Scripture – NLT
John 10:16 –
I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.
Acts 1:8 –
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
2 Corinthians 10:14-16 –
We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over you, as if we had never visited you. For we were the first to travel all the way to Corinth with the Good News of Christ.
Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended. Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory.
Bob’s thoughts:
We missed a turn and arrived later than we planned so it is hard to guess if others would have greeted us. I was greeted by a Marine, which made my day.
The silhouettes on the side walls of the sanctuary were an interesting feature though I am not sure what they all represented.
There were three points to the message about a church in Portugal but I only caught the first one – serving communities. I think too many churches strive to grow bigger and forget this step; it’s the best way to grow a church.
There was a story of a man with a hole in his lung that was not given a positive prognosis. After prayer and healing his wife and daughter also came to Christ.
Having just gotten through a scary forecast myself, I bought “forever” stamps yesterday. I decided I am sure about God’s timing in my life.
Jan’s thoughts:
I was thankful for another beautiful day for a drive as we gratefully parked in a visitor spot.
We arrived with not much time to spare, so there was no opportunity to wander around. From what we saw, indoor signage was good (which means I could find the restroom without asking someone where it was).
A number of people welcomed us when we entered as well as before and after worship.
The music was led by a gentleman with an impressive voice that carried all the way to the back of the sanctuary along with a woman who provided lovely harmony.
The Order of Worship indicated the pastor will be installed Tuesday, October 8, and he confirmed that today was indeed his very first Sunday with this congregation.
As one might expect at a Christian Missionary Alliance church, the focus was on mission. The speaker, Mike Davis, and his wife (who was unable to be there today), are international mission workers in Portugal through the CMA Church.
He provided a great deal of detailed information about how their CMA Church is integrating into the community and bringing Jesus Christ to the people there. Their three goals are: serving communities, developing people, and multiplying church networks, and he detailed their efforts and successes in each area.
He closed with the encouraging reminder that “When you pray, you touch the country and the nations.”
It was a pleasure to speak with both Mike Davis and the new pastor following worship.
Our prayer for this church:
Lord, we pray You will encourage the new pastor of Your church. We pray You will bless the time he and his family are here. Amen.
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