Nationals Quiz: Day 1

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The boys now have a full day of quizzing at the Nationals level under their belts.  While they didn't win many rounds, they are learning a lot about technique and getting challenged at a level they've never experienced.   

We are very proud of their performance today and - even more impressively - the fact that they are maintaining a positive attitude and excellent sportsmanship throughout the day.   

Remember to keep them in your prayers - especially if you received an individual prayer assignment in your bulletin on Sunday.  We covet your prayers and support.   

Remember to check the FMQuizzing page off and on this week as they should start posting stats and photos soon.  www.fmquizzing.net/15finals/index.shtml

I am also maintaining an album on Facebook with photos more specific to our own quiz team and will upload those photos later when I have access to a computer.   

Easter Sunrise & Morning Worship

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Hello everyone.

We have a very special time of celebration planned for this Sunday.  We are gathering to honor our risen Savior and celebrate the hope of an abundant life he gives to those who walk in faith.

Our Sunrise service starts at 7:15 and is followed by a carry-in breakfast.

There is no Sunday School or Evening Worship.

Our Easter service starts at 10:30.  We will be celebrating communion during worship.

I hope you will be part of our fellowship, worship and communion as we affirm together our faith in the risen Jesus.

Peace and joy in the Lord.

Pastor Mark

Quiz Team results from Columbus Quiz

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All four of our quizzers were able to attend the Quiz Meet at Columbus, IN.  They quizzed over the first fifteen chapters of the book of Romans.  The team was undefeated among their division and achieved first place.  Samuel & Blake Henson made it into Individual Finals competition and Blake brought home second place after a sudden-death overtime tie-breaker.

Their next competition will be March 7 at the Free Methodist Church of Greenville, IN.  They will be adding on the last chapter of Romans and beginning the book of James.

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Message Notes: SoulShift Introduction

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Today we took a look at the introduction into our new SoulShift series.  This series of lessons and messages is being taught in the adult Sunday School and during the Morning Worship services for the next few weeks. 

For more information on this program see http://www.wesleyan.org/soulshift

There you will find introductory videos, testimonials, and other supporting materials.

Also... due to technical issues we did not manage to get a bulletin printed this morning.  You can find a digital copy of the bulletin here.

This week's scriptures:
Matthew 23:25-28
Matthew 5:17-20
 

The following "shifts" make up this program and will each be taught on its own Sunday:

  • Me to You—A shift from focusing on ourselves to focusing on others.
  • Slave to Child—A shift in identity from primarily serving God to loving God.
  • Seen to Unseen—A shift in values from embracing things that are temporary to embracing things that are eternal.
  • Consumer to Steward—A shift in ownership from acquiring things for ourselves to offering what we have to God and others.
  • Ask to Listen—A shift in posture from asking others to listening to God.
  • Sheep to Shepherd—A shift in influence from following the crowd to leading like Christ.
  • Me to We—A shift in priority from individualism to community.

Your Seven-Day Challenge

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We had a great time of worship Sunday.  God was speaking to several of us about the same thing all week.  I felt like it would honor God to put aside my series for one Sunday and communicate what I thought would be more useful for building up the Body of Christ.  At the end of the service I issued a seven day challenge.  I recognize that without having been there, you won't fully understand the significance of the challenge, but I invite you to participate anyhow.

The challenge is to read out loud every day the "motto" style reading and Scripture at the end.  The purpose is to help you see how valuable you are as a follower of Christ and how important it is for you to grow deeper in your relationship with God.  I encourage you to meditate on these words and say them boldly as you apply the principles to your life.  I hope these words will help you find your identity in Christ.  Let me know if this has been helpful.

Pastor Mark

Reading is as follows:

I am a Christian

I do not have to be the most intelligent, athletic, successful, beautiful or popular.

I find my value in being created in the image of God.

I find my purpose in loving God, loving others and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I don’t have to be happy, comfortable, rich, right, in charge, appreciated or respected in this world because when I stand before God, I expect to hear, “well done, good and faithful servant.,”

Today, I reject my desire to please myself, pursuit of things that don’t honor God and personal pride as the Holy Spirit empowers me.

Nothing other than a life of holiness and faithfulness to Jesus will define me because nothing is more important or valuable than a fully-committed follower of Jesus.

The Bible is my standard, God is my creator, Jesus is my Savior and the Holy Spirit is my sanctifier and sustainer.

I am a Christian.


Luke 9:23-26(NIV) 23Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.  25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?  26If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.