Good morning all,
How incredibly blessed we are IN CHRIST!
GIVING THANKS:
* The Families With Young Children event was a great success last weekend. Here are some pictures to share:
PRAYER REQUESTS:
* Prayers for Greg and Linda Cerminara as they each deal with many physical challenges. Linda is home from the hospital.
* Dorothea still deals with inflammation and pain, but is slightly better.
* Irene Aschen's hip surgery is scheduled for September 7th, so prayers for all to go well.
* Nadine' asked for prayers for her step mother who has covid and their grandchild who also has it.
* Nadine also asked for prayers for her friend Christine Nelson whom we've been praying for. She agreed to another round of Chemo. Prayers for her well being and emotional stability during this difficult time.
* Joe Nuzzo asked for prayers for his co-worker Johnny Cooper who's brother passed away.
* Prayers for Emille and Jenna as they fly to Texas this weekend for his tests. He is still in much pain.
* Friday, September 8th at 6:30 Ron & Lisa Saracino will be hosting a YOUNG ADULT DEVOTIONAL at the church building. Enjoy a fun time of fellowship and munchies. Please let Ron or Lisa know if you can attend.
* Saturday September 9th at 10:00 a.m. at the building will be the first of the Ladies' & teen girls Bible studies and planning session for the year. Thanks to all who have volunteered to lead these studies. We look forward to learning more about the Israelites journey as we explore the book of Exodus over the next few months. Bring a friend!
* The Tuesday morning Ladies bible study will begin on September 19th at 9:30 via zoom. See Lisa or Mary Lou if you have interest in getting one of the study books.
* The next Sunday Pot Lucks will be on September 17th and Sunday October 29th right after worship. Come 2024 the pot lucks will be held on every fifth Sunday of the year which will make it easy for everyone to remember.
REMINDERS:
* Thanks to everyone for all you've donated thus far, and keep them coming, even if it is a few things each week. Our congregation remains their top contributor. Their needs are on-going so thank you for continued donations!
DREAM HUNT – GHANA
* Thanks to everyone for your generous donations of children's clothing and school supplies for Esther to take to Ghana. We still have a few more weeks to help these children. Please have the items in by October. Thanks to all for your generous donations already!
The word “abundant” in the Greek is perisson, which means…
“exceedingly, very highly, beyond measure, more, superfluous, a quantity so abundant as to be considerably more than what one would expect or anticipate.”
We have so much in this country. We live comfortably with food, clothing and shelter.
When we think of the word 'abundant'…. visions of lavish homes, expensive cars, world wide cruises, and the super wealthy come to mind. Of course we think of everything in human terms.
Jesus shed a whole new meaning of what is meant by an abundant life!
The “Abundant life” Jesus addresses refers to life in its abounding fullness of JOY, SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY. It is a mind-set. When all that we have is taken from us, do we still feel abundantly blessed?
Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, his good , pleasing and perfect will. “
Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.“
1 Peter 1:3-4 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you..“
We are justified, reconciled, sanctified, and have the hope of eternal glory in Christ, how awesome is that!
The riches Christ offers us, surpass anything this world can offer. Material blessings pale in comparison when contrasted with the vast spiritual riches we find in Christ.
God's goodness is ABUNDANT! He makes sure we have all we need, and when we need it.
The scriptures direct our minds to Spiritual abundance.…which gives us hope of so much more than we can imagine.
2 Corinthians 9:8-9
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you,
so that in all things at all times,
having all that you need,
you will abound in every good work.
As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.“
The Apostle Paul shares with us that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, and He does it by His power, a power that is at work within us if we are “In Christ”.
Ephesians 3:20
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations,
forever and ever.“
Because of Christ's sacrifice on the cross and God's amazing forgiveness, bought with a great price – John 3:16- The abundant life is available for all!
God's constant presence is with us by power of the Holy Spirit…
The source of our abundant life is in the SPIRIT OF GOD…
Galatians 5:22-23 “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, kindness, and self-control.“
Romans 8:9 “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.“
Acts 2:38 “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. “
When we become baptized believers, we are clothed with God's Holy Spirit. We are re-born into a perfect inheritance that can never perish. It is promised and preserved, forever, for us!
Everything about Jesus and his life pointed to the Spiritual.
Nothing about his life from the moment He was born, until his death, was easy.
Matthew 8:20 “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.“
2 Corinthians 8:9 “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes HE became poor, that through His poverty, you might be rich.”
God doesn't want us to worry about what we will eat or what we will wear..but being IN CHRIST, we find so many blessings! The abundant life Jesus speaks about is the moment we are baptized and receive Him as our Savior.
He came that all people may have life “in Him” that is meaningful, purposeful, joyful, and eternal.
Spiritual wealth that allows us to be heirs of His throne, forever.
Romans 8:17 reads, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
An abundant life as described in the scriptures is a life filled with purpose, joy, and peace. It is a life that is not defined by material wealth or success, but by a deep sense of fulfillment and contentment.
King Solomon had all of the material blessings available to man, yet he found it all to be meaningless.
Ecclesiastes 5:10-15
“Whoever loves money never has money enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.
This too is meaningless.
As goods increase,
so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?
The sleep of a laborer is sweet,
whether he eats little or much,
but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep.
I have seen grievous evil under the sun;
wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,
or wealth lost through some misfortune,
so that when he has a son there is nothing left for him.
Naked a man comes from his mother's womb,
and as he comes, so he departs.
He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand.”
The Apostle Paul was content in whatever physical circumstances he was in (prison, ship-wreck, yes even being stoned!)
Philippians 4:11-12
“..I am not saying this because I am in need,
for I have learned the to be content whatever the circumstances.
I know what it is to be in need,
and I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry,
whether living in plenty or in want.“
Colossians 3:2 “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.“
Matthew 6:25-32 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?….Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life. And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying 'what shall we eat? or what shall we drink? or what shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all of these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own. “
As we follow Jesus, we can taste the abundant life that awaits us! It is a continual process of learning, practicing, stumbling and picking each other up, enduring and overcoming.
In our current state, “we see but a poor reflection in a mirror“. 1 Corinthians 13:12
Ron's sermon on Sunday addressed this and is worth listening to if you missed it!
“IN CHRIST” we are SO much more:
Being IN CHRIST we are heirs to the throne of God – Romans 8:17 “Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
Being IN CHRIST we are saved by the blood of the Lamb – Ephesians 1:7-8 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.“
Being IN CHRIST we are more than conquerors – Romans 8:37 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. “
Keep SMILING because no matter what we are going through, this should bring JOY to our inner being!
KEEP SINGING:
10,000 REASONS
Bless the Lord oh my soul, Oh my soul, Worship His Holy name. Sing like never before, Oh my soul, I'll worship Your Holy name. The sun comes up, It's a new day dawning, It's time to sing Your song again, Whatever may pass, And whatever lies before me, Let me be singing When the evening comes. Bless the Lord oh my soul, Oh my soul, Worship His Holy name, Sing like never before, Oh my soul, I'll worship Your Holy name. You're rich in love, And You're slow to anger, Your name is great, And Your heart is kind, For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing, Ten thousand reasons For my heart to find. Bless the Lord oh my soul, Oh my soul, Worship His Holy name, Sing like never before, Oh my soul, I'll worship Your Holy name, Bless You Lord. And on that day, When my strength is failing, The end draws near, And my time has come, Still my soul will Sing Your praise unending, Ten thousand years And then forevermore... Forevermore Bless the Lord oh my soul, Oh my soul, Worship His Holy name. Sing like never before, Oh my soul, I'll worship Your Holy name. Bless the Lord oh my soul, Oh my soul, Worship His Holy name. Sing like never before, Oh my soul, I'll worship Your Holy name. Yes I'll worship Your Holy name. I'll worship Your Holy name. Sing like never before, Oh my soul, I'll worship Your Holy name. Jesus I will worship Your Holy name, Worship Your Holy name.
In closing, we are blessed beyond measure IN JESUS CHRIST. Complete abundance…our cups overflow!
“May the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you too may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
In Him and in His Service,
Bruce & Paula