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FAMILY NEWSNO CLASS ON THANKSGIVING EVE: Thanksgiving is on Thursday, November 23, which is unusually early, so be aware of that early date. Many of us will be out of town for the holiday period, and others will have out of town guests. For that reason we will not have our normal class on Wednesday evening, November 22nd. SENIORS: Because the third Tuesday of November is right before Thanksgiving, we are canceling our monthly senior devotional at Claytons' for November. Remember that we will be having our annual Christmas party of seniors in the area on December 12th. MARK December 1: on your calendar, to be on the float in the Dowagiac Christmas Parade. MANY OF US KNOW JOHN QUICK who has been a leader in the church in this area for many years. John fell October 31 and broke his hip. He has had surgery and is in rehab at West Woods of Niles, 1211 State Line Rd. He is not up to visitors yet, but for his brothers and sisters to remember him with a card would be a great encouragement. Every year around Veterans Day Richard Hoyt writes a memorial for those who have served in our military. TODAY'S LESSON
INTRODUCTION
A. Athens — a clone of America
I. WE WORSHIP GOD IN IGNORANCE
1. Dominated by philosophers and theologians
B. Desperately searching for meaning — Paul answers this — needed today.
2. Looking for strange gods — pluralism 3. Wanting to hear something new and entertaining A. Verse 25 — we assume what pleases us pleases God
II. WE FAIL TO UNDERSTAND GOD AS THE CREATOR
B. God is not male, sexual, racial, etc. C. God does not have needs we can meet — verse 29 A. Verse 24 — the more we know of the creation, the closer we get to the Creator —
III. WE DON’T UNDERSTAND OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD
....apod.nasa.gov; doesgodexist.today. B. Verse 26 — We are placed where we need to be — We have all we need to be happy. A. Verse 28 — Where do you think God is when you act? — You cannot hide from God —
IV. GOD WANTS US TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
....look who tried — David, Jonah, etc. B. Luke 16:15 — God knows our thoughts, our heart. C. Matthew 10:29 – 31 — How important are you to God? D. Prayer involves us — not us informing God — Verse 27 — Are we seeking God, or content ....to be ignorant? A. Verses 30 – 31 — we have no excuse for ignorance B. There will be accountability, judgment, justice C. WHAT is your God? D. WHO is your God ? E. Are you an Athenian by faith ? THE BACK PAGEIS THE CHURCH DYING IN MICHIANA?This week I learned that another congregation in the area has decided to stop having Bible study during the week and on Sunday evening. At a recent funeral service Bill Gibson looked at the attendance board and noted that the Sunday morning attendance was 82. This is a congregation that not too many years ago had 250 in attendance on a regular basis. We even heard of a congregation in a large city near to us in Michigan that is discussing selling their building and disbanding. In nearly all congregations in the area including us, there is an imbalance age wise in the membership, with more seniors in attendance than any other age group. We can sit around and argue about why this has happened; but, the more productive activity is to talk about what we can do to change the situation and act on what we decide. One direction we can go is to provide a more entertaining worship service. Many churches have moved toward the worship hour being a time of entertainment, with stand-up comics, great musical presentations, and catchy dramas acted out by those with theatric skills. Hiring a charismatic, skilled preacher can do this, and that is an option many congregations have chosen. Another route that churches can follow is to provide services to the community that allow people to secure help that they need without business connected requirements. Operating a nursing home, a day care center, a counseling service, a preschool, a medical clinic, or even a flower shop or an art studio or music shop has been done by some churches. This does put you in competition with businesses in town, and the people you attract would be pre-selected by what their needs are. Not having a Sunday night or Wednesday night class is not necessarily bad as long as deliberate steps are taken to bring Christians together to grow close, to learn, and to combine resources to meet needs. Some congregations use small groups to do this, but all of us need to ask if we are willing to let the church die where we live, or if we will get busy and help it grow. What do you think? — John Clayton Our sign by the street!
Sign saying from www.sayingsforchurchsigns.com |
