Jesus”

Luke 24:1-8 NIV 1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.

Sermon Notes: JSL: “The RESURRECTION Of Jesus” He is risen! He is risen indeed!

What we think is the end might just be the beginning of something new!

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” - Galatians 2:20 NIV

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” - 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

“Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ..” - 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 NIV

QUESTION FOR THE WEEK: “Where do I need to claim or cling to resurrection today?”

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

Daily Scripture Readings Week of April 18-23 The Jesus-Shaped Life

Monday - Luke 24:1-8 Tuesday - Galatians 2:20 Wednesday - 2 Corinthians 5:17 Thursday - 1 Cor. 15:54-55 Friday - 1 Cor. 15:56-57 Saturday - 1 Cor. 15:58

Prayer for this week: “Lord Jesus Christ, I rejoice and rejoice continually in Your glorious and triumphant victory over death. For Your victory is my victory. Help me to live by it, in it, and for it. I am grateful to my depths— grateful forever. Amen.” — Selwyn Hughes

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, April 10, 2022 Sermon Notes: JSL: “The MISSION Of Jesus”

Matthew 21:1-11 NIV 1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Sermon Notes: JSL: “The MISSION Of Jesus” “Jesus is looking for his people, and we get to be part of the search party.” - From The Jesus-Shaped Life by Steve Cordle

“God loves them so deeply, and we’re the ones positioned to throw them the lifeline.” - From The Jesus-Shaped Life by Steve Cordle

QUESTION FOR THE WEEK: “How might Jesus be sending you out to join him in his mission to search for and seek out and save the lost and the least and the lonely?”

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

Daily Scripture Readings Week of April 11-16 The Jesus-Shaped Life

Monday - Luke 15 Tuesday - Luke 19:9-10 Wednesday - John 3:16-17 Thursday - Matthew 23:37 Friday - Matthew 28:16-20 Saturday - Psalm 139:23-24

Prayer for this week: “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.” (NIV)

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, April 3, 2022 Sermon Notes: JSL: “The JUSTICE Of Jesus”

Micah 6:8 NIV 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

1 John 3:18 NIV 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Matthew 6:33 NIV 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Sermon Notes: JSL: “The JUSTICE Of Jesus” “Justice won’t be complete or perfect until Jesus returns. We will always have to live with some unfairness and injustice until then. That doesn’t mean we shrug our shoulders and accept it. Love acts.” - From The Jesus-Shaped Life by Steve Cordle

QUESTION FOR THE WEEK: “How are you going to be just like Jesus?”

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

Daily Scripture Readings Week of April 3-9 The Jesus-Shaped Life

Monday - Matthew 12:15-21 Tuesday - Philippians 2:5-11 Wednesday - James 2:14-26 Thursday - John 4:1-26 Friday - Matthew 25:31-46 Saturday - Luke 9:1-17

Prayer for this week: “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.” (NIV)

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, March 27, 2022 Sermon Notes: JSL: Courage "A Jesus-shaped Life requires a Jesus-shaped mind". Step 1: Be Aware situation --> thought --> feeling --> behavior Psalm 45 2 Corinthians 10:5 Step 2: Expose the Lies Ephesians 4:17-24 What are some common lies that we believe? Cognitive Distortions - "Disqualifying the Positive Step 3: Allow Perspective Shift Romans 12:2 Philippians 4:8 2 Harmful Ideals: Mental health is always a spiritual issue Mental health is never a spiritual issue Matthew 26:37-38

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

Daily Scripture Readings Week of March 27-April 2 The Jesus-Shaped Life Monday - 1 Peter 2:11-12 Tuesday - Romans 12:1-2 Wednesday - 2 Timothy 3:10-17 Thursday - Luke 9:23-27 Friday - Matthew 5:27-30 Saturday - 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Prayer for this week: “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.” (NIV)

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Sunday, March 20, 2022 Sermon Notes: JSL: "The RELATIONSHIPS Of Jesus" Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Sermon Notes: JSL: "The RELATIONSHIPS Of Jesus" “Becoming like Jesus means taking on some of his traits and characteristics. There is one trait that rises to the top of them all: love. Christlikeness shows up as love.” - From The Jesus-Shaped Life by Steve Cordle “There is no way to become like Jesus without growing in love...Love is not an add-on; love is the point.” - From The Jesus-Shaped Life by Steve Cordle

Daily Scripture Readings Week of March 21-26 The Jesus-Shaped Life Monday - 1 Samuel 16:7 Tuesday - Matthew 5:14-16 Wednesday - John 1:9-13 Thursday - Galatians 6:9-10 Friday - 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 Saturday - 1 John 3:1-3 Prayer for this week:

“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.” (NIV)

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Sunday, March 6, 2022 Sermon Notes: The Jesus-Shaped Life

Psalms 139:23-24 NIV 23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 NIV 3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;

1 Thessalonians 4:7 NIV 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.

Galatians 5:22-25 NIV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Sermon Notes: The Jesus-Shaped Life “I am currently living a ____________________________ - shaped life.”

“For the next 40 days, I am going to ______________________ in pursuit of a more Jesus-shaped life.”

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

Daily Scripture Readings Week of March 7-12 The Jesus-Shaped Life

Monday - Matthew 26:36–42 Tuesday - Matthew 23:24–26 Wednesday - Titus 2:11–14 Thursday - Matthew 4:8–10 Friday - Romans 6:15–18 Saturday - Matthew 5:21–30

Prayer for this week: “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.” (NIV)

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, February 27, 2022 Sermon Notes: BELOVED Enemies?

Matthew 5:43-48 NIV 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Luke 6:27-38 NIV 27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Luke 5:5 NIV 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

Sermon Notes: BELOVED Enemies? What would it look like for you to “be love” to that person or those people that you see as “enemies”?

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

Daily Scripture Readings Week of February 28-March 5 BELOVED Enemies?

Monday - Proverbs 25:21-22 Tuesday - Proverbs 20:22 Wednesday - Luke 23:34 Thursday - Romans 12:14-21 Friday - Ephesians 4:32 Saturday - 1 Peter 3:9

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, February 20, 2022 Sermon Notes: BELOVED FriendSHIP

John 15:9-17 NIV 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

Proverbs 12:26 NIV 26 The righteous choose their friends carefully ,but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Proverbs 18:24 MSG 24 Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.

Proverbs 17:17 NIV 17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

Proverbs 17:17 MSG 17 Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.

Proverbs 17:9 NLT 9 Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.

Daily Scripture Readings Week of February 21-26 BELOVED FriendSHIP

Monday - John 15:1-4 Tuesday - John 15:4-8 Wednesday - John 15:9-12 Thursday - John 15:13 Friday - John 15:14-16 Saturday - John 15:17

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, February 13, 2022 Sermon Notes: BELOVED Family

Ephesians 5:21-30 NIV 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body.

Ephesians 6:1-4 NIV 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Sermon Notes: BELOVED Family

To submit to one another in reverence to Christ… Means to surrender our natural love of power… So that we can share in the supernatural power of love… That’s ours in Christ through the Holy Spirit!

What does it look like for you to “be love”… In the various places and with the various people you find yourself?

Daily Scripture Readings Week of February 14-19 Beloved Family - Ephesians 5:21-6:4

Monday - Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Tuesday - Leviticus 19:9-18 Wednesday - Deuteronomy 22:1-3 Thursday - Matthew 7:12 Friday - James 2:8 Saturday - 1 Peter 4:8-11

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, February 6, 2022

Sermon Notes: Beloved

Romans 5:6-8 NIV

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Luke 23:34 NIV 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

John 10:14-15 NIV 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 10:18 NIV 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Sermon Notes: BELOVED What will you do in response to this good news? Who else might need to hear this message of grace? How might you share it with them by sharing your life?

Daily Scripture Readings Week of February 7-12 Monday - John 3:16-17 Tuesday - John 13:34-35 Wednesday - John 15:13 Thursday - 1 John 3:11 Friday - 1 John 3:16-18 Saturday - 1 John 4:7-11

Prayer for this week: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Sunday, January 30, 2022 Sermon Notes: NEW YEAR’S REVELATION: “SHARING Me"

Acts 2:42-47 NIV 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

John 9:25 NIRV 25 He replied, “I don’t know if he is a sinner or not. I do know one thing. I was blind, but now I can see!”

1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

Sermon Notes: NEW YEAR’S REVELATION: “SHARING Me"

SHARING Meals — SHARING Ministry — SHARING ME As an expression of “Sharing Life Together in Christ”

“Sharing ME is about inviting others into your life in such a way that others might be invited into our life together.”

“Evangelism is simply one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.” - D.T. Niles

Daily Scripture Readings Week of January 31 - February 5 "New Year's Revelation: Sharing Me"

Monday - Daniel 4:2 Tuesday - Psalm 22:22 Wednesday - Psalm 35:28 Thursday - Philippians 1:27 Friday - 1 John 1:2-3 Saturday - 1 John 5:10-11

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen.

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, January 23, 2022 Sermon Notes: NEW YEAR’S REVELATION: “SHARING Ministry”

Ephesians 4:11-16 NIV 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Sermon Notes: NEW YEAR’S REVELATION: “SHARING Ministry”

SHARING Meals — SHARING Ministry — SHARING Me

As an expression of “Sharing Life Together in Christ”

"Life and ministry is so much better when we're sharing it together.”

“The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion.” - John Wesley

How will you participate in God’s plan by partnering with God’s people to pursue your passion and purpose?

How can you take ownership of your faith and our fellowship in a new way in this new year?

Daily Scripture Readings Week of January 24-29 New Year's Revelation: Sharing Ministry

Monday - 1 Corinthians 12:12 Tuesday - 1 Corinthians 12:27 Wednesday - Romans 12:4-6 Thursday - Ephesians 4:11-13 Friday - Ephesians 4:14-15 Saturday - Ephesians 4:16

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen.

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, January 16, 2022 Sermon Notes: NEW YEAR’S REVELATION: “SHARING Meals”

1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

Sermon Notes: NEW YEAR’S REVELATION: “SHARING Meals”

“Is it better to give or to receive?” SHARING

1 — SHARING Meals

2 — SHARING Ministry

3 — SHARING Me

How can we leverage those times around the table to grow in our relationships with God and others in 2022?

Who are you spending time with around the table? With whom might be God be nudging you to share a meal?

How might God want to use SHARING Meals... As an opportunity for us to share life together in Christ?

Daily Scripture Readings Week of January 17-22 New Year's Revelation: Sharing Meals

Monday - Proverbs 22:9 Tuesday - Proverbs 15:17 Wednesday - 1 Corinthians 10:31 Thursday - 1 Timothy 6:18 Friday - Hebrews 13:16 Saturday - Revelation 3:20

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen.

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, January 9, 2022 Sermon Notes: EPIPHANY SUNDAY: "New Year's Revelation"

Matthew 2:11-12 NIV 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

John 1:14 NIV 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Matthew 7:24-25 NIV 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

Daily Scripture Readings Week of January 10-15 Monday - Isaiah 40:8 Tuesday - Psalm 19:7-9 Wednesday - Psalm 130:5 Thursday - Matthew 7:24-27 Friday - John 1:14 Saturday - 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Prayer for this week: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, December 19, 2021 Sermon Notes: God With Us: "LOVE"

Matthew 1:18-25 NIV 18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

1 John 4:7-9 NIV 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Sermon Notes: God With Us: "LOVE" “What can we do to move beyond emotion to devotion to LOVE — as both grand gesture and devoted (daily) demonstration?”

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING Week of December 20-25 God With Us: "LOVE"

MONDAY -- Matthew 1:18-25 TUESDAY -- Romans 5:8 WEDNESDAY -- 1 John 4:7-17 THURSDAY -- John 3:16 FRIDAY -- John 13:34-35 SATURDAY -- Ephesians 4:17-19

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Gracious and Loving Holy God, Open my eyes and my ears My heart and my mind My hands and my feet To receive and respond To Your Word and Your Spirit Today and every day For my good and Your glory Which is all of our greatest good. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, December 12, 2021 Sermon Notes: God With Us: "JOY" “Come, thou long-expected Jesus, Born to set thy people free; From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth thou art; Dear desire of every nation, JOY of every longing heart.” - From Come Thou Long Expected Jesus by Charles Wesley “Those who sow with tears, will reap with songs of joy.” - Psalm 126:5 NIV “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” - Psalm 30:5b NLT “Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” - Hosea 6:3 NIV “For the JOY set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” - Hebrews 12:2-3 NIV “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious JOY, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” - 1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV What is the JOY set before you during this season of Advent?

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING Week of December 13-18 God With Us: "JOY" MONDAY -- Psalm 126:5 TUESDAY -- Psalm 30:5 WEDNESDAY -- Hosea 6:3 THURSDAY -- Hebrews 12:2-3 FRIDAY -- 1 Peter 1:8-9 SATURDAY -- John 10:10

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Sunday, December 5, 2021

Sermon Notes: God With Us: "PEACE"

"Those on whom God's favor rests."

Luke 2:8-18 NIV

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING Week of December 6-11 God With Us: "PEACE" MONDAY -- Luke 2:8-14 TUESDAY -- Luke 2:15 WEDNESDAY -- Luke 2:16-18 THURSDAY -- Matthew 11:28 FRIDAY -- Mark 4:39 SATURDAY -- Colossians 1:19-20

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, November 29, 2021 Sermon Notes: God With Us: "HOPE" Advent: “A season of celebrating the God who comes to us, as one of us, to be with us, so that we might be with him — now and forever.” HOPE Is Found In God’s Character and Nature “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” 25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” - Lamentation 3:21-26 NIV “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” - Hebrew 13:8 NIV HOPE is found in God’s Word and Spirit “21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means “God with us”). - Matthew 1:20-23 NIV “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” - John 1:14 NIV “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” — Psalm 139:7-12 NIV "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13 NIV

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: Week of November 29-December 4 God With Us: "HOPE" MONDAY -- Lamentations 3:21-16 TUESDAY -- Hebrews 13:8 WEDNESDAY -- Matthew 1:20-23 THURSDAY -- John 1:14 FRIDAY -- Psalm 139:7-12 SATURDAY -- Romans 15:13

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Sunday, November 20, 2021 Sermon Notes: We > ME: "Generous Church" Acts 4:32-36 NIV 32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”)

Sermon Notes: We > ME: "Generous Church" The spread of the early church... Starts with our Generous God Flows through Generous Disciples “Stare at Jesus long enough and you will become a giver. Give long enough and you will become more like Christ.” - Randy Alcorn Overflows through Generous Churches

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING Week of November 22-27 MONDAY -- Proverbs 11:25 TUESDAY -- Psalm 112:5 WEDNESDAY -- Isaiah 40:29 THURSDAY -- Luke 6:38, 11:13 FRIDAY -- 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 SATURDAY -- James 1:5

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Sunday, November 14, 2021 Sermon Notes: WE > ME: “Generous Contribution”

Acts 16:11-15 NIV 11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. 13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

Sermon Notes: WE > ME: “Generous Contribution” Whole-Life Generosity as an expression of: “Sharing Life Together In Christ”

“Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service, and Witness”

To answer the “Generous Calling” of Christ… To make a “Generous Commitment” to Christ… To have “Generous Courage” of Christ… To be a “Generous Conductor” of Christ… To make a “Generous Contribution” to the Kingdom.

“To be sure, Jesus dwells in our individual lives, but he multiplies his movement through the bonds between us.” - JD Walt

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of November 15-20 MONDAY -- Acts 2:42-47 TUESDAY -- Acts 5:12-16 WEDNESDAY -- Acts 6:1-7 THURSDAY -- Acts 9:28-31 FRIDAY -- Acts 11:19-24 SATURDAY -- Acts 16:1-5

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Gracious and Generous God, Thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for the life that is ours, Through His life, death, and resurrection. Thank you for the life together that is ours In Him, Through the network of relationships, That form the foundation of our faith. Help us to make people our priority, As we seek to make generous contributions To Your Kingdom in His name.. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, November 7, 2021 Sermon Notes: WE ＞ ME: Generous Calling

Matthew 4:18-22 NIV 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Sermon Notes: WE > ME: “Generous Calling”

Generosity Is About Discipleship

The Nets

Security Identity Community

“It’s not what God wants from us, it’s what God wants for us.”

What are the sources of your security/identity/community? What are the nets Jesus might be calling you to drop today?

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS : Week of November 8-13 MONDAY -- Mark 1:16-20 TUESDAY -- Mark 3:16-20 WEDNESDAY -- Matthew 9:9-13 THURSDAY -- John 1:35-51 FRIDAY -- Luke 6:12-16 SATURDAY -- 1 Cor. 1:26-31

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Gracious and Generous God, Thank You for meeting us exactly where we are, And inviting to follow You exactly where we need to go, To experience life to the fullest by Your grace, And to share life together with others in Your name. Reveal to us those places where we need to “drop our nets” In order to take hold of Your generous blessings. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, October 31, 2021 Sermon Notes: WE > ME: Generous Courage

1 Kings 17:1 NIV 1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.”

1 Kings 17:7-16 NIV 7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” 10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.” 12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” 13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’ ” 15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 NIV 17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. 19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

Sermon Notes: WE > ME: “Generous Courage”

1 — The situation was hopeless

2 — The woman was fearless

3 — The LORD was generous

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS: WE > ME: “Generous Courage” Week of November 1-6

MONDAY -- 1 Kings 17:1-6 TUESDAY -- 1 Kings 17:7 -16 WEDNESDAY -- 1 Kings 17:17-18 THURSDAY -- 1 Kings 17:19-21 FRIDAY -- 1 Kings 17:22-23 SATURDAY -- 1 Kings 17:24

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: (From Habakkuk 3:17-19)

Gracious and Generous God, Even when my circumstances are dire and I am desperate, I will put my faith and hope in You and You alone. “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in You oh Lord, I will be joyful in You oh God my Savior. You, Sovereign Lord, are my strength; You make my feet like the feet of a deer, You enable me to tread on the heights.” In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, October 24, 2021 Sermon Notes: WE ＞ ME: Generous Conductor

1 Chronicles 22:5-9 NIV 5 David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it.” So David made extensive preparations before his death. 6 Then he called for his son Solomon and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel. 7 David said to Solomon: “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the Lord my God. 8 But this word of the Lord came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. 9 But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign.

Ephesians 2:19-22 NIV 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Sermon Notes: WE > ME: “Generous Conductor”

“Insulators” = can’t flow through “Conductors” = can flow through

“What God gives to you, [God] wants to give through you.” - Rick Warren

How are you going to use your influence (and/or affluence)? “Will you be a cup or a straw?”

“Nothing can flow through you that has not first filled you.”

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS: Week of October 25-30 MONDAY -- 1 Chronicles 22:5-9 TUESDAY -- 1 Chronicles 22:10-13 WEDNESDAY -- 1 Chronicles 22:14 THURSDAY -- 1 Chronicles 22:15-16 FRIDAY -- 1 Chronicles 22:17-18 SATURDAY -- 1 Chronicles 22:19

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: From 2 Corinthians 9:10-12

Gracious and Generous God, We give thanks for Your presence and provision and power In our lives and in our life together. As You supply seed to the sower and bread for food, We believe that You will also supply and increase our store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of our righteousness, So that we might be enriched in every way, so that you can be generous on every occasion, so that our generosity might result in thanksgiving to God. May our resources become a reflection of our relationship with You... Through our relationships with others. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, October 17, 2021 Sermon Notes: We＞Me: Generous Commitment

Ruth 1:16-17 NIV 16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”

Sermon Notes: Jesus is generous with his attention. Jesus is generous with his compassion. Jesus is generous with his salvation.

So, what kind of generous commitment Do you need to make today?

What kind of generous commitment Do you need to honor today?

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS: Week of October 18-23 MONDAY -- Ruth 1 TUESDAY -- Ruth 2 WEDNESDAY -- Ruth 3 THURSDAY -- Ruth 4:1-12 FRIDAY -- Ruth 4:13-17 SATURDAY -- Ruth 4:18-22

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: (From “I Will Follow” by Chris Tomlin)

Compassionate and Generous God, “Where You go, I'll go Where You stay, I'll stay When You move, I'll move I will follow You Who You love, I'll love How You serve I'll serve If this life I lose, I will follow You.” In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, October 10, 2021 Sermon Notes: We > Me

Mark 5:21-43 NIV 21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. 30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” 32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” 35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” 36 Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” 37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Sermon Notes: Jesus is generous with his attention. Jesus is generous with his compassion. Jesus is generous with his salvation.

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of October 11-16 MONDAY -- Mark 1:21-28 TUESDAY -- Mark 1:29-34 WEDNESDAY -- Mark 1:40-45 THURSDAY -- Mark 2:1-12 FRIDAY -- Mark 3:1-6 SATURDAY -- Mark 5:1-21

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Compassionate and Generous God, Thank You for sending Jesus, To be a perfect reflection and representation of Your boundless generosity — both to us and for us — as He so generously gave of Himself for the sake of others And, ultimately, for the salvation to the world. Teach us to reflect and represent our Generous Christ — in and through our lives and our life together — as we generously give of ourselves for the sake of others so that the world might experience the joy of Your salvation. In the name of Jesus we pray, AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, October 3, 2021 Sermon Notes: Tent of Meeting

John 15:5 NIV 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Exodus 19:9-13 NASB2020 9 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also trust in you forever.” Then Moses told the words of the people to the Lord. 10 The Lord also said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their garments; 11 and have them ready for the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 But you shall set boundaries for the people all around, saying, ‘Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall certainly be put to death. 13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall certainly be stoned or shot through; whether animal or person, the violator shall not live.’ When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.”

Exodus 19:16-19 NASB2020 16 So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud over the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the entire mountain quaked violently. 19 When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him with thunder.

Exodus 33:7-11 NASB2020 7 Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, a good distance from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting which was outside the camp. 8 And it came about, whenever Moses went out to the tent, that all the people would arise and stand, each at the entrance of his tent, and gaze after Moses until he entered the tent. 9 Whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent; and the Lord would speak with Moses. 10 When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would stand and worship, each at the entrance of his tent. 11 So the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.

Sermon Notes:

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS: Week of October 4-9 MONDAY -- John 15:5, Jeremiah 29:13 TUESDAY -- Exodus 19: 9-13 WEDNESDAY -- Exodus 19:16-19 THURSDAY -- Exodus 33:7-11 FRIDAY -- Exodus 33:12-16 SATURDAY -- Exodus 33:17-23

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Dear God, Help me to be open-minded and tender-hearted toward You. I want to grow deeper in my prayer life. I want to develop a tent of meeting where I can go to be with You. Just as a child sits in a parent's lap, so I want to sit with You. Speak to me face to face, as a friend. All of my attention and all of my affection is for you, Lord In Jesus' Name, Amen.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Ephesians 2:21-22 NIV 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Sermon Notes: "TOGETHER: Community Builders"

“Sharing Life TOGETHER In Christ”

Community Builders: Prayers-Presence-Gifts-Service-Witness

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of September 27- October 2 “TOGETHER: Community Builders” MONDAY -- Matthew 18:19-20 TUESDAY -- Hebrews 10:24-25 WEDNESDAY -- 1 Peter 4:10-11 THURSDAY --John 13:3-5, 12-15 FRIDAY -- 1 Peter 3:15-16 SATURDAY -- Ephesians 2:21-22

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Gracious and Loving God, Thank You for the prayers You have taught us, Thank You for Your everlasting presence with us, Thank You for the gift of grace You lavish upon us, Thank You for coming not to be served but to serve us, Thank You for the witness of Your Spirit in and through us, With our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness, As we seek to live into and live out, The life with which You have blessed us, Life abundant, life eternal, life together, In the name of Jesus we pray, AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, September 19, 2021 Sermon Notes: "TOGETHER: Community Killers"

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 NIV 2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 10:10 NIV 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Ephesians 6:12 NIV 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

1 Thessalonians 3:12 NIV 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

Sermon Notes: "TOGETHER: Community Killers"

“Sharing Life TOGETHER In Christ”

Community Killers: Deception — Distraction — Division

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of September 20-25 “TOGETHER: Community Killers”

MONDAY -- Revelation 12:7-9 TUESDAY -- Ephesians 6:10-11 WEDNESDAY -- Luke 10:41-42 THURSDAY -- Psalm 27:4-5 FRIDAY -- Hebrews 12:1-3 SATURDAY -- 1 Corinthians 1:10

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Gracious and Loving God, Help us to renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of our sin. Help us to accept the freedom and power of the Holy Spirit, To resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves. Help us to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, In the face of fake news and bad news. Confessing Jesus Christ as our Savior, Help us put on the full armor of God, And help us to put our whole trust in Your grace, To worship and serve You as Lord, in union with the Church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races? |In the name of Jesus we pray, AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, September 12, 2021 Sermon Notes: BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

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Sunday, September 5, 2021 Sermon Notes: "Together"

1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

Ephesians 4:1-6 NIV 1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

John 17:20-23 NIV 20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Sermon Notes: "Together" "Sharing Life Together In Christ"

Unity is developed ______________ between members of a group who share a _____________ _____________.

3 Steps to Unity are: 1. _________________ 2._________________ 3.__________________

“When God’s people join together for God’s purpose, He does God things.”

My Next Steps are:

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS "Together" Week of September 6-11

MONDAY --1 Thessalonians 2:8 TUESDAY --Proverbs 6:16-19 WEDNESDAY --Titus 3:9-11 THURSDAY --1 Timothy 1:5-7 FRIDAY --Romans 14:4 SATURDAY --1 Corinthians 1:10

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Dear God, thank you for Your presence and Your love. We ask for Your help in being a light in every place you’ve given us to walk. We ask that You surround our world, our country, our communities, our church, and our families with Your mighty hand. Unify us. Make us of one heart and one mind as we learn our true identity, surrender to Your vision, and worship with our whole heart. May all of our attention and affection be on You this week. In Jesus’ name Amen.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, August 29, 2021 Sermon Notes: “Hoist The Sails!” (WorSHIP)

Matthew 5:14-17 NIV 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

Ezekiel 37:5-6 NIV 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’ ”

John 3:8 NIV 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 4:8-10 NIV 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

Sermon Notes: “Hoist The Sails!” (WorSHIP) “Sharing Life Together In Christ”

Connection // Collaboration // Commission // Celebration Relation-SHIP // Owner-SHIP // Partner-SHIP // Wor-SHIP

1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS "Celebration" (WorSHIP) Week of August 30-September 4

MONDAY --1 Thessalonians 2:8 TUESDAY --Matthew 22:34-40 WEDNESDAY --Matthew 9:35-37 THURSDAY --Matthew 28:16-20 FRIDAY --Matthew 5:14-17 SATURDAY --1 Thessalonians 2:8

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Gracious and Loving God, We give thanks to You, For the gifts of Your grace in Jesus Christ: Life eternal, Life abundant, Life together. Help us to love one another as Christ loves us, So that we world might know that we are his disciples, So that in and through our FellowSHIP, The world might see the transformation, That takes place through a RelationSHIP with Him. Help us to carry this life-changing message To our families, our friends, our neighbors, and our community. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, August 22, 2021 Sermon Notes:“Making Waves!” (PartnerSHIP)

Matthew 28:16-20 NIV 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Acts 1:8 NIV 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

1 Corinthians 3:7-9 NIV 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

“Sharing Life Together In Christ”

Connection // Collaboration // Commission // Celebration Relation-SHIP // Owner-SHIP // Partner-SHIP // Wor-SHIP

"Only God can breathe new life into a valley of dry bones. Only God can create waves of revival, waves of growth, waves of spiritual receptivity. Our job…like experienced surfers, is to recognize a wave of God’s Spirit and ride it. It is not our responsibility to make waves but to recognize how God is working in the world and join him.” - Rick Warren

1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS “Making Waves!” (PartnerSHIP) Week of August 23-28

MONDAY --John 4:14 TUESDAY -John 7:38 WEDNESDAY --Psalm 87:7 THURSDAY --Isaiah 44:3 FRIDAY --Revelation 21:6 SATURDAY --Revelation 22:1-2

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Gracious and Loving God, We give thanks to You, That You call us to “come”, and receive new life in Christ! We also give thanks to You, That You call us to “go”, and share new life in Christ, With those around us! Help us to have eyes to see Where You are already making waves around us, And give us the courage to paddle towards them, And faith to stand and ride the waves of revival That are crashing all around us! In the name of Jesus we pray, AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, August 15, 2021 Sermon Notes: “All Hands On Deck!” (OwnerSHIP)

Sermon Notes: “All Hands On Deck!” (OwnerSHIP)

“The Church is the frame that holds God’s vision in place so that the world can see God’s presence through the lens of life together.”

“Sharing Life Together In Christ”

Connection // Collaboration // Commission // Celebration Relation-SHIP // Owner-SHIP // Partner-SHIP // Wor-SHIP

1 — “Giving OwnerSHIP of our lives to Christ” 2 — “Taking OwnerSHIP of our life together in Christ.”

What’s one thing I can do to transfer OwnerSHIP of my life to Christ and take OwnerSHIP of our life together today?

What’s one question I can ask at the “Fellowship Fair” that will help me to a step forward in Collaboration?

1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS "All Hands On Deck" (OwnerSHIP) Week of August 16-21

MONDAY --Acts 2:42-43 TUESDAY --Acts 2:44-45 WEDNESDAY --Acts 2:46-47 THURSDAY --1 Corinthians 3:7-9 FRIDAY --Matthew 9:35-37 SATURDAY --Galatians 2:20

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Gracious and Loving God, We give thanks to You, That “in Christ” we can have LIFE: Life abundant, life eternal, life together. Help us to answer the call: “All Hands On Deck!” That we might transfer OwnerSHIP of our lives to Christ, And take OwnerSHIP of our life together in Christ, So that we might be who You are calling us to be, As individuals and as a church. |In the name of Jesus we pray, AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Matthew 22:34-40 NIV 34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Sermon Notes: "All Aboard!" (RelationSHIP)

“The Church is the frame that holds God’s vision in place so that the world can see God’s presence through the lens of life together.”

“Sharing Life Together In Christ”

Connection // Collaboration // Commission // Celebration Relation-SHIP // Owner-SHIP // Partner-SHIP // Wor-SHIP

1 — In Christ, we can have “κοινωνία” (fellowship) with God.

2 — In Christ, we can have “κοινωνία” (fellowship) with one another.

What would it look like for you to move forward in your RelationSHIP with God and others?

What steps do you need to take to experience a deeper Connection with Christ and with this Fellowship?

What is one thing you could do this week to get on board to help our Fellowship family to be that “frame that holds God’s vision in place (in this place) so that the world (around us) can see Christ through the lens of (our) life together.”

1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS "All Aboard!" (RelationSHIP) Week of August 9-14

MONDAY --2 Corinthians 5:17 TUESDAY --1 Corinthians 1:9 WEDNESDAY --Philippians 3:10-11 THURSDAY --Acts 2:42 FRIDAY --1 John 6:6-7 SATURDAY --John 13:35

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Gracious and Loving God, We give thanks to You, That “in Christ” we can have LIFE: Life abundant, life eternal, life together. Help us to love You will everything we are, And to love our neighbor as ourselves, So that we might find fellowship with You and others. In the name of Jesus we pray, AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sermon Notes: “Vision Check” “Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” - 1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV “The Church is the frame that holds God’s vision in place so that the world can see God’s presence through the lens of life together.” “The people of God in the place of God dwelling in the presence of God.” - From The Epic of Eden by Dr. Sandra Richter “Sharing Life Together In Christ” Connection Collaboration Commission Celebration Relation-SHIP Owner-SHIP Partner-SHIP Wor-SHIP

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of August 2-7 MONDAY --1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV TUESDAY --1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV WEDNESDAY -- 1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV THURSDAY -- 1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV FRIDAY -- 1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV SATURDAY -- 1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Gracious and Loving God, We give thanks to You For the vision You have placed before us. Teach us to be faithful stewards Of all that You have entrusted to us. Help us to love another and share life together In such a way that others might experience life — Life abundant and life eternal in Christ. In the name of Jesus we pray, AMEN.

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Sunday, July 25, 2021 Sermon Notes: "Wake Up!" Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:8-20 NIV 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Eph 5:14b ...“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” “Put simply, awakening is the transformational process and outcome of following Jesus Christ. It is a personal, communal, and societal movement from: darkness to light; death to life; chaos to order; despair to joy; anxiety to peace; poverty to flourishing; and brokenness to wholeness. Awakening is the outcome of following Jesus, by which the love of God the Father is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Awakening results from and leads to renewal of the church, evangelization of a generation, deep wholeness in people, and transformation of society.” - From The Awakened Life by JD Walt “Where is God’s Spirit breathing on you this morning?” “To what might God want you to “Wake Up!” today?” “How might God want you to experience new life in Christ?”

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS "Wake Up!" Week of July 26-August 1 MONDAY --Isaiah 52:1-2 TUESDAY -- Psalm 57:7-11 WEDNESDAY -- Luke 21:34-36 THURSDAY -- 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 FRIDAY -- 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8 SATURDAY -- Revelation 3:1-3

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: (From The Awakened Life by JD Walt) Our Father in heaven, it’s me, [your name]. I have a sense of you and some things about you, but I want to actually know you. I confess I am a sinner. I have failed myself, others, and you in many ways. I know you made me for a purpose and I want to fulfill that purpose with my one life. I want to follow Jesus Christ. Jesus, thank you for the gift of your life, death, resurrection, and ascension on my behalf. I want to walk in relationship with you as Savior and Lord. Would you lead me into the fullness and newness of life I was made for? I am ready to follow you. Come, Holy Spirit, and fill me with the love, power, and purposes of God. I pray these things by faith in the name of Jesus, amen.

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Sunday, July 17, 2021 Sermon Notes: "The Post-Pandemic Church" Rev. Chip Hunter

Ezekiel 37:1-10 NIV 1 The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’ ” 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’ ” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of July 19-24 MONDAY --Psalm 33:1-6 TUESDAY -- Job 33:1-4 WEDNESDAY -- Joel 2:28-29 THURSDAY -- John 20:19-23 FRIDAY -- Acts 1:7-11 SATURDAY -- 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“BREATH PRAYERS” FOR THIS WEEK: Breathe in. Breathe out. Did you know that something as simple as breathing draws us closer to God? The ancient practice of breath prayer ties a short, rhythmic prayer to our breathing. It's simple, and a meaningful way to practice the presence of God. Here a a few sample “Breath Prayers” to get you started: “Father God” (inhale) “Thank You for loving me.“ (Exhale) “Creator/Sustainer (inhale) “I praise You for the beauty of Creation” (exhale) “Lord Jesus Christ (inhale) “Have mercy on me.” (exhale) “Mighty Counselor” (inhale) “Remind me that I am not alone.” (Exhale) “Lover of my Soul” (inhale) “Heal my heart and restore my soul.” (Exhale) Holy Spirit of God” (inhale) “Breath new life into us.” (exhale)

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, July 11, 2021 Sermon Notes: "Uniquely Positioned" Romans 8:28 NIV 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

“We are created by God with sacred worth, called to new life in Christ by God’s sacred word, and commissioned to do God’s sacred work, through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Spiritual Gifts — Heart — Abilities — Personality — EXPERIENCE “God can take all of those broken pieces of our experience, and make them into a centerpiece of celebration!”

1 — Minister To Others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV)

2 — Motivate Others (1 John 1:3-4 NIV)

3 — Model For Others (Philippians 3:17 NIV)

4 — Mentor Others (Philippians 4:9 NIV)

1 — Embrace Your Experiences (Genesis 50:20 NIV)

2 — Employ Your Experiences (Philippians 1:12 NIV)

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS "Uniquely Positioned” Week of July 11-17 MONDAY -- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 TUESDAY -- 1 John 1:3-4 WEDNESDAY -- Philippians 3:17 THURSDAY -- Philippians 4:9 FRIDAY -- Genesis 50:20 SATURDAY -- Philippians 1:12

Prayer Gracious and Loving God, Thank you for working in all of my experiences, The good, the bad, and the ugly, For our good and for Your glory. Thank you for working through all of my experiences, To encourage others and to advance the gospel. Help me to embrace my experiences, And allow You to employ them for your purposes. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

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Sunday, July 4, 2021 Sermon Notes: “Uniquely Personed" Mark 12:30 NIV 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

Heart people are good at ___________ Soul people are good at ____________ Mind people are good at ____________ Strength people are good at ____________ Which one are you? Personality tests shine a light on how we most naturally love God. Notes for each Personality: 1. Talkers (Matthew 15:18, Proverbs 12:18) 2. Feelers (Ephesians 4:32) 3. Thinkers (Psalm 119:97, Romans 12:2) 4. Doers (Romans 12:1) Based on your personality, what's something you could start doing that would help fulfill your purpose within the great commission? On the path to our purpose, what may seem like a ________ issue is actually a _________ issue. Answer the call and your ________ _________will enable you to accomplish ___________ in a way that no one else could.

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS "Uniquely Personed" Week of July 5-July 11 MONDAY -- Mark 12:30 TUESDAY -- Matthew 15:18 WEDNESDAY -- Proverbs 12:18 THURSDAY -- Ephesians 4:32 FRIDAY -- Psalm 119:97 SATURDAY -- Romans 12:2a SUNDAY -- Romans 12:1

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Sunday, June 27, 2021 Sermon Notes: “Uniquely Prepared"

1 Corinthians 12:12-20 NIV 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

Matthew 25:23 NIV 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

“We are created by God with sacred worth, called to new life in Christ by God’s sacred word, and commissioned to do God’s sacred work, through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Spiritual Gifts — Heart — Abilities — Personality — Experience “

God made me _____________________. And when I ____________, I feel His pleasure.”

What do you love to do? What are you able to do? What are you going to do about it?

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS "Uniquely Prepared" Week of June 27- July 3

MONDAY Genesis 2:4-15 TUESDAY Exodus 28:1-5 WEDNESDAY Exodus 36:1-7 THURSDAY Galatians 6:3-10 FRIDAY Philippians 1:5-7 SATURDAY Colossians 3:15-17

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Gracious and Loving God, We give thanks to You, For the abilities and skills uniquely given to us, To be used for Your glory, And for the greater good of the body of Christ. Help us to feel Your pleasure, As we fulfill Your purpose, In our lives and in Your Church. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, June 20, 2021 Sermon Notes: “Uniquely Passioned” Ezekiel 36:26-28 NIV 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28 Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God.

“We are created by God with sacred worth, called by God’s sacred word, and commissioned to God’s sacred work.” Spiritual Gifts — Heart — Abilities — Personality — Experience “Our purpose in life is to pursue our passion in such a way that it produces passion and praise in the lives of others.” “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” - Revelation 3:20 NIV "Vocation is where your greatest passion meets the worlds greatest needs.” - Frederick Buechner “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” - Howard Thurman

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS "Uniquely Passioned" Week of June 21-26 MONDAY Luke 15:1-7 TUESDAY Luke 15:8-10 WEDNESDAY Luke 15:11-31 THURSDAY Mark 4:26-29 FRIDAY Matthew 25:14-30 SATURDAY Luke 7:36-50

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Gracious and Loving God, We give thanks to You — For the passion of your Son Jesus Christ, Who hung on a cross, For all of our hurts, habits, and hangups, Who was broken to heal our brokenness, Who died so that we might have life. Help us to pursue those things For which we have been uniquely passioned, So that we might point people to You, In such a way that it produces passion in others, And brings praise and glory to Your Name. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

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Sunday, June 13, 2021 Sermon Notes: "Uniquely Presented" Corinthians 12:4-7 NIV 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

“We are created by God with sacred worth, called by God’s sacred word, and commissioned to God’s sacred work.” The Gift of Salvation “23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 6:23 NIV Justification (Romans 5:15-17) Sanctification (Romans 5:1-5 NIV) Presentation (1 Corinthians 12:4-7 NIV) What do you need to do to receive God’s good gift of salvation? How do you need to let God to use your spiritual gifts for others? Who do you need to share those good gifts from God with today?

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS "Uniquely Presented" Week of June 14-19 MONDAY 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 TUESDAY Romans 12:6-8 WEDNESDAY 1 Peter 4:11 THURSDAY Isaiah 11:2 FRIDAY Ephesians 4:7,11-13 SATURDAY Joel 2:28-30

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Gracious and Generous God, We give thanks to You — For the good gifts of grace, That You have given us in Jesus Christ, Through the power of the Holy Spirit. Help us to be good stewards of these gifts, As we work out our salvation, And as You work in us and through us, To will and to act according to Your good purposes, On earth as it is in heaven. In Your Name we pray, AMEN.

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Sunday, June 6, 2021 Sermon Notes: “Uniquely”

Psalms 139:13-14 NIV 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

1 John 3:1 NIV 1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

Spiritual Gifts Heart Abilities Personality Experiences

“God only and ever makes glorious, beloved, reflections of his generous love.” - Dan Wilt

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS "Uniquely" Week of June 7-12 MONDAY Isaiah 64:8 TUESDAY John 1:9-14 WEDNESDAY Romans 8:28 THURSDAY Philippians 2:12-13 FRIDAY 1 Peter 4:10 SATURDAY Hebrews 13:20-21

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Gracious and Generous God, We give thanks to You — For creating in us in Your Image, For calling us by Your Word, For commissioning us by Your Spirit. Help us to discover who we are and Whose we are, So that we can be the disciples and the Church, You have created, called, and commissioned us to be, For Your glory and for Your kingdom. In Your Name we pray, AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sunday, May 30, 2021 Sermon Notes: “The Greatest Love Of All” John 15:9-17 NIV 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

Matthew 16:24-25 NIV 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

The Missing Man Table, also known as the Fallen Soldier Table, is a semi-official place of honor in dining facilities of the US armed forces in memory of fallen, missing in action, or prisoner of war military service-members. Today we use this table to represent our fallen service men and women this Memorial Day. On this day we remember, but on each & every other day, may we never forget. On the missing man table you will see: The white tablecloth draped over the table represents the purity of their response to our country’s call to arms. The empty chair depicts an unknown face, representing no specific Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine, but all who are not here with us. The table itself is round to show that our concern for them is never ending. The Bible represents faith in our Lord and Savior and the pledge to our country, founded as one nation under God. The black napkin stands for the emptiness left in the hearts of their families and friends of these warriors. The single red rose signifies the blood they may have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America. This rose, reminding us of the family and friends of our missing comrades who keep the faith, while awaiting their return. The yellow candle and its yellow ribbon symbolize the everlasting hope for a joyous reunion with those still deployed and those missing and yet accounted for. The slices of lemon on the plate remind us of their bitter fate of those passed, missing, captured and held as prisoners in foreign lands. The salt upon the plate represents the tears of their families and loved ones. The wine glass, turned upside down, reminds us that our distinguished comrades cannot be with us to drink a toast or join in the festivities today.

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of May 31 - June 5 MONDAY John 14:15-21 TUESDAY John 14:23-29 WEDNESDAY John 15:1-8 THURSDAY John 15:26-27 FRIDAY John 16:5-15 SATURDAY John 16:31-33

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Gracious and Loving God, During this week of Memorial Day, Help us to honor You as we honor all of the heroes Who have served selflessly and sacrificially. Give comfort to those who have lost loved ones. Give us grateful hearts as we remember their service and sacrifice. Help us to cherish, nurture, and handle with care, The freedom for which they fought and died. Help us to cherish, nurture, and handle with care, The freedom that is ours in Jesus Christ. Through his unconditional, sacrificial, service-oriented love for us all. Help us to love another as Christ loved (and loves) us. It’s in His name we pray, Amen.

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Sermon Notes: Sunday, May 23, 2021 PENTECOST SUNDAY “From Higher Tower To Higher Power” Genesis 11 and Acts 2 (selected verses) “Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. 3 They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” 5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” 8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel — because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.” - Genesis 11:1-9 NIV "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?" - Acts 2:1-8 NIV “If you make disciples, you always get the church. But if you make a church, you rarely get disciples.” - Mike Breen “46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” - Luke 24:46-49 NIV

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of May 24-29 Monday John 14:25-26 Tuesday Acts 1:8 Wednesday Ephesians 1:13-14 Thursday Ephesians 3:20-21 Friday Romans 8:14-17 Saturday 2 Peter 3:1-8

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Gracious and Loving God, We acknowledge that we can’t do it on our own. And we give thanks to You that we don’t have to. We thank You for your presence, power, provision, and promises, That we have received through the good news of Your grace, Through the coming of Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Help us to be the Church you have created and called us to be, As we seek make (and grow) disciples of Jesus Christ, for the transformation of the world in Jesus’ name. It’s in His name we pray, Amen.

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Sermon Notes: Sunday, May 16, 2021

"Y'all Listen Close"

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NLT 4 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Joshua 24:1-18 NLT 1 Then Joshua summoned all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, including their elders, leaders, judges, and officers. So they came and presented themselves to God. 2 Joshua said to the people, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Long ago your ancestors, including Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River, and they worshiped other gods. 3 But I took your ancestor Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him into the land of Canaan. I gave him many descendants through his son Isaac. 4 To Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. To Esau I gave the mountains of Seir, while Jacob and his children went down into Egypt. 5 “Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I brought terrible plagues on Egypt; and afterward I brought you out as a free people. 6 But when your ancestors arrived at the Red Sea, the Egyptians chased after you with chariots and charioteers. 7 When your ancestors cried out to the Lord, I put darkness between you and the Egyptians. I brought the sea crashing down on the Egyptians, drowning them. With your very own eyes you saw what I did. Then you lived in the wilderness for many years. 8 “Finally, I brought you into the land of the Amorites on the east side of the Jordan. They fought against you, but I destroyed them before you. I gave you victory over them, and you took possession of their land. 9 Then Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, started a war against Israel. He summoned Balaam son of Beor to curse you, 10 but I would not listen to him. Instead, I made Balaam bless you, and so I rescued you from Balak. 11 “When you crossed the Jordan River and came to Jericho, the men of Jericho fought against you, as did the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. But I gave you victory over them. 12 And I sent terror ahead of you to drive out the two kings of the Amorites. It was not your swords or bows that brought you victory. 13 I gave you land you had not worked on, and I gave you towns you did not build—the towns where you are now living. I gave you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them. 14 “So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. 15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” 16 The people replied, “We would never abandon the Lord and serve other gods. 17 For the Lord our God is the one who rescued us and our ancestors from slavery in the land of Egypt. He performed mighty miracles before our very eyes. As we traveled through the wilderness among our enemies, he preserved us. 18 It was the Lord who drove out the Amorites and the other nations living here in the land. So we, too, will serve the Lord, for he alone is our God.”

Sermon Notes: "Y'all Listen Close" INFLUENCE:

1 — We are all “under the influence” of something/someone.

2 — There is someone/something that is “under the influence” of us.

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sermon Notes: Sunday, May 9, 2021 "Under the Influence" 2 Timothy 1:1-13 NIV 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. 13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.

John 13:34-35 NIV 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

INFLUENCE:

1 — We are all “under the influence” of something/someone.

2 — There is someone/something that is “under the influence” of us.

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of May 10-15 “Under The Influence” Monday Exodus 20:12 Tuesday Psalm 131 Wednesday Matthew 5:13-16 Thursday 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Friday Ephesians 2:1-10 Saturday Galatians 5:22-26

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Gracious and Loving God, We thank You for loving us with a love That is sacrificial, unconditional, and transformational. Help us to love others like You love us. Help us allow our lives, To be so “under the influence” of Your love, That our words, our actions, our decisions, our relationships, Might influence others with the love of Christ. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

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Sermon Notes: Sunday, May 2, 2021 "Greatest Hits Volume 3:16"

John 3:11-21 NIV 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of May 3 - May 9 Monday Psalm 36 Tuesday 1 John 3:11-17 Wednesday 1 John 3:18-24 Thursday Psalm 18:1-3 (read 2x) Friday Deuteronomy 10:17-22 Saturday 1 Corinthians 13

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Your love, oh Lord Reaches to the heavens Your faithfulness stretches to the sky Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains Your justice flows like the ocean's tide

I will lift my voice To worship You, my King I will find my strength In the shadow of your wings. -Third Day

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sermon Notes: Sunday, April 25, 2021 "God’s Greatest Hits Album 2- The Ten”

Exodus 20:1-21 NIV 1 And God spoke all these words: 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. 13 “You shall not murder. 14 “You shall not commit adultery. 15 “You shall not steal. 16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” 18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” 20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” 21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of April 26-May 1 Monday Psalm 46 Tuesday Matthew 22:36-40 Wednesday Psalm 130 Thursday Exodus 14:10-14 Friday Hebrews 3:1-6 Saturday Hebrews 4:1-13 Sunday John 3:11-21

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Breath Prayer Breath prayers are another way to become more aware of God's presence. The Holy Spirit is as near as the air we breathe.

A common way to practice breath prayer is silently repeating a single-line prayer with each breath. As you inhale address God with something like, “Jesus, Son of God.” Then, as you exhale, express a request to God such as, “be merciful to me, a sinner.” Other examples are, “Creator God, allow me to see your beauty around me,” “Holy Spirit, let me feel your joy,” “O Lord, show me your way,” and “Holy One, heal me.” Repeat the prayer with each breath for several minutes. If needed use Psalm 46 for phrases. Listen for God.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sermon Notes: Sunday, April 18, 2021 “God’s Greatest Hits” Acts 2:42-47 and 4:32-34 NIV “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (2:42-47 NIV) And then chapter 4 says: “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them.” (4:32-34 NIV)

1 — Prioritizing community in light of adversity.

2 — Praying for unity in light of diversity.

3 — Practicing generosity in light of scarcity.

4 — Pursuing authenticity in light of humanity.

“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ...This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” 1 John 1:3-7 NIV

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS “God’s Greatest Hits” Week of April 19-24 Monday Ephesians 4:1-6 Tuesday Colossians 3:12-17 Wednesday Galatians 6:9-10 Thursday Romans 12:9-13 Friday Philippians 2:1-5 Saturday James 5:13-16

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Holy Loving God, Help us to be a people... Who, even in the midst of difficulty, Make our relationship with You a priority. Help us to be a people... Who pray for unity in light of diversity, Who pick generosity in light of scarcity, Who pursue authenticity in light of our humanity. Help us to be a people... Who seek to be a Great Community that embodies, The Greatest Commandment and The Great Commission. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

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Sermon Notes: Sunday, April 11, 2021 "Low Sunday"

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” - Matthew 28:20b NIV

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of April 12-17 Monday Acts 2:1-4 Tuesday Acts 2:5-13 Wednesday Acts 2:14-21 Thursday Acts 2:22-28 Friday Acts 2:29-41 Saturday Acts 2:42-47

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Risen Lord and Savior, Thank you for the victory that is ours, Through your life, death, and resurrection. Help us to be your resurrection people in the world, As we live lives of resurrection according to Your Word. Give us the grace and courage we need, To answer Your call to “Go!”, Wherever and to whoever you send us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sermon Notes: Sunday, April 4, 2021 EASTER SUNDAY: “From The Grave To The Garden” John 20:1,11-18 NIV “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance…11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). 17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.” “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” - 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of April 4-10 Monday Matthew 28:16-20 Tuesday Mark 16:14-20 Wednesday Luke 24:49-53 Thursday John 21:1-14 Friday John 21:15-25 Saturday Acts 1:1-11

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Gracious and Loving God, We give thanks to you this day, For the victory over sin and death, That is ours through Your Son Jesus Christ! Help us to live as resurrection people in the world, So that all might know the good news of Your Grace! In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

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Sermon Notes: Sunday, March 28, 2021 From Graves to Gardens: “Psalms to Palms” Psalm 118: 25-27 25 Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. 27 The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. John 12: 12-16

12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: 15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” 16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.

Colossians 1:20 NIV 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of March 28-April 3 FROM GRAVES TO GARDENS: “Psalms to Palms”

Monday Zechariah 9:9 Tuesday Luke 2:21-35; 19:45-48 Wednesday Psalm 31 Thursday Psalm 69 Friday Psalm 22 Saturday Psalm 88

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: (From John 12:13 NIV)

Hosanna! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

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Sermon Notes: Sunday, March 21, 2021 From Graves to Gardens: “From Lament To Ascent” “To you, Lord, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit. 2 Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place…6 Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. 7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. 8 The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. 9 Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.” (Psalm 28:1-2,6-9 NIV) “I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord watches over you — the Lord is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; 8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:1-8 NIV) “[W]eeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” - Psalm 30:5b NIV “16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 1 Corinthians 4:16,18 NIV “2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 NIV

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of March 22-27 FROM GRAVES TO GARDENS: “From Lament To Ascent” Monday Psalm 122 Tuesday Psalm 55 Wednesday Psalm 124 Thursday Psalm 130 Friday Psalm 125 Saturday Psalm 110

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: (From Psalm 28:6-9 NIV) Praise be to You Lord, For You have heard my cry for mercy. You are my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in You, and You help me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise You. You are the strength of Your people, a fortress of salvation. Save us and bless us; Be our shepherd and carry us forever. It’s in Your name we pray, Amen.

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Sermon Notes: Sunday, March 14, 2021 From Graves to Gardens: "Rehearsal to Renewal"

Psalms 4:1-8 NIV 1 Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. 2 How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? 3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. 4 Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. 5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord. 6 Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity? ”Let the light of your face shine on us. 7 Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound. 8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Romans 12:2 NIV 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

1 — The Replacement Principle: “Remove the lies, replace with truth.”

2 — The Rewire Principle: “Rewire your brain, renew your mind.”

3 — The Reframe Principle: “Reframe your mind, restore your perspective.”

4 — The Rejoice Principle: “Revive your soul. Reclaim your life.”

From Winning The War In Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life by Craig Groeschel

Philippians 4:13 NIV 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Romans 5:6 NIV 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of March 15-20 FROM GRAVES TO GARDENS: "Rehearsal to Renewal"

Monday Psalm 56 Tuesday Psalm 140 Wednesday Psalm 86 Thursday Psalm 35 Friday Psalm 41 Saturday Psalm 120

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: (From Psalm 44:23-26 NIV) Gracious and Loving God, We give thanks to You, For meeting us right where we are, And leading us on the path that leads to life, Abundant and eternal — both now and forever. Help to replace the lies of this world, With lines from Your Word. Renew our minds, Restore our hearts, Revive our souls. Teach us to trust You in all things, And entrust to You everything, So that we might be transformed, And so that the world around us might be transformed. It’s in His name we pray, Amen.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sermon Notes: Sunday, March 7, 2021 From Graves to Gardens: “From Revenge To Restoration”

Psalms 59:1-17 NIV 1 Deliver me from my enemies, O God; be my fortress against those who are attacking me. 2 Deliver me from evildoers and save me from those who are after m y blood. 3 See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, Lord. 4 I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Arise to help me; look on my plight! 5 You, Lord God Almighty, you who are the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors. 6 They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city. 7 See what they spew from their mouths—the words from their lips are sharp as swords, and they think, “Who can hear us?” 8 But you laugh at them, Lord; you scoff at all those nations. 9 You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress, 10 my God on whom I can rely. God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me. 11 But do not kill them, Lord our shield, or my people will forget. In your might uproot them and bring them down. 12 For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter, 13 consume them in your wrath, consume them till they are no more. Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. 14 They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city. 15 They wander about for food and howl if not satisfied. 16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. 17 You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.

Matthew 5:38-45 NIV “38 You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” Romans 12:17-21 NIV “17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of March 8-13 FROM GRAVES TO GARDENS: “From Revenge To Restoration” Monday Psalm 5 Tuesday Psalm 70 Wednesday Psalm 40 Thursday Psalm 142 Friday Psalm 6 Saturday Psalm 79

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: (From Psalm 44:23-26 NIV) Gracious and Loving God, We give thanks to You, For not giving us what we deserve, And for giving us what we don’t deserve, What we could never earn, So much more than we could ever imagine. Help us to love others like You love us, Teach us to pray for those who persecute us, Transform our hearts from graves rooted in revenge, Into gardens of grace for Your love to grow in us, So that our lives might bear fruit for Your Kingdom. It’s in His name we pray, Amen.

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Sermon Notes: Sunday, February 28, 2021 From Graves to Gardens: From Rejection to Redemption Psalm 44 “We have heard it with our ears, O God; our ancestors have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago... 3 It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them... 6 I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; 7 but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. 8 In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever. 9 But now you have rejected and humbled us; you no longer go out with our armies. 10 You made us retreat before the enemy, and our adversaries have plundered us. 11 You gave us up to be devoured like sheep and have scattered us among the nations... 23 Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever. 24 Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression? 25 We are brought down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground. 26 Rise up and help us; rescue us because of your unfailing love.” “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:37-39 NIV “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” - Romans 8:31-32 NIV

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of March 1-March 6 FROM GRAVES TO GARDENS: “From Rejection To Redemption” Monday Psalm 60 Tuesday Psalm 61 Wednesday Psalm 42 Thursday Psalm 64 Friday Psalm 74 Saturday Psalm 77

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: (From Psalm 44:23-26 NIV) “Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever. Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression? We are brought down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground. Rise up and help us; rescue us because of your unfailing love.” We give thanks to You for answering this prayer, And embracing the pain from which it was prayed, through the life, death, and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. It’s in His name we pray, Amen.

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Sermon Notes: Sunday February 21, 2021 From Graves to Gardens: "From Ashes to Beauty"

Psalms 51:1-7 NIV 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions ,and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

"Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” - Isaiah 1:18 NIV “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 6:23 NIV “ You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.” - Colossians 2:13-14 NLT Lent: Reflection and Repentance and Relying on God (Restoration / Redemption / Renewal) “From dust you have come — from dust you shall return But the steadfast love of the LORD endures forever Repent and believe the good news!”

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of February 21-27 FROM GRAVES TO GARDENS: “From Ashes To Beauty” Monday Psalm 7 Tuesday Psalm 39 Wednesday Psalm 32 Thursday Psalm 10 Friday Psalm 13 Saturday Psalm 137

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Holy and Loving God, We give thanks to You, For doing what You alone can (and will) do. By Your saving grace, You have delivered us from death; By Your sacrifice, You remove the stain of our sin; By Your Spirit, You renew us day by day. Help us to do what only we can do: “Repent, and believe the good news!” In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Sermon Notes - Sunday, February 14, 2021 "Dwelling" “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” - Psalm 37:3 NIV “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” - Colossians 1:19-20 NIV “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and [dwell] with him.” - John 14:23 ESV “And in him [in Christ] you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” - Ephesians 2:22 CEB “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” — Colossians 3:16 NIV “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” - Psalm 133:1 KJV “Connection — Collaboration — Commission — Celebration” “RelationSHIP — OwnerSHIP — PartnerSHIP — WorSHIP” DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS

Week of February 15-20--“DWELL TOGETHER” Monday Psalm 37:3 Tuesday Colossians 1:19-20 Wednesday John 14:23 Thursday Ephesians 2:22 Friday Colossians 3:16 Saturday Psalm 133:1

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: (Taken from The Seedbed Daily Text, January 26, 2021) “Father, thank you for your Word, which endures forever. Thank you for these four words that changed everything: The Word became flesh. This is such good news! And I know that as this same Word of God dwells in me I, too, become good news. Transcend my flesh with the glory of your presence that my ordinary life may become a place for your extraordinary love. Forgive me for settling for anything less. I pray in the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.”

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Sermon Notes - Sunday, February 7, 2021 Exodus 3:1-6 NIV 1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” 4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” 5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

Exodus 3:14 NIV 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of February 8-14 I’d Like To Have A WORD With You: “Pay Attention”

Monday Psalm 25 Tuesday Exodus 3:1-12 Wednesday Exodus 3:13-21 Thursday Psalm 121 Friday Romans 12:1-13 Saturday Romans 12:14-21

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: O God, you are calling me. Here I am, O Lord. Help me to listen. Help me to celebrate the Holy Spaces. I pray that you let my heart be broken, By the things that break Your heart, O God. Let me give attention to the things You are doing, redeeming, and transforming. Prepare me to see the gift and promise of each day. Strengthen me to confidently go where You are sending. I want to be present to you! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sermon Notes - Sunday, January 31, 2021 Hebrews 10:19-25 NIV 19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of February 1-6 I’D LIKE TO HAVE A WORD WITH YOU: “There Is No ‘I’ In OneWord”

Monday Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Tuesday Matthew 5:14-16 Wednesday Matthew 18:20 Thursday John 5:5-8 Friday Acts 2:42-47 Saturday Colossians 3:12-17

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Holy and Loving God, We give thanks to You for the gift, of Your Presence and Provision and Power, Through Your Word, Your Spirit, and Your People. Teach us to draw near to You each day, Through prayer and Your promises, Within the context of a community of faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sermon Notes - Sunday, January 24, 2021 Deuteronomy 6:1-12 NIV 1 These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you. 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. 10 When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, 12 be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of January 25-30 I’D LIKE TO HAVE A WORD WITH YOU: “Having An OutWord Focus” Monday Psalm 119:1-32 Tuesday Psalm 119:33-64 Wednesday Psalm 119:65-96 Thursday Psalm 119:97-128 Friday Psalm 119:129-160 Saturday Psalm 119:161-176

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Gracious and Generous God, We give thanks to you for the gift of Your Word — Spoken to us and through us, Made flesh and dwelt among, Through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to keep Your Word close to our hearts, By keeping Your Word close to our eyes and ears, Help us to let Your Word, Have the first word and last word, Of our days and our nights, And everything in between. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sermon Notes - Sunday, January 17, 2021 Psalms 121:1-8 NIV 1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; 8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

“I look up to the mountains; Does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.” (The Message)

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of January 18-23 I’D LIKE TO HAVE A WORD WITH YOU: “Having An UpWord Focus” Monday Psalm 1-5:3-4 Tuesday Isaiah 40:6-8 Wednesday Isaiah 55:8-9 Thursday 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Friday Colossians 3:1-2 Saturday Hebrews 12:1-2

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Holy and Loving God, We give thanks to You, For You are always there with us, That You do not sleep or slumber, That You watch over us day and night, That You care deeply about our coming and going, That we can turn to you at any moment. We bring you all of our situations today, Knowing that our help comes from you – the maker of heaven and earth! Help us to respond to people and circumstances today, in a way that reflects our complete trust in you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Sermon Notes - Sunday, January 10, 2021 Psalms 139:1-14 NIV 1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. 5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of January 11-16 I’D LIKE TO HAVE A WORD WITH YOU: “Having An InWord Focus” Monday Psalm 9:1 Tuesday Psalm 19:14 Wednesday Psalm 26:2 Thursday Psalm 51:10 Friday Psalm 73:26 Saturday Matthew 5:8

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: (“The Peace Prayer of St. Francis”) Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

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Sermon Notes - Sunday, January 3, 2021 "I'd Like To Have A Word With You" Sermon Notes: John 1:1-15 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of January 4-9 “I’d Like To Have A WORD With You” Monday Psalm 119:105 Tuesday Isaiah 40:8 Wednesday Matthew 4:4 Thursday 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Friday Hebrews 4:12 Saturday James 1:22

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Holy and Gracious God, We thank You for Your Word, That spoke Creation into being, That speaks Salvation into our brokenness, Through the Word made flesh, Who walked among us, Who died for us (and), Who rose again, Speaking New Creation into being. Help us to allow Your Word, To guide and direct us each day, To transform us and the world around us, As You make all things new, In us and through us. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

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Sermon Notes - December 27, 2020

Transformation

Lee's 3 T's of Transformation:

Trust
Thoughts
Total Surrender

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, December 20, 2020 “Finding LOVE in our Differences”

Philippians 2:1-11 NIV 1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Ephesians 3:14-19 NIV 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS

Week of December 21-26 “ReDiscovering Christmas: Good News in Troubling Times”

MONDAY 1 John 4:18 TUESDAY Romans 8:38-39 WEDNESDAY John 13:34-35 THURSDAY Matthew 5:43-44 FRIDAY 1 John 4:19 SATURDAY Ephesians 3:17-19

Prayer for this week: Holy and Gracious God, We thank You for the great lengths You have gone, To be with us (and for us to be with You), Both now and forever, Because of Your great LOVE for each of us. Help us to LOVE another (even in our differences), The way that You love us and call us, So that the world might know Your LOVE in Christ, And that everyone might know that we are His disciples. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, December 13, 2020 “Finding JOY in our Discouragements” Luke 1:39-56 NIV

39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” 46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” 56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

“May God make you and keep you strong and mighty.”

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of December 14-19 “ReDiscovering Christmas: Good News in Troubling Times”

MONDAY Psalm 13:1-2,5-6 TUESDAY Nehemiah 8:10 WEDNESDAY James 1:2-4 THURSDAY Jeremiah 15:16 FRIDAY Isaiah 61:10 SATURDAY Psalm 51:10-12

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Gracious and Loving God, We thank you for the good news of great JOY for all people, The gift your presence, provision, and power, Through the coming of Your Son, Jesus Christ. In the midst of disappointment and discouragement in our lives, In the midst of death and destruction in this world, We pray that You would fill our hearts with Your JOY, So that Your JOY might overflow, Into every part of our lives and this world. Make us strong and mighty in our faith, That our faith might bear fruit for Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, December 6, 2020 “Finding PEACE in our Struggles” Luke 2:8-14 NIV

“Shalom” = PEACE

“PEACE I leave with you; my PEACE I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” - John 14:27 NIV

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have PEACE. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33 NIV

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of December 7-12 “ReDiscovering Christmas: Good News in Troubling Times”

(The Daily Readings along with the Advent Reading Plan) MONDAY John 14:27 TUESDAY Isaiah 9:6 WEDNESDAY Philippians 4:6-7 THURSDAY Mark 4:37-39 FRIDAY James 3:17-18 SATURDAY Matthew 11:28-30

Prayer for this week: (from “The Prayer of Saint Francis”) “Lord, make me an instrument of your PEACE Where there is hatred, let me sow love Where there is injury, pardon Where there is doubt, faith Where there is despair, hope Where there is darkness, light And where there is sadness, joy O Divine Master, grant that I may Not so much seek to be consoled as to console To be understood, as to understand To be loved, as to love For it is in giving that we receive And it's in pardoning that we are pardoned And it's in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. Amen”

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, November 29, 2020 “Finding HOPE in our Uncertainties”

Luke 2:22-38 NIV 22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” 33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

“HOPE points us past our present predicament to God’s promises." (Romans 8:24-26)

“HOPE produces in us the power to persevere.” (Romans 5:2-5 NIV)

“HOPE points us to the person with the power to save us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV)

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” - 2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV“

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of November 30 - December 5

“ReDiscovering Christmas: Good News in Troubling Times” (The Daily Readings along with the Advent Reading Plan) MONDAY Isaiah 40:31 TUESDAY 1 Peter 1:3-4 WEDNESDAY Isaiah 43:1-2 THURSDAY Romans 5:5 FRIDAY Romans 15:13 SATURDAY Ephesians 1:18

Prayer for this week: “Gracious God, we pray that you would fill our hearts with hope as we place our trust in Your Son, the Light of the World. Shine bright in our darkness so that our lives might shine for you.” In Jesus’ Name. AMEN.

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, November 22, 2020 “Followers Of Our Own Focus” Philippians 4:4-9 NIV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (NIV)

We are followers of our own focus.

2 and fix our eyes on Jesus, faith’s pioneer and perfecter. He endured the cross, ignoring the shame, for the sake of the joy that was laid out in front of him, and sat down at the right side of God’s throne. 3 Think about the one who endured such opposition from sinners so that you won’t be discouraged and you won’t give up. - Hebrews 12:2-3 CEB

Daily Devotions November 23-28, 2020 MONDAY Isaiah 26:3-4 TUESDAY Psalm 16:7-8 WEDNESDAY Matthew 6:33-34 THURSDAY Romans 8:5-6 FRIDAY 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 SATURDAY Colossians 3:1-2

Prayer for this week: “Gracious and Loving God, I rejoice in You today and everyday, For Your presence, provision, power, and peace, That far surpasses my understanding. Help me to not try to fix things in my own strength, But to fix my eyes on Jesus, The only one with the power to transform. Transform my life, So that through my life, You might transform the world.” In Jesus’ Name. AMEN.

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Sermon Notes - 11/15/2020--“But, Because You Say So”

Luke 5:1-11 NIV 1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Daily Devotions November 16-21, 2020 MONDAY Luke 5:1-11 TUESDAY Matthew 4:18-22 WEDNESDAY Mark 3:16-20 THURSDAY John 1:35-51 FRIDAY Acts 9:1-19 SATURDAY 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Prayer for this week: “Gracious and Loving God, Help us to listen to Your Voice, Learn from Your Word, and live by Your Spirit, So that our lives might bear fruit for Your Kingdom. Help us to seek You first, Trust You always, And follow You wherever you call us to go. Even when we don’t know what to do or say, Help us make this the cry of our hearts: “But, Because You Say So.” In Jesus’ Name. AMEN.

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, November 8, 2020 NO TURNING BACK: “Celebration (WorSHIP)” Joshua 4:1-9 // Ephesians 2:4-7 NIV

Joshua 4:1-9 NIV 1 When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, 2 “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, 3 and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.” 4 So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, 5 and said to them, “Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, 6 to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 7 tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” 8 So the Israelites did as Joshua commanded them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, as the Lord had told Joshua; and they carried them over with them to their camp, where they put them down. 9 Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant had stood. And they are there to this day.

The 4 C’s: Connection — Collaboration — Commission — Celebration The 4 SHIP’s: RelationSHIP — OwnerSHIP — PartnerSHIP — WorSHIP

Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV 22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of November 9-14 “NO TURNING BACK”

MONDAY Lamentations 3:22-23 TUESDAY Psalm 119:89-91 WEDNESDAY Psalm 126:1-6 THURSDAY Ephesians 2:4-7 FRIDAY I Peter 2:4-5; 9-10 SATURDAY 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Prayer for this week: “Almighty and Unchanging God, Gracious and Loving Savior, Spirit of Power and Life; We celebrate our past and rejoice in our present, As we look forward with eager eyes to the future. We pray that You would continue to make Your love known in and through us. Help us to look inside and beyond our walls to those who do not know You. Continue to make this church a blessing to those around us, and embolden us to move forward with strength toward what lies ahead. Help us to decide today (and everyday) to follow Jesus: NO TURNING BACK! In Jesus’ Name. AMEN."

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, November 1, 2020 NO TURNING BACK: “Commission (PartnerSHIP)” Numbers 14:1-9 // Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The 4 C’s: Connection — Collaboration — Commission — Celebration The 4 SHIP’s: RelationSHIP — OwnerSHIP — PartnerSHIP — WorSHIP

“Let’s take matters in our own hands and go back!”

Numbers 14:1-4 NIV 1 That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. 2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”

“Let’s take God at His Word, put it in His hands, and say: No Turning Back!”

Numbers 14:6-9 NIV 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

“With God, every mission is a co-mission!”

“It’s not so much that the church has a mission but that the mission of God has a church.” - Alan Hirsch

1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of November 2-7 “NO TURNING BACK”

MONDAY Isaiah 6:8 TUESDAY Matthew 9:37-38 WEDNESDAY Matthew 25:31-40 THURSDAY Luke 10:1-12 FRIDAY Acts 1:8-9 SATURDAY Romans 10:15

Prayer for this week: (From The Seedbed Daily Text) “Abba Father, we thank you for your Son, Jesus, who is the love of God. Thank you that to love as he loves is impossible apart from his presence. Teach us to love his presence more than his power and in doing so to discover the power of his love in our presence. We pray in Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, October 25, 2020 NO TURNING BACK: “Collaboration (OwnerSHIP)” Exodus 17-18 // Ecclesiastes 4 // Romans 12 NIV

Exodus 17:12 NIV 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.

Exodus 18:17-19 NIV 17 Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV 9 Two are better than one,because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down,one can help the other up.But pity anyone who fallsand has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered,two can defend themselves.A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Romans 12:4-6 NIV 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;

1 Corinthians 12:12 NIV 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.

The 4 C’s: Connection — Collaboration — Commission — Celebration The 4 SHIP’s: RelationSHIP — OwnerSHIP — PartnerSHIP — WorSHIP

“Church is a covenant community of Christ followers… committed to connection within the context of our Creator."

“When a church can create a culture of collaboration, it compounds the capabilities of the entire congregation.”

“Co-laborers shoulder the burdens of life together.” “Co-laborers struggle through the battles of life together.” “Co-laborers share the blessings of life together.”

“Where do you need to stop, collaborate, and listen?”

Ephesians 4:15-16 NIV 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of October 26-31 “NO TURNING BACK”

MONDAY Acts 2:42-47 TUESDAY 1 Corinthians 1:4-10 WEDNESDAY 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 THURSDAY Philippians 2:1-5 FRIDAY 1 Peter 4:10-11 SATURDAY 3 John 1:5-8

Prayer for this week: “Gracious and Loving God, We thank You that You have created us for and called us to life together. We thank You that in Christ, We discover who we truly are, Where we truly belong among the body of believers, And what purpose our lives serve for the Kingdom of God. Forgive us when we try to do life on our own. Help us find people with whom we can: shoulder the burdens of life together, struggle through the battles of life together, and share in the blessings of life with together. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, October 18, 2020 NO TURNING BACK: “Connection” Exodus 20:1-17 NIV 20 And God spoke all these words: 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. 13 “You shall not murder. 14 “You shall not commit adultery. 15 “You shall not steal. 16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

The 4 C’s: Connection — Collaboration — Commission — Celebration The 4 SHIP’s: RelationSHIP — OwnerSHIP — PartnerSHIP — WorSHIP

“We were created for connection.”

“When our relationship with God is not primary… Then our other relationships are emptied of their potential.”

“When our relationship with God is primary… Then our other relationships are filled with power and purpose.”

“We were created for connection with the context of our Creator.”

“Church is a covenant community of Christ followers… committed to connection within the context of our Creator."

“Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” - 1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of October 19-24 “NO TURNING BACK”

MONDAY Genesis 2:4-14

TUESDAY Ephesians 4:15-16

WEDNESDAY Colossians 1:15-20

THURSDAY John 15: 5-10

FRIDAY 1 John 4:7-14

SATURDAY Revelation 21: 1-5

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: “Gracious and Loving God, We thank You that You have created us for connection, And when we seek connection with the context for which You created us, We experience life. We thank You for Your Son Jesus Christ, Who has reconnected what sin has disconnected, Both now and forever - through a relationship with Him. Help us to seek first Your Kingdom and Your righteousness, So that we might find life, In all situations and circumstances, In all relationships and responsibilities, Both now and forever. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION ("So What?") What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION ("Now What?") What am I going to do about it?

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Sermon Notes - Sunday, October 11, 2020 No Turning Back: Where God Leads

Hebrews 10:19-25 NIV 19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Where God calls, God creates. Where God directs, God delivers. Where God guides, God provides. Where God leads, God intercedes.

Hebrews 4:16 NIV 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Daily Devotions October 12-17, 2020 “NO TURNING BACK”

MONDAY Hebrews 4:14-16 TUESDAY Hebrews 6:17-20 WEDNESDAY Hebrews 7:23-27 THURSDAY Hebrews 8:1-6 FRIDAY Hebrews 9:11-15 SATURDAY Hebrews 10:19-25

Prayer for this week: “Gracious and Loving God, We thank You that You go before us, And that You have made a way for us. We thank You for bridging the gap, Between our sinfulness and Your holiness, By the blood of Your One and Only Son, The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Help us to put our faith and trust in Him, And follow His lead in our lives, As we speak to You on behalf of people, And as we speak to people on behalf of You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, October 4, 2020

NO TURNING BACK: “Where God Guides”

Deuteronomy 8:1-3 NIV Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors. 2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

“Where God calls, God creates.” “Where God directs, God delivers.” “Where God guides, God provides.” “Where God leads, God intercedes.”

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” - Matthew 5:6 NIV

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of October 5-10 “NO TURNING BACK”

MONDAY Exodus 15:1-21 TUESDAY Exodus 16:1-36 WEDNESDAY Exodus 17:1-7 THURSDAY Numbers 11:1-35 FRIDAY Numbers 20:1-13 SATURDAY John 6:1-15; 25-51

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: “Gracious and Loving God, We thank You that whether it be physical, relational, financial, spiritual or otherwise, There is no need, for which You do not desire to provide. Help us to trust You in all situations, Help us to look for, listen to, and lean in to Your provision, our lives and in our life together. Remind us of our deepest need for relationships, With You and with others, And Your provision through Your Son Jesus Christ, Of life and love - abundant and eternal. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sermon Notes - Sunday, September 27, 2020

No Turning Back: “Where God Directs”

Exodus 14:1-22 NIV 1 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. 3 Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ 4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” So the Israelites did this. 5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!” 6 So he had his chariot made ready and took his army with him. 7 He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them. 8 The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly. 9 The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon. 10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. 11 They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” 13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” 15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. 16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. 17 I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. 18 The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.” 19 Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, 20 coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long. 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

Where God calls, God creates. Where God directs, God delivers. Where God guides, God provides. Where God leads, God intercedes. “God’s directions don’t always give us all the details we desire.” “Few things grow in the desert like doubt and division.” “Obedience paves the path from direction to deliverance.”

Daily Scripture Readings September 28-October 3, 2020 “NO TURNING BACK” MONDAY Exodus 13:17-22 TUESDAY Exodus 14:1-9 WEDNESDAY Exodus 14:10-14 THURSDAY Exodus 14:15-22 FRIDAY Exodus 14:23-31 SATURDAY Exodus 15:1-21

Prayer for this week: “Gracious and Loving God, You are our Deliverer and our Redeemer. We thank You for always making a way, Even when there seems to be no way. We thank You that You ‘deliver us from evil’. Whether it be the past that pursues us, Or the future that frightens us, We trust that You are with us in every moment, And will guide and direct every one of our steps of faith. For You are ‘our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging’. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.” (parts taken from Psalm 46:1-3 NIV)

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, September 20, 2020 NO TURNING BACK: “Where God Calls” Exodus 3:1-12 NIV 3 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” 4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” 5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. 7 The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey— the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

“Where God calls, God creates. Where God directs, God delivers. Where God guides, God provides. Where God leads, God intercedes.”

“Where God calls, God creates … a curiosity for faith.” “Where God calls, God creates … a challenge to faith.” “Where God calls, God creates … a crisis of faith.”

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

THIS WEEK: “Where is it in your life that God is calling you to get going?”

Daily Scripture Readings Week of September 21-26, 2020 “NO TURNING BACK”

MONDAY Exodus 3:1-6 TUESDAY Exodus 3:7-10 WEDNESDAY Exodus 3:11-15 THURSDAY Exodus 3:16-20 FRIDAY Exodus 3:21-22 SATURDAY Exodus 4:1-12

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: “Gracious and Loving God, Thank you for revealing Yourself to me, For calling me by name, And inviting me to participate in Your story of redemption. Give me eyes to see Your burning bushes around me, Give me ears attuned to Your still small voice, Give me a heart that’s open to receive and respond, Give me focus, give me fortitude, give me faith. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, September 13, 2020

NO TURNING BACK: “Do You Not Perceive It?” Isaiah 43:16-19 NIV

This is what the Lord says — he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, 17 who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: 18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Where God calls, God creates. Where God directs, God delivers. Where God guides, God provides. Where God leads, God intercedes.

“We’re not supposed to live in the past… We’re supposed to learn from the past.”

“We don’t look to the past for the past… We look to the past for the pattern.”

Connection — Collaboration — Commission — Celebration RelationSHIP — OwnerSHIP — PartnerSHIP — WorSHIP

NEXT STEPS: “What new thing do you perceive God is doing?” “How is God calling/directing/guiding/leading you to respond?”

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of September 14-19

“NO TURNING BACK” (New Sermon Series)

MONDAY Exodus 14 TUESDAY Exodus 15 WEDNESDAY Exodus 16 THURSDAY Exodus 17 FRIDAY Exodus 18 SATURDAY Exodus 19

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: “Gracious and Loving God, Thank you for Your faithfulness in the past and present, That points us towards the future You have in store for us. We give You thanks that when You call us, You create opportunities for us to respond. We give You thanks that when You direct us, You deliver us from the evil around us. We give You thanks that when You guide us, You provide us with everything we need. We give You thanks that where You lead us, You intercede for us in more ways than we will ever know. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

OBSERVATION (“What?”)What is one thing that I observed in the passage? IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life? APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, September 6, 2020

BEDTIME STORIES: “That’s Ridiculous” Matthew 18:21-35 NIV

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[h] was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.[i] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. 29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ 30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

“Un-forgiveness is a prison cell that is locked from the inside… And forgiveness is the only key that will set you free.”

“Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” - James 1:23-24 NIV

Daily Scripture Readings September 7-12, 2020 “NO TURNING BACK” (New Sermon Series)

MONDAY Isaiah 43:16-19 TUESDAY Luke 9:57-62 WEDNESDAY Galatians 4:8-9 THURSDAY Galatians 5:1,6-10 FRIDAY Philippians 3:12-14 SATURDAY Hebrews 8:8-12

Prayer for this week: “Gracious and Loving God, Thank you for waking me up, To the places in my life, Where I need to embrace Your grace, So that I might extend Your grace to others, So that we might live together in the freedom of Your Spirit. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sermon Notes - Sunday, August 30, 2020

Bedtime Stories: “No, That’s Not Right”

Which Kingdom? Fairness, Scarcity, Expectation or Justice, Generous, Promised

"A text without a context is just a pretext for whatever you want it to mean." --Ben Witherington

Matthew 19:27-30 NIV 27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

"Heaven, God's rule, is a rule that promises generosity in life that for us living in a market driven world which is almost unfathomable – yet this is the kingdom we pray for."--Peter Lockhart

"In the end, it’s not about unfair payments. At the parable’s conclusion, the full-day workers don’t moan that they have been cheated. They complain instead to the landowner, 'You have made them [the one-hour workers] equal to us.' ”--Matthew Skinner

Next Steps: 1. What are the fears of scarcity and struggles with valuing others do I fight with or need to fight with daily? 2. How can I separate God’s promises from my expectations or sense of fairness? 3. How is God calling me to practice extravagant generosity?

Daily Devotions August 30-September 5, 2020 “BEDTIME STORIES” (The Parables of Jesus)

MONDAY Luke 11:5-8 TUESDAY Luke 18:9-14 WEDNESDAY Luke 15:3-7 THURSDAY Luke 6:46-49 FRIDAY Matthew 13:45-46 SATURDAY Matthew 18:21-35

Prayer for this week: “Gracious and Loving God, Thank You for the fortune of not being fair but just, Thank You for having extravagant generosity unto me, Thank you for living up to and into Your promises, Create in me a clean heart - now and forever. Rescue me from thinking your grace is owed only unto me. Help me to acknowledge my fears and expectations, That have caused me to not value you, myself, and others. Let me extend and proclaim this extravagant Kingdom. Strengthen me to practice generosity and justice so that it can be on Earth as it is in Heaven. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sermon Notes - Sunday, August 23, 2020

Bedtime Stories: "Who Is My Neighbor?"

Luke 10:25-37 NIV 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

BIASES > BLINDSPOTS > BARRIERS

John 3:16 NIV 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 3:16 NIV 16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

"The primary and most compelling way the world can know the love of God is to experience it through those who claim to love him.” - J.D. Walt

Next Steps:

What are the biases and blindspots that are creating barriers in my relationship with God and others?
Who is God calling me to “see” with more than just my eyes?
Where am I being “moved” to “move” in my life of faith?

Daily Devotions August 24-29, 2020

“BEDTIME STORIES”(The Parables of Jesus)

MONDAY Mark 13:34-37

TUESDAY Luke 11:5-10

WEDNESDAY Luke 12:16-21

THURSDAY Luke 25:1-13

FRIDAY Matthew 7:24-27

SATURDAY Matthew 21:28-32

Prayer for this week: “Gracious and Loving God, Thank you for seeing me, Thank you for having compassion for me, Thank you for moving towards me, And saving my life - now and forever. Help me to acknowledge the biases in my heart, That have created blindspots in my life, That have created barriers in my relationships with You and others, And are keeping me from being all that You have created and called me to be, So that I can allow Your grace to transform my heart and life, In such a way that I might truly see all the people around me, And move towards them with the love of Christ. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, August 16, 2020

BEDTIME STORIES: “Which Kind of LOST Are You?” Luke 15:1-2,11-32 NIV (selected verses)

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

“He calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ - Luke 15:6 NIV

“She calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ - Luke 15:9 NIV

“Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ - Luke 15:23-24 NIV

“Indeed, I am the younger son; I am the elder son; and I am on my way to becoming the father.” - From The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of August 17-22

“BEDTIME STORIES” (The Parables of Jesus)

MONDAY Luke 15:3-7

TUESDAY Luke 15:8-10

WEDNESDAY Luke 16:1-12

THURSDAY Luke 18:1-8

FRIDAY Luke 18:9-14

SATURDAY Luke 14:16-24

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: “Gracious and Loving God, Whether it’s rebellious disobedience or resentful obedience, Whether I realized it or not, I have been lost. And I give thanks that You have gone to such great lengths to find me, You have crossed heaven and earth to be with me, And You have given your life so that I might be with You for all eternity. Help me to always remember that I am the younger son, Help me to always remember that I am the older son, Help me to remember that, by Your grace, I am on my way to becoming like the Father. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, August 9, 2020

BEDTIME STORIES: “Sow What?”

Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 NIV (selected verses) That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown..”

NEXT STEPS: What needs to change in your life so that faith might take root and grow into something that bears fruit for God’s Kingdom?

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of August 10-15

“BEDTIME STORIES” (The Parables of Jesus)

MONDAY Matthew 13:10-17

TUESDAY Matthew 13:24-30

WEDNESDAY Matthew 13:31-35

THURSDAY Matthew 13:36-43

FRIDAY Matthew 13:44-46

SATURDAY Matthew 13:47-52

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: “Gracious and Loving God, I give thanks that You have revealed Yourself to us, Through Your Word written in the pages of Scripture, Through The Word made flesh in Your Son, Through Your Word that planted in our hearts and mind by Your Spirit. Help us to not just listen, but to hear. Help us to not just see, but to perceive. Help us to receive and respond to Your message, So that we might be messengers of Your grace to the world. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, August 2, 2020

UNCHANGING: “When Perspectives Change…”

Romans 8:28 and Philippians 2:12-16 NIV

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NIV)

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose…So that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. (Philippians 2:12-16)

“Although we live in a world that is always changing, We worship and serve a God that is UNCHANGING.”

“When everything around you is uncertain, the key to stability is to focus on unchangeable truth.” - Rick Warren

UNCHANGEABLE TRUTH #3: “God Is Working In and Through Us”

“God doesn’t will everything to happen, But God doesn’t waste anything that happens.”

Where is God at work in you?
How do you need to work out your salvation?
Where is God calling us to shine the light of Christ?

“Jesus Christ is the same - yesterday, today, and forever.” - Hebrews 13:8 NIV

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of August 3-8

“UNCHANGING” (The Character and Nature of God)

MONDAY Isaiah 64:4

TUESDAY John 14:12

WEDNESDAY John 15:4 THURSDAY Galatians 2:20

FRIDAY Ephesians 2:10

SATURDAY 1 John 4:12

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: “Gracious and Loving God, I give thanks that You are with me, I give thanks that You are for me, I give thanks that You are working in and through me, For my good and for Your glory (which is our greatest good). Help me to work out what You are working in, So that You might work through me, To be who You are created me to be, And to do what You have called me to do. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, July 26, 2020

UNCHANGING: “When Perspectives Change…”

Romans 8:31-34 NIV

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (NIV)

“Although we live in a world that is always changing, We worship and serve a God that is UNCHANGING.”

“Even when our plans change, God’s purposes never do.” “Even when places changes, God’s presence never does.” “Even when perspectives change, God’s provision never does.”

“When everything around you is uncertain, the key to stability is to focus on unchangeable truth.” - Rick Warren

PROVISION “pro” = “for”; “vision” = “see.

“God’s Perspective is what prompts God’s Provision.”

UNCHANGEABLE TRUTH #2 — “God Is For Us”

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” - James 1:17 NIV

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of July 27 - August 1

“UNCHANGING” (The Character and Nature of God)

MONDAY 2 Corinthians 9:8

TUESDAY 2 Peter 1:3

WEDNESDAY John 10:10

THURSDAY Matthew 7:11

FRIDAY Philippians 4:19

SATURDAY Psalm 23:1

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: “Almighty God, thank you for the ways that you are providing for me. Even though I may not be able to see it or feel it this morning. I have faith. Because I know You are for me, not against me. And even though I can’t see the future, And even though I may not know what You’re doing, I am placing everything in Your hands. I am choosing to find strength and security and significance In Your provision — even in the midst of my problems, Because I know that You love me. And while You may not give me everything I want, I believe that You will give me everything I need. Because I know that You have already given me The gift of life - both now and forever through Your Son, Jesus Christ. When everything around me is uncertain, Help me to focus my heart and mind on this unchangeable truth. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, July 19, 2020

UNCHANGING: “When Places Change…” Hebrews 6:17-20 NIV

“17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” (NIV)

“Although we live in a world that is always changing, We worship and serve a God that is UNCHANGING.”

“Even when our plans change, God’s purposes never do.” “Even when places changes, God’s presence never does.”

UNCHANGEABLE TRUTH #1 — “God Is With Us”

“When everything around you is uncertain, the key to stability is to focus on unchangeable truth.” - Rick Warren

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:38-39 NIV

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of July 20-25

“UNCHANGING” (The Character and Nature of God)

MONDAY Isaiah 43:2-3

TUESDAY Psalm 33:18

WEDNESDAY Psalm 34:17-19

THURSDAY Psalm 90:1-2

FRIDAY Psalm 139:7-8

SATURDAY Micah 7:7

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: All-Knowing and Ever-Present God, I thank You that because of who You are, I can know without a doubt, That wherever I am today, YOU ARE THERE. Whether I am soaring on wings like eagles, Or I am walking through the valley of the shadow of death, I can know that YOU ARE WITH ME. God, I pray that the power of Your UNCHANGING presence, Would transform my places of hurt and brokenness, Into places of healing and wholeness, Not just for me, but for those around me, So that my presence might point to Your presence, in the lives of people and in this world. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, July 12, 2020

UNCHANGING: “When Plans Change…”

Isaiah 40:6-8 NIV “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. 7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”

“Although we live in a world that is always changing, We worship and serve a God that is UNCHANGING.”

Even when our plans change, God’s purposes never do.”

“When everything around you is uncertain, the key to stability is to focus on unchangeable truth.” - Rick Warren

“Jesus Christ is the same - yesterday, today, and forever.” - Hebrews 13:8 NIV

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of July 13-18

“UNCHANGING” (New Series About The Character and Nature of God)

MONDAY Isaiah 46:9-10

TUESDAY Psalm 33:6-11

WEDNESDAY Psalm 57:1-3

THURSDAY Ephesians 3:10-11

FRIDAY 2 Corinthians 1:20-22

SATURDAY 2 Timothy 1:6-10

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: God, whatever happens today: Whatever changes I may encounter, Whatever struggles I may endure, What obstacles I may experience, Help me to seek the Truth of Your Word, That it would speak louder than the things of this world. Remind me that when plans change, You never do. May Your unchangeable nature, Change my fear into faith, Change my worry into worship, Change my anxiety from a world that’s always changing Into adoration for Your Word that is UNCHANGING. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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Sermon Notes - Sunday July 5, 2020

"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

“I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.” - Psalm 119:45 NIV“

As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil.” - 1 Peter 2:16 NIV

"In [Christ] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” - Ephesians 3:17 NIV

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” - Galatians 5:1 NIV

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” - Galatians 5:13-14 NIV

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.”- 1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV“

I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.”- 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 NIV

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”- 2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV

“What will you do with freedom?”“How can we be good stewards of this amazing gift of freedom?”

FREEDOM:“Joyful obedience to God in Christ...through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father,and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.

Daily Devotions July 6-July 11, 2020

MONDAY John 8:31-36

TUESDAY Psalm 119:41-48

WEDNESDAY 1 Peter 2:15-17

THURSDAY Ephesians 3:7-12

FRIDAY Galatians 5:1,13-14

SATURDAY 1 Corinthians 10:23-24

OBSERVATION (“What?”)What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, June 28, 2020

GATHERED & SCATTERED: “The Church of BOTH Congregation AND Celebration” Luke 10:1-3, 17-20 NIV

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. 2 He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves…

17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!”18 He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 19 See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

“The Church of ____________/___________”:

The Church of BOTH __________________ AND __________________ The Church of BOTH __________________ AND __________________ The Church of BOTH __________________ AND __________________ The Church of BOTH __________________ AND __________________

“What needs to be the focus and foundation of our ____________________?”

“______________ over _______________”

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of June 28 - July 4

MONDAY John 8:31-36

TUESDAY Psalm 119:41-48

WEDNESDAY 1 Peter 2:15-17

THURSDAY Ephesians 3:7-12

FRIDAY Galatians 5:1,13-14

SATURDAY 1 Corinthians 10:23-24

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK:

Holy and Gracious God, we thank You for being with us, for us, and working in and through us BOTH when we are gathered AND when we are scattered. Help us to bear witness to your presence, In our lives and in our church, In the places and to the people you have called us, BOTH in the name and with the love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, AND in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, June 21, 2020

GATHERED & SCATTERED: “The Church of BOTH Conversion AND Conversation”

Acts 9:1-19 NIV

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

“Our culture has created a crisis where conversion involves confrontation.” “Christ has created a church where conversion involves conversation.”

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” - James 1:19 NIV

NEXT STEPS: 1. What is one conversation I need to have with God? 2. What is one conversation I need to have with someone else?

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of June 22-27

“GATHERED AND SCATTERED” (The Book of Acts)

MONDAY Acts 9:20-31

TUESDAY Acts 9:32-43

WEDNESDAY Acts 10:1-9

THURSDAY Acts 10:10-23

FRIDAY Acts 10:24-43

SATURDAY Acts 10:44-48

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Holy and Gracious God, we thank You for being the God of BOTH Conviction AND Compassion, Who speaks BOTH Truth AND Love, And Who calls us to do the same. Help us to be BOTH “quick to listen, slow to speak, AND slow to become angry”, In BOTH our encounters and conversations with You, AND our encounters and conversations with others this week, So that we might be BOTH transformed AND agents of Your transformation, in our church, in our family, in our community, and in the world around us. In Jesus’ name and for His sake, AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, June 14, 2020

GATHERED & SCATTERED: “The Church of BOTH Connection AND Collaboration”

Acts 4:23-33 NIV “23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’ 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. 32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all.”

“God, how do You want to use me (us) to be a part of Your answer to those prayers?” “God, how can I (we) be a part of Your healing presence in the world?”

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of June 15-20

“GATHERED AND SCATTERED” (The Book of Acts)

MONDAY Acts 6:8-15

TUESDAY Acts 7:1-53

WEDNESDAY Acts 7:54-59

THURSDAY Acts 8:1-8

FRIDAY Acts 8:9-25

SATURDAY Acts 8:26-40

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK:

Holy and Gracious God, we thank You for being the God who is with us, BOTH when we gather AND when we scatter. Give us strength to be BOTH the people AND the church, you have BOTH created AND called us to be. Draw us closer to You and to one another, BOTH as we pray for Your healing power in our lives, AND as we participate in the healing work that You are doing in the lives of others, through the power of the Holy Spirit. For it is in Jesus’ name and for His sake we pray, AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, June 7, 2020

GATHERED & SCATTERED: “The Church of BOTH Communion AND Commission” Acts 2:42-47 NIV

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

“The best way to shape a community into being both gathered and scattered is to create a rule and rhythm of life [that is BOTH]:

_______________, _______________, _______________ AND _______________.”

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” - Galatians 6:9 NIV

NEXT STEPS: 1. What does it mean for us to be: The Church of BOTH Communion AND Commission?

What would it look like for you (for us) to create a rule and rhythm of life that is BOTH upward, inward, outward, AND forward focused?

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS

Week of June 8-13

“GATHERED AND SCATTERED” (New Series From The Book of Acts)

MONDAY Acts 3:1-10

TUESDAY Acts 3:11-26

WEDNESDAY Acts 5:1-11

THURSDAY Acts 5:12-16

FRIDAY Acts 5:17-42

SATURDAY Acts 6:1-7

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Holy and Gracious God, we thank You for being the God of BOTH the Great Commandment AND the Great Commission. We thank You for BOTH drawing us close to Your love, AND for sending us out to share Your love with others. Help us to be BOTH the people AND the church, you have BOTH created AND called us to be. In Jesus’ name and for His sake, AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, May 31, 2020 “GATHERED & SCATTERED” Acts 2:1-12 NIV

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

Scattered because of __________. Gathered by God’s ____________.

Gathered by God’s ___________. Scattered for God’s ______________.

Gathered to ______________. Scattered to __________________.

The very same God that’s present with us when we are _________________ is present with us when we are ____________________.

NEXT STEPS: 1. What kind of CHURCH are we? (What do we want to be?) 2. What does it look like for us to WORSHIP in Spirit and in Truth? 3. What does it look like for us to WITNESS in Word and Deed?

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of June 1-6

“GATHERED AND SCATTERED” (New Series From The Book of Acts)

MONDAY Acts 2:14-36

TUESDAY Acts 2:37-41

WEDNESDAY Acts 2:42-47

THURSDAY Acts 4:1-22

FRIDAY Acts 4:23-31

SATURDAY Acts 4:32-37

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK:

Holy and Gracious God, we thank You for being with us, when we are gathered and when we are scattered, when we are together and when we are apart, when we are at our best and when we are at our worst. Help us to bear witness to your presence, In our lives and in our church, In the places and to the people you have called us, In the strength and power of the Holy Spirit. We ask all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, May 24, 2020

“CONTAGIOUS JOY: Finally…” Philippians 4 NIV

“4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

When we learn to ____________________… the life, death, and resurrection of Christ….

And we choose to ____________________… to the life, death, and resurrection of Christ….

Then our lives begin to ________________… The life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

NEXT STEPS: 1. What is one thing I can do to remember Christ’s sacrifice for me? 2. What is one thing I can do to respond to Christ’s sacrifice in my life? 3. What is one thing I can do to reflect Christ’s sacrifice through my life?

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of May 25-30

“GATHERED AND SCATTERED” (New Series From The Book of Acts)

Monday Acts 1:1-5

Tuesday Acts 1:6-11

Wednesday Acts 1:12-22

Thursday Acts 1:23-26

Friday Acts 2:1-4

Saturday Acts 2:5-13

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Holy and Gracious God, we thank You — for Your Word to us through the Scriptures and Your Word made flesh among us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to remember His selfless, sacrificial love for us so that our lives might reflect His selfless, sacrificial love for others as respond to Your grace with faith. It’s in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, May 10, 2020 “CONTAGIOUS JOY: Pressing On” Philippians 3:1-21 NLT

3 Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. 3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God[b]are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, 4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could.

"Legalism is isolating the _______ from _______ who gave us the law."

Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! 5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. 7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. [c] For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

"The enemy of legalism is ___________ ____________.”

12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, [d] but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. 16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.

"__________ no longer has to be a part of your life."

17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

"We are capable of having a ___________ ___________ in everything we do."

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of May 17-23 “CONTAGIOUS JOY” (Book of Philippians)

Monday Philippians 4:1-3

Tuesday Philippians 4:4-7

Wednesday Philippians 4:8-9

Thursday Philippians 4:10-13

Friday Philippians 4:14-20

Saturday Philippians 4:21-23

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Holy and Gracious God, we give thanks to You for the grace that is greater than our sin, for the love that is greater than our shame, and for the future that we have in You that is greater than anything we have in our past. Help us to press onward in our relationship with You and others, knowing that nothing in this world compares to what is ours in and through Jesus Christ our Lord. It’s in His name we pray. Amen.

OBSERVATION ("What?") What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION ("So What?") What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION ("Now What?") What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, May 10, 2020

“CONTAGIOUS JOY: Not Only In My Presence”'

Philippians 2:12-18 NIV

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulﬁll his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold ﬁrmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacriﬁce and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

NEXT STEPS:

Who has invested and infused joy into your life? How can you rejoice with them?
Who can you invest and infuse joy into this week? What will that look like?

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of May 11-16

“CONTAGIOUS JOY” (Book of Philippians)

Monday Philippians 3:1-3

Tuesday Philippians 3:4-6

Wednesday Philippians 3:7-11

Thursday Philippians 3:12-14

Friday Philippians 3:15-16

Saturday Philippians 3:17-21

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK:

Gracious and Loving God, we thank You for the good work that You are doing in and through our lives, our church, our community, our world. Help us to do our part to “work out” what you are “working in”. Give us the grace we need to shine like stars for Christ in our lives and relationships. Show us how to take the joy that has been infused into our lives and infuse it into the lives of others. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

OBSERVATION ("What?") What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION ("So What?") What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION ("Now What?") What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, May 3, 2020

“CONTAGIOUS JOY: J-O-Y”

Philippians 2:1-11 NIV

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selﬁsh ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

”Your J-O-Y is incomplete without Jesus and others in your life.”

NEXT STEPS:

What does Jesus-Others-You look like for your life this week?
What is one thing you can do this week to keep those in the right order?

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of May 4-9 “CONTAGIOUS JOY” (Book of Philippians)

MONDAY Philippians 2:1-11

TUESDAY Philippians 2:12-13

WEDNESDAY Philippians 2:14-16

THURSDAY Philippians 2:17-18

FRIDAY Philippians 2:19-24

SATURDAY Philippians 2:25-30

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Gracious and Loving God, we thank You that in Christ, You have given us all that we need: encouragement, comfort, tenderness, compassion, belonging, unity, strength, peace, hope, and (not least of all) J-O-Y! Help us to be good stewards of all these precious gifts by keeping Christ primary in our lives and making others a priority in our lives and in our life together. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

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SERMON NOTES — Sunday, April 26, 2020

“CONTAGIOUS JOY: Whatever!” Philippians 1:12-30 NIV

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me. 27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.”

If we focus solely on our circumstances, they can __________ us and even _________ us. But if we focus on Christ, then God can use them to __________ us and ___________ us.

Suffering can shipwreck our faith or it can strengthen our ________________. Struggle can sprout division or it can strengthen our ________________. Situations can steal our happiness or they can strengthen our ________________ Joy!

NEXT STEPS: 1. What are you being held captive by right now? 2. What do you need to do to move beyond the “Whatever” of your circumstances to the “Whatever” of Christ?

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of April 27 - May 2

“CONTAGIOUS JOY” (Book of Philippians)

Monday Philippians 1-2

Tuesday Philippians 3-4

Wednesday Philippians 2:1-4

Thursday Philippians 2:5

Friday Philippians 2:6-8

Saturday Philippians 2:9-11

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK:

Gracious and Loving God, I thank You for being present with me in my circumstances. Help me not to allow them to define me. Help me to allow You to direct and develop me — into the confident, connected, and contagious person of joy that I truly am in Christ. Help me to look beyond my present situation to Your presence, provision, and power in my and through my life. You are the God who can do all things, and so I know that nothing is impossible with you. I know that You are a God who makes a way where there is no way. And so whatever happens, I will continue to rejoice. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

OBSERVATION ("What?") What is one thing that I observed in this passage?

IMPLICATION ("So What?") What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?

Sermons: Recent Episodes

tnfellowship

1 — SHARING Meals

2 — SHARING Ministry

3 — SHARING Me

The Nets

1 — The situation was hopeless

2 — The woman was fearless

3 — The LORD was generous

1 — In Christ, we can have “κοινωνία” (fellowship) with God.

2 — In Christ, we can have “κοινωνία” (fellowship) with one another.

1 — Minister To Others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV)

2 — Motivate Others (1 John 1:3-4 NIV)

3 — Model For Others (Philippians 3:17 NIV)

4 — Mentor Others (Philippians 4:9 NIV)

1 — Embrace Your Experiences (Genesis 50:20 NIV)

2 — Employ Your Experiences (Philippians 1:12 NIV)

1 — We are all “under the influence” of something/someone.

2 — There is someone/something that is “under the influence” of us.

1 — We are all “under the influence” of something/someone.

2 — There is someone/something that is “under the influence” of us.

1 — Prioritizing community in light of adversity.

2 — Praying for unity in light of diversity.

3 — Practicing generosity in light of scarcity.

4 — Pursuing authenticity in light of humanity.

1 — The Replacement Principle: “Remove the lies, replace with truth.”

2 — The Rewire Principle: “Rewire your brain, renew your mind.”

3 — The Reframe Principle: “Reframe your mind, restore your perspective.”

4 — The Rejoice Principle: “Revive your soul. Reclaim your life.”