Christmas Themes Announced

Thanks for your responses to our website poll regarding Christmas movies. Please see our Sunday Services page to find out what Christmas Movies we will be talking about in our December worship series. Thanks!

Web Poll

If you haven't taken the time to answer the Poll Question on the main page of the church website... please do so now! We could really use your input on deciding which Christmas movies to use in our Advent worship series! Check it out!

THEME and MENU

You’ve been in the dugout for many innings and it’s nearing the end of the game. Suddenly, the phone rings. The coach has called you in. It’s time to head to the pitchers mound. It’s time to run out and take your position. It’s time to become what God has called you to become. Can you feel it?

On Sunday we continued our worship series on the Church as a TEAM – where every member is a player, and every player is actively involved.

Sunday was a very special Sunday in that we had the opportunity to actually “step up to the plate.” We spent some time considering what our gifts were and how we might be able to use them for God’s purpose - through service in the church.

We now invite you CLICK HERE to take a look at the online version of the MINISTRY MENU and see how you can use your unique gifts in service to God.

Don't Forget: Chicken Noodle Dinner!

Chicken Noodle Dinner: 4:30-7:00 pm

Tickets are $7 for Adults, $4 for Children 4-12
and FREE for Children Under 3

Book Fair / Crafts and Gifts / Bake Sale: 1:00-7:00 pm

Sunday's Guided Meditation

Here is the Guided Meditation that was read in last Sunday's 10:45 Worship Service:

Make sure you are comfortable… close your eyes… and quietly attend to your breathing…
…allow your thoughts to settle and begin to focus inward…

…now imagine yourself in the batters box at a major league baseball game… the bases are loaded and it’s the final inning… everything depends on you… how do you feel? … Are you nervous? … Do you feel adequate? … Sit with those feelings for a moment … Suddenly you feel an extra, mysterious set of hands take the bat with you … It is no longer just YOU that is up to bat … God’s spirit is in you, empowering you …

…here comes the pitch … a power is in you that you did not know you were capable of… the bat connects with the ball… it flies up, up, up… it’s a home run! The crowd goes wild…

Take a moment to reflect and pray that, in the same way, God would empower you to do his work in the church and in the world. He has called each of us to be in ministry, but has not called us to do it by our own power. Take a few moments of silence to invite God to be your strength as you live out what you are meant to do and who you are meant to become.

Empowered!

Sunday we continued with our worship series on the church as a team… where every member is a player and every player is actively involved.

Two weeks ago, the theme was “Let the Pastor Move Over.” We saw how the Pastor’s role is more like that of a team coach, who equips and encourages all of us to be God’s hands and feet. We also saw that it takes each of us in our various positions to carry out God’s work in the church.

This past Sunday,then, was “Let God’s Spirit Move In.” We discovered that we cannot possibly be the church God has called us to be unless we are centered in - and empowered by - God. Much of the work we are called to undertake cannot be done through our own efforts. We need God’s power and perseverance to be in us in order for us to “hit one out of the ballpark.” May God grant each of us “More Love & More Power” as we engage in ministry.

The Parable of the Three Fans

Fan #1 is The Spectator. He just loves being at the game… the atmosphere is completely exhilarating to him. But Fan #1 doesn’t care if he isn’t playing on the team. He just wants to be there and to sit back and watch.

Spiritually speaking, many people are like Fan #1… they just love to be at church. They enjoy the music, the preaching, the fellowship. It is ok to be Fan #1, but there’s something a bit more exhilarating and meaningful about actually being on the team.

Fan #2 is The Benchwarmer. He used to be a spectator but he decided to join the team. Then Fan #2 began to see how hard it was to be a big leaguer. He had to work on his fielding, his throwing, his batting. He had to learn strategy, answer to the coach, and travel with the team. It was just too much work. So instead he decided to sit on the bench and watch his teammates do all the work.

Spiritually speaking, many Christians want to be a light for Jesus but then don’t take the steps necessary to grow and to serve others. It is just easier to ride the bench while everyone else does all the work.

Fan #3 is a Home Run Hitter. This fan loves being on the team and is willing to do whatever it takes to become a better player. It doesn’t matter what it costs or what it takes, fan #3 will do it if it means he becomes a homerun hitter.

Thankfully, many Christians have answered the call of God and are serving him faithfully. They are growing everyday and are committed to serving the church and the world.

We now invite to you take a few moments for reflection. Which fan do you most resemble? Where are you now? Where would you like to be? How is God calling YOU to be a team player?

[Adapted from a Sermon by JAMES CHANDLER]

The 7th Inning Stretch!

(to the tune of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame")

Make me part of the church team,
Show me where I can serve.
There’s no job too big or small for me,
(I’ll) teach a class or clean the lavatory,
Now it’s Root, Root, Root for the whole team-
Hey, Pastor, move out of the way…
for it takes…each…one of us
to make it work God’s way!

Play Ball!

Coach Tommy Lasorda once said: "There are three types of baseball players: those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happens." Sunday we began a new four week series about the church as a TEAM – where every member is a player and every player is actively involved. Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, brothers and sisters, we are not playing the game of life by ourselves. We are in this thing together, so let us each be a team player! It doesn’t make any difference whether you are the pitcher, the catcher, first baseman, second, third, outfielder or even the bat-boy, the food vender or the janitor who cleans up once everyone else has gone home. It takes one and it takes all! So if you’re ready, willing and available to serve as God has called you to serve, then let’s… PLAY BALL!

And the schedule is...

The new Sunday AM schedule that will include THREE service and will begin on December 3rd has been posted! Click here to swing over to our Sunday Services page and check it out!