August 05th, 2020

Greetings, everyone, in the matchless name of Christ. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who helped with Back Yard Bible Club this week! We had 22 children involved in two clubs where they learned the colors of the Wordless Book (Gold for Heaven; Dark for Sin; Red for the Blood of the Savior; Clean (White) for Forgiveness; Green for Christian Growth). They put together "salvation bracelets" with those same colored beads. We started out the week with an hour-long club meeting at our home and another at the Hacketts in succession. Music, Bible lesson, games, and refreshments rounded out each evening. Due to weather, by Wednesday we moved everything to the church building where we finished out the week. Our VBS Director Dava Hackett prepared back-to-school bags for all the children to take home on the last day. Most importantly, the Gospel was clearly presented to several boys and girls who had never heard!



TOMORROW is THE LORD’S DAY!

• Sunday School Teachers/Workers Meeting at 9:30 am. We will meet in the Great Room to discuss plans for reopening Sunday School this fall. Please contact your class members to get their input on reopening. If your teacher has not contacted you, please contact them to let you know your thoughts. We hope to develop a plan for returning to Sunday School/Bible Study for All Ages. Anyone is welcome to attend this meeting, but teachers and workers are strongly encouraged to do so.
  
• Scriptures for Sunday Morning: Take a few moments to read through and meditate on these Scriptures in preparation for tomorrow's worship service. You may choose to incorporate them into your personal or family devotions this week as well.
  

Fighter Verses Psalm 34:15-16
Call to Worship Psalm 145:14-21
Old Testament Reading Isaiah 55:1-5
New Testament Reading Romans 9:1-5
Assurance of Pardon Psalm 145:8-9
Sermon Matthew 18:15-35; 6:9-15
Benediction 2 Corinthians 13:14

Last Sunday, we looked at various Scriptures around the subject of "Three Marks of a True Gospel Church." Tomorrow, we will be looking at the third mark, namely Corrective Church Discipline with particular regard to the subject of forgiveness and what that looks like in the life of a healthy church practicing discipline in a redemptive, restorative way. I have waited a long time to address the subject of church discipline knowing its potential for misunderstanding. If we desire to be a truly healthy church, we must begin to practice both formative and corrective discipline. But we cannot put into practice what we do not know, what we have not been taught. So let us move prayerfully, deliberately, and compassionately as we seek to care for sheep who have strayed, for those who are trapped in the clutches of sin, and desire God's holiness above our own comfort.
THIS WEEK

• Bible Study via ZOOM, Monday evening at 7 pm
  
• Midweek Service in person or via ZOOM, Wednesday evening at 6:30 pm.
  

If you would like an invitation to join either of these opportunities via ZOOM, please contact Pastor Kyle or me to receive an invite.

• DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS CONTINUE IN ST. JOSEPH THIS WEEK. Flooding in the far southwest portion of St. Joe has been devastating for 200+ homes, many of whom had neither flood nor homeowner's insurance. Help is needed with cleanup, rebuilding, providing meals, providing cleaning supplies, etc.
  
• We are collecting the following items: Buckets (for cleaning), Sponges, Paper Towels, Cleaner (Simple Green, Pine-Sol, OdoBan,…)Strong Trash Bags, Disposable Gloves (for cleaning), Deep Woods OFF, -Gatorade/Powerade (12oz & 20oz bottles)
  
• They have plenty of bottled water!
  
• If you would like to help out in any way, please contact our Associational Director of Missions Roger Brumley at 417-440-0425. Attached to this e-mail is an updated communication from Bro. Roger with fuller information.
  

COMING UP

• MACH 4 Men's Ministry will meet next Saturday, August 8, at 6 pm at Oak Christian Church. A meal is provided and all men and boys are invited to attend this monthly event.
• Monthly Member Meeting will be next Sunday, August 9, at 6 pm in the Great Room.
  

ICYMI
Last Sunday’s Message "What Are the Marks of a True Gospel Church?"


BONUS
Enjoy this a cappella version of "O Church, Arise" by Stuart Townend, Andrew Christopher, and Keith Getty. I have provided the lyrics below for your convenience in listening.
O church, arise and put your armor on; Hear the call of Christ our captain;
For now the weak can say that they are strong In the strength that God has given.
With shield of faith and belt of truth We'll stand against the devil's lies;
An army bold whose battle cry is "Love!" Reaching out to those in darkness.
Our call to war, to love the captive soul, But to rage against the captor;
And with the sword that makes the wounded whole We will fight with faith and valor.
When faced with trials on ev'ry side, We know the outcome is secure,
And Christ will have the prize for which He died—An inheritance of nations.
Come, see the cross where love and mercy meet, As the Son of God is stricken;
Then see His foes lie crushed beneath His feet, For the Conqueror has risen!
And as the stone is rolled away, And Christ emerges from the grave,
This vict'ry march continues till the day Ev'ry eye and heart shall see Him.
So Spirit, come, put strength in ev'ry stride, Give grace for ev'ry hurdle,
That we may run with faith to win the prize Of a servant good and faithful.
As saints of old still line the way, Retelling triumphs of His grace,
We hear their calls and hunger for the day When, with Christ, we stand in glory.
Source: Musixmatch;  Songwriters: Stuart Townend, Andrew Christopher / Keith Getty. O Church Arise lyrics © Worship Together Music, Thankyou Music, Thank You Music Ltd., S.d.g. Publishing, Sixsteps Songs

See you in church!


Grace and peace,

Pastor Greg