Home

Worship Services

Location

Contacts

Bulletins

Links
Bulletin cover

December 30, 2012

WELCOME!
WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE HERE

We are a group of believers who simply try to follow the Bible as a guide for all we do. Everything done in our worship service is something for which we have a Bible basis. You are welcome to participate as much or as little as you wish. We will sing hymns together and we will observe the Lord's Supper or Communion together. We will also have an opportunity to give to the work of God in this area. This collection is for the members here, and if you are visiting you should not feel and pressure to give. Our lesson time will be divided into two groups. The young children will go to our classroom area in the basement where they will be taught the Bible at a level they can understand. The adults will stay in the auditorium for a lesson at an adult level. We do try to serve the community, and if you have some needs that we can help you with, mention it to one of the members.

FAMILY NEWS

CLASS ON REVELATION STARTS IN JANUARY — The denominational world struggles with the book of Revelation. We hear “end of the earth” scenarios, attacks on Catholicism, attacks on politicians, and even claims of alien visitation all attributed to the book of Revelation. In reality this book is easy to understand. The only thing that bothers people is that they do not understand the symbols used and what the apply to. This will not be a long study, because the book of Revelation is really very simple. We expect to have the study completed by late spring. Come and learn with us each Wednesday at 7:15, with the first class being January 2nd.

POTLUCK AND CONGREGATIONAL MEETING — Next Sunday (January 6) is the first Sunday of the month and we plan to have our usual potluck dinner. We need to get our plans for 2013 worked out and get people assigned to various tasks. Bring a dish if you can, but if not do not worry about it. We need your ideas and have everyone on board with whatever we decide to do, See the article on the back of this journal for some additional comments on this meeting.

TODAY'S LESSON

WHAT KIND OF A CONGREGATION ARE WE?

Revelation 3

INTRODUCTION
A. We start our class on Revelation this Wednesday.
1. We will start with chapter 4 — Ockham's Razor.
2. Revelation 1:1 — “Things must soon take place.”
3. This is a book of encouragement.
B. Revelation 1– 3 deals with congregations.
1. Introduces seven kinds of congregations (1:20).
2. All of these are seen in the world today.
PHILADELPHIA TYPE CONGREGATIONS — Revelation 3:7-13
A. Founded in 2nd century BC by Eumenes.
1. Rich agricultural area
2. People live in tents because of earthquakes.
3. Heavy persecution by Jewish leaders in area.
B. This congregation works with doors God opens.
1. Verses 7, 8 — God's doors can be opened.
2. Genesis 7:16 — God closed the ark's door.
3. John 10:9 — Jesus is a door.
C. Jesus says size, strength is not an issue — Revelation 3:8.
D. Expect opposition from the religious establishment.
1. Verse 8 — God will make them admit we are real.
E. 2 Peter 2:9 — God knows how to take care of us.
F. Revelation 3:11–13 — No one can take away our promise.
THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA — Rev 3:14 – 21
A. Named after a wealthy woman — commercial place.
B. A banking, exchange, agricultural crossroads
C. Opens with creation statement (Revelation 3:14)
1. They did not comprehend God — John 1:1–14; Colossians 1:18.
D. This is a group of wealthy members, trusting in wealth.
1. Luke 18:18–24 — "Self made" can be dangerous.
E. Wealth can make you miserable — Revelation 3:17.
1. Romans 7:24 – 25 and 8:1
2. Wealth brings complacency.
F. Complacency makes Jesus sick (verses 15 –16).
WE NEED TO BE PHILADELPHIA NOT LAODICEA.
A. The world will not solve its problems — Matthew 24:6.
B. Believe Jesus' promise — Revelation 3:11–12.
C. Believe Jesus is with us — John 14:27.
1. We can have the peace we studied last week.
2. Start the New Year right — as a active Christian.

THE BACK PAGE

LOOKING FORWARD TO A NEW YEAR

This is the last Sunday of 2012, and this past year has been quite a year for all of us. As a nation we have had a growth of violence and the tragedy associated with people who place no value on human life. The world situation continues to be one of turmoil with some good and some bad taking place. We have had an election and have seen a general failure of politicians to do anything constructive. On a local level we have not seen much change. The world will not treat 2012 kindly, and if someone is looking to the government to see any signs of positive change they are going to be disappointed.

When we look at our church family, things are much more positive. We have rejoiced with some great accomplishments that many of us have made, and we have seen gradual growth in the spirituality of a number of our families. Our efforts to become more visible in the community have been very successful. We received several end of the year cards and phone calls from community officials, and several of our neighbors have commented to us personally that they are following and appreciate the things we are doing. The coats for children program, the food pantry, the fair booth, the float in the Christmas parade, the sign in front, the fenced in children's area, the children's classes, and our participation in helping people with family disasters have not gone unnoticed. We can and will do more, but it has been a good year.

Next Sunday after our first potluck dinner of the year, we will have a congregational meeting to talk about what our plans are and should be for the future. The possibilities are many, including whether we should do the fair again this year, and if so what theme? Can we have a lady's Bible class outreach, the day care idea, should we get a summer intern, a special meeting? Bring your ideas and participate in this!