Sunday in Review – 3-25-18

Hello. Today we met at the Brayleys. Simeon read the Bible story and Mark preached.

Today with the kids we read the Bible story of Jonah. The Lord asked Jonah to go and preach in Nineveh, a city filled with wicked and evil people. Jonah did not like the sound of that so he decided to run away. He went down to the docks and got on a boat headed for Tarshish. While on the journey a big storm rose up, and Jonah had the crew members throw him overboard. It stopped immediately. Jonah got swallowed by a big fish and was in his stomach for 3 days and nights. Jonah prayed a lot and the fish spit him out onto land. Jonah went to Nineveh and helped the people repent.

In the sermon we read 1 Thessalonians 2:17 – 3:5

Some things we talked about were:

  • What makes you close to the people you love or are close to.
  • We also had a discussion about Paul’s relationship with the Thessalonians and how he wanted to go back and see them – he loved them and didn’t view helping them as a chore
  •  The effect persecution has on people and how going through the same experiences bonds you together.

 

Sunday in Review – 3-18-2018

Hello! Today we met at the Wolfe’s.

The children’s story was about the Israelite’s after they had conquered Jericho. The King of Jerusalem was plotting to attack the Israelite’s allies. The Israelites were winning the battle but it was getting dark and they needed more light so Joshua prayed and asked the Lord to stop the sun and the moon where they were and he did and the battle was won!

We read Psalm 41 and also Mark 14 – the theme of the first half of the chapter in Mark and of the Psalm is betrayal – Jesus’ betrayal and abandonment by his disciples. We talked about Lent and Jesus suffering by being abandoned by everyone, even God on the cross and Jesus’ prayer “not my will but yours be done”.

 

Sunday in Review 2-11-18

This week Simeon’s family hosted and next week a new family in our Church, the Braley’s, will be hosting and Mark will be preaching from 1 Thessalonians.

Justin read read the Bible story about about Joshua becoming leader after Moses died and crossing the Jordan River and building an alter to remember God’s provision.

Liz, Jude, and Daryl took turns reading the second half of Mark chapter 12 and Simeon talked about it the problem of motivation: are you praying because you’re talking to God or are you praying because people are listening to you and paying attention to what you’re saying? And the second story of the widow’s mite makes us think about our giving: do we give because we ought? Or so that people observe our generosity? Or are we giving out of a grateful heart to God?

De’Ionne quoted 1 Samuel – man looks at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart! I really loved this, it’s so true!

Sunday in Review

Note: Elizabeth is taking over some regular blogging here and will be posting about services under the Sundays in Review tag.

Today we gathered for a Church service at the Wolfe’s house with a little larger group than normal.

As usual after songs we read a Bible story for the kids. Previously we had been reading about Nehemiah (the King’s Cup Bearer) but we finished that last week and today we switched to reading about Queen Esther.

Then we had an open prayer time and after that Justin delivered his sermon. Their family recently had break-in at the house they are renovating. So he talked about how we handled problems in our lives and we read Job chapter 1. Justin described getting broken into as “A stress test for your spiritual heart.” One of the examples he used was the football players training before a game so they know what to do because they trained for it.

In the same way, we should train our feelings and thoughts so when things happen we know what to do and how to deal with it in a Christ-like way. Remember that robbers are your brothers! How can I show love to these robbers in a good and Godly way?