Luke 2.41-52

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on Luke 2.41-52. In this passage we see the only example of the young Jesus in all the gospels. Here he goes with his parents to the Temple at the festival of the Passover. This annual pilgrimage was when he was 12 years of age. Jesus had been memorizing from the Torah and ended up staying behind and engaging with the rabbis that were at the temple. His parents had to return to Jerusalem to find him there. After asking where he had been ----- for they were surely nervous when they did not find him in the caravan ----- he said: "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" (Luke 2.49) It then says that Jesus went back home with his parents and was obedient to them. During these growing up years it says that "Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor." (Luke 2.52)

What we will be focusing on this coming Sunday is how Jesus grew in holy habits. Habits of scripture reading, engaging in the Word of God, obedience, wisdom, and worship. As we come to the beginning of 2013 we would like to be intentional in giving each of us an opportunity to make commitments to the Lord in our holy habits. We would look to Jesus, who is our example and guide, so that he can show us what it means to be one dedicated to the Lord. I would encourage all of you to be in prayer, considering the commitments that the Lord is laying on your hearts ------ and then come and make that commitment before the Lord this coming Sunday.

The Gospel of Luke

For the months of December 2012 through March 2013 we will be focusing on the Gospel of Luke. In Luke we find an account of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When Luke writes this gospel he confesses that there were others who had written an account of the life of Jesus. What he wants to do is write an account of the life of Jesus in dedication to a man named most excellent Theophilus (Luke 1.3). Luke then says he wants to write this for Theophilus "so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed" (Luke 1.4).

Many of us have had instruction in the ways of Christ ----- what we want to do during our time in the Gospel of Luke, is to learn more about this Jesus ---- "so that you may know the truth."

We would like to invite you to come and learn the truth concerning Jesus Christ. Not the assumptions that people make of the God-man ---- instead may we know the truth ----- and the truth will set us free. This teaching series will be during our 8:45am & 11am services at Warren's Grove (www.warrensgroveumc.org). All are invited!

Below you will find a listing of what passage we will be focusing on each Sunday:
December 2nd, 2012: Luke 21.25-36
December 9th, 2012: Luke 3.1-6
December 16th, 2012: Luke 3.7-18
December 23rd, 2012: Luke 1.39-55
December 24th, 2012: Luke 2.1-20
December 30th, 2012: Luke 2.41-52
January 6th, 2013: Matthew 2.1-12 (Epiphany Sunday)
January 13th, 2013: Luke 3.15-22
January 20th, 2013: Luke 4.14-21
January 27th, 2013: Luke 4.21-30
February 3rd, 2013: Luke 5.1-11
February 10th, 2013: Luke 6.17-26
February 13th, 2013: Luke 12.22-34
February 17th, 2013: Luke 4.1-13
February 24th, 2013: Luke 13.22-35
March, 3rd, 2013: Luke 13.1-9
March 10th, 2013: Luke 15.11-22
March 17th, 2013: Luke 20.9-19
March 24th, 2013: Luke 19.29-40
March 31st, 2013: Luke 24.1-12

Flash Mob

Luke 1.39-55

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on Luke 1.39-55. In this passage we have Mary going with haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth. In this encounter, the child in Elizabeth's womb leaps and causes Elizabeth to prophecy that Mary is pregnant with the Lord. And then Mary goes on to sing a song of revolution ------ where God will come and make things right with the world.

What a strange and beautiful passage. God's great plan is wrapped up in a teen-age girl hastily traversing the Judean hill country ----- God's great plan is wrapped up in the child leaping in the womb which causes his mother to pronounce that "the mother of my Lord comes to me" ------ God's great plan is wrapped up in a song that sends the rich away empty and fills the hungry with good things. This is God's plan.

Mary teaches us that when God shows up things change ----- social systems change ----- hierarchy changes ----- status changes ------ reality changes. We journey hastily with Mary, looking expectantly for our Lord and God to come, and make things right. Come Lord Jesus! Come!

Luke 3.7-18

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on Luke 3.7-18. In this passage we hear John the Baptist proclaiming to the people that they are to repent and flee from the wrath to come. He even says that they are like snakes that flee from the fire! But in the midst of all of those dire warnings John the Baptist says: "Bear fruits worthy of repentance" (v8). All of this is good news (v18). It is good news because repentance is a gift that the Lord gives us. Just think if we could not repent. We would wallow in our sin ----- never having a way to turn away from the evil that ensnares us.

John outlines some ways that the people are to bear fruit. He told the congregation that had gathered at the river's edge to give of what they have [coats and food (v11)], collect only the share that is owed to them (v13), to be satisfied with what they have, and to not extort (v14). The question for us is what fruit do we need to bear that is worthy of repentance? Repentance is truly an action on our part ----- a turning away from sin ----- therefore, bearing fruit should be a natural repercussion to the life of faith. Are you bearing fruit that is worthy of the great gift of repentance that the Lord has given you?

"Oh Great God Give Us Rest"

Beginning of Advent

The Gospel of Luke

December - a month that oftentimes causes our blood pressure to go up. During this December we pray that "God will give you rest." We would like to invite you to come and worship with us and learn more about the rest that is found in Jesus Christ. We will be focusing on the Gospel of Luke during this time --- below you will find a schedule of our services. Nursery is provided, along with a warm and passionate atmosphere where God will meet you as you are. Sunday morning worship is at 8.45am & 11am. We have a place for you!

Sunday, December 2nd @ 8:45am & 11am: "Oh Great God, Give Us Rest" - Luke 21.25-36
Sunday, December 9th @ 8.45am & 11am: Youth Sunday - Our youth will be leading the service - Luke 3.1-6
Sunday, December 16th @ 8.45am & 11am: "Take This Song, From a Crooked Heart" - Luke 3.7-18
Sunday, December 23rd @ 8.45am & 11am: "Open Up Heaven's Glory Light" - Luke 1.39-55
Monday, December 24th @ 7:30pm & 11:30pm: Communion & Candlelight Service - Luke 2.1-20

Hebrews 13.1-16

“The peculiar grace of a Shaker chair is due to the fact that it was made by someone capable of believing that an angel might come and sit on it.” (written by Thomas Merton) Notice here in v2: “for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

Hebrews 12.18-29

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on Hebrews 12.18-29. In this passage the writer lays out for us two different mountains. There is Mount Sinai, where the people [and animals] were not able to touch the mount for fear of God. And there is Mount Zion, that is the heavenly Jerusalem. A place of festal gathering that is inhabited by angels, by the first born, the Judge of all, spirits of the righteous, and by Jesus.

This Jesus is the one who is our mediator of the new covenant [v24]. And he speaks to us a better word then a word of vengeance. As Christians we are called to participate with this new Jerusalem by worshiping the Lord. But, in verses 25-29 we come to understand that there are those who have turned away from this new covenant [v25]. They refuse this Jesus who is speaking. They reject the one who warns from heaven [v25]. Whatever is left to shake will be shaken and our God is an all-consuming fire [v29].

This is a dire warning from the preacher to those who have become lethargic in their faith ----- who have become disinterested. The preacher is reminding them that there are cosmic consequences in what we do when we gather together. That we are worshiping the very creator of all that is seen and unseen ------ and in that worship we are living into the reality of the New Jerusalem. How can we refuse this calling? How can we reject this Jesus who is speaking to us? If we do there are cosmic consequences for us ------ as we reject our first love. Therefore, let us persevere in the faith.

Operation Christmas Child Promo

Operation Christmas Child 2012

This coming Sunday, November 18th at 4pm we will be having our annual Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box Packing event. Below you will find a list of all the things you will need to bring to this event.  Bring all of the things you need to pack a shoe box, along with a shoe box ----- and then we will be packing them. This will be on Sunday, November 18th at 4pm in our fellowship hall. If you have any questions you can see Ashley Ayscue.

Hebrews 12.1-4 - All Saints Day

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on Hebrews 12.1-4.  This passage gives us that famous verse that says: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us."  In the previous chapter we see numerous examples of the saints of God that have gone before us.  These saints that exemplified the faith of God.  And now we are surrounded by these witnesses to the faith ------ therefore we are to lay aside the lethargy, the laziness, and the sin ------ and run the race that is before us.  We are being cheered on by those who have gone before us ------ saying that we can do this.  And we can do this because Christ has made a way where there seemed to be no way.  Continuing on to verse 3 it says: "Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart."  When we think of what Jesus endured on our behalf ----- this should enliven us to persevere in the race that is laid before us.  To not turn back to our sinful ways ----- but instead to persevere until the very end. 

Traditionally on this Sunday, we recognize those saints who have gone before us.  This Sunday we are going  to continue to do that, but also give everyone an opportunity to share about a saint of God that impacted their lives.  I would like to invite you to prayerfully consider sharing during our Sunday morning All Saints Day services.  You might want to read something that has impacted you, share a song, display an art piece, or tell a story.  Please consider doing that as we share the lives of those saints of God who have impacted our lives. 

Hebrews 11.1-19

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on Hebrews 11.1-19.  This has one of the most famous passages from Hebrews in it.  It is verse 1: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."  This sets up the rest of the 18 verses.  Over and over again we hear the words "by faith".  We see "by faith" in vv 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 17.  And in the midst of this pericope we then hear of a longing for a heavenly city.  In v16 it says: "But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one."  The question that comes to me from this verse is whether we desire that better country? that heavenly one? 

In Burlap to Cashmere's song titled "The Other Country" they sing:
Draw near the lamb's awaiting
Where the river runs thru the sky's align
From that painting of a ship
We have all been chosen
To the painter's creation
In his dream design
I can feel it over the line
I see the other country
I see the other side
Do not be afraid of this earthly city
Do not be afraid when the pharaoh's nigh 

In the midst of the stressful and divisive political season let us remember that we do not need to be afraid of the pharaohs that are trying to divide us and strike fear into us.  Our hope is in something greater than the republican party or the democratic party.  Our hope is found in something that is bigger than the political juggernaut that is trying to destroy everything in its path.  Instead, we as the church see something different.  We see with eyes of faith another city ----- a heavenly city ------ a better country.  For the slain lamb of God has called us to his side.  And uses people like us to make things new.  

WikiWorship - Sunday, September 30th @ 5.30pm

Sunday, September 23rd @ 5.30pm

The question that we will be diving into for this coming Sunday is this: "Does God plan every move you make?"  In this question we dealing with freewill and providence.  This will be held in the Warren's Grove fellowship hall on Sunday, September 23rd at 5.30pm.  There will be child care provided and a meal after the service.  If you have any questions feel free to contact us at 336.592.3400 or at pchryst@nccumc.org

WikiWorship Video

Kick-off for WikiWorship

We would like to invite you to our Sunday Evening Service that is called Common Table.  This will be on Sunday nights at 5:30pm in our fellowship hall at Warren's Grove.  We have gone out into the community and gathered questions that real people are asking.  During the worship service we will then answer those questions.  This is called WikiWorship.  This is based on the infamous Wikipedia ------ where anyone can edit the content of Wikipedia.  Here, you will be able to edit the content of the worship service with your questions.  This is a safe environment for us to be able to look deeply into the questions that have plagued humanity for thousands of years. 

The kick-off will be Sunday, September 23rd at 5:30pm in our fellowship hall.  It will then continue September 30th; October 7th & 14th.  

There will be child care provided during each worship service.  Also, there will be a meal provided after the worship service as well.  Feel free to keep up with this blog, and you can look further into the questions that come about weekly. 

If you have any further questions feel free to contact us at: pchryst@nccumc.org  or feel free to call us at 336.592.3400.

You're invited to fun and Hot Dogs!

You and your family are invited to come on out to Huck Sansbury Park this coming Sunday, September 16th at 5:30pm.  We are going to have hot dogs and lots of great fun hanging out at the park.  Feel free to invite anyone who would like to come.

We will also be collecting questions for our upcoming WikiWorship services.  What we do is we gather questions that real people have about God, about the church, and about life.  This can be a question that they have never had the chance to ask, a question that they have never had the guts to ask, or a question that they have never gotten an adequate answer on.  We then will be answering these questions during our Sunday evening worship service starting Sunday, September 23rd at 5:30pm.  This will go on for four weeks.

In the mean time, if you would like to send us a question we are beginning to receive those now.  You can send them to my email address at pchryst@nccumc.org or you can post them at the end of this blog entry.  Thank you so much for your help.

Hebrews 3.1-6

This week we will be focusing on Hebrews 3.1-6.  Like you know we are focusing on the book of Hebrews during September, October, and November.  You can find out more information about that by following this link.  In Hebrews 3.1-6 we learn that Jesus is the great builder ----- and that we are God's house.  The writer says in v6: "Christ, however, was faithful over God's house as a son, and we are his house."  This is the congregation he is writing to, the faithful witnesses through the thousands of years, but also us ----- the church.  Jesus was faithful to build us ----- but now there has to be a response from us ----- now we are to be faithful to him.  At the end of v6 the writer says: "if we hold firm the confidence and the pride that belong to hope."  This means that we have to hold firm to Christ Jesus ----- that we are to "pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it" [2.1] ------ that we are to hold fast to what "God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son" [1.1-2].  We are called to persevere till the very end ----- holding fast to the author and finisher of our faith. 

In this we learn the severe need that the world has for the church.  But also, the severe need the church has to be filled with God's grace so that we can truly be the church.  This church is the community that Christ offered up himself to die for.  This church is the community that God sent his Son to redeem so that it can participate in the reconciliation of all things to God.  This church is God's house.  But also, this church is in dire need to live into this commissioning.  We can see that the church being the church is of vital importance to God.  For the church is to be that "place" where Christ makes all things new.  Where the Holy Spirit will change the hearts and minds of people by bringing us through the death waters and giving us the mind of Christ.  My brothers and sisters ------ let us be the church that is God's house in the earth!

Jesus, Our Great High Priest

During the months of September, October, & November we will be doing an in depth study into the book of Hebrews.  This will be during our 8.45am & 11am worship services.

The more that I study the book of Hebrews the more I realize I do not know as much about this book as I thought.  It has some beautiful passages that I remember memorizing as a child.  Passages like Hebrews 4.12: "Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."  But then it has areas of the book that I don't understand ----- like how the word cross is only used one time in the entire book ----- even though it is filled with imagery of sacrifice.

As we have been studying this book we have learned that a large portion of this book is a sermon.  Or maybe a better way to describe it is as a sermon of sermons.  The preacher uses the Old Testament to preach these sermons.  We learned through our studying that we need to have a better grasp of the book of Leviticus in order to better understand Hebrews.  Below you will find a reading guide that will help you study Leviticus and Hebrews side-by-side ------ week after week.

Finally, what we will find throughout the book of Hebrews is an urgent call by a pastor to a congregation to not give up!  To persevere in the faith.  Thomas G. Long describes Hebrews this way: "The preacher is not preaching into a vacuum; he is addressing a real and urgent pastoral problem, one that seems astonishingly contemporary.  His congregation is exhausted.  They are tired----tired of serving the world, tired of worship, tired of Christian education, tired of being peculiar and whispered about in society, tired of spiritual struggle, tired of trying to keep their prayer life going, tired even of Jesus ....... Tired of walking the walk, many of them are considering taking a walk, leaving the community and falling away from the faith."  In the midst of this lethargy and ambiguity toward church ----- the preacher does something interesting.  Long continues by writing: "The Preacher does not appeal to improved group dynamics, conflict management techniques, reorganization of the mission structures, or snappy worship services.  Rather, he preaches----preaches to the congregation in complex theological terms about the nature and meaning of Jesus Christ."

We would like to invite you to dive in deeply into the book of Hebrews.  Let us learn together how Jesus is our Great High Priest.

• Sept. 2^nd : Sermon based on Hebrews 1
  • Read: Hebrews 1 & Leviticus 1-3
  • See also: Heb:10:4-9 & 5:10; Ps. 2:7; 2 Sam. 7:14; Deut. 32:43; Ps. 104:4; Ps. 45:6-7; Ps. 102:25-27; Ps.110:1.
• Sept. 9^th: Sermon based on Hebrews 2
  • Read: Hebrews 2 & Leviticus 4-5
  • See also: Ps. 8:4-6, 22:22; Isa. 8:17-18
• Sept. 16^th: Sermon based on Hebrews 3:1-6
  • Read: Hebrews 3 & Leviticus 6-7
  • See also: Heb. 9:11-16; Num. 12; Lev. 8; Ps. 95:7-11; Jer. 17:5; Num. 14:1-4, 34, 41.
• Sept. 23^rd: Sermon based on Hebrews 4:12-16
  • Read: Hebrews 4 & Leviticus 8-9
  • See also: Lev.4:1-12; Num.13:30-14:10; Ps.95:7-10; Gen. 2:2; Ex. 28:1; Ps. 2:7, 110;
• Sept. 30^th: Sermon based on Hebrews 5:1-10
  • Read: Hebrews 5 & Leviticus 10-11
  • See also: Gen. 22:16-18; Ex. 26:31-35; Lev. 16:2
• Oct. 7^th: Sermon based on Hebrews 7
  • Read: Hebrews 6-7 & Leviticus 12-14
  • See also: Lev. 7:22-38,; Ps. 110:4; Gen. 14; Num. 18:21-24; Deut. 26:12; 1 Chron. 2:3-15; Matt. 1:1-17.
• Oct. 14^th: Sermon based on Hebrews 9:11-28
  • Read: Hebrews 8-9 & Leviticus 15-16
  • See also: Read Heb. 9 and Lev. 16 together carefully. Ps.110; Lev. 5:11-13, 4:1-12, 9; Jer. 31:31-34; Ex. 16:32-34, 24:3-8, 25-26, 30:6; Lev. 24:5; Num. 17:1-10, 19:1-10; Isa. 53:12.

• Oct. 21^st: Sermon based on Hebrews 10:11-25
  • Read: Hebrews 10 & Leviticus 16-17
  • See also: Ps. 40:6-8, 50:8-15, 110; Lev. 4; 1 Sam. 15:22; Isa. 1:10-17, 26:20; Jer. 7:21-26, 31:33-34; Hos. 6:6; Deut. 17:2-6, 32:35-36; Hab. 2:3-4.
• Oct. 28^th: Sermon based on Hebrews 11:1-19
  • Read: Hebrews 11 & Leviticus 18-19
  • See also: Ps. 33:6, 89:52; Gen. 4:3-10, 5:21-24, 6:13-22, 15:5-6, 12:1-8, 17:19, 18:11-14, 21:2-12, 22:1-17, 27:27-40, 32:12, 47:31-50:25, Ex. 2:2-15, 12:21-30,13:9, 14:21-30; Jos. 2:1-21, 6:12-25; Judg. 4-8, 11-12, 13-16; Dan. 3 & 6; 1 Kings 17:17-24, 2 Kings 4:25-37; 2 Chron. 24:20-22; Jer. 26:23.
• Nov. 4^th: Sermon based on Hebrews 12:1-4
  • Read: Hebrews 12 & Leviticus 20-21
  • See also: Ps.110;
• Nov. 11^th: Sermon based on Hebrews 12:5-17
  • Read: Leviticus 22-23
  • See also: Prov. 3:11-12; Num. 16:22; Rev. 22:6; Isa. 35:3; Deut. 29:18; Gen. 25:29-34, 27:30-40.
• Nov. 18^th: Sermon based on Hebrews 12:18-29
  • Read: Leviticus 24-25
  • See also: Deut. 4:11-24, 5:22-27; 9:3-19; Gen. 4:1-10; Ex. 19:12-22, 20:18-21; Hag. 2:6.
• Nov. 25^th: Sermon based on Hebrews 13
  • Read: Hebrews 13 & Leviticus 26-27
  • See also: Lev. 4:3-12, 7:12, 16:27; Gen 18:1-8, 19:1; Jos. 1:5; Ps. 50:14-23, 118:6; Hos. 14:2; Isa. 63:11; Jn. 19:20

Invitation

1 Kings 8.1-43

This Sunday we will be focusing on 1 Kings 8.1-43.  This is the end of our sermon series on the life of David.  We began this series at the beginning of June and now we are ending it at the end of August.  During this time we have looked over the life of King David.  We have learned what it means to be "a man after God's own heart" [1 Samuel 13.14].  We have learned that David is a character that had awesome faith and trust in the Lord to guide him through great adversity.  But, we also find David to be a man that struggled with a personal hell that he brought upon himself, by trying to get what he wanted.  This was opposed to what God wanted for him. 

Today's passage from 1 Kings 8 is the culmination of David's life work.  This culmination is found in his son Solomon and what he was able to achieve.  If you recall, David desired to build a temple for the Lord to dwell in.  God did not want David to build that temple because he had been a man of war.  Instead, the Lord had Solomon build the temple.  In this passage we see the Lord as the actor in the thick cloud that filled the house of the Lord [1 Kings 8.11].  Solomon responds to God's actions by interpreting to the people what is going on and then blessing the Temple.  In this response he reminds the people of Israel that this started with his father David and now this throne of David would continue. 

One verse that really stuck out to me was v23 where Solomon prays: "O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart."  What does it mean to walk before the Lord with all our hearts?  This seems like it is an acknowledgement that we are relying and trusting on the Lord to be our source and our hope.  If we are to trust in the Lord and surrender to him all of our heart ----- what happens when we do not do that?  In this passage from 1 Kings 8 we get an opportunity to learn how to repent and to trust in God's wonderful grace.  Continue reading vv46-50 and you will get a better sense of this repentance and forgiveness. 

1 Kings 2.10-3.14

We come to the end of King David's life. In reflection on his life we see great peaks and valleys.  In the midst of all of these peaks and valleys we have to cling to the fact that David was a man after God's own heart.  In his death we remember this great shepherd boy who rises to power through God's wonderful grace.  He was anointed now to be the shepherd of Israel.  A shepherd who would care for God's people.  Now we see that Solomon has gained the seat of power.  Solomon ----- the son of David and Bathsheba securely seals his kingship.  And this security involves a great deal of death and pain. 

In the midst of Solomon's rise to power God meets Solomon in a dream.  In 1 Kings 3.5 it says: "At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night."  The Lord asks Solomon what his desire is.  And Solomon answers rightly.  He asks for an understanding mind ----- so that he can rightly govern the people of Israel.  After making his request known it says in v10: "It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this."  What greater words can be written about any of us ----- then to please the Lord.  Therefore, the gift is given to Solomon ----- but we must remember that a gift must be opened and used.  This gift has a condition attached to it ----- that Solomon must live into being a king that has an understanding mind. 

Have we pleased the Lord?  Have we pleased the Lord by using the gifts that God has given to us? 

This is our story.......

This coming Sunday, August 12th at 5:30pm we will be starting a four-week study on "This is our story..."  In this study you will be given the opportunity to grow in your understanding of the story of Christianity.  This study will be an exploration of scripture, along with a focus on hospitality and invitation as the retelling of the story of Christianity.  Finally, we will end with learning how we can then tell the story ourselves. 

This will be held in our fellowship hall and it will be part of our Sunday evening worship service called Common Table.  Please plan to stay for dinner as well.  This Sunday, August 12th Amy Henderson will be cooking.  If you have any questions you are welcome to contact Pastor Philip Chryst at 336.592.3400.

Mitchell Town Methodist Church - Mitchell Town Jamaica

In 2011 Warren's Grove sent out a letter to the people of Mitchell Town Methodist Church in Jamaica.  We sent this letter in hopes to form a covenant with the people of Mitchell Town.  They accepted our covenant offer and we have been linked together in covenant with the congregation of Mitchell Town ever since.  We have covenanted to pray for one another.  To intentionally lift each other up in prayer on a regular basis.  We have also covenanted to send a mission work team, once a year, to go and help rebuild their church building.  The building has been devastated by hurricanes over the many years.  We have also been in covenant to take a collection of school supplies for the local children of Mitchell Town.  The elementary school in Mitchell Town is run by this church.  This has been a beautiful friendship and relationship.  In 2012 we sent our second mission work team to Mitchell Town.  We are proud to form this partnership and to be in ministry with the congregation that serves our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Jamaica.  Please be in prayer for the people of Mitchell Town and their pastor Rev. Janis Jack-Watson. 

2 Samuel 6.1-19

This Sunday we will be focusing on 2 Samuel 6.1-19.  In this passage we see how David takes the Ark of the Covenant to the new capitol city of Jerusalem.  The ark had been laying low for quite some time.  It actually had been laying low ever since it showed up in 1 Samuel 7.  In this passage the ark is brought by a pair of cows to the city of Kiriath-jearim ------ specifically the home of Abinadab.  Here in 2 Samuel David is parading the ark to Jerusalem.  But, on the way there is a problem.  The ark was touched by a man named Uzzah and God struck him dead (2 Samuel 6.6-7).  This caused fear and horror to come on David and he left the ark ----- so David left the ark at a man's house named Obed-edom the Gittite.  After three months David changed his mind and brought the ark to Jerusalem.  On the way David dances.  He dances up a storm.  He dances so hard in his linen ephod that his wife describes him as "uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants' maids, as any vulgar fellow might shamelessly uncover himself!" (2 Samuel 6.20).  There was some twirling and some twisting, and it became quite a scene. 

Something that sticks out to me in this passage is how David goes from being fearful (v9), to dancing (v14).  And this isn't just dancing by going from foot-to-foot.  Instead this is dancing with all of his might.  One of those dances where you are almost embarrassed for the person because they are exerting so much effort.  What is the change?  How does David come to this place?   

Vacation Bible School 2012

We would like to invite all of the children of Person County and the surrounding areas to Adventures on Promise Island.  This will be held at Warren's Grove on July 8th-12th from 5:30pm-8:30pm.  Come on out for a great time to learn about God's great promises that we find in Jesus Christ.  We will have Bible stories, skits, crafts, snacks, recreation, and music.  Each night we will also have a meal right at 5:30pm. 

Lastly, invite your friends and family to the commencement program that will be on Sunday, July 15th at our 11am worship service.  This is a time for us to discover God's life-saving love.

We will be taking up canned foods for the Christian Help Center this year.  You will receive more information about this on the first night of Vacation Bible School. 

2 Samuel 5.1-10

This Sunday we will be focusing on 2 Samuel 5.1-10. In this passage we see the culmination of David's rise to power. Previously, David had been made King of Judah ----- but not of all of Israel. Instead, there was one of Saul's sons that had been made King of the other tribes. That son was Ishbaal. Ishbaal had been assassinated by some of the captains of his raiding bands [2 Samuel 4]. So, now the 11 other tribes had no king ----- so they came and gave into David's rule. This was done with a great deal of humility where the elders made a covenant with David and anointed David King over Israel [2 Samuel 5.3]. Interestingly, David's first act as the newly anointed King was to take Jerusalem from the Jebusites and make Jerusalem the center of power for the Kingdom of Israel. This move was of huge significance for David and all of Israel. For Jerusalem was not a city that was occupied by any tribe of Israel. By David taking a city that was not in any particular tribes political grip he was making a statement about how he would rule. His rule would not be to favor a particular tribe or family ----- but instead it was to be King for all of Israel.

In considering the significance of Jerusalem at the time of David ----- I was thinking about how significant that city has been on the world stage since that time. Jerusalem has become the place that is the focus of tension for Jewish people and Muslims. But it has also seen tension from Christians with the Crusades. It was also the scene of tension as Jesus paraded into the city on a donkey ----- and a few days later he was crucified on a Roman cross. The shepherd boy David had the city of David for him to shepherd the people of Israel [2 Samuel 5.2]. Jesus now promises us the new Jerusalem that will come down out of heaven from God. The light of this city is the very Lamb of God [Revelation 21.23]. Those will enter into the gates whose names are written in the lamb's book of life [21.27] And Christ says from his throne: "See, I am making all things new" [21.5]. Let us go up to Jerusalem ---- the city of David ----- the very place where victory was claimed by dying on a Roman cross.

2 Samuel 1.1-27

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on 2 Samuel 1.1-27. In this passage David gets word that King Saul had been killed in battle. This word comes to him from an Amalekite who is the son of a resident alien of Israel (v13). Come to find out this Amalekite claims to be the one who killed King Saul because he had been mortally wounded in battle and convulsions had seized him (v9). David ends up calling for the Amalekite's life because he had taken the life of King Saul. What is perplexing is the fact that Saul had been seeking to kill David ---- yet David avenges the King's life. After fasting and mourning for King Saul, David then issues a command to teach "The Song of the Bow" to all of Judah (v18).

In this song David says three times: "How the mighty have fallen!" (vv19,25,27). The mighty that David is singing about are Saul and Jonathan. In reflection on this phrase I cannot deny that I have seen the mighty fall. I have seen the mighty of politics, religion, Hollywood, business, sports stars, and the like ------ fall! Over and over in the media we see the mighty fall. Some have fallen ----- and have never risen from the devastation. Some have fallen ------ and have grown in success and respect. What are the differences in these "mighty" that have fallen? What causes the "mighty" to fall?

N.T. Wright Singing Bob Dylan

Video about Superintendency

Reclaiming the Method in Methodism from NCCUMC.org on Vimeo.

Annual Conference 2012

We are here at Annual Conference 2012. We are meeting at the Raleigh Convention Center. This year we are expecting some really exciting things for us as Warren's Grove. On Friday at 2pm our own Ms. Virginia Wrenn will be receiving a tremendous recognition. She is being given the 2012 Saints of God Award for Outstanding Christian Stewardship and Service. Like you all know ----- we are blessed to be in ministry with Ms. Virginia Wrenn and I would like to encourage all of you to congratulate Ms. Virginia for this award.
Also, on Saturday at 9:30am there will be the Ordination Ceremony for Pastor Philip Chryst. This has been a long process for me that started 8 years ago. If any of you are interested in attending this service please plan on being at the Raleigh Convention Center by 8:45am for a seat. Follow this link to find out about parking. Follow this link to find a map of downtown Raleigh and how to find the Raleigh Convention Center.
I am planning on blogging throughout the Annual Conference. Please check back and I will write about some of the pastors that I run into that have served at Warren's Grove.
Lastly, you can see a live feed of Annual Conference by clicking this link. Post any questions you might have.

1 Samuel 15.34 - 16.13

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on 1 Samuel 15.34 - 16.13. In this passage we see how the Lord chooses David to be the new king of Israel. The Lord tells the prophet Samuel in 16.1: "Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons." As we read further the Lord tells Samuel not to look on the outward appearance when choosing a new King. After seeing all of the sons that Jesse parades before Samuel ----- Samuel asks if there are any others ----- and there is! ----- the one who is tending the sheep. When the young shepherd boy comes in the Lord says to Samuel in v12: "Rise and anoint him; for this is the one." The one who is with the sheep and is a ruddy young boy is the one! How mysterious and magnificent. King David emerges as the one.

The Lord says in v7: "for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." The interesting thing is that we too often look at the outward ----- without ever taking into regard the heart motivations and inclinations. When the Lord looks at your heart, what does God see?

King David

During the months of June, July & August we are going to study the life and character of King David. In the book of 1 Samuel it says that David was "a man after God's own heart" [1 Samuel 13.14]. While at the same time the Lord was not too pleased the elder's desire to have the monarchy. What a mysterious beginning for this King whose life helps identify a new King in the New Testament. In the book of Matthew Jesus has people call out to him and they say: "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" [Matthew 9.27]. Obviously King David has a prominent role in all of scripture ----- so what we are going to do is study his rise to power and how he acts in that powerful position. As we journey through King David's life we will see great peaks and valleys as he lives into being a man after God's own heart. We would like to invite you to journey with us at Warren's Grove. We will be doing this study during our 8.45am & 11am worship services. If you need to know how to get to Warren's Grove please follow this link.

1 Samuel 8.4-20 & 11.14-15

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on 1 Samuel 8.4-20 & 11.14-15. In these passages we get a glimpse at why the people of Israel decided that they wanted a king. This was something that displeased the prophet/priest Samuel. For he felt that the people were turning away from the Lord as their ruler, and instead were following the path of the surrounding nations. Up until this point the people of Israel had not been ruled by a centralized government. Instead God would raise up judges to help set free the various tribes of Israel from outside forces. But, when Samuel (the last judge) begins to get older, the elders of Israel (1 Samuel 8.4-5) thought this was as good of time as any to introduce the monarchy.

Interestingly, the Lord does not seem to be quite as mad as Samuel is about introducing the monarchy. Instead, the Lord tells Samuel to "listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you" (1 Samuel 8.7). As we then turn to chapter 11 we find the king installed ----- King Saul.

As we read these verses we understand that the people rejected the Lord in their desire for the monarchy (1 Samuel 8.7). But, we have read about how King David was a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13.14). How do those two things go together? Do we know what God has in mind when it comes to the monarchy?

Ezekiel 37.1-14

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on Ezekiel 37.1-14. In this passage the prophet Ezekiel is taken out to a dire scene ----- it was a valley that was full of bones. The Spirit of the Lord then leads him all around this valley ---- stepping in between those who had been slain and killed. It was full of bones ----- and they were dry. And then the Lord asks the prophet a ridiculous question: "Can these bones live?" Ezekiel, the one-dimensional character that he is, answers: "O Lord God, you know." The Lord's imperative comes upon Ezekiel with power when he says: "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord." Ezekiel obeys the Lord's imperative and the bones are formed together ---- the sinews came ---- the flesh came ---- the skin came. Then the prophet called forth the breath to fill them, and they stood on their feet. In the midst of death ---- the Lord calls us forth to prophesy life and life more abundantly. For the Lord can even open up the graves to produce a multitude. How are you prophesying to death today?

1 John 5.1-6

This Sunday we will be focusing on 1 John 5.1-6. In v5 John says: "Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" Notice here that conquering the world has to do with believing that Jesus is the Son of God. The world is an environment of hatred (1 John 3.15) and is based on the works of the devil (1 John 3.8). To conquer this we are to believe in Jesus as the Son of God. This believing is lived out through trusting in the incarnate God. This letter of 1 John reminds us to trust in the God who humbled himself and took on the form of a servant. This trust overcomes the world because the love of God overcomes the world, and the love of God is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Are you loving God and trusting in God's grace through faith? This abandonment to the God who is worthy of our trust is the the thing that overcomes the world. This abandonment overcomes the works of the devil and the hate that tempts us to put up walls against our brothers and sisters. What are ways that you have overcome the world?

Amendment One - Let's Talk About It

On Sunday, May 6th at 5:30pm you are invited to a discussion on Amendment One. On May 8th North Carolina voters are invited to vote on Amendment One that states: "Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State." This has become an issue that is causing folks to yell and scream at each other. We are seeing the talking heads on TV getting caught up in vitriolic anger toward one another. In the midst of that I have seen folks that legitimately want to have an intelligent conversation about this subject. We are going to try to provide a platform for such a topic. But it is going to be a platform that is based on Christian love and kindness. A place where we can be safe to talk about this tough subject. As Christians we ought to be able to listen to one another and let other people complete their sentences. I want to invite you to come and be a part of putting love into action as we discuss Amendment One. This will be held in the fellowship hall at Warren's Grove United Methodist Church in Roxboro, NC. We are located at 1511 Wesleyan Road, Roxboro, NC 27573. If you need directions please call 336.592.3400.

New Welcome Video

1 John 3.16-24

This coming Sunday, during our 8:45am & 11am services we will be focusing on 1 John 3.16-24. In this passage John writes: "Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action." So often, we hear the pontification of talking heads sharing how they feel/think at any given moment. The louder you are ----- the more airtime you are given. And if you have enough money, then you get to spend an inordinate amount of time on CNN or Fox News or WRAL or WUNC. In the midst of that chatter I would like to reiterate that 1 John says. We are to love with truth and action. How we show Christ's love is by being people of the truth and by being people of action. I am so tired of hearing the flapping of jaws, instead I would love to hear the movement of God's people participating with the Holy Spirit. Are you tired of empty words and empty promises?

1 John 2.29-3.10

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on 1 John 2.29-3.10. In this passage we learn that we are called children of God. In this proclamation we learn how much the Father loves us and cares for us. As children of God we are to purify ourselves ----- just like our Father is pure. This is a call for holiness ----- for us to participate in the right things that the Lord has planned for us. This is really a call for holy living. Because then it gets a little tough for us. In chapter 3 verse 6 the author writes: "No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or know him." That gets to the nitty-gritty of the matter. Does that mean we can't say anymore that I am just a sinner? Or that Christians are just sinners that have been forgiven? Is it possible to be a child of God and also to be a sinner?

Earl Scruggs

Earl Scruggs passed away on March 28th of this year. He will be missed. Here is the song that got me hooked on him.

He is Risen!

He is risen indeed!

Resurrection?

At the end of the day ------- do we as the church really need this whole resurrection business? (check out 1 Corinthians 15.14) What do you think?

What's So "Good" About Friday?

This was an article that I wrote for The Courier=Times this weekend. I thought I would share it with you all:

A friend of mine said one time: “You can't have Easter without Good Friday.” What she meant by that was that you cannot have the resurrection of our Lord without the death of our Lord. Easter Sunday is a celebration that our God rose again on the third day. It is festive, and throngs of folks that hardly ever come to worship during the rest of the year show up on Easter Sunday.

The Sunday before Easter is traditionally called Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday is another exciting time in the Christian calendar. We wave palm branches in worship and shout “Hosanna”, which means “God save us.” There is jubilation as we usher King Jesus into Jerusalem. But, as we follow Jesus into Jerusalem — we soon learn that our God dies a tragic death.

As Christians we gather together on the Lord's Day. For the next two Sundays we celebrate Palm Sunday and then Easter. But on Friday of this coming week, our God dies.

Jesus dies at the hands of sinners. Jesus was falsely accused. Jesus was spit upon — having thorns thrust into his skull. Jesus was beaten to such an extent that he was not recognizable. Jesus was mocked. Jesus had nails puncture his hands and feet so that he could be secured to a Roman cross. Jesus was hung between two criminals. Our God hung there until he died.

Good Friday — so what's so good about it? A theologian named Stanley Hauerwas once wrote: “Here the powers of this world are forever subverted. Time is now redeemed through the raising up of Jesus on this cross. A new age has begun. The kingdom is here aborn, a new regime is inaugurated, creating a new way of life for those who worship and follow Jesus.”

The reason Good Friday is so “good” is because our Lord and God dies. Jesus dies our death. In Christ's death on the cross a new reality has begun. Jesus said: “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (John 12.32) Here the savior of the world reveals to us what life is — that it is found through death. In Jesus' death the world is recreated and that is why it is “good”.

As Christians we need to spend a considerable amount of time considering that God died. In the early church they practiced a time of pilgrimage to Jerusalem during Holy Week. On Good Friday they would walk the Via Dolorosa (Latin for the “Way of Grief” or “Way of Suffering”). This was traditionally known as the route that Jesus walked while carrying the cross to Calvary. At different stations they would pause and consider what Jesus endured on the world's behalf.

This year, pause on Friday and go and spend time at the foot of the cross. For Jesus' shed blood makes this instrument of death into an instrument of life and calls it “good”. If your particular church doesn't have a service on Good Friday then encourage your pastor to begin one. Remember, you can't have Easter without Good Friday.

Let us pray

You asked for our hands,
that you might use them for your purpose.
We gave them for a moment, then withdrew them,
for the work was hard.
You asked for our mouths
to speak out against injustice.
We gave you a whisper that we might not be accused.
You asked for our eyes
to see the pain of poverty.
We closed them, for we did not want to see.
You asked for our lives,
that you might work through us.
We gave a small part, that we might not get too involved.
Lord, forgive our calculated efforts to serve you—
only when it is convenient for us to do so,
only in those places where it is safe to do so,
and only with those who make it easy to do so.
Father, forgive us,
renew us, send us out
as a usable instrument,
that we might take seriously
the meaning of your cross. Amen.

Holy Week Services

Sunday, April 1st at 8:45am & 11am: Palm / Passion Sunday

Sunday, April 1st at 5:30pm: Common Table Service – Staci Vaughan will be sharing about her experience on Good Friday last year.

Monday, April 2nd at 7pm: Holy Monday - Foot Washing service, communion will be served.

Tuesday, April 3rd at 7pm: Holy Tuesday - Healing & Anointing service, communion will be served.

Wednesday, April 4th at 7pm: Holy Wednesday – A service of Instruction on the Lord’s Supper.

Thursday, April 5th at 7pm: Maundy Thursday - Stripping of the Altar service, communion will be served.

Friday, April 6th at 7pm: Good Friday - Stations of the Cross service, starting in the sanctuary and ending in the church yard.

Saturday, April 7th at 10am: Holy Saturday - Scripture Reading, Prayer, and Candle Lighting service.

Saturday, April 7th from 11am-2pm: Easter Egg Hunt at the church yard. Lunch will be provided. All children are invited.

Sunday, April 8th at 7am: Easter Sunrise Service – this is with our sister church, Lea's Chapel UMC. Breakfast is furnished by Lea's Chapel (directions on back).

Sunday, April 8th at 8.45am & 11am: Easter Sunday services

Sunday, April 8th at 5:30pm: Common Table Service. Held in the fellowship hall. There will be an art show with the theme of “Light”. Everyone is to bring some finger foods to share.

John 2.13-22

John 2.15 says: "Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle." This portion of scripture we will be focusing on during our Sunday morning worship services. In this passage Jesus enters into the temple and finds an atrocious sight ----- "people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables." (v14) When Jesus sees this he makes a whip and runs them out. This Jesus seems different than the tender and kind Jesus that makes all of his followers happy. Instead, this seems like a Jesus that comes at you with no warning and no conversation. Instead, this Jesus takes the corrupt things and throws them out of his Father's house (see v16). What do you think of this Jesus?

Gimp

I haven't ever had a chance to share with you all a program that I use quite often. I have found it very beneficial to proficient at a picture editing software called Gimp. (the image above I made on gimp in literally 2 minutes) You can find it for free online. Gimp can do much of the same things that Adobe Photoshop can do ----- but it doesn't cost you an arm and a leg. I have found it very beneficial for making bulletin covers, blog headers, manipulating photographs, images for websites, and manipulating VBS images for postcards. There is definitely a learning curve ----- and seminary never taught me about these sorts of things. But, I have gotten to be pretty good at it and I feel like I am pretty well versed in the software. I would encourage anyone with a artistic flare to try this out.

Common Table

I am really excited about this new venture that we are taking as a church. Common Table has been talked about and discussed ever since we started WikiWorship. If you will remember ---- the last time we had WikiWorship it was on Sunday Evenings. As a result of this great time of fellowship and growing with each other we have decided to begin Common Table. This is a regular gathering on Sunday evenings at 5:30pm in our new fellowship hall. This will be a very relaxed atmosphere, where you will be encouraged to have a cup of coffee and sit in the worship service. There will be singing, praying, scripture reading, but also lots of interaction. The first week will be very similar to WikiWorship. We will address a question. That question is: "If religion is supposed to preach open-mindedness and forgiveness, why are they the first ones to close their hearts and minds to the other religions?" This will be discussed in light of the passage from Luke 23.34 where Jesus says from the cross: "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." Come on out for this wonderful time to grow in our faith and to share fellowship with one another at the table. There will be a meal right after the service.

Ash Wednesday

This is an article that I wrote on Ash Wednesday. I hope this is helpful.

During the forty days leading up to Easter the church traditionally observes a time of penance and fasting. This time of preparation for Easter is commonly called Lent. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (which is March 9th this year) and ends on the Saturday before Easter. Ash Wednesday is a day that is set aside for us to remember that God created us out of the dust of the earth. While at the same time, it is to dust we shall return, like it says in Genesis 3.19: “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

An early church father, named Gregory of Nyssa, would take his students into the catacombs and show them the decaying bones. In Homilies on the Beatitudes, he wrote: “Have you not seen in the burial ground the mysteries of our existence? Have you not seen the heap of bones piled on each other, skulls stripped of flesh, staring fearsome and horrible from empty eye-sockets? Have you seen the grinning mouths and the rest of the limbs lying casually about? If you have seen those things, then in them you have observed yourself.” Ash Wednesday creates space for us to deal with our mortality. To stare into the eyes of death and see Jesus' passionate arms reaching for us from the cross.

What the church offers us on Ash Wednesday is not some quick fix—it is not some miracle drug—it is not some hair dying kit. Instead, what the church offers us is the opportunity to embrace our mortality. To look at the bones decaying and realize that we are dust—and to dust we shall return. We are not offering a picturesque stained glass Jesus or promises of the picture perfect family. Instead, the church is offering you what is real. That we all face our death, and that we all face our sin. God is the one who will make us clean—even in the midst of our death and sin. Let us find our hope in the one who overcame death and sin. The one we follow as we carry our crosses through this Lenten journey.

During Lent last year we celebrated Palm Sunday. During that Sunday we remember Jesus' triumphal entry where people waved palm branches and shouted Hosanna! For Ash Wednesday we take those same palm branches and burn them—saving the ashes that are left. Then we apply them to our foreheads—reminding ourselves of the sins that so easily ensnare us. How we participate in celebrating Jesus, while turning our backs on him when the going gets too tough. This is our calling to repent of our sins and embrace our crucified savior and Lord.

I would encourage you to attend an Ash Wednesday service this year. For it is an opportunity for us to remember that we are dust and to dust we shall return. While at the same time it helps us to remember that our hope and power come only from Jesus' victory over sin and death.

Building the Warren's Grove Sanctuary

Some Shots Inside and Out

Athanasius - John 12

This is a quote from Athanasius concerning John 12: “For it is only on the cross that a man dies with his hands spread out. And so it was fitting for the Lord to bear this also and to spread out his hands, that with the one he might draw the ancient people and with the other those from the Gentiles and unite both in himself. For this is what he himself has said, signifying by what manner of death he was to ransom all: 'I, when I am lifted up,' he says, 'shall draw all unto me.'”

John 3.14-21

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on the Mission of the Church. As United Methodists our mission is this: "The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." Here we can see that what we are about as the church is discipleship. We are to be disciples that make disciples. This changes things ----- and not just a few things, but the entire cosmos. For we are to live into the prayer "on earth as it is in heaven." Our scripture that we will be focusing on is John 3.14-21. Here we see the nature of God. That God is a God of love ---- that loves the world. God loved the world so much that he sent his Son to redeem creation. Hence, Jesus is a missionary God, who came to reveal God's love to us. Have you ever thought of Jesus as a missionary? Does this change how we view ourselves as missionaries?

The Christian Faith

While we are remodeling the downstairs section of our building we are combining our Adult Sunday School classes. These classes will be held in the sanctuary. During this time we are going to be teaching on some of the core beliefs of the Christian Faith. You are invited to come and learn more. Here is the breakdown of the classes:

Sunday, January 8th @ 10am - Rev. Milton Hadley will be teaching on the Missional Church
Sunday, January 15th @ 10am - Jed Poston will be sharing about how the Lord has called him into the ministry and what it means to be called.
Sunday, January 22nd @ 10am - Pastor Ben Burnside will be teaching on the Atonement.
Sunday, January 29th @ 10am - Youth Pastor Colin Knapp will be teaching on Heresies.
Sunday, February 5th @ 10am - Pastor Ben Burnside will be teaching on the Trinity and the Sacraments.
Sunday, February 12th @ 10am - Youth Pastor Colin Knapp will be teaching on the Holy Spirit.