Home

Worship Services

Sermons and Classes

Location

Contacts

Bulletins

Links

Bulletin cover

December 4, 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

POTLUCK TODAY: Today is the first Sunday in December, so it is the day of our monthly potluck. Please plan to stay — whether you brought food or not. We have plenty of food and your presence is all we need to make it a great day of food and good fellowship.

WE NEED YOU: At Timbers today at 2:30 to help in our worship with the folks there. Please come!

We need help with the blankets Julie Marcussen is making and giving to people on behalf of the congregation. Please see Julie — we just need your time. We also need help in the coat give away — see Bill or Patty Gibson if you can help in this good work.

Our new classes are starting. Wednesday night we are studying the book of Galatians, and on Sunday evenings we are beginning Proverbs starting tonight. Learning God's word is important for all of us, and these are content studies that contain material that will be new to all of us. Join us as we learn and grow in our understanding of God's word for us. Read 2 Timothy 3:16 – 17.


TODAY'S LESSON

THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM

 Sound on icon

John Clayton
INTRODUCTION — Isaiah 41:8
A. How would you like for God to call you “his friend?”
B. Hebrews 11:8 – 10 — Held up as an example of faith.
C. How did Abraham get his faith? Let us see.
I. ABRAHAM — BORN IN IDOLATRY IN A SINFUL LAND
A. Right after Tower of Babel — Genesis 11:1 – 9
B. Told to leave — Genesis 12:1 – 3 — Not easy to do
C. He leaves, takes Lot, does not obey 100%.
D. God repeats his promises — Genesis 12:7 — Do we hear?
II. ABRAHAM FAILS TEST NUMBER 2 — Genesis 12:9 – 20.
A. Sarah is taken into Pharaoh's house (verse 15).
B. Abram is willing to let his wife commit adultery to save his own life.
C. Would God not have taken care of the situation?
III. ABRAHAM GETS STRONGER.
A. Rescues Lot — Genesis 14:8 – 16
B. Refuses pagan king's offer of goods — Genesis 14:21 – 23.
C. Comes to God about his heir — Genesis 15:1 – 5.
D. Still not up to stopping wife's anger — Genesis 16.
E. Covenant sealed in circumcision — Genesis 17:10 – 14.
F. Sodom and Gomorrah happens — Genesis 18 – 19.
IV. ABRAHAM FAILS ANOTHER TEST — Genesis 20:1 – 2 — AGAIN!
A. God steps in — Abimelech, a believer — Genesis 20:3 – 7.
B. Things are not always what they appear to be.
C. Genesis 20:11 – 13 — Do not rely on partial truths.
V. ALL THESE FAILINGS BROUGHT PAIN TO ABRAHAM.
A. Galatians 6:7 — Lot battle (Genesis 14)
B. Genesis 16 — trying your way — Hagar and Ishmael
C. Separation from Lot, losing the best land
VI. FINALLY THE TRIUMPH OF FAITH — Genesis 22:1 – 2
A. This makes no sense.
B. Abraham does not hesitate — verses 3 – 8 — God provides.
VII. FAILURES IN LIFE CAN PRODUCE GIGANTIC FAITH.
A. How many times have you failed?
B. What has been and is your response?

THE BACK PAGE


Brothers & Sisters,

Over the past few months, our family has been welcomed to this congregation with open arms. For those who don't know our history, when we first got married and were living in the suburbs of Washington, DC, we wanted to find a church to attend together. Due to prior experiences, we were looking for anywhere except a Church of Christ. Yet after months of searching, God led us to the Church of Christ in Warrenton, Virginia. That congregation really impacted us with their motto of “doing life together.” When we moved back to Michigan, the church search began again, but thinking that no Church of Christ in Southwest Michigan had gotten the same memo that Warrenton did, we again searched for another option. Again, God had a different plan, and here we are.

The Dowagiac Church of Christ is different. You have made this congregation all about the love of Christ, instead of being all about the rules and policies, as quite frankly many other churches are. You break the mold by keeping hypocrisy away, and instead choosing to build each other up in God's image. The members here genuinely care about each other with an agape love that extends far beyond the church pew. This past week when Benjamin fractured his leg, we received a loud and clear reminder that this church is where we belong. The card, the bulletin with a note from John, and the gifts from Karl and Julie were so meaningful because it all reaffirmed God's plan for us to be a part of a church family who cares so deeply. Please know that the things you're doing for each other and within the community are making a lasting impact. Thank you for being a conduit for Christ and strong examples for all three of us.

With love,
Shane, Mandy, and Benjamin Wallace


Our sign by the street!

Our sign on the street says, A HUG--THE IDEAL GIFT--ONE SIZE FITS ALL.

Sign saying from www.sayingsforchurchsigns.com