Scripture
– NIV
Philippians
2:1-11 –
Therefore
if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort
from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and
compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same
love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition
or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking
to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In
your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who,
being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be
used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very
nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in
appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even
death on a cross!
Therefore
God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every
name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth
and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to
the glory of God the Father.
Micah
6:6-8 –
With
what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall
I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
Will
the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive
oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for
the sin of my soul?
He
has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And
what does the Lord require of you?
To
act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Bob’s
thoughts:
In looking
to visit a store in the area, we combined shopping and worship and enjoyed a
pleasant drive together.
We
were greeted by a woman on the praise team who is a Marine. It’s always great
to meet a Marine sister who is also a sister in Christ.
The
tall gothic church has a section in the rear for nursery; with the removal of a
few pews they created a nice child care area. High above the cross on the Communion
table is a white lighted cross.
The
pastor was out with a death in the family and the pastor who filled in is being
installed at his church tonight.
In
his message he mentioned the song Just
Say Jesus. It brought back pleasant memories of working with the youth
group at church where, in response to almost every question put to the youth,
one young man would always offer “Jesus.” Thinking back, it may have been the
right answer more than we wanted to admit. And we know Jesus is never the wrong
answer.
I
remember a discussion with an Old Testament scholar, that I came away with the realization
that the pain Christ was asking God to take away from Him was the pain of
separation from God. The physical pain the human Christ endured was beyond our
comprehension, but He loved us that much.
Jan’s
thoughts:
The
scenery was breathtaking as we made this drive, arriving with time to look
around a little and speak to a couple of members.
The
reason for the name of the church was clear: this is a large, stone building
with a vaulted ceiling and some of the most intricate stained glass I’ve seen. The
sanctuary is sizeable and several rows of pews at the rear were rearranged to
complete a closed-in space for containing and caring for little ones during the
service. It was an imaginative and attractive solution.
The
voices of the music leaders blended well and, with just the keyboard and
acoustic guitar, it was gentle on the ears.
During
the greeting time, everyone seemed to know how to make their way around and greet
everyone else.
The
echo made it a challenge to understand words spoken or sung, but as the preacher
wore a microphone, I was able to hear him clearly.
The
congregation had assembled I believe 20 “flood buckets” and personal care kits
to be donated for flood relief assistance.
The
installed pastor was away this week and the pulpit was filled by a visiting
pastor who seemed to be known to the church. This evening he is slated to be
installed as the pastor of a nearby non-denominational church and he and his
wife have made five mission trips to Haiti since 2005.
The
message was entitled, Do. Love. Walk,
referring to Micah 6:6-8. He reminded us that we should love loving others and
that everyone has a role to play within the Body of Christ.
Our
prayer for this church:
Lord,
we pray Your guidance for Your church and Your comfort for their pastor. Amen.
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