Week of 6/28/26, Happy 4th and Church Picnic
Dear Church Family,
I know a handful of you are just recovering from the fair, some have been traveling, others working hard and 'holding down the fort', but there is excitement and talk about our country's 250th celebration this coming weekend. I am sure there will be all kinds of discussions that stem from this; some with great enthusiasm and gratitude, some with great skepticism and concern, some with fear of what the day and the future will bring.
How would God have us dwell on this day?
Humility leading to gratitude - "What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as though you did not receive it?" (1 Corinthians 4:7) You can look up this verse for the specific context, but the principle of what Paul is saying stands for a blessed nation and individuals within it. Do we ultimately see God as the source of every truly good thing that we have and do, or have we attributed it to ourselves or others? It is good to give thanks for the principles that built such a nation and the men that stood on them, but how much more on the God who created us in his image and gave us great minds to consider what those principles would mean for a nation. And if you insist on looking at how far things have fallen, don't stop short there: remember that ultimately this kingdom will not last because it is not God's kingdom. Then rejoice that there is an eternal kingdom you are invited to where all tasks and relationships are reconciled through our Creator and Redeemer!
Faith leading to courage and love - God is faithful over time and history, but true faith is not abstract, it pursues our brothers and sisters in the Lord to encourage one another in daily looking to Jesus and meeting each other's needs through prayer, presence, and generosity. Faith reaches into the darkness and personal history and shines the light and hope of Jesus Christ. This actually is the primary means of dealing with any fear about the times we live in, it gives us a place to go (God) and something to do (love His people).
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Hebrews 10:25
May your personal reflections and opportunities to gather reflect gratitude for God's past work and faith towards his future work!
Church Potluck Picnic on Sunday 7/5 @ 12:30 (Or when folks get up there after the service). 6400 Shelley Road, Montague.
Please bring enough food for your crew and to share with others. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, there will be some tables and plenty of shade for everyone. Yard games, volleyball, and music. There will be baptism, please reach out to the church office or Pastor Phillip if you want to be baptized!
Pastor John will be preaching on Mark 14:32-42 this coming Sunday for those wanting to read and prepare to hear the message.
Berean Enjoyment
Read Acts 9:1-22. Take a few minutes to look at these fundamental questions.
What stands out to you in this passage?
What does it tell you about God?
What does it tell you about mankind?
If those are accurate observations, what will you do as a response of faith towards what you see in God's Word?
In regards to suffering...
Do you think the people who were suffering under Saul's attacks ever wondered whether Jesus thought of them?
How does it help you look at life when you consider Jesus identifying so completely with his suffering children in verses 4 and 5? Read 1 Peter 5:7.
When Ananias was concerned about suffering under Saul's hand, what did Jesus tell him(vs15,16)? Was the suffering that Paul would endure a punishment for his bad behavior that he had to make up for?
Then what was the suffering that Paul entered into and why?
Read Mark 10:29-30, John 15:20, 16:33, 2 Timothy 3:12, and 1 Peter 4:12-19*.
*It's important to note that the judgement mentioned in this passage has to do with response to the gospel and willingness to identify with Jesus(who suffered for us).
Based on those scriptures, would you agree with the following statement? Add or subtract anything?
"Suffering is a natural and expected path for the believer who is living out the sacrificial love of God in a fallen world that rejects him."
When you consider the 'unexpected outcome' in Acts 9:20-22, how does it challenge your views of who God will redeem?
How does it shape your view and desire to share the gospel with others?
Do you generally see yourself as ready and available to share the gospel?
Do you feel equipped to do so?
Who will you seek out to teach you?
May God grow our faith as we obey (like Ananias) so that the gospel is heard throughout Siskiyou County and beyond and that all suffering in Jesus' name would be entrusted to him who judges justly (1 Peter 3:21-25).
In Christ,
Pastor Phillip
I know a handful of you are just recovering from the fair, some have been traveling, others working hard and 'holding down the fort', but there is excitement and talk about our country's 250th celebration this coming weekend. I am sure there will be all kinds of discussions that stem from this; some with great enthusiasm and gratitude, some with great skepticism and concern, some with fear of what the day and the future will bring.
How would God have us dwell on this day?
Humility leading to gratitude - "What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as though you did not receive it?" (1 Corinthians 4:7) You can look up this verse for the specific context, but the principle of what Paul is saying stands for a blessed nation and individuals within it. Do we ultimately see God as the source of every truly good thing that we have and do, or have we attributed it to ourselves or others? It is good to give thanks for the principles that built such a nation and the men that stood on them, but how much more on the God who created us in his image and gave us great minds to consider what those principles would mean for a nation. And if you insist on looking at how far things have fallen, don't stop short there: remember that ultimately this kingdom will not last because it is not God's kingdom. Then rejoice that there is an eternal kingdom you are invited to where all tasks and relationships are reconciled through our Creator and Redeemer!
Faith leading to courage and love - God is faithful over time and history, but true faith is not abstract, it pursues our brothers and sisters in the Lord to encourage one another in daily looking to Jesus and meeting each other's needs through prayer, presence, and generosity. Faith reaches into the darkness and personal history and shines the light and hope of Jesus Christ. This actually is the primary means of dealing with any fear about the times we live in, it gives us a place to go (God) and something to do (love His people).
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Hebrews 10:25
May your personal reflections and opportunities to gather reflect gratitude for God's past work and faith towards his future work!
Church Potluck Picnic on Sunday 7/5 @ 12:30 (Or when folks get up there after the service). 6400 Shelley Road, Montague.
Please bring enough food for your crew and to share with others. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, there will be some tables and plenty of shade for everyone. Yard games, volleyball, and music. There will be baptism, please reach out to the church office or Pastor Phillip if you want to be baptized!
Pastor John will be preaching on Mark 14:32-42 this coming Sunday for those wanting to read and prepare to hear the message.
Berean Enjoyment
Read Acts 9:1-22. Take a few minutes to look at these fundamental questions.
What stands out to you in this passage?
What does it tell you about God?
What does it tell you about mankind?
If those are accurate observations, what will you do as a response of faith towards what you see in God's Word?
In regards to suffering...
Do you think the people who were suffering under Saul's attacks ever wondered whether Jesus thought of them?
How does it help you look at life when you consider Jesus identifying so completely with his suffering children in verses 4 and 5? Read 1 Peter 5:7.
When Ananias was concerned about suffering under Saul's hand, what did Jesus tell him(vs15,16)? Was the suffering that Paul would endure a punishment for his bad behavior that he had to make up for?
Then what was the suffering that Paul entered into and why?
Read Mark 10:29-30, John 15:20, 16:33, 2 Timothy 3:12, and 1 Peter 4:12-19*.
*It's important to note that the judgement mentioned in this passage has to do with response to the gospel and willingness to identify with Jesus(who suffered for us).
Based on those scriptures, would you agree with the following statement? Add or subtract anything?
"Suffering is a natural and expected path for the believer who is living out the sacrificial love of God in a fallen world that rejects him."
When you consider the 'unexpected outcome' in Acts 9:20-22, how does it challenge your views of who God will redeem?
How does it shape your view and desire to share the gospel with others?
Do you generally see yourself as ready and available to share the gospel?
Do you feel equipped to do so?
Who will you seek out to teach you?
May God grow our faith as we obey (like Ananias) so that the gospel is heard throughout Siskiyou County and beyond and that all suffering in Jesus' name would be entrusted to him who judges justly (1 Peter 3:21-25).
In Christ,
Pastor Phillip
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