I Love The Church Because It Is God's Family
Welcome
We are glad you have chosen to worship with us today. It is our hope that you find today's experience both encouraging and challenging.
I Love The Church Because It Is God's Family
Jesus was an irresistible person, with an irresistible personality on an irresistible mission. He said, “I’m leaving and I’m establishing the church to pick up where I left off.” Unfortunately, the local church isn’t always all that irresistible. “What makes for an irresistible church? How do we ensure that we maintain the course we’re on and that we’re on mission and on task with what God has called us to do and to be?” We want to be, and to continue to be, irresistible and create irresistible environments, so we’re reviewing to make sure we’re all on the same page, moving in the same direction.
That Family Feeling
Life change happens best in the context of relationships. There’s a tendency to think there’s me and there’s God, and then here’s the rest of my life. It’s true that your relationship with God is very personal, but it was never intended to be private. God never intended for us to be lone ranger Christians – to go it alone. Christianity is a family. Authentic community is basically being connected relationally on a consistent basis with a group of believers (and some unbelievers possibly), having that automatic sense of accountability, belonging, and care, and experiencing the natural byproduct – spiritual growth – as a result of being in those relationships.
Hebrews 10:23-24
Hebrews 10:23-24 NIV84
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
The New Testament Family
All throughout the New Testament, believers are encouraged in their relationships with one another because the Bible teaches that Jesus knew, and all the people who followed Jesus knew, that life change happens within the context of relationships, and if we are not careful, we tend to drift out of those meaningful kinds of relationships. There is a connection between our faithfulness to God privately, and our relationship with one another publicly. You weren’t made to do this by yourself. You’ve got to invite some other people in to do life with you. Be transparent about your fears, your concerns, your doubts, and all the things that are going on in your life. Authentic community is so important to us because we believe life change happens in strategic, intentional relationships.
Hebrews 10:25
Hebrews 10:25 NIV84
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
How Families Work
These things are what we want in our families. We want to hold unswervingly to hope. We want to encourage one another, spur one another, to love each other and to become all we can be. And then, one day, we sort of know in the back of our minds, that the family is going to increase. How does it increase? Our family starts new families, to increase our tribe. It is painful, yet it is exciting. No family can have a hundred people living in the house. We have small units and then many of us have times we get together as a whole. How many of you plan to be alive nine years from now? In the next nine years, how many people do you plan to influence in their relationship with Christ? What’s your plan? You probably don’t have a plan. Year one you are in a group of 10. Then you split and get two groups of ten = 20. Then you split and that becomes 40. Then they split in year 80. Then they split in year five and that becomes 160. Then year six = 320. Then year seven = 720. Then year eight = 1440. Then year nine = 2880. How do you think we are here thousands of miles away from Jerusalem worshipping a Jewish carpenter? It’s because somebody in the past understood the local church is not about adding chairs; it’s about multiplying relationships.
This Week's Challenge
Consider starting a Bible Study in your home for four weeks. Invite six to eight people to join you.
2010 Hickory Valley Youth Retreat
This year's retreat is focused on developing a renewed sense of urgency in our walk with Christ as we dive into Ephesians 5:14-17. The dates for the retreat are October 1 - 3. The cost is $100.00, all-inclusive, if paid by August 31. On September 1, the cost is $130.00. See Jason for more details
Two Important Staff Events
We will have a Staff and Lay Leadership Meeting on Sunday, August 29, at 9:15 a.m. in the Tween’s Room. On Saturday, September 18, we will have a one-day staff retreat at the Shallowford Trace Club House on Shallowford Road. The retreat will be from 9:00 - 2:00. It is very important that all Staff and Lay Leadership Directors plan on attending this retreat.
Youth Back-To-School Bash
The Youth Ministries Department will be sponsoring a Back-To-School Bash this Friday, August 20, at the church. This will be a fabulous evenings of water games and fun. We hope all our youth will attend and bring a friend! See Jason for more details.
Upcoming Seniors' Events
The Seniors will be enjoying lunch together at the City Cafe on Lee Highway and Bonny Oaks after the Morning Celebration Service today. See Larry or Joanna Small for details. The next Seniors’ Breakfast will be on Saturday, August 28, at 9:00 a.m. at the Golden Corral in Fort Oglethorpe. The date for the Seniors’ trip to the Titanic has been changed to September 25. Please see Larry or Joanna for more details
Children's Day
The Children’s Ministries Department will be telling the story of Moses on our special Children’s Day service on September 5 during the Morning Celebration Service. This is always a very special Sunday at our church. The children will be rehearsing on Sundays and Wednesdays, so it is very important that the kids are at the services. There will be a dress rehearsal on Saturday, September 4, at 10:00 a.m.
Back To Church Sunday
We will be participating with over 2,000 churches in America to extend over 1,000,000 invitations to encourage formerly churched people to ReDiscover Church. Did you know 82% of Americans say they are receptive to attending church if they were invited by a friend. Back To Church Sunday...September 12, 2010. Be watching for more details
Youth Luncheon
Pastor Stone and Jason would like to meet with all our youth and their parents for a special discussion luncheon on Sunday, August, 22, after the Morning Celebration Service. Pizza and drinks will be served. We are hoping to hear how you would like to see your youth ministry progress. Please make plans to attend this meeting.