Good morning church family,
GIVING THANKS:
* Karen Stanzione's son-in-law Jose is making huge strides. He is recovering from liver surgery with no issues thus far, Praise God! He will be released from Mt. Sinai hospital on Tuesday 3/5 and they have a good plan in place for him to stay in subsidized housing that they have for transplant recipients near the hospital. Thanks to all for your prayers.
* Carol Ligouri's grand-son Michael had a successful kidney stone surgery this past week and is doing much better. Also, the doctor she saw recently for her intense back pain is making some headway. She hopes to be at worship tomorrow.
* Thanks to Jay & Flo for organizing the game night last weekend! Fun was had by all! Every game imaginable was brought that night and TWISTER was the one that brought the most laughs:
PRAYER REQUESTS:
* Prayers for Desrine who is recovering from liver cancer surgery. She is in a lot of pain but hoping for better days ahead.
* Prayers for Paula Ross as she deals with Epstein Barr and extreme fatigue.
* Prayers for the Aggrey family. Robert's brother Anthony was tragically killed in a car crash early Monday morning in Ghana. A dog ran into the road and he swerved to avoid hitting the dog, and then hit a wall. He is in his late 30's and leaves a wife and 6 children. Prayers for Robert and his Mother who are having a very hard time.
* Lisa Saracino's mom Sherry fell this past week and hurt her wrist.
* Luis's coworker son Aiden is still in need of prayers. As of this past week he was still sedated. He is dealing with a serious infection that is in a part of his brain. They started giving him steroids and are waiting to see if he responds.
* Nadine Keller has asked for prayers for her Uncle Edward Cross who fainted this past week and has not been feeling well. He is undergoing tests.
* Susan Streety's Father Buddy Adams had a heart attack last week. He is 80 and they are unable to do surgical repair, only meds at this time.
* Emille Jones fell this past week. His tests came back that showed his cancer is growing, but they are taking it day by day. Jenna said she is very uncomfortable and the baby is 7lbs 7oz now. Thankfully the baby is healthy and they said she can deliver the baby at any time. They are both staying home to avoid getting covid. Prayers for them all!
* Margaret Rizzio has a torn miniscus. Her brother Bill who has bone cancer also needs prayers.
* David Tarbet asked for prayers for a good friend who has stage 4 cancer – Carl Burgland.
CONGRATULATIONS
Gregory & Jess Taylor have a new baby boy – Wallace George Taylor – who came several weeks early and was born on February 28th at 6lbs, 5 oz. Mom and baby Wally are doing well!
REMINDER TO BRING SUPPLIES IN FOR THE SHINE MINISTRY:
The Shine ministry is an outreach ministry that is committed to fulfilling our role, purpose, and responsibility to be a light within our community. This may be accomplished through larger community projects such as food drives or through smaller individual opportunities like preparing care packages for the homeless. Anyone interested in helping with the Shine Ministry please see Ron or Lisa Saracino.
The Shine Ministry is collecting items to put in care packages for the homeless in our community. A bin labeled “Shine Ministry” is in the foyer to drop off needed items. Here is a list of items and this list will be available on the back table as well. Thank you in advance for your help !
Gallon Zip Lock Bags
Hats – unisex
Gloves – unisex
Socks – unisex
Chap Sticks
Small Water Bottles
Bandaids
Comb/small brush (nothing huge)
wipes/hand wipes (nothing that contains alcohol like sanitizer)
Sunscreen (for summer)
Small deodorant
small tissue packs
Tooth brushes and small tubes of toothpaste
Sealed Snacks (granola bars, fruit snacks, crackers) – preferably not hard because many people have dental concerns
Thanks to Ron & Lisa for starting this great ministry up, and thanks to all for supporting this.
COMING UP IN MARCH:
LADIES NIGHT MOVIE & DINNER ….BEING POSTPONED
The Ladies movie night which was supposed to be tonight, will be postponed due to several reasons. Stay tuned for more details on when it will be rescheduled.
MARCH LADIES BIBLE STUDIES:
Flo Repecko will be leading the Saturday morning Ladies Bible class held at the building on March 9th at 10:00 AM. For any new members this is a great time of singing, prayer and bible study while we fellowship as well.
TUESDAY LADIES STUDIES:
The next two Tuesday morning ladies Bible classes will be on March12th and March 26th at 9:30 a.m. via zoom.
POT LUCK FELLOWSHIP will follow right after morning worship on Sunday, March 24th!
COMING UP IN APRIL:
Here are two great events coming up and lead by Brother Keller…
SPRING GIVE-A-WAY DAY!
“Give Away Day” April 27th 2024
We are working on trying to put together a “Give Away Day” In late April. The overall purpose of this event is not only blessing others with the items we no longer need, but to show our love and concern for those in need.
If you have any gently used items that are in good working condition to donate. Please take a form on the back table to catalog your items and return your list to Patrick soon. This will allow us to know if we have enough items to make this program work. Also feel free to text or email him with the number and types of items
Trip to See Daniel at the Sight & Sound Theater in PA in September
An inquiry signup sheet and more information has been posted on the door to the auditorium to find out the best date and estimated participation. Please fill in your info ASAP so we can best know how to proceed.
APRIL TALENT SHOW – Saturday, April 6th at 6:30 p.m.
There is a sign-up sheet posted on auditorium doors promoting our upcoming Talent show headed up by Lisa, Zach and Tori Saracino. Not only will this be a FUN time of Fellowship, but it will help support our commitment to Spooner House. Please sign up to share your talents, all ages welcome and bring a friend!
ADMISSION – Please bring non-perishable items for The Spooner House.
MEN'S RETREAT
Men's Retreat – Kent Connecticut – June 14th & 15th
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!
A sign up sheet is posted for volunteers who can help in any capacity with our upcoming VBS on July 20th!
VBS is a terrific outreach to the community. There is something for everyone to help with so please see Derin or Kristen Wilson for details.
The apostle Paul in the book of Ephesians answers important spiritual questions as to who we are, how we become a child of God's kingdom, and rules for Holy living.
In Ephesians Chapter 4 he appeals to all who are “IN CHRIST” to live as children of LIGHT.
No matter what our age, God referred to us in this scripture as “Children”. How beautiful is that? Hopefully we are all growing daily, becoming spiritually mature. Digging into God's word to know more about HIM and learning the true purpose of life which is IN Jesus Christ. We may study a lifetime and still never totally learn or grasp God's glory until we stand before Him on the last day.
As Christians we are to stand apart from the world.
Being “IN CHRIST” we are held to a higher authority and need to shine brightly to the world.
LIGHT (Kingdom light) vs. DARKNESS (that of the world)
When we are “IN CHRIST” we are a NEW CREATION.
When we accept Jesus Christ as our savior, we follow Him and walk with NEWNESS of LIFE. 2 Cor. 5:17
Paul reminds us in Ephesians to be set apart from the world. We should stand out. Our FAITH should SHINE to all of the world so they can see the Peace we have IN CHRIST, the Hope we have IN CHRIST, and the Love that we have for God, and for each other.
Living as children of LIGHT requires us to strive for goodness, righteousness, and truth. We live to please God and not the world. We follow Jesus and reject the evil one.
A chameleon is a reptile that is able to change colors, camouflaging itself to blend into whatever environment it is in.
Blending in with the world means that we are not standing out. Accepting a lifestyle that is in -sync with the world, means that we accept that which is in the world. Blending in with the world, means that we compromise our values in Christ.
Paul reminds Christians that we are set apart. After our decision to follow Jesus Christ, we are a NEW CREATION. We choose daily to follow the light of Christ, and not be “of the world”.
Ephesians 4:17-19
“So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord,
that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do,
in the futility of their thinking.
They are darkened in their understanding
and separated from the life of God
because of the ignorance that is in them,
due to the hardening of their hearts,
having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality
so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.”
Ephesians 4:22-24
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life,
to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.“
Ephesians 4:25
“Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood
and speak truthfully to his neighbor for we are all members of one body. “
Ephesians 4:27
“Do not give the devil a foothold.”
Ephesians 4:29
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs,
that it may benefit those who listen.
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander along with every form of malice.
Be kind and compassionate to one another,
forgiving each other,
just as in Christ God forgave you.“
1 Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen people,
a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
God's special possession,
that you may declare the praises of him
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.“
Followers of Jesus Christ are called to live to higher standards. Although we are living physically “in the world”, we are not to be part of its values. John 17:14-15.
To live a holy, righteous life and be set apart. To strive to conform ourselves and our minds, to that of Jesus Christ.
Romans 12:1-2.
Being in the world, but NOT of the world, is necessary if we are to be a light to those who are in spiritual darkness. We are to live in such a way that those outside the faith may see our good deeds and know that there is something “different” about us. When we blend in with the world, they cannot see God's glory – the LIGHT – living in us.
LIVE TO PLEASE GOD
In 1 Thessalonians 4:7 we read Paul's letter to the church, encouraging them to live to please God
“Finally, brothers we instructed you how to live in order to please God,
as in fact you are living. Now we ask you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.
For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
It is God's will that you be sanctified:
that you should avoid sexual immorality;
that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable,
not in passionate lust like the heathen,
who do not know God;
and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. “
“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.“
Here are a few additional scriptures on LIGHT….
Matthew 5:16
“Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.“
1 John 1:5-9
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you:
God is light: in him there is no darkness at all.
If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness,
we lie and do not live the out truth.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son, purifies us from all sin.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just
and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. “
Psalm 139:7-12
“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
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