Weekly Update 04/06/2021
Greetings!
I’m reminded this week of how much I love spring, especially spring in Memphis! It’s absolutely beautiful today, as I see trees bursting forth with leaves against the backdrop of a blue sky. I know clouds and rain will come, but the sight of such beauty reminds us of the time when there’s no more night, darkness, storms, or trials. The resurrection declares it so!
What a wonderful weekend of worship we had together! The body came together with a desire to worship—it was evident in the singing, responsive reading of the Word, and attentiveness to the expositions on Friday night and Sunday morning. I’m so thankful that we are able to expand our numbers on Sunday so that we’re getting closer to all gathering together. Until that time, thank you for your faithfulness, your praying for one another, your encouraging one another, and your heart to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The first Wednesday Sunday School for our kids went well last week. We look forward to that happening again on April 14th. Meanwhile, tomorrow night the ladies and teenagers will be gathering for our Devoted to God study at the 6:30 p.m. STINT classes. I hope you’re finding the book and the discussion to be spurring you on in Christian growth. Personally, I’ve found this book to be one of the most helpful on the subject that I’ve ever come across. I’m glad that we’re reading and talking through its explanations and applications together.
We’re thankful to be involved in supporting the work that Chris Bruno, professor at Bethlehem College & Seminary (BCS), is working on for establishing an extension of BCS in Hawaii to serve that state and the surrounding Pacific region. The need is huge! Chris previously pastored in Hawaii, so he knows the need and the people. There’s a really good team of pastors laboring to help make this new college and seminary extension a reality. Pray for Chris and his family as they transition. Let’s be generous in assisting him in this month’s 2-Per gifts. To know more about the ministry click here.
Pastor Matt picks back up in Acts 7 this Sunday, as we continue exploring the sermon that Stephen preached that turned the young church upside down. Persecution arose after Stephen’s death, and with it, the massive expansion of the church beyond Jerusalem. The way this sermon opens the Old Testament as pointing to Christ helps us in understanding how to read and interpret God’s Word. Pray for Matt as he prepares and for the church as we gather to worship on Sunday. We have services at 9:30 and 11:00. You can sign up for a service here.
This weekend gave us a chance to focus on the death/burial and resurrection of our Lord. We sought to show the flow of the Gospel text from Matthew’s passion narrative. Matt and I were both overwhelmed by contemplations in Matthew’s story of Jesus’ passion. We hope that you profited from our expositions. You can listen to or read the Good Friday message here. You can listen to or read the Easter Sunday message here.
Warmly,
Phil N.
I’m reminded this week of how much I love spring, especially spring in Memphis! It’s absolutely beautiful today, as I see trees bursting forth with leaves against the backdrop of a blue sky. I know clouds and rain will come, but the sight of such beauty reminds us of the time when there’s no more night, darkness, storms, or trials. The resurrection declares it so!
What a wonderful weekend of worship we had together! The body came together with a desire to worship—it was evident in the singing, responsive reading of the Word, and attentiveness to the expositions on Friday night and Sunday morning. I’m so thankful that we are able to expand our numbers on Sunday so that we’re getting closer to all gathering together. Until that time, thank you for your faithfulness, your praying for one another, your encouraging one another, and your heart to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The first Wednesday Sunday School for our kids went well last week. We look forward to that happening again on April 14th. Meanwhile, tomorrow night the ladies and teenagers will be gathering for our Devoted to God study at the 6:30 p.m. STINT classes. I hope you’re finding the book and the discussion to be spurring you on in Christian growth. Personally, I’ve found this book to be one of the most helpful on the subject that I’ve ever come across. I’m glad that we’re reading and talking through its explanations and applications together.
We’re thankful to be involved in supporting the work that Chris Bruno, professor at Bethlehem College & Seminary (BCS), is working on for establishing an extension of BCS in Hawaii to serve that state and the surrounding Pacific region. The need is huge! Chris previously pastored in Hawaii, so he knows the need and the people. There’s a really good team of pastors laboring to help make this new college and seminary extension a reality. Pray for Chris and his family as they transition. Let’s be generous in assisting him in this month’s 2-Per gifts. To know more about the ministry click here.
Pastor Matt picks back up in Acts 7 this Sunday, as we continue exploring the sermon that Stephen preached that turned the young church upside down. Persecution arose after Stephen’s death, and with it, the massive expansion of the church beyond Jerusalem. The way this sermon opens the Old Testament as pointing to Christ helps us in understanding how to read and interpret God’s Word. Pray for Matt as he prepares and for the church as we gather to worship on Sunday. We have services at 9:30 and 11:00. You can sign up for a service here.
This weekend gave us a chance to focus on the death/burial and resurrection of our Lord. We sought to show the flow of the Gospel text from Matthew’s passion narrative. Matt and I were both overwhelmed by contemplations in Matthew’s story of Jesus’ passion. We hope that you profited from our expositions. You can listen to or read the Good Friday message here. You can listen to or read the Easter Sunday message here.
Warmly,
Phil N.
Posted in Weekly Updates