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I WAS JUST THINKING . . .
...about what has been on all of our minds a lot for the past few months: Covid-19! Or as my daughters call it: "Ronna".
Starting on March 15, we have been worshiping online. To be honest, I have been wonderfully surprised at how well everyone has responded to worshiping online. I thank you for your understanding, and your willingness to do something new.
Over the past 2 weeks, we've begun to have "in-person" worship in the sanctuary. So far, I believe this has been going well. Those that have chosen to be in the sanctuary have been practicing social distancing, wearing masks, and have not been singing.
Please hear me say this, where you choose to worship (online or in-person) isn't important. What's important is worshiping, for God is at the heart of our worship!
The worship team has been working hard to ensure the best worship experience either online or in-person. Yet, no matter what we do, the reality is our worship experience is different than what we are use to. Every single one of us has had to be flexible and adapt to the current reality - but we are WORSHIPING, and this is what's most important.
Allow me to also encourage you to invite others to join us in worship. Online worship enables a whole new opportunity for others to comfortably join us in praising and glorifying the Lord. Invite a friend, neighbor, or co-worker to worship. Hit the "like" or "share" buttons on Facebook.
I would encourage us, as Christ followers to be about love, compassion, and understanding with others and even ourselves. In fact, let us be on the lookout for ways to be the voice, the hands, and the feet of our lord. In the midst of "Ronna" let us be about life in Christ.
Life Together
Rev. Mark
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God is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent - yet lives within our hearts! Let us join together and praise Him this Sunday, whether online in the comfort of your own homes or come on by and worship with us in person! #lifetogether
SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2020
(ONLINE OR IN-PERSON)
at 10 AM
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COLLECTING ITEMS TO FILL HER TIME KITS
We want to thank those who have given to Her Time Ministry and helped provide for homeless women in need. We are currently looking for donations to help pack Her Time Kits for the upcoming months. Consider picking up an extra item or two at the store and drop it by the church on Tuesdays or Wednesdays from 9 am - 2 pm OR bring in Sunday mornings before worship. Below is a list of suggested items:
Travel or Sample Sizes ONLY
- Shampoo & Conditioner
- Vaseline or Lotion
- Toothbrush or Toothbrush Kit
- Deodorant
- Bar Soap or Body Wash
- Flushable Wet Wipes
- Socks (New)
- Tampons
- Sanitary Pads
- Cotton Briefs Underwear (New)
No Hand Sanitizer or Mouthwash
If you would like to help pack kits, please text or call Dorothy Russell at (513) 226-4666. The next mission to pack will be THIS Friday, July 24th at 6:30 pm.
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Kid's Corner: Parables About The Kingdom of God
Read:
Have you ever seen a mustard seed? Look. See how tiny these seeds are? They are the smallest seeds I have ever seen. A mustard seed is so small that if you were holding one in your hand and dropped it on the ground, you might not be able to find it. Even though the mustard seed is one of the smallest of all seeds, when it is planted in the ground, it grows into a plant so large that birds can perch on its branches and can even build their nests in it. I have read that these tiny seeds can produce a plant that grows ten feet high or more!
Jesus told a parable comparing the mustard seed to the kingdom of God. Jesus said, "How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade." How is that a picture of the kingdom of God? Well, when Jesus first began his earthly ministry, he had no followers. The Bible tells us that Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee when he saw two fishermen, Peter and his brother Andrew, casting their nets. "Come, follow me," Jesus said to them. They immediately followed Jesus. As they continued on their way, they saw two other brothers, James and John, mending their nets. Jesus called them and they immediately left their nets and followed him. One by one, Jesus called his disciples until there were twelve of them. That is still a pretty small beginning, isn't it? Jesus sent out the twelve and they brought others to Jesus and the kingdom of God grew. From a very small beginning, the kingdom of God has grown and grown until it has spread over the entire earth.
To get a better understanding of what this story teaches, I took an apple, cut it open, and took out the seeds. There were five seeds in my apple. Now, imagine that we planted these seeds and each grew into an apple tree. How many apples do you think each tree might produce? Fifty? A hundred? Two hundred? I read that an apple tree can produce from 150 to 300 apples each year and that an apple tree will produce apples for about fifty years. Just think how many apples that is! It isn't hard to see how we have enough apples to feed the entire world, is it?
Jesus started growing the kingdom of God with a handful of disciples. Every follower of Jesus is a part of the kingdom and that means that you and I are a part of God's kingdom. Each time we tell someone about Jesus, we are helping to grow the kingdom. Isn't it great to know that we can have a part in growing God's kingdom?
Mustard Seed Necklace
Draw and cut out small circle about the size of a medallion. Have children draw a mustard seen on one side (or glue on a real mustard seed if available); and on the other side of the medallion necklace, children can write: WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.
Circle Choosing
Have the family sit in a circle and pick a leader. The leader says, "I choose everyone wearing red to run around the circle" and all those wearing red will jump up and run around the circle one time and sit down. The leader can continue to CHOOSE during this game, saying people with brown eyes are chosen, or people that have traveled out of the state, or people with a 2 story house, or people who have brothers.. or sisters, etc. Each time those people who are chosen will run around the circle. Play the game until everyone has had a chance to be the leader.
Children's Bulletins:
Print off these bulletins for your kids and have them ready for Sunday's worship service.
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Mission: Worshipping, connecting, and serving so all may experience life in Christ.
Vision: Moving all people from receiving to also sharing life in Christ.
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