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Well, I did it. Something new. Something different. Something outside my comfort zone. I took the "Polar Plunge" at Lake Contrary in South St. Joseph this morning. It is a fundraiser for Missouri Special Olympics, a worthy cause that brings the joy of sport to thousands of special needs people throughout the state. The Rev. Steve Moseley, an old college friend and Campus Pastor at The Baptist Home in Chillicothe, invited (challenged?) me to join him. So our little team of two joined with more than fifty others plunging into the icy waters (yes, they had to cut through the ice this morning) to raise money for Special Olympics. Thanks be to God, the sun was shining and the air temperature was hovering around 50 degrees which made it much more tolerable to go completely under the 35ish degree water for a few seconds. I share this little story for three reasons:
(1) to let you know why this missive is arriving in the evening rather than the afternoon, (2) to glorify God for His goodness in creation in which human beings, by virtue of common grace, can enjoy that creation even when the mercury drops, and (3) to anticipate the blessings of spring, warmth, new life, and hope for the future, also wonderful gifts from the hand of our gracious God. (4) to encourage you to do something new, something different, something outside your comfort zone this week, not just for a "good cause," but for the Kingdom of God. TOMORROW is THE LORD’S DAY and we have much for which to give God praise. For starters, it looks like our temperatures will be back in the normal range for this time of year, highs in the 40s. Looking forward to seeing more folks out for Bible study and worship than we have in a few weeks. As you prepare for corporate worship, take some time to read, meditate on, and pray through the following Scriptures which will be used in the service. Click anywhere on the link for a printable view of these passages in their entirety: Fighter Verses: 1 John 2:15-17 Call to Worship: Psalm 22:23-31 Old Testament: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 New Testament: Romans 4:13-25 Prayer of Confession: Psalm 32:3-7 Assurance of Pardon: Psalm 32:1-2 Sermon Text: Luke 4:16-21 Benediction: Numbers 6:24-26 The sermon text will be a portion of the section that was preached last Sunday, specifically where Jesus stands up to read from the prophet Isaiah and declares that the prophecy is fulfilled in the hearing of His listeners. This "good news," this "gospel" which He proclaimed in their ears is still good news for us. As William MacDonald observes, "He came to deal with the enormous problems that have afflicted mankind throughout history: Poverty...Sorrow...Bondage...Suffering...Oppression....He presented Himself as the answer to all the ills that torment us. And it is true, whether you think of these ills in a physical sense or in a spiritual sense. Christ is the answer."
THIS WEEK In addition to our regular Monday "Sunday" School ZOOM meeting at 7 pm, and Midweek Service at 6:30 pm, live and via ZOOM, we begin preparing for our Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions (AAEO). This is one of three special missions offerings we receive throughout the year, the other two being Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions (LMCO), and the Rheubin South Missouri Missions Offering. The AAEO will be received through the month of March. All offerings received will go to support the 5,000 plus missionaries who serve as church planters, community missionaries, chaplains, and mission coordinators on the frontiers of Southern Baptist work. COMING UP March 7-14 is our Week of Prayer for North American Missions. This prayer week is in conjunction with the AAEO, and we will be giving special emphasis to it during our morning and midweek services. ICYMI Last Sunday’s Message The Rejected Messiah Luke 4:14-30 To view this and previous services in their entirety, please visit our YouTube channel. READ THROUGH THE BIBLE Week 9 of the 5 Day Bible Reading Program. Read through the entire Bible following this plan, or read only the New Testament (in italics). Day One: Leviticus 24-25; Psalm 81; Hebrews 9 Day Two: Leviticus 26-27; Psalm 112; Hebrews 10 Day Three: Numbers 1-2; Psalm 64; Hebrews 11 Day Four: Numbers 3-5; Hebrews 12 Day Five: Numbers 6-7; Hebrews 13 Visit the website for more up-to-date information! BONUS: You may have heard in the news earlier this week that the US House of Representatives passed the so-called "Equality Act" by a slim majority, largely on party lines, 224-206, with three Republicans crossing the aisle to vote with the Democrat majority. Please take a few moments to read this article from Baptist Press by Tom Strode to see why this bill is so poorly named. 'Poorly Named' Equality Act Passes House. The reason I bring it up is not a political one, but one related to religious liberty. From the article, if this bill were to be passed by the US Senate and signed by President Biden, it would "cripple religious freedom...undermine civil rights protections for females...[and] become the most pro-abortion bill ever approved by Congress." This bill will essentially render any Christian organization or business, outside of a local church, from exercising any liberty of conscience when hiring or firing according to Christian conviction and Biblical standards. See you in church! Grace and peace, Pastor Greg
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"Welcome to February, the last enemy before spring!" That is how someone began an e-mail to me earlier this week, and this weekend is going to be proof of that. With the extreme cold weather and strong chances for more snow tomorrow, deacons recommend the dismissal of Sunday School tomorrow morning and having only the 10:40 am worship service. Please exercise caution and discretion as you make your decision to get out or not. Those who can do so safely are encouraged to attend in person, but those who cannot or should not are urged to stay home. We will be casting the service on Facebook Live barring any technical issues. Stay safe and warm! Warmer temperatures are on the way by the end of next week, Lord willing.
TODAY the MACH 4 co-ed meeting scheduled for tonight has been postponed to next Saturday, Feb. 20, 6 pm at Oak Christian Church. If you have already responded to Mitch Parkhurst about attending, you do not need to do so again. If you have not done so and you plan to attend, please e-mail him at mitch.47.mp@gmail.com to RSVP. TOMORROW is THE LORD’S DAY! Hear these words from Charles Wesley's able pen in preparation for the Lord's Day tomorrow: "Come let us with our Lord arise, our Lord who made both earth and skies, who died to save the world he made, and rose triumphant from the dead; he rose, the Prince of life and peace, and stamped the day forever his." Here is the congregation of London's Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle (Spurgeon's Tabernacle) singing the great hymn. Be blessed as you hear and sing along. Below are the Scriptures which will frame our corporate worship this week. Click anywhere on the link for a printable view of the Scriptures to prepare your heart through meditating on them. Fighter Verses: Psalm 62:5-8 Call to Worship: Psalm 30 Old Testament: 2 Kings 5:1-14 New Testament: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Assurance of Pardon: Psalm 86:5-6 Sermon Text: Luke 4:1-13 Benediction: Numbers 6:24-26 THIS WEEK Mon., 5-8 pm: Sewing Circle. All ladies are welcome to attend, even if you don't sew! (in person and ZOOM) Mon., 7 pm: Monday Evening "Sunday School" in the book of James (ZOOM only) Wed., 9 am: Women's Bible Study (ZOOM only) Wed., 6:30 pm: Midweek Service (in person and via ZOOM). Studies adapted from Francis Schaeffer's "Basic Bible Studies." This week we look at "God's Grace" dealing with God's gracious provision for saving humanity after the fall of man as seen in Genesis 3. For all ZOOM meetings log in at this link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87573789453?pwd=Zjg5ZWZ2N1h5WklxOEFjM3IrVUt1QT09 SAVE THE DATES
For video of the services, visit our Youtube Channel READ THROUGH THE BIBLE Week 7 of the 5 Day Bible Reading Program. Read through the entire Bible following this plan, or read only the New Testament (in italics).
BONUS: I found this edition of The Sword and Trowel podcast with Tom Ascol and Jared Longshore (Founders Ministries) to be helpful in thinking about some current church and state issues, especially as related to "sphere sovereignty" and government overreach against the backdrop of COVID. Their guests are Darrell Harrison (with Grace To You ministries) and Virgil Walker (discipleship pastor at Westside Church in Omaha) of the Just Thinking podcast, two black, conservative, evangelical voices who seek to bring Biblical clarity to current debates among Christians. Visit the website for more up-to-date information! See you in church (or online)! Grace and peace, Pastor Greg "And somewhere it’s snowing – see the soft drifting down as the snowflakes surrender to the hardening ground. Like the good grace of Jesus that now covers our sin, in the kingdom of Heaven, it’s snowing, again."
I always think of those lyrics by David Stearman and Stephanie Boosahda of a generation ago when I see it snowing outside like it is now as I write. These words are reminiscent of what the prophet Isaiah wrote so long ago: "Come now let us reason together, says the LORD; though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." (Is. 1:18, ESV) Enjoy the snow, be careful out there, and stay warm if you can. And listen to this arrangement of "Somewhere It's Snowing." INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY: It is always good to be reminded when we have a big snow of our inclement weather policy.
TODAY our Bible Quiz team, "Contagious," competes in St. Joe against 25 other teams from Missouri, Iowa, and Kansas. Please pray for them as they remember what they have hidden in their heart. It is always such an encouragement to see young people learning and sharing the Bible together, and holding one another accountable in friendly competition. If you want to drop in on a quiz today, they began at 12:30 pm and are usually concluded by 4 pm, at Journey Baptist Church, 5708 King Hill Avenue, St. Joseph. TOMORROW is the LORD’S DAY, "day of every day the best, emblem of eternal rest." We come together as God's people to worship the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in spirit and in truth. The sermon will explore the doctrine of the Trinity, focusing specifically on the divine and human nature of Jesus Christ as revealed in Luke 3:21-38. Take a few moments to read and meditate on the Scriptures which will frame our corporate worship tomorrow. Just click anywhere on the link for a printable electronic version of these passages: Fighter Verses: Psalm 56:3-4 Call to Worship: Psalm 147:1-11, 20 Old Testament: Isaiah 40:21-31 New Testament: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 Assurance of Pardon: 1 Peter 3:18 Sermon Text: Luke 3:21-38 Benediction: Numbers 6:24-26 TOMORROW NIGHT 2021 Chili Cook-Off and Superbowl Watch Party, Feb. 7. WEATHER PERMITTING (NOTE: WE WILL ASK FOR A SHOW OF HANDS AT THE MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE TO DETERMINE HOW MANY TO PLAN FOR) Join us in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday evening, Feb. 7, for our annual Chili Cook-Off and Superbowl Watch party. Our basic schedule will be... 4:30 pm - Bring chili for competition to Fellowship Hall 4:45 pm - Sampling and voting on chili begins (also start filling out your just-for-fun "score card" for predictions about the game). Plastic gloves will be supplied to handle the serving spoons. 5:40 pm - Superbowl LV kickoff, live on the big screen Halftime - Praise and Devotional service Second Half - Live on the big screen; Awards for the chili voted best will be distributed, of course! Here are a few more things to remember:
Mon., 5-8 pm: Sewing Circle starts back up. All ladies are welcome to attend, even if you don't sew! (in person and ZOOM) Mon., 7 pm: Monday Evening "Sunday School" started the book of James last Monday (ZOOM only) Wed., 9 am: Women's Bible Study (ZOOM only) Wed., 6:30 pm: Midweek Service (in person and via ZOOM). Studies adapted from Francis Schaeffer's "Basic Bible Studies." So far we have looked at "The God of the Bible" and "Creation." This week we look at "God and Man" dealing with the fall of man as seen in Genesis 3. For all ZOOM meetings log in at this link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87573789453?pwd=Zjg5ZWZ2N1h5WklxOEFjM3IrVUt1QT09 Thurs., 10 am - 4 pm: Resound Network Church Revitalization Workshop, Jefferson City (I am planning to attend, Lord willing) COMING UP
For video of the services, visit our Youtube Channel READ THROUGH THE BIBLE Week 6 of the 5 Day Bible Reading Program. Read through the entire Bible following this plan, or read only the New Testament (in italics). Day One: Exodus 16-18; Ephesians 4 Day Two: Exodus 19-21; Psalm 33; Ephesians 5 Day Three: Exodus 22-24; Psalm 109; Ephesians 6 Day Four: Exodus 25-27; Psalm 90; Philippians 1 Day Five: Exodus 28-31; Philippians 2 Visit the website for more up-to-date information! Personal note: I am once again planning a trip to my folks to assist them in some difficult decisions. Planning to leave Monday morning and return Wednesday, but that could change depending on circumstances. Please contact Pastor Kyle or Deacon of the Week Russ Wright for urgent ministry needs. If you need to reach me, my cell phone is almost always on and I will almost always answer. See you in church! Grace and peace, Pastor Greg Greetings, in the matchless name of Christ!
Since last Sunday morning, some of you have mentioned your desire to have our annual Chili Cook-Off and Superbowl Watch Party. I asked what you wanted to do, and you responded. So we will plan to meet in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday evening, Feb. 7, for this event. Our basic schedule will be... 4:30 pm - Begin bringing chili for competition to Fellowship Hall 4:45 pm - Sampling and voting on chili begins (also start filling out your just-for-fun "score card" for predictions about the game). Plastic gloves will be supplied to handle the serving spoons. 5:40 pm - Superbowl LV kickoff, live on the big screen Halftime - Praise and Devotional service Second Half - Live on the big screen; Awards for the chili voted best will be distributed, of course! Here are a few more things to remember:
TOMORROW is THE LORD’S DAY and some of you may know of Arthur Bennett's book of Puritan prayers entitled The Valley of Vision. As preparation for tomorrow, consider the words of this prayer entitled The Lord's Day. "O LORD, my LORD, This is thy day, the heavenly ordinance of rest, the open door of worship, the record of Jesus' resurrection, the seal of the sabbath to come, the day when saints militant and triumphant unite in endless song. I bless thee for the throne of grace, that here free favour reigns; the open access to it is through the blood of Jesus; that the veil is torn aside and I can enter the holiest and find thee ready to hear, waiting to be gracious, inviting me to pour out my needs, encouraging my desires, promising to give more than I ask or think. But while I bless thee, shame and confusion are mine: I remember my past misuse of sacred things, my irreverent worship, my base ingratitude, my cold, dull praise. Sprinkle all my past sabbaths with the cleansing blood of Jesus, and may this day witness deep improvement in me. Give me in rich abundance the blessings the Lord's Day was designed to impart; May my heart be fast bound against worldly thoughts or cares; Flood my mind with peace beyond understanding; may my meditations be sweet, my acts of worship life, liberty, joy, my drink the streams that flow from thy throne, my food the precious Word, my defence the shield of faith, and may my heart be more knit to Jesus. Scriptures to meditate on in preparation for the Lord's Day Morning service are linked here:
This week begins study through a new book of the Bible, so it is an excellent time to start.
COMING UP
SAVE THE DATE
Last Sunday’s Message from Luke 3:1-14 John the Baptist Prepares the Way READ THROUGH THE BIBLE We are ready for Week 5; of the 5-Day Bible Reading Plan, the first week of February. On this plan, you will read through the entire Bible in a year. Or if you want to just read through the New Testament, read the italicized portion. Here are the readings: Day One: Exodus 1-3; Galatians 5 Day Two: Exodus 4-6; Galatians 6 Day Three: Exodus 7-9; Psalm 105; Ephesians 1 Day Four: Exodus 10-12; Ephesians 2 Day Five: Exodus 13-15; Psalm 114; Ephesians 3 Visit the website for more up-to-date information! ON A PERSONAL NOTE I want to say "thank you" to all those who have enquired about my parents' health and living situation. We placed mom on hospice January 16 when she came home from rehab. She is not terminal, but she has had significant decline. Hospice affords the better options for someone in her circumstance, and especially for my dad. The fact is, even with hospice, she is in need of 24-hour care which is not provided. Those services are contracted separately, and they are not covered by medicare or their private insurance. He cannot do it on his own, so we are exploring what options are available to them. Your prayers are much appreciated as I take this journey with them, largely solo. Please continue to remember in prayer those who are unable to worship with us in person who are are at-risk due to age, infirmity, or immuno-suppressed conditions. See you in church! Grace and peace, Pastor Greg |
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