Wednesday Bible study (3:30) will feature a study of the familiar parable of the Prodigal Son. What I like about these Wednesday studies is the opportunity to hear from you. The back and forth discussion is very helpful, something we can’t do on Sunday morning. I wish more of you would come. You are invited!

We will continue our sermon series on the Book of Acts. We will be looking at several important truths that emerge from Chapter 20. 

Men’s group meets tomorrow (Tuesday) at 8:00 for breakfast and a time of fellowship. All men are welcome/ The women’s group will meet Wednesday at 9:30 and again, all women are welcome. 

The men will be hosting a fellowship dinner next Sunday (2/10). Bring food to share. 

We really appreciate Bill and Jackie Barb for putting up a temporary railing on the ramp. It will make that ramp much safer while we wait for a permanent railing.  By the way, Jackie informed me Sunday that an anonymous donor or donors came forth to pay for the new steel railings costing $4384.81. Wow!  Whoever you are, a big thank you from the rest of us. 

Richard Bowman, Pastor

On Wednesday at 3:30 we will continue our study of the parables of Jesus. We will examine the parable of the wicked vinedressers (Matthew 21:33-46). Jesus speaks in this parable to the Jewish leadership, anticipating the end of the Old Covenant and the inauguration of the New Covenant. We will be discussing how this parable relates to us. Are there ways that we “reject” Jesus today?

This Sundays sermon will focus on Demetrius the silversmith in Acts 19. In this first person sermon we will learn how Paul’s preaching ruined Demetrius’ business and his attempt at revenge. Poor Demetrius lost his income but he had the opportunity to gain the Pearl of great price.  All he had to do was submit to Paul’s message. 

We will continue our sermon series on the Book of Acts. Thus Sunday, 1/27, we are in Acts 19. In verses 1-7 a very interesting discussion takes involving Paul and 12 “disciples.” These men believed the message of John the Baptist but had not heard the full story about Jesus. We will learn that a true Christian has received the Holy Spirit who changes us in three dramatic ways. The following Sunday (Feb. 3) we remain in Acts 19. I will be doing a first person sermon portraying Demetrius the silversmith.

Bible study on Wednesday takes us to the parable of laborers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16). A special thanks to Mark Simmons who filled in for me last week on short notice. This week’s parable seems to relate to the labor market, but the real meaning is spiritual. It tells us something important about the Kingdom of God. If you haven’t been coming to Bible study please know that all are welcome.

Richard Bowman, Pastor

Because of the weather last Sunday our carry in dinner was postponed until this Sunday (1/20). Hopefully the weather will be better by then. 

The sermon for January 20 is entitled “Paul in Athens.” The text is Acts 17. In Athens Paul proclaims the Gospel of Jesus to highly educated philosophers. Did the Athenians understand that the Gospel of Jesus  was superior to the  Stoic and Epicurean philosophies?  We will discuss the beliefs of the Athenian philosophers and how they responded to Paul. 

In our Wednesday Bible study we will examine the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, Matthew 20:1-16. If you tried to run a business based on this parable it would not work. We will look for the spiritual application of the parable. We will discover an important truth about salvation. 

So far one person has responded to the request to write a brief paragraph on “What This Church Means to me.” You can see that testimony on the web page under “testimonials.” I hope more of you will submit testimonies. 

We are all deeply concerned about Orene’s decline in health. Keep those prayers going.

This Sunday we continue our study in the Book of Acts. Our main focus will be on Paul in jail (again!) at Philippi and the conversion of the Philippian jailer. One again, as was the case last Sunday, the emphasis is on salvation. That seems to be the major theme in the Book of Acts.

Wednesday Bible study will focus on Luke 14:25-33 in our continuing study of the parables of Jesus. We will look at two brief parables. The main focus will be on discussing this question: Is there a difference between being saved and discipleship? Jesus lays down some challenging rules for living as a disciple.  Do we measure up?