STANDING STONE BIBLE
WEEKLY
November 6, 2023
A Point from pastor
You are going to find out if you haven't heard it already: I, PKW, am out of the "office" - in fact, I'm out of the country. Whitney and I are somewhere in the the Atlantic Ocean area. Honestly, it is much about our marriage and much about our rest and much about God that I get away. Just as the Israelites were instructed to feast a few times a year, so I will be "feasting" this week. That is not bad. It is good to take time to rest. It is good to take time to celebrate. It is good to take time to feast.
What is not good is when we do that to an extreme. Many in our country rest in front of their screens for many hours daily. Many celebrate every weekend. Many feast too often (buffets and "biggy" size and seconds and thirds). Thus, we have a culture of apathy and laziness. We have a culture of revelry and angst. We have a culture of obesity and extravagance.
Perhaps we celebrate too little too much. Meaning? We make much ado about lots of little things in our life. We deserve a break today (thank you 1980's McDonald's commercials). . . after all, we worked 8-hours (or at least a couple of hours during those 8-hours we got paid). We celebrate those small things too much. We then miss emphasizing the important. By celebrating too little too much, we neglect the things of God. We miss the "little" ways He has revealed Himself to us today. We miss being thankful for this breath, that meal, or those friendships. We fail to see His hand growing our faith, His peace given through the Word, and His love shown through a "one another" hug.
Make a big deal of the things of God and take time to feast and celebrate the great things He has done and is doing. Make your feasts and celebrations special times.
What is not good is when we do that to an extreme. Many in our country rest in front of their screens for many hours daily. Many celebrate every weekend. Many feast too often (buffets and "biggy" size and seconds and thirds). Thus, we have a culture of apathy and laziness. We have a culture of revelry and angst. We have a culture of obesity and extravagance.
Perhaps we celebrate too little too much. Meaning? We make much ado about lots of little things in our life. We deserve a break today (thank you 1980's McDonald's commercials). . . after all, we worked 8-hours (or at least a couple of hours during those 8-hours we got paid). We celebrate those small things too much. We then miss emphasizing the important. By celebrating too little too much, we neglect the things of God. We miss the "little" ways He has revealed Himself to us today. We miss being thankful for this breath, that meal, or those friendships. We fail to see His hand growing our faith, His peace given through the Word, and His love shown through a "one another" hug.
Make a big deal of the things of God and take time to feast and celebrate the great things He has done and is doing. Make your feasts and celebrations special times.
THIS WEEK
Here are the highlights of classes and events THIS week
Four the Master - Our quartet will ministers today (Monday) at 2pm. You may join at The Heritage at Legacy (near 168th and West Center area). Here is the full schedule with details.
Joyous Hearts - This Wednesday, November 8th, those 55 and older can join this time of fun, food, and fellowship. This is for ages 55 and older and begins at 10am.
WCC - The Westminster Confession Class is Saturday at 8am. This class considers doctrine using the Westminster as a guide. This month we consider "Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day."
Cantata Rehearsals - Rehearsals have begun for the December 17th Christmas cantata. If interested, you may join in practicing this Sunday after the worship service (11:30am).
Joyous Hearts - This Wednesday, November 8th, those 55 and older can join this time of fun, food, and fellowship. This is for ages 55 and older and begins at 10am.
WCC - The Westminster Confession Class is Saturday at 8am. This class considers doctrine using the Westminster as a guide. This month we consider "Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day."
Cantata Rehearsals - Rehearsals have begun for the December 17th Christmas cantata. If interested, you may join in practicing this Sunday after the worship service (11:30am).
upcoming events
Make note of the classes and events available in the near future
Church Movie Showing - Friday, November 17th, we will show "The Essential Church." This documentary explores the struggle between Church and government throughout history. You may view a trailer here.
Membership Meeting - Sunday evening, November 19, at 6pm is the annual "Nom Com" meeting. We need to vote for two members on the 2024 Nominating Committee. That group will assist in putting together a group of elder candidates to vote on in February.
Membership Meeting - Sunday evening, November 19, at 6pm is the annual "Nom Com" meeting. We need to vote for two members on the 2024 Nominating Committee. That group will assist in putting together a group of elder candidates to vote on in February.
the Lord's day
Troy gave an encouraging set up for Communion. God designed humans to be in relationship with Him and with one another—only for it to be marred by rebellion. By Genesis 3, we learn that humanity enters into a life of constant sin. Yet, the rest of the Bible is God’s love letter of His redemption of mankind. Christ’s necessary sacrifice on the Cross brings about the forgiveness for those who would follow Him. We celebrate the fact that the blood of Christ is the solution to spiritual death.
Pastor Tim continued to encourage us to embrace our purpose. In Joshua 2:1-14, we are reminded of the well-known account of Rahab and the two spies. The spies were pursued, but Rahab feared God and His people so she hid them. In this, we embrace the call of Christ, the reality of opposition, and the reality of God’s use of imperfect people. If God can use and redeem Rahab, He can use and redeem you!
Pastor Tim continued to encourage us to embrace our purpose. In Joshua 2:1-14, we are reminded of the well-known account of Rahab and the two spies. The spies were pursued, but Rahab feared God and His people so she hid them. In this, we embrace the call of Christ, the reality of opposition, and the reality of God’s use of imperfect people. If God can use and redeem Rahab, He can use and redeem you!
Prayer Prods
1. Kathy Pieper home. Still weak.
2. Kathy Page home. Improving but still tired.
3. Virginia B at Madonna recovering from a stroke
4. Joanie B recovering from surgery last week
5. McFarling family as they continue navigating courts and family changes
6. Those fighting cancer. Others with long-term health challenges.
7. Ashland Bible Church
8. Those in job changes ... or needing additional employment
9. Jimmy & Alice and move to TN (Alice's mom has surgery tomorrow)
10. Others still recovering from recent surgeries
2. Kathy Page home. Improving but still tired.
3. Virginia B at Madonna recovering from a stroke
4. Joanie B recovering from surgery last week
5. McFarling family as they continue navigating courts and family changes
6. Those fighting cancer. Others with long-term health challenges.
7. Ashland Bible Church
8. Those in job changes ... or needing additional employment
9. Jimmy & Alice and move to TN (Alice's mom has surgery tomorrow)
10. Others still recovering from recent surgeries
