The Churchtown Weekly Thursday, September 12, 2024
Learn-Grow-Become-GO!
Shout it in the assembly.
Shout it to the world. (Psalm 40)
12Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 13For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.
14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world 16as you hold forth the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. (Philippians 2:12-18 (BSB)
Sunday we will continue our preaching and teaching about the total sovereignty of Jesus with the over-arching idea being that “He Alone Is Worthy.”
This week we will at least begin to tackle the questions that have caused dissention in the church universal for centuries.
“Is God sovereign over MY will?”
If god is sovereign over our will, then do we really have anything even resembling “free-will?” Conversely, if God is not sovereign over our will, Is He sovereign at all? If He is not, then He is not worthy.
The above passage beautifully demonstrates the relationship between His will and ours. Verse 12, “12Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”
These are all clearly verbs that WE do as His followers; we “continue to work out our salvation” which would certainly indicate that we have some say in it – some choices that we must make.
Then verse 13, “13For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.” This clearly indicates that it is GOD working in us that we may, “will and act on behalf of His good purpose.”
So, which is it?
All God?
All man?
Mostly God, some man?
Mostly man, some God?
These are the questions that we are going tackle, and we are going to stay on this point until we are satisfied – until we grow in our understanding.
One of the most common questions that Christians receive is some derivative of, “If God is all-powerful (omnipotent, sovereign over all) then why is there… (evil, sorrow, disease, people who do not even believe in Him etc.) It is my plan and prayer that when we are finished in these passages, we will be able to thoughtfully respond to such questions about God’s sovereignty with both thoughtful insight and grace.
All of this being said, the following Sunday, the 29th, is another Fifth Sunday Celebration! And I thought that it would be fun, challenging, and interesting to do something different.
I want to make it really special.
First, I want to thank everyone who shares so much of what they have with so many. The number of people who have been touched by the generosity of this congregation is incalculable. Please take a look at the “Fifth Sunday Celebration” bulleting board when you get a chance.
Another way that I want to make it Special is to actually do what I talked about last Sunday and preach on some of your favorite passages – without knowing what they are in advance.
I will be looking for three volunteers who will be willing to share – in church – a favorite passage from scripture. If you want to do this, I will simply ask you to come forward, THEN say what the scripture is and read it for us.
I’ll take it from there.
Or maybe not. 😊
Please pray and think about being one of those volunteers. All I need are three folks willing to read a passage from the Bible.
This could be really fun.
Really scary, but really fun.
Let me share with you the charities to which we will be donating after the 29th. (thank you Audrey for keeping this all so organized and tied so directly to scripture)
Fifth Sunday September 29, 2024
Selflessservice is a military volunteer organization devoted to supporting & assisting active military & first responders, as well their immediate families during times of activation/deployment. They provide relief and reinforcement to these families via no to low-cost provisions of services designed to serve their families.
Matt. 23:11-12 The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Monroe Fire Co. #25 provides the community of Monroe Twp with fire suppression, rescue and water. They are staffed by volunteers from the community.
Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interest of others.
Cumberland Goodwill Emergency Medical Service provides the greater Carlisle area with efficient and effective emergency medical services. They are a Basic and Advanced Life Support service. Their runs are mostly Mobile Intensive Care Units. They have one emergency tech and one paramedic on board.
Matthew 20:26-28. Jesus tells us “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Puppies Behind Bars trains incarcerated individuals to raise service dogs for wounded war veterans, 1st responders, police enforcement and explosive detection canines for law enforcement.
Titus 2:11-12 The grace of God teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.
Remember these words,
Soli Deo Gloria! (alone, God receives Glory!)
May God bless you and keep you and
WE WILL SEE YOU IN CHURCH!
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!
Would you like to learn more about the life of Jesus through studying The Chosen TV series? We’ll be working through season 4 for 9 weeks, starting in early October. Talk to Jeff to get connected!
ANOTHER BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!
The newly formed Young Adult Ministry, “Pairs and Spares” will be having an outdoor gathering Friday evening the 27th
Word on the street is that, among a variety of other great foods, there will be pulled pork sliders and Churchtown mac&cheese! 😊
TONIGHT, the men will gather in the fellowship hall for some tacos beginning at 6pm. We will then head over to the sanctuary to begin a bible study series on the book of James.
You can now subscribe and listen to the
“Churchtown Podcast Network!”
Available on both Apple Podcasts and Spotify, just search “Turning on the Lights!” and “Churchtown Church of God Sermons” – subscribe and then leave a rating and a review! More folks will see it!
*Audio and video are always posted on our YouTube channel @churchtownchurch (there are 1,100 videos there)
Spread the word about the community NARTHEX! It is really taking shape, and folks are making many donations. We must get the word out!
Church Calendar
Tacos and Bible talk Thursday September 19 6-8pm
NSS Thursday September 26 6:30pm
NSS leading song Sunday September 29 (fifth Sunday celebration)
Brian, Kelly, and the dogs on vacation October 4 through October 8th
First Friday Movie October 4. 7pm
Council Prayer Tuesday October 8. 6:30pm
Service of the ordinances Sunday, October 13
Congregational prayer Wednesday October 16. 7pm
Randy Simpson inside THURSDAY October 17. 6pm
SERVE Saturday October 26
Trunk or Treat Thursday October 31 6-8pm
SERVE Saturday November 2.
Hayride – Sunday November 3. 4pm
SERVICE OF THE ORDINANCE DATES:
October 13th
November 27th – Thanksgiving Eve.
Remember, the single biggest reason given for why someone attends church for the first time is that a friend asked them!
As always, we continue in prayer for Churchtown, for our community, for the church universal, and for the lost everywhere.
God is good. God provides. Keep your eyes up and on the cross people.
Be well and do good, my friends. And, as always, Keep Looking Up! The lord comes!
REMEMBER THAT!
Opportunities!
We are always seeking individuals to be trained in technology. We would like to develop TEAMS that could rotate weekends.
There is always the opportunity to provide music – join up with the New Song Singers and / or talk to me about a special prelude or piece.
Gather-Grow-Become-Go
Churchtown Church of God
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Welcome to Churchtown!
We are glad you are here!
Let’s sing the prelude! #77, “King of Kings”
Opening Word
Ex. 7:10-13; Jer. 25:7-9 (NLT)
“What a Mighty God We Serve”
#74, “Majesty”
Back In The Word
John 20:11-18 (NLT)
#210, “Jesus Paid it All”
Our Time In the Word
Romans 9:10-18; 10:1-15 (NLT)
“Abide with Me” – Liam and Braydn
Our Time of Corporate Prayer
“The Lord’s Prayer”
The Final Word: John 20:24-31 (NLT)
As a “little” church, we are always asking the question, “What CAN we do?” Well, we can start by caring for the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of each other.We CAN serve the next person God places before us.
We CAN invite that person to church!
We CAN be intentional about going to church and strengthening ourselves and the body.
We CAN serve our community and show who Christ is to those who do not know Him.
We CAN PRAY, PRAY, PRAY – and we can REMAIN FATIHFUL!
I Love Being Your Pastor and Your Friend,
Brian
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