Church News (Page 6)
The Upside-Down Kingdom
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth…” (Matthew 5:1-5 NIV) Yesterday, I received my first “Happy New Year” card for 2024. My friend who sent the card filled…
SFNAZ Newsletter – January 2024
Click here to view the weekly devotional. SFNAZ ANNOUNCEMENTS NEW SERMON SERIES ~ Sunday, January 7th – 10:45am Pastor Wes will begin his new sermon series “The Blessed Life”. TITHING ENVELOPES Individual boxes of tithing envelopes are no longer available. The new tithing envelopes are available in the pew racks and at the information counter. If you are in need of additional envelopes, please contact the church office. Thank you for your continued support by the giving of your tithes…
Looking Forward to a Better Way of Living
We are almost to a New Year. It is exciting to be looking forward to 2024. Before we leave this Christmas Season, I have a new thought for each of us to consider. My text is Matthew 2:1-6 You are familiar with the story. It is the story of the birth of Jesus. The Magi came from the east and stopped in Jerusalem to visit King Herod. They asked the King where the King of the Jews was born. Most…
A Christmas Friendship
Ephesians 4:17, So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. Galatians 2:14, When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it then, that you force Gentiles…
His Presence in Presents
Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father who made the sun, moon, and stars. The Father doesn’t change like the shifting shadows produced by the sun and the moon. James 1:17 Think back to the weeks leading up to Christmas when you were a little child. The anticipation grew each time a new present appeared under the tree. For me, I’d sort, shake, try to peak and take wild guesses at…
SFNAZ Newsletter – December 2023
Click here to view the weekly devotional. SFNAZ ANNOUNCEMENTS CHRISTMAS LOVE OFFERING If you would like to bless our pastoral staff with a Christmas Love Offering, mark your gift “Pastors’ Christmas Gifts” and place it in the offering box. LIFE GROUPS Life groups will begin again in January and new groups will be starting. Be sure to watch church center to see which group God may be leading you to join. UPCOMING EVENTS 2023 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE No Midweek Activities December…
The Magnificat
Luke 1:46-55 (ESV) My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the…
Gratitude
Give thanks to the Lord for He is Good Psalm 107:1; 136:1 This Thursday we take time to offer prayers of thanksgiving, before diving into a feast of turkey with all the fixings and a day of football. The next day we begin the hunt for presents that most people don’t need and exercise our bargain hunting license looking for those extreme deals. When we were growing up, we always got one toy for Christmas, and you hoped that you…
Compassion
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. Lamentations 3:22 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless. Matthew 9:36 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 When you hear compassion what are the first few words that pop into your mind? I asked the kids that question this week and they all…
Trapped By Fear
People are trapped by their fear of others; those who trust in the Lord are secure. (Proverbs 29:25 CEB) As I commuted to the hospital this morning, the podcast I was listening to got me thinking about fear in the life of a Christian. I can’t deny that the rapid changes in our culture, along with present international conflicts provide ample fuel for fear. I confess there are times when I too fear what the future may bring. However, my…
What Do I Do With My Calendar?
I sit here looking at my November calendar. It is not getting filled up at this point. My calendar only has two places that are filled. Awesome. Here is where you can see the Holy Spirit actively at work. My days get busier with soul names on the spaces. Yes, I write the names down and what time I should be there. I even write what I’m doing. Visiting, praying or doing communion. Actually those are the fun ones to…
SFNAZ Newsletter – November 2023
Click here to view the devotional. SFNAZ ANNOUNCEMENTS THANKSGIVING MEALS FOR EVERGREEN FAMILES We are partnering with Evergreen Elementary School again this year to help bless families in need with a Thanksgiving meal. If you would like to make a donation, pick up a shopping list from the Information Counter. If you would rather make a monetary donation and have us do the shopping, please mark your check “Thanksgiving Meals”. All donations need to be received at the church by…