Author: Martha Kasper

During our 10:30 corporate worship service, Pastor Matt is teaching on Elijah: Portraits of a Prophet. On February 26th he began the study with A Renegade Prophet from 1 Kings 17:1-18:19. The rest of the series will be as follows:

• March 5: A Clash at Carmel: 1 Kings 18:20-46
• March 12: A Still Small Voice: 1 Kings 19:1-21
• March 19: A Case of Study on Authority: 2 Kings 1
• March 26: A Tough Transition: 2 Kings 2

Please join us for this informative study, as we see how Elijah not only stood out, but wisely and strategically engaged his culture.

During our 10:30 corporate worship service, Pastor Matt is teaching on Elijah: Portraits of a Prophet. On February 26th he began the study with A Renegade Prophet from 1 Kings 17:1-18:19. The rest of the series will be as follows:  

March 5: A Clash at Carmel: 1 Kings 18:20-46

March 12: A Still Small Voice: 1 Kings 19:1-21

March 19: A Case of Study on Authority: 2 Kings 1

March 26: A Tough Transition: 2 Kings 2

Please join us for this informative study, as we see how Elijah not only stood out, but and wisely and strategically engaged his culture.

In our 9:30 Bible Hour we have been learning about obstacles and objections to the gospel and how to navigate them. By looking at Christ’s example in John 4, we can glean many lessons on how the master used conversation to establish a connection, cultivate interest and direct the discussion to spiritual matters. Pastor Matt will continue this topic for one more week, followed by a study on the “ships” in the Christian fleet, like discipleship, fellowship and stewardship.

In our 11 am corporate worship service, Pastor Matt continues to preach through 1 Corinthians. We have seen recently from chapter 14 that our ministries should strive for maximum edification (v.1-5) and that we must pursue clarity in our teaching and outreach (v. 6-12). One of the reasons for gathering as believers is to continue to fortify our faith!  Scripture also teaches that our services should also encourage intellectual stimulation (v. 13-19) and should embody truth and maturity (v. 20-27).

It is a New Year and a great time to get back to church! Please join us for these encouraging studies as we grow together in our knowledge and love of the Word of God.

During the 9:30 Bible hour, Pastor Matt will be teaching on some shorter topics which will run three to four weeks each. Our first study will be on the Holy Spirit, then sanctification and finally Bible interpretation.

During the 11 am corporate worship service, we are continuing our study through 1 Corinthians. In chapter 12 we recently saw how humble participation in church should be a priority, and how serving others is based on mutual care and appreciation for one another. Using our spiritual gifts should drive our humility and not arrogance for we are all an integral part of the body of Christ. Also, our spiritual life is often tied to our involvement and investment in our local church.  On January 8^th we will continue our study in 1 Corinthians chapter 13.

We are continuing our study through Deuteronomy in the 9:30 Bible Study Hour. We recently studied chapter 26, noting that obedience and actions declare what we believe. The nation of Israel was to obey God, by giving their first fruits of the land. This act was recognition of his blessing on the land, an acknowledgement of his grace, and also an inherent trust that more produce will come. Join us as we turn our attention to chapter 27 this week.

Last Sunday during the 11 am Worship Service, Pastor Matt reminded us that we are people of the book, people of ideas and content. Christianity is based not on feelings, but the reality of the Word of God and the work of Christ. Our study of 1 Corinthians continues as he challenges us from chapter 12 to not only know and use our spiritual gifts, but to help others identify their giftedness, as well.  On December 18 we will have a special Christmas service and then on December 25 we will not meet for services since the Cultural Arts and Community Center building will be closed.

With fall electives now done, we are continuing our study of Deuteronomy during the 9:30 Bible Hour. Pastor Matt resumes the study in chapter 20. Come and engage with the Word of God, which our study of Deuteronomy reminds us, should be the moral compass and ethical anchor for society. Humility and obedience are still the best ways to relate to God.  Join us, as we glean principles for right living from Deuteronomy.

Pastor Matt resumes his series in 1 Corinthians during the 11 am service. Recently, from chapter 10, we have been challenged to flee temptation and idolatry, seek selfless edification of others and pursue glorifying God in all of our endeavors. As Martin Luther has proposed, we are to pursue a “theology of the cross” which embraces humility and glorification of God, rather than self. So we have been urged to ask ourselves: In what ways are we not giving God glory in our lives? Where do we have opportunities to edify believers and witness to unbelievers? Come worship and learn with us about Christian conduct from this compelling book, 1 Corinthians.

Starting on October 9 we will have three weeks of electives during the 9:30-10:30 Bible hour. Choose the class that interests you!  Robert Pritchard will be teaching a Survey through Philippians and Matt Kasper will be teaching I Object! Answering Today’s Objections about God. Please plan to join us in the downstairs classrooms for these classes on October 9, 16 and 23.

Our Sermon Series on Joel continues at the 11 am service. We have seen how radical repentance is always a great response to personal difficulties and national disasters. From Joel’s words to Judah, we see that a destructive invasion should arrest our attention and elicit our sorrow (Joel 1:1-13).  Refocusing on the Lord involves pursuing personal purity and holiness and rending our hearts before the Lord should be an urgent priority (Joel 1:13-20, 2:12-14). God’s plan for prosperity includes living in gratitude for his blessing and in courage and joy because of his blessing (Joel 2:18-27). Join us as we continue to study this minor prophet for a few more weeks.

Pastor Matt is pausing our study in 1 Corinthians to preach a 6 week study on Joel entitled Finding God in National Disasters. This minor prophet reminds the people of his day that blessing only comes after repentance. Joel’s understanding of repentance is based on the “gracious and compassionate” character of God (2:13). This sermon series on Joel will begin on September 11. Please join us for service at 11 am.

We will continue our study of Deuteronomy: Invading a Pagan Land with Holiness and Truth during the 9:30 Bible hour, starting with chapter 13.

Deuteronomy 9:30 Bible Study Hour

Our study through Deuteronomy continues as we are reminded that humility and obedience are still the best ways to relate to God.  From chapter 7 we have been challenged whether we are pleasing to the Lord. Is He our top priority? We have seen how holiness should be a top priority for God’s people (Deuteronomy 7:6).  Pastor Matt has given us helpful guidelines to help us evaluate any activity we participate in. We should first ask ourselves: Will this help me become more holy? Does this activity somehow compromise my holiness? Am I partnering or cooperating with the world in a way that I should not be? Will this help believers around me become more holy? We will begin Deuteronomy chapter 9 on August 14^th. Please join us!

1 Corinthians 11:00 Sermon Study

We have been studying managing Christian liberty and in chapter 8, we have been exhorted by the Apostle Paul to steward our freedom well. We have seen how liberty in Christ gives us the freedom to become a slave. With our freedom, our knowledge of God and His word, and our love for God and His people we can optimize our Christian service. Understood together, these concepts will prevent us from unnecessarily offending an unbeliever and help us avoid harming the spiritual grown of another believer (1 Corinthians 8:7-13).

We are continuing our study through Deuteronomy: Invading a Pagan Land with Holiness and Truth during our 9:30 hour.  Currently, we are in chapter 5 and we see how the Word of God was to stand out as the moral compass and ethical anchor for society.  The verb “shama” meaning “to hear” or “to listen” occurs 92 times in the book of Deuteronomy. Just as the Israelites were to listen to God’s commands, this verb reminds Christians that growing and maturing is directly related to our ability to listen to God’s word. Pastor Matt continues to explore the rich implications that Deuteronomy has for believers today. 

Our sermon series in 1 Corinthians continues at 11 am. We have been studying about pursuing contentment in the sermon “Staying in Your Lane” from chapter 7:17-31. We have learned that one of the values of singleness is the ability to leverage our freedom to serve God more fully. Next, we will be discussing “Balancing Spiritual and Worldly Concerns” from 1 Corinthians 7:32-40.

May 2022

Please join us Sunday, May 15^th at 9:30 am when we start a new Bible hour series entitled Deuteronomy: Invading a Pagan Land with Holiness and Truth. Pastor Matt will explore the rich implications that Deuteronomy has for believers today.  

Our sermon series in 1 Corinthians continues at 11 am. We have seen Paul warn about the worldly thinking which causes church divisions, and the necessity to live rather, as a holy temple (3:16). The reminder that “the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight” (3:19) is refreshing in our culture. Pastor Matt continues the 1 Corinthians series, starting in chapter 4.