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Prayer Corner
Hope Baptist church of Surprise is in the midst of purchasing 2 ½ acres on Cotton Lane and Peoria. As a small church (smaller than us!) this is a big step of faith and they've asked us to pray for them during the escrow period. Hope Baptist preaches salvation by faith alone in Christ alone so we are all part of the same family. Let's pray that they will get the funds they need to finish this transaction and continue to be a witness in our community along with us. Take a minute and pray right now.... |
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This Coming Sunday, December 13, 2009
A traditional Christmas message usually recounts the events of the birth of Jesus and focuses on our need to be loving and kind to each other. There is nothing wrong with this message but I think we need to see what the birth of Jesus means for us all at a deeper level. What does "Immanuel" really mean? How can we see the birth of Jesus as revolutionary to our lives, especially if we've been jaded by the commercialism of our times or wearied by hearing the same Christmas story so many times it has lost its power over our thinking. Let's reconsider the story and find the power of this amazing story once again. See ya Sunday.
Coming up....
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December 27 - Revelation Ch. 2 (part 4: Thyatira) - "To the angel of the Church of Surprise write..."
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January 3 - Revelation Ch. 3 (part 5: Sardis) - "To the angle of the Church of Surprise write..." |
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A Word of Encouragement
Hebrews 12: 1 - 2 (NKJV)
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight...and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..."
The history we read about in the Bible is not just campfire stories to help us feel better about life. This history is about real people who faced every imaginable challenge and triumphed through their faith in God. God's will is that we remain submitted to following Him no matter what circumstance we face. We can be victorious over the challenges we face in our lives too. This doesn't mean we will always get the job or experience a physical miracle - although we certainly can experience these things if God desires. The point is that trusting God no matter what we face always, I mean ALWAYS, attracts God's blessing in one way or another. So how should we proceed? Believe that we will always experience amazing things when we decide trust in God by choosing to live for Him no matter what the challenge. We need to become a people who choose to do what is right, rather than what is easy. There will always be a sacrifice in making this choice. We need to quit complaining about the difficulties of faith and simply step out, obeying the voice, the principles and the direction of God and we will experience the hand of God guiding us all the way to the door of eternal life. |
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Thank You
Thank you to our women's ministry department for putting together a first-rate servant evangelism outreach. The ladies adopted a family for Christmas, purchasing both Christmas gifts and personal items for a family coming out of a domestic violence shelter. When we make real efforts to meet the real needs of people - this is being salt and light - this is being a disciple of Jesus. Thanks ladies, you're an inspiration. |
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Vision
We all know that Christmas has been essentially hijacked by commercialism but it is still provides an excellent opportunity for outreach. Your unchurched friends or family members might not accept your invitation to church on a regular Sunday but during this time of year they might be persuaded to join you to see our Children's ministry drama this Sunday or come with you to sing Christmas carols in the park Christmas eve. We will make certain to use these opportunities to share the good news of eternal life through Jesus so invite as many people as you can. |
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Special Announcements
December 20 - Children's Ministry Christmas play - at church, Sunday morning. See what the kids have been practicing all month, you'll love it. 10 AM
December 24 - Candlelight outreach at Kingswood park. Bring your parkas, singing voices and smiles, 6 PM. Hot chocolate (and candles) provided.
January 9 - Men's Power Breakfast. 7 AM, Desert Palms Restaurant.
January 10 - Celebrate the New Year with your family with a message series called "Are you on the edge?". Join us as we welcome new visitors who respond to your 30,000 mailer outreach. |
