I pray that your time with us in today's worship encourages your faith and helps you move closer to Jesus as you discover more of his plan for your life.
We are continuing a study of the book of Ephesians through a series of messages titled "Who do you think you are?".
Today we look to see how being "in Christ" and being "filled with the Spirit" impact the most significant connections in life, those of our family and work relationships.
As we read these words, we discover what it means to be LOVED.
8:30 am
Live @Raum Chapel UMC
9:30 am
Live @Wesley Chapel UMC
11:00 am
Live @Rock Hall Church
Live online @https://yourrockhall.online.church
This week's announcements:
Today's Order of Worship
Welcome
Morning Prayer
Opening Songs
Pastoral Prayer
Message
Closing Worship
Benediction
Songs for Worship
9:30am
2091 “THE KING OF GLORY COMES”
2090 “LIGHT THE ADVENT CANDLE” (verse 1)
211 “O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL”
Choral Anthem “HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING”
217 “AWAY IN A MANGER”
11:00am
Everlasting God
Jesus Messiah
Noel
First Sunday of Advent: Expectation of Hope
Scripture: Jeremiah 33:14-16 “The days are coming, ’declares the LORD, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety.
This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior.’”
Candle Lighting: Light a blue Advent candle; as you are lighting the candle say:
Today, we light the candle of expectation and hope. May it remind each and everyone one of us of God’s great promise to us. He is our hope, He is our Redeemer, and He is Savior.
Prayer: Father, during the Advent season may we be reminded of your promises to us and your fulfillment of them. Help us to prepare our lives for His Advent within us. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Message Notes:
Ephesians 5:21-6:9
Who do you think you are?
You are: Loved
The “S” Word...
Ephesians 5:21–6:9
Prescription vs. Description
“Family Code”
Ephesians 5:21
Husbands and Wives
Mark 8:34–35
Parents and Children
Matthew 19:14
1 Corinthians 13:4
Masters and Slaves
Colossians 3:23
Matthew 7:12
You are: Loved
Take it Home:
Spiritual Development: Rest
We are constantly on the go. Social researchers tell us that we’re one of the most over-worked and under-rested cultures on earth. The expected norm for salaried workers is now often more than forty hours a week, often without overtime pay. Keep up or get out. Surrounded by this culture and this expectation, it’s easy to find ourselves succumbing, even if nobody is actually making us, or even if we work for ourselves. We still work longer hours, push later into the night, spend less time with family in order to make our way in the world. This lifestyle, however, is not sustainable, and we were not made for it. We are not machines, and our bodies will eventually break down.
I was recently speaking with a friend who said that one of the most subversive things a Christian can do is practice the rhythm of Sabbath, and I agree. We must remember the importance of stepping away, of ceasing movement and, instead, trusting in our stillness that God will provide what we need.
Practical Steps
Take time away. If it’s impossible to take a full weekend, prioritize a single day to fully rest. Turn off your phone, don’t check emails. (This practice may even mean, from time to time, telling the church no, and that’s okay.) Spend your time doing things that give you life. Fix something, paint, take a walk, rake some leaves, play soccer with your kids, cook, invite friends over, organize your garage, see a movie, read a good book, spend time in contemplative prayer, visit someone. Anything but work.
Remember that life is precious, and find the goodness in it.
This week's prayer focus:
Sunday - Our Mission: God, give us a deep passion for the work of Christ. Luke 4:18-19
Monday - Our Church: God, develop spiritual growth & maturity in Your church. Hebrews 5:12-14
Tuesday - Our Leadership: God, help our pastor proclaim Your Word boldly. 2 Timothy 4:2
Wednesday - Families: God, help couples be faithful to the marriage promises they made to You and to each other. Hebrews 13:4
Thursday - Our Community: God, we thank you for those who serve in our community. 1 John 3:16
Friday - Children/Youth: God, help our young people commit themselves to a life of purity of mind and body. Psalm 119:9-11
Saturday - Adults: God, help our adults find and fulfill Your purpose for their lives. Jeremiah 29:11-14
Merger Prayer Focus: Working through Difficulties
Whenever people come together for a shared purpose, they should acknowledge potential difficulties. Each person has ways of communicating, expectations, or baggage from the past. These might be traditions, or unspoken ways of handling problems. They might be differing communication methods, or past hurts that people have buried. What are the difficulties that might be facing the new church?
Pray for an awareness of the potential difficulties that may hinder the church. John 13:35
Pray for an openness to new traditions. Gal 1:14
Pray for conflict and hard feelings to be forgiven. Matt 6:14
Pray for ineffective systems to be set aside. Mark 2:22
Pray for clear communication of expectations. Jer 29:11
Pray that turf issues will be minimal.1 Cor 1:10
Pray for a healthy grief process. Matt 5:4
Bible Reading Plan:
Join us for our 5x5x5 New Testament Reading Plan. 5 minutes a day, 5 days a week, & 5 questions to go deeper.