|
|
In this email:
- Updated info from Ray Cook's death and tentative memorial service plans.
- A gift to Faith Promise IS a gift to the Jesus Film Harvest Partners
- Update on Faith Promise.
- Web connection to info about the Dominican Republic Jesus Film trip in August, 2013.
- Prepare for worship on Sunday as we celebrate communion.
- Update from Pastor Billy Byler and the Young Adults Ministry.
|
|
First Prayer Partners...learning to be first in prayer.
Sermon Update
|
|
|
|
|
Prepare for Worship
FROM PASTOR BRENT: 
Dear Friends,
Among the events of this week which have dominated our prayers is the tragic, sudden death of Dr. Ray Cook, member of First Church. While traveling with his wife, Elaine, to Greece he collapsed of an apparent heart attack and died almost instantaneously. Elaine arrived back in Wichita Friday night. Definitive details for a memorial service have not been set, but there is a strong possibility this will take place Saturday, November 17. Stay tuned to our church website at www.firstnaz.org for official word when those decisions are made. In the mean time, we have the opportunity to bring God's comfort and love to Elaine and their family.
Susan and I joined the Cooks in co-hosting last weekend's Jesus Film Harvest Partners' World Challenge. Over $300,000 was raised for the Jesus Film ministry through that event! With a "return on investment" of 1 soul brought to Christ for every $3 given to the Jesus Film Harvest Partners, one of Ray's last earthly events was helping see 100,000 more people come to Christ.
We were honored to hear Chuck Watson preach last week. Chuck is the director of the Jesus Film Harvest Partners and he spoke in conjunction with our Faith Promise. We now have 109 participants in Faith Promise!
REMINDER: A gift to Faith Promise IS a gift to the Jesus Film Harvest Partners. That's why we had Chuck speak during our Faith Promise emphasis month. Faith Promise and First Church's Missions Council gave $15,000 toward the Jesus Film World Challenge event. Therefore, as you consider your involvement with Faith Promise, know that the Jesus Film ministry is included in this gift.
Click here for updated information about Faith Promise.
Click here for information about the Jesus Film Dominican Republic Trip scheduled for August, 2013.
Click below for a video update on Faith Promise.
 | | 2012-13 Faith Promise Update |
This Sunday we celebrate the sacrament of holy communion. My sermon is entitled "The Freedom of Risk" from Hebrews 11:7 - part of the Take a Risk for God sermon series and Month of Missions emphasis. The truth is, we've creatively ordered the elements of worship in order to emphasize the content of Hebrews 11:7, and instead of preaching one regular length sermon I'll be preaching 2 short sermons (no oxymoron jokes please about the phrase "short sermon" - ha ha). In addition to these homilies and communion, we'll also have recurring skit scenes featuring Billy Byler and Michael Hephner as well as several songs throughout the entire worship service featuring the First Church choir. As always, let's come expecting to experience God!  
See you at 10:30 a.m. in the room behind the organ for prayer.
Your pastor loves you!
|
Follow the Scripture and sermon notes on your ipads, e-readers, and smart phones during the sermon! Click here for more information.
|
|
Christian Counseling Center of Wichita
If you or someone you know could benefit from a high quality Christian counseling experience, call 316-264-8800 or visit http://www.cccwichita.com/
 | | Find help for life's many pathways through the ministry of the Christian Counseling Center of Wichita |
|
From Pastor Billy Byler, Minister to Young Adults
After just three weeks at Wichita First Church I'm already excited at what God has done and what He's planning to do in the young adults ministry. I've spent much of this time listening to our church's staff, leaders and young adults, gathering together their ideas and input and familiarizing myself with the efforts and ministries already going on at the church. It's become clear to me already that this is not the beginning of a young adults ministry but rather a continuation and focusing of the foundations God and His church have already established here. I'm thrilled to be a part of this.
We've already begun a Bible study on Thursday nights that is bringing several young adults from different life statuses (married, singles, professional, college students, etc.) together as we explore the miracles recounted in the book of Mark. With input from several people in the church and the help of a young adults ministry action team formed by Pastor Brent, we've also come up with a new plan for discipleship within our Sunday School ministry that will offer multiple topic-based classes that young adults can choose from regardless of their current (and often changing) life statuses instead of being labeled and assigned to specific classes. We're targeting a Jan. 6 launch for this refocused effort.
I've also come up with a few ways to reach college students, including those here in Wichita and those out of town. I've made initial connections with campus ministry departments at Friends and Wichita State, who were excited to hear about our plans. For students who have grown up in this church but have gone away to college, we're planning a social event over the Thanksgiving weekend for a time of fellowship and reconnection. I'm in the process of creating a weekly blog targeted specifically to these out-of-town college students to keep them up-to-date on events and developments at our church.
I've also used these first few weeks to familiarize myself with our church's website and social media efforts, which can be highly effective and cost-friendly ways to reach our church members and unchurched community. If you haven't already, please take the time to "like" our church's Facebook page and watch some of the videos we've posted, including a kickoff event to our children's Caravan season and the creatively costumed teens from Area51 on Oct. 31.
Our church website continues to be a work in progress. Along with the essentials (service times, contact information, directions, etc.), the website now offers updates on our current Faith Promise campaign and details on a Jesus Film mission trip coming up this summer that could be a life-changing experience for the entire family. More information, photos and videos will be added in the coming weeks and months.
 | | Wichita First Nazarene Costume Fun - |
 | 2012 Caravan Induction Ceremony, a video produced by Billy Byler
 | | Pastor Billy leading discussion about new Sunday School format for Young Adults to begin Jan.6 |
|
|
|
|
Blessings, Expect a Great Sabbath!
Pastor Brent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
