FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH 9‑14‑08 10:45 A.M.

>> GOOD MORNING.

ISN'T THIS A JOYFUL DAY TO BE HERE?

AND I AM JUST EXPECTING A POWER‑CHARGED SERVICE STARTING WITH OUR CHILDREN, ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO OUR BENEDICTION.

IT IS ‑‑ I AM SO GLAD TO SEE ALL OF YOU, WE'RE HAPPY TO SEE OUR GUESTS.

AT THIS TIME, IF YOU WOULD START THE RED BOOK IN THE CENTER AISLE TO THE OUTSIDE AISLE AND MEMBERS AND GUESTS ALIKE, PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, AND WE WOULD INVITE OUR GUESTS TO JOIN US AFTER THE WORSHIP SERVICE IN THE PARLOR FOR PUNCH SO WE MIGHT GET TO KNOW YOU BETTER.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR OUR WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER THAT WILL BE AT THE NEW MONUMENTAL BAPTIST CHURCH, THAT IS ALWAYS A WONDERFUL EVENING OF SHARED FELLOWSHIP AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW NOW, YOU WILL BE THERE AND DECIDE YOU WILL GO, PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE SO THEY WILL BE ABLE TO PREPARE ENOUGH FOOD FOR ALL OF US.

THERE ARE TWO OR THREE ANNOUNCEMENTS I NEED TO GIVE YOU,

FIRST THE CHILDREN'S ‑‑ YOUTH AND FAMILIES WILL HAVE THEIR LAST FLING THIS SUNDAY EVENING, A SWIM PARTY AT THE ALDRIGE'S,

TAI CHI WILL NOT MEET IF YOU ATTEND THAT.

AND ATTEND OUR FELLOWSHIP DINNER, LOOK AT THE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PLANS FOR THIS WEEK.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ANY OF THE SERVICES OR FELLOWSHIP TIMES, PLEASE MAKE A NOTE TO BE THERE.

LET'S BEGIN OUR WORSHIP AND LET'S PREPARE OUR HEARTS AND MINDS AS WE PREPARE TO WORSHIP THE LORD.

>> GOOD MORNING.

AS YOU CAN TELL, KYLE AND I DO NOT DO LITTLE THINGS, WE HAVE BIG THINGS UP HERE TODAY

>> WE DO HAVE BIG THINGS.

THIS MORNING WE ARE CELEBRATING EDUCATION, NOT JUST FOR KIDS BUT ADULTS AND KIDS ALIKE, AND IN YOUR BULLETIN YOU WILL FIND A SUNDAY SCHOOL OPPORTUNITY BROCHURE WE'VE PUT TOGETHER, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUNDAY SCHOOL LEADERS WHO HAVE HELPED WRITE A DESCRIPTION OF THEIR CLASS TO PUT IN HERE.

BUT IN HERE YOU WILL FIND A DESCRIPTION OF EVERY SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS WE HAVE AT FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

IF WE HAVE VISITORS, THESE ARE AVAILABLE OUTSIDE ON THE TABLE NEAR THE ELEVATOR.

IF YOU SEE SOMEONE OUTSIDE SUNDAY SCHOOL, FIND ONE AND GIVE IT TO THEM.

FOR YOU TOO.

PICK UP ONE OF THESE, I'M SURE ANY OF THESE CLASSES WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU IN THEIR CLASS.

THIS YEAR WE WERE PROMOTING ‑‑ WE CALLED IT RALLY SUNDAY WHEN I WAS A KID.

THIS YEAR WE HAVE A VERY SPECIAL GROUP OF KIDS TO PROMOTE.

THEY WILL BE PROMOTED FROM THE NURSERY, WHICH I KNOW JEANIE WILL CRY OVER HERE, I'M TAKING HER CHILDREN, AND WE'RE PROMOTING THEM.

AS YOU KNOW, HATTIE HONEYS, SHE PASSED AWAY SEVERAL YEARS AGO, AND THEY ARE GOING TO GO TO HATTIE'S HONEYS.

IF JACK AND JAY, RACHAEL, LEAH AND REBEKAH WILL COME HERE.

COME HERE, JACK, JAY, RACHAEL, LEAH, WE HAVE SOMETHING TO GIVE YOU, HERE IS A STORY OF JESUS COLORING BOOK, YOU CAN LOOK AT IT, COLOR IT WITH MOM AND DAD.

AND STORIES ABOUT JESUS FOR YOU TO READ.

HOLD ONTO THEM.

YOU ARE PROMOTED TO HATTIE'S HONEYS.

YOU GUYS ARE GROWING UP.

[APPLAUSE]

>> OUR OLDER CHILDREN ARE GOING TO BE RECEIVING DEVOTIONAL BOOKS THIS YEAR.

WHEN THEY ARE PROMOTED FROM THE PRESCHOOL CLASS INTO ‑‑ WHEN THEY GO UP TO FIRST GRADE, THEY EACH GET A BIBLE.

WE DON'T HAVE ANYBODY GOING TO FIRST GRADE THIS YEAR.

MONTGOMERY AND LUKE GOT BIBLES LAST YEAR, SO THIS YEAR WE HAVE DEVOTIONAL BOOKS FOR OUR OLDER CHILDREN.

WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME, IF YOU WILL COME UP.

THE FAITH ODYSSEY FOLKS, MONTGOMERY, LUKE, ABI, EMILY AND JILLY ‑‑ JILLY IS NOT HERE.

AND OUR YOUTH, LAWRENCE, FI, TI.

LEE ANN AND NOAH AREN'T HERE TODAY.

LET'S GIVE ALL THESE YOUNG FOLKS A HAND.

[APPLAUSE]

I KNOW ALL OF YOU HAVE HEARD US TALKING AND MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN DOWN TO VISIT OUR POWER LAB THIS SUMMER.

WE HAD A GREAT TIME LEARNING ABOUT THE POWER ‑‑ I HAVE TO GET MY CHEAT SHEET.

THE POWER THAT JESUS GAVE US, AND IF YOU WILL LOOK AROUND, WE BROUGHT SOME OF OUR POWER LAB ITEMS DOWN HERE WITH US, OUR BEAKER OVER THERE.

EVERY WEEK WE WOULD ASK THE CHILDREN IF THEY HAD BEEN DOING THEIR DAILY CHALLENGE, DID THEY HELP SOMEBODY, DID THEY TRY TO BE BRAVE, DID THEY REMEMBER THAT GOD LOVES THEM, AND EVERY WEEK, WHEN THEY TOLD US WHAT THEY HAD DONE, THEY GOT A BALLOON TO PUT IN OUR BIG BEAKER OVER THERE.

AND BY THE END OF THE SUMMER WE WERE NOT ONLY BUBBLING, FIZZLING, WE HAD EXPLODED OUT OF OUR BEAKER, DOING ALL THOSE THINGS JESUS HELPS US DO.

THEN ON THE LAST, ON OUR PARTY DAY, WE GOT TO POP ALL OF OUR BALLOONS.

DID YOU GUYS GET TO POP BALLOONS?

AND SOME LITTLE FELLOW EVEN SAID, "YOU KNOW, DADDY, JESUS GIVES US THE POWER TO POP BALLOONS."

SO, IT SANK IN.

WE HAD DIFFERENT STORIES WHAT JESUS GIVES US THE POWER TO DO, HE GIVES US THE POWER TO BE THANKFUL, TO HELP OTHERS AND THE POWER TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT GOD, TO TELL OTHERS THAT GOD LOVES THEM.

YOU ARE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF PICTURES IN A LITTLE WHILE, WE HAD JIM HENRY COME VISIT US QUITE A FEW TIMES THIS SUMMER, POSSIBLY EVERY SUNDAY, AND TOOK LOTS OF PICTURES OF CHILDREN DOING LOTS OF STUFF, LOTS OF FUN THINGS.

I THINK THAT'S ALL I'M SUPPOSED TO SAY ABOUT THAT, BUT YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF IT ON THE SCREEN SOON

>> OKAY, ONE MORE THING BEFORE WE GET TO THE NICE PICTURES.

THIS SUMMER, BACK AT THE BEGINNING OF SUMMER, KYLE AND I SET A GOAL OF 25 SOCCER BALLS WHICH WERE $10 APIECE.

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH WAS SO GENEROUS, WE ENDED UP WITH OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS AND WAS ABLE TO BUY OVER A HUNDRED BALLS FOR OUR MISSION PROJECT.

[APPLAUSE]

WE ARE GOING TO BE MAILING THESE IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO TO SOUTH AFRICA, AND WHERE THEY WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO BOYS AND GIRLS WHO EARN LESS THAN $1 A DAY WHERE SOCCER BALLS COST OVER $17.

WHERE YOU OR I COULD GO TO K‑MART AND BUY ONE EASILY, THEY SAVE UP FOR A YEAR TO BUY ONE.

THEY PLAY WITH ROCKS, ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE SOCCER BALLS.

WE ARE GOING TO SEND THESE TO SOUTH AFRICA WHERE THEY CAN PLAY SOCCER WITH A REAL BALL.

WHAT IS EXCITING, DOUG FORD IS GOING TO SOUTH AFRICA, I FORGET THE NAME, HE IS GOING TO SOUTH AFRICA IN A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AND I AM SENDING 25 OF THOSE WITH HIM IN SUITCASES AND HE WILL BE HANDING THEM PERSONALLY TO LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS WHERE HE IS GOING ON HIS MISSION TRIP TO AFRICA.

HE HAS DONE A GOOD THING, WE ARE TRULY A CHURCH THAT JUST DOESN'T TALK ABOUT DOING SOMETHING, WE ACTUALLY HAVE DONE SOMETHING.

THESE BOYS AND GIRLS THANK YOU FOR THAT.

NOW WE HAVE TO SEND THESE SOCCER BALLS OFF WITH A PRAYER, WE WANT TO DEDICATE THEM AND BILLY WILL DO THAT FOR US.

>> LET US PRAY.

GRACIOUS GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS CHANCE TO OFFER THESE GIFTS IN YOUR NAME, SEND THESE BALLS WITH OUR LOVE AND OUR GRACE AND ALLOW THE CHILDREN TO EXPERIENCE THAT SAME LOVE AND GRACE AS THEY RECEIVE THEM.

WE THANK YOU FOR THIS CHANCE TO SERVE AND WE THANK YOU FOR THIS CHILDREN'S MINISTRY AND FOR ALL WHO ARE BEING PROMOTED TODAY.

WE PRAY THESE THINGS IN YOUR SON'S NAME, JESUS CHRIST, AMEN.

>> NOW, WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ALL WAITING FOR, IF ALL THE KIDS CAN COME SIT DOWN AND SEE THE MOVIE, JIM HENRY HAS PUT TOGETHER SOME PICTURES, NOT ONLY OF OUR POWER LAB, YOU MIGHT FIND YOURSELF IN THESE PICTURES.

HE HAS PUT SOME PICTURES ON HERE OF OUR PICNIC, FROM BILLY'S INSTALLATION, FROM THE MISSION TRIP, A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING, SO LET'S ENJOY.

[POWERPOINT PRESENTATION OF POWER LAB, OF CHURCH PICNIC, POWER LAB, WIGGLE TIME, BILLY KILGORE VISIT AND INSTALLATION]

IF YOU GO DO OUR WEBSITE, IF YOU HAVE A NEIGHBOR OR ANYONE WHO YOU WANT TO INVITE, JIM HENRY IS AMAZING, HE'S PUT PICTURES ON THE WEBSITE.

THANK YOU, JIM, THAT CONCLUDES OUR PART OF THE SERVICE.

THANK YOU TO EVERY ONE AT FIRST CHRISTIAN WHO HELPS WITH CHRISTIAN EDUCATION.

WITHOUT YOU AND THEM WE WOULDN'T HAVE SUNDAY SCHOOL OR ANYTHING, THANK YOU EVERYONE.

EVERY ONE, GIVE YOURSELF A HAND.

THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE]

>> PLEASE JOIN ME IN OUR RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP.

THE LORD IS PRESENT HERE AND NOW.

LET US RISE UP TO MEET AND PRAISE OUR GOD.

NOW LET US STAND AND WORSHIP IN SONG, NUMBER 25.

[HYMN 25]

>> YOU MAY BE SEATED.

THIS MORNING WE HAVE FROM BROWN ACADEMY, NOT OUR PRINCIPAL LEE ANN BURKE, BUT VICE PRESIDENT VANESSA HARRIS IS HERE TO JOIN US AND TELL US HOW THINGS ARE GOING FOR BROWN.

LET'S WELCOME HER.

[APPLAUSE]

>> GOOD MORNING, I'M HERE, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT BROWN ACADEMY, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, THANK YOU TO THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

I'VE BEEN AT MANY SCHOOLS AND HAD CHURCH CONNECTIONS BUT NEVER LIKE THE CONNECTIONS WE HAVE HERE WITH FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH AND I APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.

I HAVE A LOT OF THANK YOUS, THANK PEOPLE.

FIRST AUGUST 1ST WAS OUR FIRST INSERVICE AND IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I EVER MET THE WHOLE STAFF AND SOMEBODY HERE CATERED LUNCH FOR US, I'M NOT SURE WHO CATERED THAT BUT IT WAS DELICIOUS.

I DIDN'T EAT A LOT BECAUSE THE FIRST DATE YOU DON'T EAT A LOT, PEOPLE ARE WATCHING ME BUT PLEASE FEEL FREE TO BRING MORE LUNCH, I WILL BE EATING MORE THIS TIME, SO THAT WAS DELICIOUS AND THANK YOU FOR THAT DELICIOUS LUNCH.

TO THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE BROWN BUCK STORE, I WASN'T FAMILIAR WITH THE BROWN BUCK STORE BUT IT IS A WONDERFUL STORE, IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT, COME SEE IT.

MISS GAIL MET FOR THE FIRST TIME SHE WAS OVER PAINTING, I'M STILL A LITTLE DIZZY FROM THE PAINTING, WE APPRECIATE THE HARD WORK STOCKING THE BROWN BOOK STORE, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR OFFERING OUR ANGEL PROGRAM, THIS YEAR WE HAVE 9 CHILDREN LIVING IN THE HOMELESS SHELTER FROM KINDERGARTEN UP TO 5TH GRADE, WE APPRECIATE YOU SPONSORING THE ANGEL.

THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING US A PLACE TO HAVE OUR PAWS MEETING, POSITIVE ACTION WITH SUCCESS, GETTING STUDENTS READY TO GO TO COLLEGE, THAT IS A GREAT PROGRAM, THEY MEET HERE AND WE APPRECIATE THAT.

I WANT TO WELCOME TWO OF THE STAFF MEMBERS HERE.

WE HAVE HIRED CHRISTINE AND HOKE.

WE APPRECIATE HIM COMING IN TO WORK WITH THE KIDS.

THE OTHER THANK YOU I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IS THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING SERVICES FOR OUR AFTER SCHOOL LEARNING COMMUNITY, THAT IS A TUTORING PROGRAM EVERY TUESDAY, OUR STUDENTS WALK OVER HERE AND DO TUTORING.

I APPRECIATE EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU HELPING WITH OUR TUTORING, THAT WILL HELP OUR TEST SCORES ONCE AGAIN AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE CHURCH FOR PICKING UP THE TAB FOR THE BUS, THE BUS WILL PICK THEM UP HERE AND DELIVER THEM TO COLLEGE COURT HOMES, THAT'S A BIG FINANCIAL BURDEN YOU WILL TAKE OFF THE SCHOOL AND WE APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I CAN'T COME IN WITHOUT BEGGING FOR SOMETHING.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE BROWN ACADEMY WILL SPONSOR A TRIP FOR OUR FIFTH GRADE TO JEKYLL ISLAND, IF THE CHURCH COULD HELP WITH SPONSORSHIPS FOR KIDS WHO CAN'T AFFORD IT, THE TRIP IS $120, MARCH 2‑4, THAT IS FOR THE BUS, THE FOOD, HOUSING, ANYTHING THEY WOULD NEED AND WE HAVE FAMILIES THAT WON'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD THAT, WE ARE ASKING IF THE CHURCH COULD DIG A LITTLE DEEPER INTO THEIR POCKETS AND HELP US OUT, WE WILL TRY TO START A LITTLE SCHOLARSHIP FUND SO WE CAN CONTINUE THIS TRIP THROUGHOUT THE YEARS AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING EACH AND EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU HAVE DONE, I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EACH OF YOU AT BROWN ACADEMY.

IT'S MY FIRST YEAR AT BROWN ACADEMY, THEY ASKED IF I WAS THE NEW ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, I WAS NEW ONLY FOR THE FIRST WEEK.

I THANK EACH OF YOU FOR HAVING ME.

THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE]

>> AT THIS TIME IN OUR SERVICE, LET US LIFT UP TO GOD OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS.

>> I'M THANKFUL FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE SERVING AS NEW DEACONS AND WOULD LIKE TO REMIND YOU WE ARE HAVING AN ORIENTATION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING WORSHIP THIS MORNING.

THANK YOU.

>> SOMEBODY LEAVES FOOD FOR THE HOPE CLASS AFTER SUNDAY SCHOOL AND BEFORE CHURCH.

THEY SAY ‑‑ JUST A NOTE ON THERE SAYS "FOR THE HOPE CLASS."

I WISH YOU WOULD COME BY OCCASIONALLY AND LET ME KNOW WHO YOU ARE SO WE CAN THANK YOU.

>> I'D LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL THE PRAYERS FOR MY MOM. TWO WEEKS AFTER TRIPLE BYPASS SURGERY SHE WENT BACK TO CHURCH, SO SHE IS DOING REALLY GREAT. ALSO, JODI AND RON ARE THE ONES WHO PROVIDED LUNCH FOR BROWN ACADEMY.

>> WE HAD A LITTLE EXCITEMENT AT OUR HOUSE YESTERDAY, MY DAUGHTER IS DUE OCTOBER THE 15TH OR THEREABOUT, AND SHE WAS HAVING BACK PAINS AND THE DOCTOR SAID YOU BETTER COME IN AND WE'LL CHECK YOU OUT.

NOTHING OCCURRED THERE, WE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO GET TO GO HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL THIS AFTERNOON, BUT KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYERS.

>> I COULD USE YOUR PRAYERS ON TUESDAY, I'M GOING TO HAVE TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT AND PRAY FOR MY DOCTOR ON TUESDAY MORNING AND THEN PRAY FOR DON FOR THE WEEKEND WHEN I GET HOME.

>> I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL YESTERDAY THAT ASKED ME TO BRING THIS BEFORE THE CONGREGATION FOR PRAYER.

DAVID BOWMAN WHO GREW UP IN THIS CHURCH, SON OF JANE AND IDA BOWMAN, HE IS CRITICALLY ILL IN THE HOSPITAL IN MONTGOMERY, AND THE PERSON WHO CALLED ME SAID HE IS NOT LIKELY TO LIVE LONG.

I WAS ASKED TO BRING THIS TO THE CONGREGATION TO LIFT DAVID UP IN PRAYER.

>> ANY OTHER PRAYER CONCERNS?

LET US GO TO GOD IN PRAYER.

GRACIOUS GOD, THERE ARE SO MANY REASONS WE PRAISE YOU TODAY, FOR SO MANY GIFTS THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO US, AND WE KNOW THAT THEY ARE ALL ROOTED IN YOU, BECAUSE YOU ARE A GOOD GOD, AND WE CAN TRUST YOU, BECAUSE OF THAT WE COME AND OPEN OURSELVES TO YOU THIS MORNING AND ASK THAT YOU WOULD FILL US WITH YOUR LOVE AND GRACE SO THAT WE MAY IN TURN SHARE THAT LOVE AND GRACE WITH THE WORLD.

WE PRAISE YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU SURROUND US WITH, WE DON'T HAVE TO LOOK FAR INTO NATURE TO SEE YOUR GLORY OR INTO A CHILD'S FACE TO SEE YOUR GLORY OR ALL THE DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WE CAN SEE YOUR GLORY.

WE LIFT UP ALL THOSE WHO ARE HURTING TODAY, THOSE WHO ARE BOTH SPIRITUALLY AND PHYSICALLY HURTING AND WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD BRING HEALING INTO THEIR LIVES, SURROUND THEM WITH YOUR LOVE AND GRACE AND BE WITH THOSE WHO ARE ILL, THEIR DOCTORS, NURSES, GIVE US THE WISDOM YOU CAN GIVE US.

WE ESPECIALLY PRAY FOR THOSE IN THE GULF COAST WHO ARE SUFFERING BECAUSE OF HURRICANES, GIVE THEM COMFORT AND ALLOW THEM TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET AS SOON AS YOU CAN.

BRING HEALING TO THIS PART OF OUR COUNTRY AND ALLOW FOR IT TO BE RESTORED.

WE THANK YOU FOR ALL OF OUR OPPORTUNITIES TO OUTREACH IN YOUR NAME.

WE THANK YOU FOR BROWN ACADEMY AND FOR THE CHANCE TO SERVE THE CHILDREN AROUND US.

WE THANK YOU FOR OUR SOCCER BALL MISSION PROJECT AND THE CHANCE TO SERVE CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD.

ALL THESE THINGS WE DO IN YOUR NAME.

MOST IMPORTANTLY WE CELEBRATE THAT YOU ARE PRESENT WITH US HERE AND STRENGTHEN US AND SUSTAIN US, AND AS WE MOVE FORWARD AND THROUGH THE WEEK, WE KNOW YOU GO WITH US, REMIND US OF THE GIFT YOU'VE GIVEN US THROUGH YOUR SON JESUS CHRIST.

NOW LET US PRAY AS HE TAUGHT US TO PRAY.

OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME, THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD, AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US.

AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL, FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY FOREVER.

AMEN.

AT THIS TIME IN THE WORSHIP SERVICE WE OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD, AND WE REMEMBER THAT AS WE LET GO AND OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD THAT AS GOD IS THERE TO HOLD ONTO US THROUGH WHATEVER IT IS WE ARE GIVING, IT'S GOD THAT SUSTAINS AND SUPPORTS US.

NOW LET US GIVE OUT OF THE GRACE THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED.

[APPLAUSE]

>> THE PSALTER HYMN COMES FROM PSALM 114, IT'S IN YOUR BULLETIN.

[SINGING] GOD HAS BROUGHT FORTH ISRAEL INTO JOY FROM SADNESS.

>> WHEN ISRAEL WENT OUT FROM EGYPT, THE HOUSE OF JACOB FROM A PEOPLE OF A STRANGE LANGUAGE, JUDAH BECAME GOD'S SANCTUARY, ISRAEL HIS DOMINION.

THE SEA LOOKED AND FLED, JORDAN TURNED BACK.

THE MOUNTAINS SKIPPED LIKE RAMS, THE HILLS LIKE LAMBS.

[SINGING] GOD HAS BROUGHT FORTH ISRAEL, INTO JOY FROM SADNESS.

>> WHY IS IT, O SEA, THAT YOU FLEE?

O JORDAN THAT YOU TURN BACK?

O MOUNTAINS THAT YOU SKIP LIKE RAMS?

O HILLS LIKE LAMBS?

TREMBLE O EARTH AT THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD AT THE PRESENCE OF THE GOD OF JACOB WHO TURNS THE ROCK INTO A POOL OF WATER, THE FLINT INTO A SPRING OF WATER.

[SINGING] GOD HAS BROUGHT FORTH ISRAEL, INTO JOY FROM SADNESS.

>> GOOD MORNING.

THE SCRIPTURE THIS MORNING COMES FROM LUKE 9 STARTING VERSE 51 THROUGH 62.

IT IS PAGE 901 IN THE PEW BIBLES.

AS THE TIME DREW NEAR FOR HIS RETURN TO HEAVEN, JESUS SET OUT FOR JERUSALEM, HE SENT MESSENGERS AHEAD TO A VILLAGE TO PREPARE FOR HIS ARRIVAL.

BUT THEY WERE TURNED AWAY, THE PEOPLE OF THE VILLAGE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH JESUS BECAUSE HE HAD RESOLVED TO GO TO JERUSALEM.

WHEN JAMES AND JOHN HEARD ABOUT IT, THEY SAID, "LORD, SHOULD WE ORDER DOWN FIRE FROM HEAVEN TO BURN THEM UP?"

BUT JESUS TURNED AND REBUKED THEM.

THEY WENT ON TO ANOTHER VILLAGE.

AS THEY WERE WALKING ALONG SOMEONE SAID TO JESUS, "I WILL FOLLOW YOU NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO," BUT JESUS REPLIED, "FOXES HAVE DENS TO LIVE IN AND BIRDS HAVE NESTS."

"I, THE SON OF MAN HAVE NO HOME OF MY OWN, NOT EVEN A PLACE TO LAY MY HEAD."

HE SAID TO ANOTHER PERSON, "COME, BE MY DISCIPLE."

THE MAN AGREED BUT HE SAID, "LORD, FIRST LET ME RETURN HOME AND BURY MY FATHER."

JESUS REPLIED, "LET THOSE WHO ARE SPIRITUALLY DEAD CARE FOR THEIR OWN DEAD."

"YOUR DUTY IS TO GO AND PREACH THE COMING OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD."

ANOTHER SAID, "YES, LORD, I WILL FOLLOW YOU, BUT FIRST LET ME SAY GOODBYE TO MY FAMILY."

JESUS SAID, "ANYONE WHO PUTS A HAND TO THE PLOW AND THEN LOOKS BACK IS NOT FIT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD."

THIS IS THE GOOD NEWS

>> THANKS BE TO GOD.

>> WOULD SOMEBODY MOVE THE BALLOONS, PLEASE?

MUCH BETTER.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU WILL BE CALLED UPON TO DO AT CHURCH.

LET US PRAY.

GRACIOUS GOD, WE COME TO MEET YOU, BEYOND MY WORDS, MY WEAK WORDS, HELP US TO HEAR FROM YOU, YOU WHO ARE THE LIVING GOD.

IN THE NAME OF CHRIST WE PRAY.

AMEN.

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THIS PASSAGE, WHAT MAKES IT REMARKABLE TO ME IS WHAT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

IT'S REALLY A NONEVENT.

IF YOU LOOK TO THE FIRST EIGHT CHAPTERS OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE SOMETHING IS ALWAYS HAPPENING, THERE IS HEALING AND THERE IS SENDING OUT AND THERE IS PETER MAKING A DECLARATION, THERE IS SOMETHING ALWAYS HAPPENING AND IT'S USUALLY SOMETHING PRETTY BIG FOR THAT COMMUNITY OR THAT GROUP OF DISCIPLES IN JESUS.

BUT THIS ISN'T ONE OF THOSE EVENTS, IT'S A NONEVENT, AND YOU GET TO CHAPTER 9, THEY KNOW JESUS, EVERY ONE KNOWS JESUS, YOU JUST HAVE TO READ THE FIRST EIGHT CHAPTERS.

THEY KNOW JESUS.

SAMARITAN VILLAGE, THEY KNOW JESUS, BUT THEY HAVE OTHER THINGS ON THEIR MIND, THEY HAVE OTHER CONCERNS, THEY AREN'T PAYING ATTENTION TO JESUS.

JESUS AND THE VILLAGE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH EACH OTHER.

YOU SEE, JESUS IS BOUND FOR JERUSALEM AND JESUS KNOWS THAT TROUBLE IS COMING HIS WAY, THE DISCIPLES MIGHT HAVE AN INKLING THAT TROUBLE IS COMING HIS WAY.

SO JESUS AND THE VILLAGE AREN'T CONNECTING ON A LEVEL THAT PERHAPS THE DISCIPLES WOULD LIKE.

THEY GO AHEAD TO THE SAMARITAN VILLAGE, PEOPLE WOULD NOT RECEIVE HIM.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND JAMES AND JOHN'S RESPONSE.

HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO THROW DOWN SOME FIRE ON SOMEBODY?

A LITTLE JUDGMENT?

SURE YOU HAVE.

THEY WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHO JESUS IS.

WE'RE ON AN IMPORTANT MISSION JAMES AND JOHN SAYS.

THEY WANT TO INVOLVE A LITTLE FIRE, A LITTLE VENGEANCE, A LITTLE JUDGMENT.

SURELY YOU'VE WANTED TO DO THAT TO SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE AGGRAVATED THE TAR OUT OF YOU, AREN'T PAYING ATTENTION.

NOW, IT'S INTERESTING THAT JESUS COULD HAVE STAYED AND IMPOSED HIS WILL, HE COULD HAVE STAYED THERE AND SAID, NO, THIS IS THE WAY IT IS GOING TO BE, I HAVE AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR YOU, I WANT YOU TO GATHER THE LEADERS OF THIS VILLAGE AND YOU WILL LISTEN.

BUT JESUS DOESN'T IMPOSES WILL ON THAT VILLAGE.

INSTEAD, JESUS MOVES ON.

HE MOVES ON.

I GUESS JESUS KNOWS THAT OLD COUNTRY SONG, YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHEN TO HOLD THEM AND KNOW WHEN TO FOLD THEM, OR MAYBE JESUS KNOWS YOU CAN'T WIN THEM ALL, NOT ALL BATTLES WILL BE WON.

THERE WILL BE TIMES WHERE YOU WILL BE DEFEATED OR YOU WILL BE IGNORED AND JESUS KNEW THIS.

NOW, I KNOW, I KNOW THIS GOES AGAINST THE GRAIN OF THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING PEOPLE, BUT A CHURCH THAT HEARS THE GOSPEL REALLY HEARS THE GOSPEL, HAS TO ASK: WHAT IS THE POINT OF POSITIVE THINKING IF THERE'S NO NEGATIVE REALITY?

WHAT IS THE POINT OF POSITIVE THINKING IF THERE IS NO NEGATIVE REALITY?

WE LIVE IN A DIFFICULT WORLD, A WORLD THAT SEEMS AT ODDS WITH THE CLAIMS OF THE GOSPEL.

WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT IT?

I MEAN, DO WE WANT TO RAIN DOWN ON PEOPLE WITH FIRE AND JUDGMENT AND CURSES LIKE JOHN AND JAMES OR DO WHAT JESUS PRACTICES?

JESUS HAD THE THREE‑FOLD WAY OF COPING WITH A HOSTILE WORLD.

THE FIRST THING HE REALLY DOES IS HE SAYS IS GET USED TO IT.

THE WORLD IS NOT A NICE PLACE, PEOPLE WILL IGNORE YOU, PEOPLE WILL IGNORE THE GOOD NEWS.

PEOPLE ARE UNAWARE OF THE BLESSINGS IN LIFE WHICH THE GOSPEL REVEALS.

GET USED TO IT.

I HAVE A FRIEND WHO LIVES IN NEW YORK CITY AND WAS WORKING IN NEW YORK CITY WHEN 9/11 HAPPENED.

VICTOR WILL TELL ME: YOU KNOW, IT WAS INTERESTING, THE FIRST TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE MONTHS EVEN PEOPLE WERE SO NICE TO EACH OTHER IN NEW YORK CITY.

PEOPLE WERE SO KIND TO EACH OTHER.

IT STARTED TO DRIVE YOU CRAZY.

BUT FINALLY THINGS STARTED TO GET BACK TO NORMAL, PEOPLE STARTED TO IGNORE EACH OTHER, GOT RUDE TO EACH OTHER, THANK GOD THE WORLD GOT BACK TO THE WAY IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE.

WE HAVE TO STOP WHINING AS CHRISTIANS ABOUT HOW DIFFICULTY IS TO BE CHRISTIAN IN OUR WORLD.

JESUS IS RIGHT, GET USED TO IT, THERE IS A NEGATIVE REALITY, THAT IS WHY IT NEEDS THE POSITIVE RESPONSE OF THE GOSPEL.

IF THAT WASN'T TRUE THERE WOULD BE NOTHING FOR US TO BE DOING.

NUMBER 2, JESUS TELLS US TO GET OVER IT AFTER WE GET USED TO IT.

WE CAN'T ALLOW IT TO SHAPE OUR REALITY.

WE ARE NOT CALLED TO BE DEFINED BY OUR LIMITATIONS OR OUR DISABILITIES.

GOD IS CALLING US TO SOMETHING LARGER, LONGER, SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN WHAT THE WORLD OFFERS, SO WE CAN'T ALLOW OUR PRESENT REALITY TO BE THE END‑ALL‑BE‑ALL.

WE ARE CALLED TO SOMETHING GREATER, A BIGGER VISION OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE PART OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

BUT I KNOW THAT'S HARD.

WE GET SO INGRAINED IN OUR LITTLE WORLDS, PREACHERS ARE PROBABLY THE WORST AT IT.

AND WE DON'T SEE BEYOND IT.

AND IT SHAPES OUR ENTIRE REALITY.

WE HAVE TO GET OVER IT.

THE THIRD THING JESUS TELLS US TO DO IS TO GET ON WITH IT.

GET ON WITH IT.

JESUS MOVED ON.

GET ON WITH IT.

IN THIS SANCTUARY ALONE, LIKE MANY OTHER SANCTUARIES, THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR GOOD REPRESENTED RIGHT HERE.

IN THIS SANCTUARY WE ARE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO BE IN THE WILL OF GOD, OUR HEARTS ARE OPEN TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, TO THE WORD OF GOD.

I MEAN, WORSHIP IS OUR PEAK MOMENT IN OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE.

THEN IN 60 MINUTES IT SEEMS TO DISSIPATE, AND WE GO BACK INTO THE WORLD AND GO BACK TO BEING WHATEVER WE WERE BEFORE WE EVER GOT HERE.

BUT MAYBE THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY.

MAYBE GOD SAYS RIGHT NOW, YOU KNOW, MAYBE TODAY.

MAYBE TODAY IS THE DAY THAT WE GO FROM LISTENING ABOUT THE GOSPEL TO BEING THE GOSPEL.

MAYBE TODAY IS THE DAY THAT WE GO FROM DISCUSSING THE GOOD NEWS TO BECOMING THE GOOD NEWS.

I MEAN, THERE IS NO DOUBT WE MAKE A GOOD EFFORT HERE AT FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

NOBODY IS WITHOUT A CHANCE IN OUR CHURCH TO GET ON WITH IT.

WE ALL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY HERE.

THERE IS SOMETHING FOR ALL OF US TO DO.

AND WHEN YOU FIGURE OUT THERE IS SOMETHING TO DO, WHO KNOWS, THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN THAT WE JUST PRAYED ABOUT JUST MIGHT COME.

JESUS MOVED ONTO ANOTHER PLACE.

THE REALITY IS, THE ONLY WAY FORWARD IS TO MOVE FORWARD.

PEOPLE IN ANCIENT INSTITUTIONS LIKE THE CHURCH MUST ALWAYS FIGHT THE DESIRE AND THE TEMPTATION OF LOOKING BACK LONGINGLY TO THE GOOD OLD DAYS.

THINGS WERE BETTER WHEN... ‑‑ FILL IN THE BLANK.

THERE'S NO CONSOLATION WORTH THE TROUBLE IN LOOKING BACK.

REMEMBER THE PLOW, ANYONE WHO BEGINS TO PLOW AND THEN LOOKS BACK IS OF NO USE FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

THE ONLY WAY FORWARD IS FORWARD.

THIS CANNOT BE THE SAME CHURCH THAT OPENED ITS DOORS OVER 100 YEARS AGO.

I LIKE HISTORY, I LOVE READING HISTORY, AND AS SOMEONE WHO LIKES AND READS HISTORY, I LOOK AT THE PAST ALOT, AND I SOMETIMES WONDER WHAT WAS THE IDEAL AGE AND I HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHER PEOPLE WHO LIKE HISTORY.

WHAT AGE WOULD YOU RATHER LIVE IN OTHER THAN THIS ONE?

ONE THAT YOU THOUGHT WAS IDEAL, PERFECT?

THERE IS NO MOMENT I WOULD LIKE TO LIVE IN OTHER THAN THIS MOMENT.

AND PEOPLE SAY, YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO LIVE IN JESUS' TIME AND HANG OUT WITH JESUS?

WOULDN'T YOU WANT TO WALK WITH JESUS?

NO, NOT REALLY.

I WOULDN'T GET IT LIKE THE DISCIPLES.

I WOULD BE A DUMMY LIKE THEY ARE.

I WOULD HAVE BEEN SCARED OF JESUS'S ENEMIES AND HID FROM THEM.

WHAT ABOUT MEDIEVAL TIMES.

I HAVE ONE WORD FOR THEM: THE PLAGUE.

THE BEST LINE IN THE BIBLE IS WHERE JESUS TELLS THE BEGGAR, PICK UP YOUR MAT AND WALK, IT'S THAT MOMENT.

HE DOESN'T GO INTO THE HISTORY, HE DOESN'T TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE, HE SAYS GET UP AND WALK, TODAY IS THE MOMENT.

I WAS UP IN THE MOUNTAINS THIS PAST WEEK AND I'M GLAD IT WAS SEPTEMBER AND NOT DECEMBER.

I SAW ALOT OF SNOWMOBILES AND IT MADE ME NERVOUS.

IT REMINDED ME OF MY FIRST TIME SKIING AND HOW HARD IT IS.

AND HOW THE INSTRUCTOR SAYS YOU WILL FALL, BUT YOU JUST HAVE TO GET UP.

YOU KNOW, GET USED TO IT, IT'S HARD.

GET OVER IT, YOU WILL FALL.

GET UP AND DO IT AGAIN.

GET ON WITH IT.

I REMEMBER THIS ONE PARTICULAR TIME SKIING WITH FRIENDS AND I HAD LEARNED THAT LESSON THE HARD WAY ABOUT HOW HARD IT WAS, FALLING DOWN AND GETTING UP, AND ONE OF OUR FRIENDS WHO WENT SKIING WITH US SAID NO WAY.

I SAID HOW WILL YOU GET DOWN THE MOUNTAIN?

I DON'T KNOW.

I SAID THE ONLY WAY DOWN IS BY SKIING DOWN.

SHE SAYS I'LL WALK.

YOU WILL WALK?

YOU REALLY SHOULDN'T TAKE OFF YOUR SKIS, IT'S PRETTY BAD OUT THERE.

IT WILL TAKE YOU UNTIL NEXT WEEK AND WE'RE NOT WAITING AROUND FOR YOU.

WHAT SHE DID IS SHE TOOK HER SKIS, WENT DOWNHILL THAT WAY, TOOK HER SKIS AND WENT DOWNHILL THIS WAY, SIDEWAYS, ALL THE WAY DOWN.

SHE DIDN'T WANT TO GET USED TO THE FACT THAT SKIING IS HARD AND IT TAKES PRACTICE.

THAT YOU WILL FALL AND FALL, BUT YOU NEED TO GET UP, AND GET ON WITH IT.

THE OTHER THING IS, IT'S NOT THAT WE ARE TO EXPECT TO ACHIEVE ALL WE DO, SOME OF US HAVE BEEN TOLD ‑‑ SOME HAVE TOLD US WE CAN, IT'S NOT ABOUT ACHIEVING IT ALL.

IT'S KNOWING THAT IT IS GOD WHO CALLS US TO MOVE ON.

TO LOOK FORWARD AND TO MOVE FORWARD, AND IT'S GOD WHO SUSTAINS US ON OUR JOURNEY.

WHAT IS THE POINT IF WE KNOW WE CAN'T ACHIEVE IT ALL?

THIS IS THE POINT: BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD WILL NOT COME ONE DAY BEFORE WE PROCLAIM IT IN A NEEDY AND DESPERATE WORLD.

IT WILL NOT COME IF WE DO NOT FOLLOW OUR CALLING.

SURE, WE WANT TO INVOKE FIRE.

WE WANT A GOD WHO DOESN'T FORGET.

WE WANT JUDGMENT.

REALLY, THAT'S EASIER FOR US.

LET'S LEG WORK.

BUT THANKFULLY JESUS IS NOT THAT OBSESSED.

JESUS SAYS GET USED TO IT, GET OVER IT AND GET ON WITH IT.

HE SUGGESTS WE DO THE SAME.

AND ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN SAID: AMEN.

>> OUR HYMN OF INVITATION FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THOSE FIRST STEPS WITH CHRIST OR IN THIS CONGREGATION, A CHURCH WHO IS GETTING ON WITH IT.

IT'S WHERE HE LEADS ME.

LET US LISTEN TO THE WORDS, LET US STAND AND SING.

YOU MAY BE SEATED.

>> GOD IS INVITING US TO MOVE FORWARD, TO GO WHERE GOD LEADS.

AS WE COME TO THE TABLE THIS MORNING, LET US CONSIDER WHERE IT IS THAT GOD IS LEADING US TO GO.

THERE ARE SO MANY DISTRACTIONS THAT CAN LEAVE US CONFUSED IN THIS WORLD, BOTH PERSONAL DISTRACTIONS, DISTRACTIONS FROM SOCIETY, CULTURE, ALL OF THESE THINGS CAN LEAVE US IN WHAT FEELS LIKE A WHIRLWIND SOMETIMES.

BUT THIS MORNING WE FOCUS ON CHRIST, AND ASK HIM TO LEAD US OUT OF THIS CONFUSION, FOR HE PROMISES TO BE FAITHFUL TO US.

SO, COME TO THE TABLE THIS MORNING SEEKING THE WHOLENESS OF GOD AND OPENING OURSELVES TO THE POSSIBILITIES OF MOVING FORWARD.

AMEN.

>> CHRIST INVITES ALL PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE ON YOUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY, YOU ARE WELCOME AT THIS TABLE.

IF YOU COME IN PEACE IN SEEKING CHRIST, COME AND PARTAKE OF THE BODY AND THE BLOOD.

LET US CONFESS OUR SINS TOGETHER.

MOST GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL GOD, WE CONFESS TO YOU AND TO ONE ANOTHER THAT TIME AFTER TIME WE HAVE ENTERED YOUR PRESENCE WITH COUNTLESS PRAYERS BUT WITH HEARTS THAT HAVE BEEN CLOSED TO YOUR GRACE.

WE PRAY YOU, LORD, TO FORGIVE OUR LACK OF FAITH AND TO PARDON OUR ACTS OF INJUSTICE.

GRANT US THE HEALING THAT COMES FROM YOUR PRESENCE AND THE CLEANSING OF YOUR ALL‑POWERFUL WORD.

THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, AMEN.

OUR COMMUNION HYMN IS HYMN 428.

LET US REMAIN SEATED AS WE SING OUR HYMN.

>> FOR I RECEIVED FROM THE LORD WHAT I ALSO HANDED ONTO YOU, THAT THE LORD JESUS ON THE NIGHT HE WAS BETRAYED TOOK A LOAF OF BREAD AND WHEN HE HAD GIVEN THANKS HE BROKE IT AND SAID THIS IS MY BODY THAT IS FOR YOU, DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.

IN THE SAME WAY HE TOOK THE CUP ALSO AFTER SUPPER SAYING THIS CUP IS THE NEW COVENANT IN MY BLOOD, DO THIS AS OFTEN AS YOU DRINK IT IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.

>> ELDER: WE GIVE THANKS THAT WE AS THE BODY OF CHRIST ARE PRIVILEGED TO TAKE THIS BREAD OF LIFE, THE FLESH OF WHOSE BODY OUR LORD WAS BROKEN FOR US, AS WE EACH TAKE THIS BREAD, HELP US TO RECALL IN GREAT MEMORY THE LOVE BY WHICH WE WERE BOUGHT THAT WE MAY LOVE IN TURN THOSE WHO NEED YOUR HEALING GRACE THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD, AMEN .

>> ELDER: DEAR GOD, THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL AND GLORIOUS OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THE LOVE CHRIST HAS BROUGHT TO US EVERY DAY, THE SACRIFICE YOU HAVE MADE FOR US, SHEDDING NEW BLOOD FOR US TELLS US LIFE IS IN THE BLOOD, WITH YOU WE SHARE LOVE, HONOR AND PEACE.

AMEN.

>> PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING.

FILLED WITH YOUR SPIRIT, LET US REJOICE WITH THOSE WHO REJOICE, WEEP WITH THOSE WHO WEEP, LIVING IN HARMONY WITH ONE ANOTHER.

SO FAR AS IT DEPENDS ON US, HELP US TO LIVE PEACEABLY WITH ALL.

AMEN.

OUR CHOREAL BENEDICTION IS O WORD OF GOD INCARNATE, NUMBER 322.

LET US ALL STAND AND WORSHIP IN SONG.

>> WILL YOU RECEIVE THE BENEDICTION?

LET US GO FORTH IN PEACE, PARTICULARLY MOVING ON TO SERVE CHRIST AND ALWAYS REMEMBERING OUR LORD'S GRACIOUS WORDS: BE NOT AFRAID, BE NOT AFRAID, FOR I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS EVEN UNTO THE END.

AMEN.