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Bulletin cover

April 15, 2018

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

SENIORS TUESDAY: Remember that on April 17th, this coming Tuesday, we will have our senior devo at Claytons’ at 7:00. Everyone is welcome to these area wide meetings. We also have an area wide monthly senior bulletin that is produced by this congregation. If you would like to be on the mailing list for either the printed or electronic version of this bulletin see Karl Marcussen or John Clayton.

THANKS to Karl and Julie Marcussen for going to the trouble of maintaining a sheet that tells us who needs our prayers and who we need to call or visit. Be sure you get it every Sunday and then use it.

DATES TO PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR

  • April 21 — Ladies' class at 10:00 AM
  • May 6 — Potluck and our worship service at Timbers
  • May 13 — Mother's Day
  • May 26 – 27 — Willie Franklin will be here at the Youth Rally, which is from 9:00 AM through 5:00 PM Saturday, and he will be at our Sunday morning class and worship. We will need workers to help with lunch and activities, and all of our young people need to be in attendance.

TODAY'S LESSON

WHY DO YOU NEED THE CHURCH

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John Clayton
INTRODUCTION
A. Most people will not be in any church service today. See THE BACK PAGE below.
B. Reasons revolve around perceived personal needs.
C. We are not a happy culture or country — Evidence.
Data from every source
D. Christians have a higher level of happiness — Data.
The Church has function and answers.
I. HUMANS HAVE A NEED FOR A “HIGHER POWER.”
A. IS THE FOCUS OF YOUR EXISTENCE “I”?
1. If so, we are either arrogant or depressed.
2. It is easy for “I” focus to get distorted — life does “I.”
B. Book of Job teaches us about our needs.
1. Job 1:1 tells us Job was perfect in outward things — “blameless and upright.
2. Job's heart not perfect Job 1:3-4 — Center is “me.”
Job 6:8 — “Why me?” What does he want?
3. Satan's challenge — “Job has not been tested.”
4. God brings Job back — Job 38:1-4
a. Job 40:4-5 — Job has a change of heart
b. Job 42:1-6 — Job has a new understanding
5. Isaiah 55:8-11 — What is your arrogance level?
C. What REALLY brings satisfaction in life?
II. HUMANS NEED TO FEEL SAFE, LOVED, CARED FOR.
A. Ephesians 4:1-3 — Our vocation — peace, love, etc.
1. Ministry kills arrogance
B. The man in 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 and 2 Corinthians 2:6-8
C. Philippians 1:3-11 — “I have you in my heart … .”
Not “in my chapel,” or my pew, or in my directory
D. Church hung up on “issues” dies.
III. CAN YOU REALLY BELIEVE YOU DO NOT NEED GOD?
A. Do you really think you are number 1?
B. Do you really think you do not need love, support, purpose, direction?
....Read 2 Peter 2:9-14.


THE BACK PAGE

TALKING ABOUT NEEDS

Our sermon lesson today is about our need for the church. What did you see on your way to worship today? How many vehicles towing boats were on your road in? How many yard sales did you see? How many people were on the golf course? How many people are watching a movie at the local theater? How many people just slept in and will not make an appearance until this afternoon?

If you were to ask these folks why they did not go to church this morning, what would they say? Some of the responses I have heard are these: (1) I do not need to go to church to be a good person. (2) Church is boring. (3) I do not need that crutch — I can do fine on my own. (4) I do not believe that stuff. (5) I have better things to do with my time on my day off.

Every modern survey has shown that 40% of all Americans say “none” when asked what church they attend. Let us look at these five reasons briefly:

  1. Of course not, but you will never be as good as you could be. Psychologists tell us reminders are critical to consistent application.
  2. Get involved. Read your Bible. Boredom is when you are a spectator. Take notes. Get involved in learning. If the preacher is boring everyone, get rid of him or give him help in picking topics.
  3. We all have crutches. It may be TV, Dr. Phil, Oprah, or your friend or neighbor. What is reliable? Who do you go to when you are dying, or have a life catastrophe? The question is, What “crutch” works?
  4. Why do you not believe? Have you looked at the evidence? Let me show it to you.
  5. What do you mean by “better things”? Is refusing to help others better? Is being encouraged to live with no morals better? If selfishness is better.

Our selfish materialistic culture may say “I don't need God.” Look at where this is taking our culture. What is true of the use of drugs, sex, psychiatrist, and materialism among us? On a common sense level, we NEED God.

— John Clayton


Our sign by the street!

Spring has sprung! Will you faith bloom?

Sign saying from www.sayingsforchurchsigns.com


Scripture links/references are from BibleGateway.com.