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It seems like things go wrong with our plans on a regular basis. Some guy named Murphy stated it in the form of a law: "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong." Some of us have been more subject to this "law" than others, but no one ever avoids problems completely.
The Apostle Paul was a tenacious and effective missionary throughout the Roman Empire. On three different missionary journeys over the course of about 9 years, Paul managed to travel nearly 10,000 miles and plant churches in major cities. Because of these efforts, the Good News spread throughout the civilized world. However, Paul didn't experience smooth sailing as he served the Lord. He was under almost constant attack - both spiritually and physically. Paul's missionary work wasn't the end of the job. Jesus' building project continues today and you and I have been tasked with bringing the gospel to everyone we encounter. But, just like Paul experienced, we can expect difficulties along the way. The question is whether we will keep moving forward like Paul did or throw in the towel. This Sunday, April 10th, we'll talk about how we can deal with those inevitable challenges. Remember, we're not on our own: we have God within us -- and that makes all the differenece! We've reached the part in the Story of Scripture in which Jesus leaves his followers with a clear building plan: to be his witnesses to the entire world and build his church. Jesus wasn't talking about a building with walls and a roof, but a gathering of believers fully committed to living their lives in right relationship with God and others. And unlike Sarah Winchester who sought out the instructions of demonic forces, the Holy Spirit empowered and guided those early Jesus-followers - and does the same for you and me! I hope you'll be able to join us this Sunday, April 12th, as we begin our look at the way Jesus' followers spread the Good News throughout the Roman Empire - which eventually reached through the centuries to all of us. And like the Winchester Mansion, the Holy Spirit's building project isn't finished. We've still got work to do! In San Jose, CA, you can visit an extremely unusual mansion that was built by Sarah Winchester, widow of the inventor of the Winchester repeating rifle. Actually, she never finished building it. After the death of her daughter and husband, Sarah consulted a medium who told her that her only hope of finding peace from the spirit world was to never stop building a home for herself and the spirits of those who had fallen victim of Winchester rifles. As a result, she began a 24 hour a day, 365 days a year building project for 38 years until her death. Being an incredibly wealthy woman with a daily income of $1000/day (the modern equivalent of approximately $23,000!), much of the mansion is magnificently beautiful and innovative. However, her instructions to the team of builders led to all kinds of random and wacky features including stairways that ended abruptly into a ceiling and doors to no where. There certainly doesn't appear to have been a logical, intentional building plan with a finished product in mind. Mark your calendar and purchase your tickets for our CHIC fund-raiser! On Sunday, April 26, at 6:00 pm, our young people will host a south-of-the border dinner and dessert auction at the church. Proceeds will help to send our group of 10 high school students and adult leaders to the Covenant High In Christ (CHIC) conference at the University of TN this coming July.
Purchase your tickets from the students for $15 ($20 at the door). Sarah Churman was born deaf. At the age of 29 she received a hearing implant that changed her life. Take a look at this video of it being turned on for the first time. There are some moments that forever divide our lives into two: everything that we experienced BEFORE it happened and everything the we've experienced SINCE it happened. The greatest one of those moments is what we're celebrating this Sunday! Jesus' resurrection completed God's plan to make a way for everyone to experience a restored relationship with Him and a profoundly new quality of life. I hope you'll be able to join us this Sunday at 10:00 AM. Journey to the Cross Our Holy Week prayer experience continues through Friday evening. I hope you'll have the opportunity to spend a quiet and contemplative 30-60 minutes reflecting on Jesus' final week leading up to his crucifixion.
Help Needed this Saturday at 10:00 AM We'll be taking down the Journey to the Cross stations and preparing the Sanctuary for Easter Sunday. Come lend a hand - the more help we have, the easier the task will be! |
Pastor JeffThoughts about living as a Jesus follower and life at Community Covenant Church Archives
December 2020
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