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July 17, 2016

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. Thank you for worshipping with us.

FAMILY NEWS

THANKS: To Lana Fox for her hard work and financial sacrifice to produce the area-wide picnic at Bertrand Park last Sunday. It was a huge success and Lana was responsible for it. What an example! Thanks, Lana.

THANKS: To everyone who helped in the highway clean up yesterday and to Richard Hoyt for setting it up and making it work.

JULY 19 — SENIORS' PICNIC — CLAYTONS' at 6:00 p.m. Meat, buns and drinks are provided. Bring a salad, dessert, or covered dish. Everyone is welcome

SHULTS-LEWIS: Remember to bring paper goods to the building for pick up. This week is the deadline. They plan to pick it up the week of July 24.

CASS COUNTY FAIR, AUGUST 1 – 6, SIGN UP: In the lobby is a sign up sheet to work our booth. We need someone in the booth from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. We would like to suggest two people in most shifts, and most shifts are three hours. Just meet people and hand out the booklet that goes with the exhibit. You do not have to be involved in any debate, just be friendly.


TODAY'S LESSON

EVERYONE'S MINISTRY

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John Clayton
INTRODUCTION
A. Is it not a joy to be part of an active congregation?
1. Preaching the gospel is just one part of ministry.
2. The church should have many ministries.
B. 1 Corinthians 1:14 — What was missing?
1. Matthew 7:16 — What are fruits?
2. John 13:34 – 35 — We can/must ALL do this.
This morning is about EVERYONE'S MINISTRY.
I. THERE WAS A TIME WHEN PAUL NEEDED HELP.
A. 2 Timothy 1:15 – 18 — “I am deserted.”
1. To die for Christ did not bother Paul — 2 Timothy 4:6 – 8.
2. To die alone did  — 2 Timothy 4:9 – 16.
B. Onesiphorus did what all of us should do.
1. 2 Timothy 1:16 — a dangerous thing to do
II. FIRST IMPLICATION OF THIS STORY — NO CHRISTIAN SHOULD EVER SUFFER ALONE.
A. Matthew 25:31 – 40 — What is the basis of judgment?
B. John 13:4 – 17 — Why did Jesus do this?
C. How many different kinds of suffering do we have?
III. SECOND IMPLICATION — EVERYONE HAS A RESPONSIBILITY.
A. James 1:27 — What is “pure religion God accepts?”
B. James 4:17 — What excuse for not doing it?
1. Cannot hire it done.
2. Identifying mark of a disciple of Christ
IV. JUSTIFICATIONS FOR NOT DOING THIS MINISTRY
A. I am not qualified.
B. I do not know what to do — 2 Timothy 1:17.
C. Know the signs — “fine” or “O.K.” is usually a lie.
D. Listen to announcements — take people aside.
E. Be courageous — Matthew 25:31 – 46.
1. People in need are not usually cute/pretty.
F. Bring needs to the church — Matthew 11:28.
1. A yoke is not a load, it is a help.
2. Help each other meet needs.
IV. SONG — “Come Unto Me”

THE BACK PAGE

SO WHAT IS YOUR MINISTRY?

This morning's lesson is about ministry. A common mistake is to assume that “ministry” only refers to a preacher or an evangelist. The fact is that the Greek word diakonia is used 16 times in the New Testament and most of the uses are to a personal ministry (see Acts 12:25; Colossians 4:17; etc.). When Jesus portrays fruitful ministries in God's sight, he refers to hungry, cold, thirsty, imprisoned people, and the emphasis is on meeting those needs.

We continue to learn about people in need, and we consistently talk at every service about needs that individuals can meet. We constantly mention people who are terminally ill, mentally challenged, lonely, disabled, chronically ill, abandoned, abused, economically disadvantaged, in nursing homes, in prisons, needing transportation, grieving, needing food, needing medical treatment, needing coats, needing clothes, needing help with snow or lawn or downed trees, wanting to be read to, wanting to go to a Christian camp, needing repair of clothes or cars or house items, etc. Many of these can be done by phone.

We have many members of this congregation who have ministries that do not get advertised a lot, but are vitally important and which meet some of these needs.

Just last Sunday Lana Fox showed us a personal concern about congregations in the area getting to know one another and put their efforts and energies together to glorify God. It was good to talk with brethren in Buchanan, Niles, and Mishawaka. Some common problems are being addressed, and hopefully some motivation to increase our awareness of what other brothers and sisters in Christ are doing. Think and pray about your own ministry, and if you do not have one — start one.

— John Clayton


Our sign by the street!

Our sign on the street says, FORGIVE US OUR SINS, AS WE FORGIVEN THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST US, from Matthew 6:12 in the New Living Translation.

Sign saying from Matthew 6:12 NLT