Posted on Jan 15, 2017 in Weekly Messages |
In last Sunday’s sermon I quickly referenced a verse in Malachi in regard to God helping those who help others. I suggested that the more we help others the more we will be helped. Here is that verse
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” Malachi 3:10
Why not give it a try?
Posted on Jan 9, 2017 in Weekly Messages |
By Gary Cook
We are calling 2017 “A Year of Service” and hoping that everyone will be looking for ways they can serve God and serve those less fortunate than us.
The bulletin board near the back doors has been designated as “The Service Station”. We will be posting opportunities to serve both the congregation and the community on this board. If you know of ways we can serve in the community please let us know.
Jesus said; “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant will also be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” John 12:26
2017 – A Year of Service
Posted on Jan 2, 2017 in Weekly Messages |
Here are just some of the ways our congregation served others over the past year:
Continuing financial support of: Mozambique Mission Work
China Mission Work
Ciudad de Angeles (Cristina and Gustavo Angel)
Timothy Hill Children’s Ranch
Camp Manatawny
Special Contribution support for: Solar Event, phase 3 – $7,000
Christmas at Ciudad de Angeles – $1,100
Christmas at Timothy Hill Ranch – $1,100
Chip Hartzell mission trip to China – $1,000
Over 4,000 pounds of food contributed and delivered to the Somerset Food bank.
Weekly Bible studies and monthly Hymn Sings at Green Knoll Rehabilitation Center.
Christmas support for 4 different families.
Well done family, well done. Let’s strive for even more in 2017
Posted on May 15, 2016 in Weekly Messages |
By Gary Cook
How important is it to be baptized? Let’s let the Bible speak to us.
Acts 2:38 – “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” It is where your sins are forgiven. That sounds important.
Romans 6:3 – “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” It is how we get into Christ. That sounds important too.
Galatians 3:27 – “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself in Christ.” Once again it is how we get into Christ. Very important
Acts 22:16 – “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away calling on his name.” Washing your sins away is extremely important. Why wait?
Mark 16:16 – “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.”
How important is it? I guess that depends on how important we think it is to be forgiven, to have our sins washed away, to be in Christ, to be saved.
Baptism alone does not accomplish this. It must be accompanied by belief, faith and repentance. But it is something to be taken very seriously.
Posted on May 1, 2016 in Weekly Messages |
By Gary Cook
This morning’s sermon will be about the need to take God’s word seriously. Seriously means diligently seeking after the knowledge that God wants to impart. It is vital.
“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
Posted on Apr 24, 2016 in Weekly Messages |
By Gary Cook
We trust God. At least we say we do and I think we really mean it. But do we then apply that trust to how we live our lives? Do we really leave things up to God? Do we pray for his help and then believe he will help us? Let’s take a look at an event from scripture that shows us how. It is found in the book of Ezra, chapter 8 verses 21-23
There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king. “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who would forsake him.” So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.
This is what faith in God looks like. And it worked.
Ezra 8:31 – 32 On the twelfth day of the first month we set out from the Ahava Canal to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he protected us from enemies and bandits along the way. So we arrived in Jerusalem, where we rested three days.
