Church News (Page 16)
A New Creation
16 So then, from this point on we won’t recognize people by human standards. Even though we used to know Christ by human standards, that isn’t how we know him now. 17 So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived! (2 Corinthians 5:16-17) This passage is one of the lectionary readings for this week. Here Paul reminds us that as Christ followers we…
Pastoral Devotional 3/17/2022
Devotion on 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire,”. Through the pouring out of His Holy Spirit, God gave life to His chosen people, individually and corporately, and is still giving us life today through that same Spirit. Jesus promised His disciples, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8. …
Forgive One Another
One of my favorite women in the Bible is Miriam. She is probably more like me. We first see her after Moses is born at the wrong time. The government is saying there are too many Israelites. Moses’ mother makes a basket, puts Moses in the basket, puts both in the Nile River, and has Miriam watch to see what happens. Pharaoh’s daughter sees the basket and discovers Moses inside Miriam is very brave and asks Pharaoh’s daughter if she…
SFNAZ Newsletter March 2022
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PASTORAL DEVOTIONAL. SFNAZ ANNOUNCEMENTS SFNAZ New Members! On February 6th, we welcomed 8 new members to the SFNAZ family. Ed, & Janice Hicks and the Chambers family (Donald, Lorraine, Brandon, Nicole, Shelby, & Rallye). SENIOR LUNCHEON Last month, the senior high students crashed the Senior luncheon! Everyone had a great time and enjoyed each others company. NW DISTRICT QUIZ MEET Thank you to everyone that helped make the quiz meet a success. The kids…
Making Things Fit
A couple weeks ago I helped in the nursery with the tiny SFNAZ church kids. While it has been a long time since I have had a little one in my house, I was reminded of their unwavering desire to keep finding something new or making things fit where they don’t belong. While the babies were crawling around they kept getting a new toy out to play with, but they also kept coming back to the bucket with the shaped…
The Foundation of Prayer
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Luke 11:1-2 NKJV Jesus’ first words were Our Father. He wanted the 12 and all who would come after to know that God truly is our Father and that we are to surrender our lives to our God who deeply loves us. We are to hallow His name because He is holy, and He is God! How do…
Created to Worship
19 So then, my brothers and sisters, we have boldness to go into the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus. 20 He has inaugurated a brand new, living path through the curtain (that is, his earthly body). 21 We have a high priest who is over God’s house. 22 So let us therefore come to worship, with a true heart, in complete assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:19-22 –…
Are You Ready For Growth?
As we embark on new and uncertain things in life that require change, we often set goals and start off strong with great intentions. At the beginning of this process, you may be energized and ready to blast through to the end, yet inevitably life or even we ourselves can get in the way. This is actually where the real work begins. It is in these times we may realize that we are not able to do everything we thought…
SFNAZ Newsletter – February 2022
Click here to view the pastoral devotional. Dear Church, As I stated in my last letter to you, there will be small group meetings for you to sign up for to discuss the transition process and progress with a couple of Transition Team members and myself. The first meeting will take place on Sunday, February 13th, during the 11 o’clock hour. The second meeting will take place the following Sunday, February 20th at noon. Both will be held down…
Pastoral Devotional 2/3/22
We are Christ-followers (Disciples of Jesus / Empowered by the Holy Spirit / Living His Word /Set apart for Him / To make new disciples by), boldly reaching out to proclaim his transforming love, so that all may know and follow Him. Our whole purpose is to honor and adore the Living Lord! “Therefore, … since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us…
Waiting
To wait is defined as “to stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens.” This is an action verb that challenges me on a daily basis. I always have a to-do list and I like to check it off quickly. Waiting to finish something I have set my mind to isn’t something I am good at. Early in my walk with the Lord, this was troublesome for me. I thought since I…
Give and Receive
Give, and it will be given to you. A good portion—packed down, firmly shaken, and overflowing—will fall into your lap. The portion you give will determine the portion you receive in return.” (Luke 6:38) In our young adult study on Thursdays, we are slowly making our way through the Gospel of Luke. Tonight, we dig through chapter six. Here most of the narrative is teaching directly from Jesus. In a red-letter Bible, most of the words are red. Much of…