Outdoor Services

August 30th, 2008 0 Comments
Good morning, church family!
 
I trust you’re ready for the holiday weekend, and that if you are traveling, you will be safe and blessed.
 
We have an exciting Sunday planned for this week!  Normally on Labor Day Sunday, we head out to the park for our services, but due to a number of factors, we have decided to instead hold them at our new property, located at 1201 Park Street (across the street from the cemetery).  Coffee Time and Sunday School will be held at the church as usual, but at 10:45, we will have our worship and Kids Church services at the new property.
 
Here’s what’s nifty about that:  The proposed floor plan of our new building will be made available that day, and it will be all staked out, so that you can kind of see how it will look!  We even plan to have our service “in the new sanctuary”! The problem is, we don’t have our new seating yet (!) so you will probably want to bring some lawn chairs with you.  We’ll have some metal folding chairs, but I’m sure you would feel more comfortable in what you can bring from home!
 
Following the services, we will have our Labor Day Picnic right there at the new property.  So, if you could bring a main dish, and either a salad or dessert with you, we will enjoy a great time of fellowship.  Drinks and table service will be provided by the church.
 
It looks like Sunday is going to be a beautiful day weather-wise, but if anything should change, we’ll just plan to meet at the church.  By the way, there will be some tents set up, so that you can be out of the sun if you so desire.
 
I look forward to celebrating with you this Sunday,

Power and Performance – Sermon Notes

August 25th, 2008 0 Comments
“Power and Performance”
 
What is it about “speed”, “power” and “performance” that are so attractive to people?  It is that they all represent excellence, and people are looking for excellence.
 
I.  Power
    A.  Power of the Cross — 1 Corinthians 1:18
    B.  Power of the Holy Spirit — Acts 1:8
    C.  Power of the gospel — Romans 1:16
 
II.  Performance
    A.  This doesn’t refer to standing on a stage to “put on” in front of an audience, but it refers to function.  People want their cars, computers, cell phones, etc to function — perform
    B.  Performance in the Christian life is all about taking the power and translating into our daily experiences — where the rubber meets the road!
    C.  The power of the cross will translate into our daily lives when we live the crucified life — Galatians 3:20
    D.  The power of the Holy Spirit will translate into our daily lives when we begin to live as witnesses of what Christ has done in our lives.  It’s not about speaking in tongues, it’s about using our own tongue to testify of Jesus!
    E.  The power of the gospel will translate into our daily lives when we begin to live the truth of the gospel (John 17:17), rather than a two-faced lie.
 
Today, allow God’s power to change you, but then through His power, begin to perform (function) for Him!

Kids Krusade 08 – Boot Camp

August 22nd, 2008 2 Comments

The Kid’s Krusade for 2008 was a great success and a lot of fun.  This year’s theme was “Boot Camp” and so the entire 4 days of the Krusade had a Boot Camp style theme.  One day the kids were asked to wear camo, another day was to wear Red/White/Blue, and another night they had to bring an American Flag.  Below is a few photos from this year’s krusade:

Each night of the Krusade there was an offering taken.  The boys dropped their offering in a bucket and their girls did as well.  After the buckets were weighed to see which team received the prize the money was counted for the boys and girls.  On the final night a grand total of the offering was announced for the boys team and the girls team.  If the boys won then Nita would be turned into an ice cream sundae, if the girls won then Pastor Dave would be.  I would mention the winner, but I think you will be able to tell by the photos below:

Hot Wheels Sunday!

August 22nd, 2008 0 Comments
Good morning, church family!
 
In a couple of days, Phillips County is going to again feel “The Need for Speed”, with Mattel coming for the second time to Speed for a huge promotional day.  The festivities begin Sunday morning at 10, running until 4 in the afternoon.  We want to do all we can to provide a wonderful day of worship and service to our King, and yet give people the opportunity to be gone, if they so desire.
 
Here is our REVISED SCHEDULE FOR THIS SUNDAY:
 
At 7:30am, the Phillips County Ministerial Alliance will be sponsoring a community worship service at 241 Chance Street in Speed.  This will be a half-hour service, and will feature Pastor Troy Buss of the Logan Christian Church ministering the Word.  I don’t know how many of you know Pastor Troy, but he is a good, godly man, and he will give a good word!
 
At 8:30am, we will have a one-hour “Need for Speed” worship service here at First Assembly, with a concurrent Kids Church service downstairs.  I will be speaking on the Hot Wheels motto, “Power and Performance” that morning, and I can’t wait to preach it!
 
There will be no Coffee Time or Sunday School this week, but if anyone wants to stick around for an informal Bible study at 9:30, you are welcome to do that.
 
Finally, at 6:00pm, Chaplain Jim Babcock will be with us for a special “meet and greet” missions gathering.  Jim is an Assemblies of God prison chaplain, ministering to the incarcerated at a number of correctional facilities in the Kansas City area.  Come for a chance to meet Jim and his wife, and be challenged to partner with them in this vital ministry to prisoners.

No Relationship is Too Broken – Sermon Notes

August 19th, 2008 1 Comments

“No Relationship is Too Broken”

Song of Songs 8:6,7; Romans 12:9,10
 
There are various types of relationships — husband-wife; parent-child; sibling; work/school; friendships, etc.  Everyone knows what it’s like to be in a relationship, and everyone knows what it’s like when a relationship breaks down.  All relationships have the potential to be healthy, fulfilling and healing, but some are not — some are unhealthy, unfulfilling and destructive.  Those relationships may seem impossible, but NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR GOD!
 
I.  The Decision
    A.  A broken relationship will turn you either toward God or away from God — but make no mistake about it — the decision is yours! 
    B.  You decide:  You can either become bitter or become better through a broken relationship!
II.  The Direction
    A.  Once you’ve decided to become better, you must go to God for help and comfort.
    B.  Jesus completely understands — he experienced broken relationships.  In one night, one of his 12 best friends betrayed him for 30 pieces of silver, and one of his 3 best friends denied that he even knew Christ — 3 times!  The other 10 ditched him to face the cross alone.
    C.  God’s love is unconditional — John 3:16; Romans 5:8; John 6:37
    D.  God will heal your hurt, and will renew your heart and strength — Isaiah 43:2; Psalm 62; Isaiah 40:31; 1 Peter 5:7
    E.  He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24)
 
III.  The Determination
    A.  Once you’ve decided to become better, and go in the direction of God for help and comfort, don’t just leave it there — you must be determined to do your part, as well.  Some of these things that you will have to do are very difficult, but you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength!
    B.  Forgive the person who wronged you
    C.  Experience God’s forgiveness (you can’t do this until you forgive!)
    D.  Sometimes, you have to leave the rest in God’s hands
    E.  Let go of the past
        1.  Get out with it — tell a close friend
        2.  Get over it — choose to let it go
        3.  Get on with it — live your life for the future.
 
The most important relationship we have is our relationship with God.  Make sure you are right with God, and then He will help you with your human relationships.

No Relationship is too Broken

August 16th, 2008 0 Comments
Good morning, church family & friends!
 
We’re gearing up here for a wonderful day of services this Sunday, and I hope that you can be part of it!  Sunday morning, I will be speaking on our theme this summer, “No Relationship is Too Broken”, with some help from some our teens in Rock Solid, who will be ministering in “human video”.  It is going to be powerful, and you will not want to miss it.  Especially, if you are in a broken or troubled relationship right now, you need to be here.  If you know someone in such a relationship, bring them.
 
Then at 6:00 Sunday evening, we will be back in the Book of Acts, with a thrilling look at “The Preacher and the Magician”.  If you have ever wondered the difference between the real and the counterfeit when it comes to experiencing the presence of God, I would encourage you to be here.
 
Nita and I love you guys, and we trust that you will be able to join us this Sunday at First Assembly!

“Your ‘Achan’ Heart” – Sermon Notes

August 11th, 2008 0 Comments
“Your ‘Achan’ Heart”
Joshua 7
 
Achan’s heart was one of compromise. Why did Achan’s whole family have to die because of his sin?  Trust me, they knew all about it, and were accomplices.
 
I.  Your relationships really do matter!
    A.  You can determine a man’s future by his friends — Proverbs 27:19:  “A mirror reflects a man’s face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses.”
    B.  Every friendship in your life is based on mutual strengths or problems.  Be sure you know the difference!  This is why “Type A’s” normally are attracted to other “Type A’s”, critical whiners are attracted to other critical whiners, lazy people are attracted to other lazy people, etc. 
    C.  Proverbs 13:20:  “He that walks with wise men shall be wise. But a companion of fools will be destroyed.”
    D.  You can’t live in Achan’s tent and somehow avoid his future!
 
II.  Who is “Achan” in your life?
    A.  Anyone who feeds, fans, rationalizes or makes you feel comfortable with your flesh.  Choose instead to surround yourselves with people who will sharpen you, rather than pull you down.
    B.  One line that Achan and his friends like to use:  “I wish people would stop judging me!”  Try this one instead:  Psalm 141:5:  “Let the godly smite me! It will be a kindness to me! If they reprove and correct me, it is good medicine.”
    C.  Trying to serve God while surrounding yourselves with people who are only pulling you down is like trying to enjoy a picnic parked next to the garbage cans!  You’re missing out on the “full life” if you are doing this!
 
III.  Achan, people you care about will suffer the consequences of your sin!  (No one compromises alone.)
 
IV.  Friends of Achan, have the guts to draw a line and get out of his tent!
    A.  Studies show that “peer pressure” is real, even among adults!
    B.  Don’t think you can stay in Achan’s tent without soon having his heart!
 
If you are Achan, you need to repent of actions that you may have thought were harmless.
If you are a friend of Achan, you need to redesign your friendships.

“Your ‘Achan’ Heart”

August 9th, 2008 0 Comments
Good morning, dear friends!
 
I trust your week has gone well, and you enjoyed our rain yesterday!
 
This Sunday, we’re going to make a little change in our schedule as previously announced.  I’m going to be speaking this week on “Your ‘Achan’ Heart”. Although not originally the message I was planning to deliver this weekend, it is a powerful Word on how our relationships affect every area of our lives.  The message I was working of for this week, “No Relationship is Too Broken” has been moved to NEXT Sunday morning, because some of the young people helping me with it won’t be here this week.
 
Then, as I reminded you earlier in the week, we have our Back 2 School Rally at 6:00 Sunday evening, where we will be distributing backpacks and school supplies to students, and sharing the gospel in the process.  It will be a fun and exciting evening that you won’t want to miss!
 
Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday,

Building Committee Meeting

August 5th, 2008 0 Comments

The First Assembly of God will be having a Building Committee meeting on Monday, August 18 – 7 p.m.

Back 2 School Rally

August 5th, 2008 0 Comments
Good afternoon friends!
 
Hard to believe, isn’t it, that school starts NEXT WEEK???? 
 
This means it is time once again for our Back 2 School Rally, which will be held this Sunday evening, 6:00, at the church.  At the rally we will be distributing backpacks and school supplies free of charge to ALL who request them.
 
Normally requesting them is very easy because we put out a sign-up list at the elementary and middle schools during registration. However, I was told that this year at the elementary school people couldn’t find the sign-up list, so NO ONE signed up from that school. 
 
Here’s what I’m asking you to do:  First, if your child(ren) need(s) school supplies, please let me know right away.  This is not something based on income, it is just a free service we like to provide for our community.  Second, check around.  Perhaps you have neighbor children, perhaps a coworker has kids.  Let them know what we’re doing, and have them call me if they are needing supplies.  Thursday is the deadline, because we have to finish up our shopping on Friday.
 
Thank you so much, and let’s believe God together for a great rally Sunday night!