In Acts 2:17, we read the promise that The Holy Spirit will empower the church to see visions and dreams of what God has in store. In fact, people of all ages will be a part of looking to the future! During the month of October we will ask God to give us a fresh look at The Church that We could Be. What is God calling us to do? How is God calling each of us to serve? In what ways are we prepared to put our resources in to making those dreams and visions become a reality? Each week will talk about The Church that We Could Be if each of us committed our whole selves to God’s call on our lives.
Acts 2:17
‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
October 9, 2022 – Youth and Kids (Let the Children Come to Me)
Kids in the ancient world were not valued or cared for like they are today. They were seen as a mouth to feed until they were old enough to contribute to the family. One day, people began bringing children to Jesus for a blessing, and the disciples rebuke them. But Jesus puts children at the center of his love and ministry, even suggesting that they have a preferred place in God’s Kingdom. How are we investing in the lives of our kids and youth? What kind of church could we be if we really believed the kingdom of heaven belonged to them?
Matthew 19:13-14
Jesus Blesses Little Children
13 Then children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”
Traditions Service
Connections Service
October 16, 2022 – Missions and Outreach- (The Least of These)
Jesus lets us in on a big secret: when we serve others, we actually serve him! Every day of our life we encounter people in need. We see news reports of poverty locally, and around the world. We know we should help, but what can we do? How do we help in a way that makes a difference but doesn’t contribute to other problems? What kind of church could we be if we made a commitment to serving the least of these in Clinton, in Mississippi, and around the world?
Matthew 25:34-40
34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’
Traditions Service
Connections Service
October 23, 2022 – Worship- (Shout for Joy to the Lord)
We are made to worship our maker. Worship is the central act of the church, as we gather to sing praise, lift prayers, and hear the Word. Worship is the work of the people of God, and it involves all of us: singers, ushers, greeters and more. Worship also is a primary venue for introducing new people to Jesus. What kind of church could we be if each of us found a way to serve in worship on Sunday morning? What kind of church could we be if each of us committed to inviting someone to worship with them?
Psalm 100
All Lands Summoned to Praise God
A Psalm of thanksgiving.
1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness;
come into his presence with singing.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;[a]
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him; bless his name.
5 For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever
and his faithfulness to all generations.
Traditions Service
Connections Service
October 30, 2022 – Discipleship and Spiritual Formation- (Be Transformed)
Paul challenges us to allow God to transform us by the renewal of our minds. God indeed desires for us to be changed, to be re-formed into the likeness of Jesus. We should look and act different from the world around us, not because we’re better, but because God has shown us a better way. What kind of church could we be if we committed ourselves to study, small groups, and spiritual formation?
Romans 12:2
2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.[a]