What a great time we had Sunday evening with our annual Chili Bowl Challenge! It was a fierce competition with 10 entries. Our panel of expert judges debated, argued and finally reached consensus. The winners were Ashley Darland second runner up; Suzan Hatcher first runner up; and our champion – the team of Kevin Foote Jr., Samuel Hoyt and Robbie Austin. Congratulations to our winners and to all who competed. There were some great soups brought too! We may have to add a category next year. [Note: the winning recipe is printed in this addition of the newsletter.] I also want to thank all those who helped get things organize and those who stayed and cleaned up afterwards.
Teachers, don’t forget the training opportunity beginning this Sunday evening at 4:30. Todd Cochrane will lead a class studying the Seven Laws of the Learner. This will be an excellent class for the seasoned teacher but also those who are interested in teaching but who are unsure of how to go about it or not sure they are up to the task. This 8-week course will help to make you an effective teacher. There is no cost for the class and it will be a wonderful tool to equip you. I hope you will take advantage of this training.
I look forward to seeing you and your family in worship this coming Lord’s day.
Rod
(A Wednesday-evening series)
- 02/06/08: Abundant Glorious Amazing Grace, from Ephesians 1:1-6
- 02/13/08: [It was a good one, but we had technical problems. Sorry.]
- 02/27/08: Praise to God the Holy Spirit, from Ephesians 1:11-14
- 03/05/08: The Prayer of a Grace-Touched Heart, from Ephesians 1:15-19
- 03/12/08: God’s Power Revealed in Christ, from Ephesians 1:19-23
- 03/26/08: God’s God, Gracious & Glorious Provision, from Ephesians 2:1-7
- 04/02/08: Salvation by Grace Alone, from Ephesians 2:8-9
- 04/09/08: Free to Strive, from Ephesians 2:10
- 04/23/08: A Lasting Peace, from Ephesians 2:11-22
- 04/30/08: Effective Ministry, from Ephesians 3:1-13
- 05/07/08: A Genuinely Christian Prayer, from Ephesians 3:14-21
- 05/14/08: A Call to Unity, from Ephesians 4:1-6
- 05/21/08: [This message, for some reason, failed to record. We do apologize.]
- 05/28/08: A Genuine Make-Over, from Ephesians 4:17-32
- 06/04/08: Genuine Imitation, from Ephesians 5:1-8
- 06/18/08: Walking In the Light, from Ephesians 5:8-21
- 07/02/08: Husbands and Wives, from Ephesians 5:22-31
- 07/10/08: Parents and Children, from Ephesians 6:1-4
- 07/23/08: Faith and Work, from Ephesians 6:5-9
- 08/06/08: Spiritual Warfare, from Ephesians 6:10-17
- 08/13/08: Doing Battle on Our Knees, from Ephesians 6:18-20
Sunday morning, February 17, will we have a wonderful time of worship and celebration which will include the observance of the Lord’s Supper. The Table of the Lord is one of the two ordinances give to the church, baptism being the other. It is to be a memorial to the work of Christ in redeeming His people. We do not believe that the Table is a “sacrament.” Grace is not dispensed to us in our receiving the elements. We do not believe that the bread becomes the body or the fruit of the vine becomes His blood. Rather we believe they are powerful symbols of His body and blood. It is a picture of what Christ has accomplished it is a symbol of redemption. However we do not believe it is a “mere” symbol. We must be careful that we not under value the Lord’s Table. For that reason we do not tack it on to the end of a service as an afterthought instead it is the focus of the service.
When we gather around the Table it is a holy moment. It is a special and unique experience as we look back and remember and as we look ahead in hope. It is a church ordinance; therefore it is for the church. It is for those who have placed their faith and trust in Christ and in Christ alone for salvation and life. I do believe it is necessary to “fence” the Table in that it is my responsibility to warn, from the Scripture, of the danger of taking the Supper in an “unworthy” manner. When Paul uses this language he is talking about approaching the observance in a flippant or irreverent manner. He is not suggesting there are those who are worthy and others who are unworthy to take the bread and cup. All are unworthy in that sense. None of us deserve Christ. Paul warns that some have approached the observance irreverently and as a result some are sick others have died. It is a serious matter. He further instructs, “Let a man examine his own heart.” I cannot stand at the table and say, “You are okay…you are not.” My judgment is fallible. You may give every appearance that all is well and yet your heart be as black at night. When we come in humility and honesty to lovingly take of the elements it is a glorious thing. But if you approach it from arrogance and flippantly you will be drinking judgment unto yourself.
I bid you come to the Table of the Lord this coming Lord’s Day but advisedly and in the fear of God. I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod
For details, contact Tina or Danny.
For details, contact Ed and Betty, or the church office
