“Say NO With A Bigger YES” > 3/6+7/10
Pastor David Riemenschneider continues with the third in his series of Lenten messages, each one covering a different spiritual discipline.// This weeks spiritual discipline is self denial, which is saying NO to anything that conflicts with God’s Word.// Self denial is NOT low self esteem.// Self esteem is important as pointed out in Psalm 139:14, and should not be confused with self denial.// Before moving on, Pastor David examines the paradox of Matthew 16:25.// The message continues with examples of things we should say NO to that are unproductive and self destructive actions, and things to replace them with that are positive and enriching actions.// The second point of the message is to “take up a cross” in a CHRIST centered life, not a self centered life.// The last point is to follow the teaching and examples of Jesus, and then to answer three “self” evaluation questions.//
Message Outline PDF {Click Here}
“Some Tempting Offers” > 2/27+28/10
Pastor David Riemenschneider continues with the second in a series of Lenten messages, delivering a different spiritual discipline every week.// This weeks spiritual discipline is to master and recall the scriptures to answer Satan’s temptations, or easy to remember: “SMASH SATAN’S LIES, BE SCRIPTURE WISE!” // There are three main branches to this weeks discipline: 1.] Know it. 2.] Memorize it. 3.] Apply it.// Pastor David starts with some examples of how Jesus dealt with the temptations of Satan himself and the strategy Satan uses in his temptations.// After going thru how Jesus has taught us how to deal with temptation, Pastor David leaves us with 3 questions we need to answer for ourselves to prepare for the temptations sure to come up in our future.//
Message Outline PDF {Click Here}
“Take A Towel” Theology > 2/20+21/10
Pastor David Riemenschneider will be delivering a different spiritual discipline every week in his Lenten messages.// On this first weekend of Lent, the spiritual discipline is the ability to be a servant, to ‘take the towel’ and wash someones feet, so to speak.// Jesus shows us humility; no talk of power, just servitude.// Matthew 23:11 and Mark 10:45 show that Jesus came to serve.// Jesus is the King of Kings with all things under his power, but he is the selfless servant.// The lesson to remember is to serve each other, to get off your throne and take the towel.// Faith without action is dead.//
Message Outline PDF {Click Here}
Skype conversation with Lisa Nickey>2/20+21/10
Lisa and Wendy talk to Dan Bailey from Gabon, Africa via skype about needs in the Bongalo Hospital, both spiritual and physical.//
“Experience God thru Extravagant and Extraordinary Giving” > 2/13+14/10
Pastor Bill Calvin continues with his third message in a series on stewardship.// The message opens with a scene from John 12:1-8, a dinner given for Jesus at the house of Lazarus who was recently raised from the dead.// Mary, Lasarus’ sister, anoints and washes Jesus’ feet with a bottle of perfume that is worth a years wages, and Pastor Bill goes over all the reactions to this act of extraordinary giving.// This story opens up 3 realizations: 1.) Every earthly gift pales in comparison to Jesus’ sacrifice; 2.) All our giving should be to Jesus, and 3.) from John 11: Death reminds us of what is important in life.// The message continues with some other examples of crazy generosity: 1Kings3; Solomon and his 1000 burnt offerings, and God appears in a dream and tells Solomon to ask for anything he wants, and he asks for wisdom.// 2Chronicles5,6,7: The crazy generosity of David to get the temple built and the extravagant giving of Solomon to have the temple dedicated, and God shows up from heaven in all His glory and consumes the offering!.// God shows up when extraordinary giving occurs.// It is not about giving, it is about God.// Pastor Bill continues with 2 other examples, and a statement from Malachi 3:6-12.// Our extraordinary gift as a church will be to give our entire offering from Feb. 20+21 to the mission of Lisa Nickey in Gabon, and the sermon ends with a message from Lisa.//
From the Congregation > 2/13+14/10
Monika M., a single mother of 4 shares with us how, with tithing, God fills in all the blanks.// Monika states that since God always had her back, how could she turn her back on Him?// 10% is like an insurance policy from God Himself, but it means 10% of EVERYTHING, not just income.// The loaves and fishes are the real deal, and not just a story!// Monika ends with this thought: “Thank God daily because we are getting more than our moneys worth!”//
“The Three Smartest Moves You Can Make With Money” > 2/6+7/10
Pastor Bill Calvin continues with his second in a series of stewardship messages.// The message begins with an example of a man who made a very meager salary but still managed to leave behind a very sizable inheritance for his children with his good and consistent planning.// The first smartest thing you can do with money is to put together a spending plan or a budget.// Examples are found in Luke 14:28, to estimate the cost first, and in Luke 8:1, to support out of your own means.// The second smartest thing you can do with money is to SAVE it .// Proverbs 6:6 shows how even an ant gathers and stores food for winter, and Proverbs 13:11 shows if you gather money little by little it will grow.// Automatically save off the top FIRST and state a saving goal.// Also attend seminars and classes like Crown Financial.//The third smartest thing you can do with money is to give it away.//Giving is very powerful, and if you do not give it away it is like calling Jesus a liar.// Pastor Bill ends the message with a renewed view of how we are going to devote our entire Feb. 20th offering to the mission of Lisa Nickey in Gabon, Africa. //
From the Congregation > 2/6+7/10
Nicole C. shares her experience with tithing and how it can become such a natural thing and also how blessings abound from the very start.// Faith is a big part, and a practical way to show Jesus is the center of your life.// When you lay out a budget you must take your tithe right off the top first because everything you have is God’s anyway!// Put God first and God provides for all your needs as in Malachi 3:10 and God’s awesome promise.//
“The Three Biggest Mistakes You Can Make With Money” > 1/30+31/10
Pastor Bill Calvin starts the stewardship series with a look at Ezekiel 16:49, where it shows the number one mistake is to ignore the poor.// To oppress the poor is to show contempt for your maker {Proverbs 14:31}.// There are over 2000 verses in the Bible about poverty, wealth, justice, injustice, and oppression.// Being kind to the poor is like lending to the Lord {Proverbs 19:17}.// The second mistake is never learning to be content, but being content can be learned {Philippians 4:11}.// Paul writes this letter about contentment and joy {Philippians 4:4} from prison after 8 beating with whips and rods, yet he still is joyful and content in the Lord!.// People spend to much money because they have not learned to be content.// The third mistake is not developing the habit of saving money and this topic will be expanded in a later message.// Pastor Bill ends by asking ” So what can I do about this?”, and a good start is to thank God every day for at least 5 things that happened in the last 24 hours.// As a church, Pastor Bill explains what we plan to do for the mission of Lisa Nicky in Gabon.//
Story>1/30+31/10
Tiffany D. shares with us thoughts on tithing and the surprise blessings it brings.// She shows how unexpected blessing appear when you plan to give to the Lord FIRST before any other bills are payed.//
