Welcome to our church. This weekend, we are beginning an exciting journey through the Book of Acts! We're kicking off this enlightening series with a message titled "How it all began” as we explore the inspiring origins of the early church and the timeless lessons it holds for us today. Let's grow in faith and fellowship together!
We want you to know, our church is a community of believers who come together to worship, pray, and learn from each other. We value the importance of family and strive to create an environment where individuals and families can grow closer to God and to each other.
At our church, we believe that everyone has the potential to impact the world. In our programs and ministries, we seek to equip individuals with a vibrant relationship with Jesus that leads us all to make a real difference in our communities and in the world.
So, if you are looking for a church home that seeks to make a Kingdom impact in Rock Hall and the world, we invite you to join us. No matter who you are or where you come from, you are welcome here. We look forward to getting to know you and to growing in our faith together.
If you have any questions or want to discuss your faith journey, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly. My email is gary@yourrockhall.church and my office telephone is 410-639-2144.
Order of Worship:
Welcome Prayer of Adoration
Opening Worship
Prayer of Confession
Prayers of the People
Message
Acts 1: How it All Began
Acts 1:1-11
Baptism
Next Steps
Find practical ways you can take a first “next step” in your faith journey on our website. Just go to nextsteps.yourrhc.com.
Closing Worship Benediction
Life is much more than an accident. Wherever I go, I believe God needs me there. Wherever I am, I trust God has put me there. He has a purpose for me being there -
Christ, alive in me, wants to do something through me, no matter where I am.
I believe this and go in His grace and His love and His power.
If you would like someone to pray with you, please come and meet one of our ministry leaders at the end of the service.
Songs for Worship
10,000 Reasons
Holy Spirit
Breathe on Me Breath of God
Spirit Song
Message Notes
Acts 1: How it all began
Acts 1:1-11
What Happened?
The church.
How?
By the Spirit.
Why?
Us.
Let’s get clear on the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is a WHO , not a WHAT .
John 14:15–17 NIV
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
The Holy Spirit’s role is to make us SPIRITUALLY MATURE .
Romans 15:15–16 NIV
15 Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit’s role is to GLORIFY GOD through us.
Ephesians 1:13–14 NIV
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Our choice is to either WALK IN the Spirit, or SILENCE the Spirit in our lives.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–24 NIV
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it
The Holy Spirit is not an EXPERIENCE , He is a NEW LIFE .
John 3:5–8 NIV
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
Always Remember Never to Forget:
The Spirit is LIVING , the church is MOVING , and we are invited to PLAY OUR PART in it.
Take it Home:
What does it mean to be a “witness” of Jesus (v8)? What facts, experiences, or truths are we testifying about (see also Luke 24:46-48 and Acts 10:28-43)?
Name three people you know who don’t yet know Jesus as their Savior. Begin to pray weekly for opportunities to be a witness to each of them and that God would open their eyes to truth.
How can you be a better witness for Jesus at work, school, or in the community?
What specifically can you do this week to tap into the Holy Spirit’s power in your life?
This week’s YouVersion Bible Reading Plan:
Join us as we take a deep dive into a 49-day study to explore one of the most powerful books of the New Testament. In this reading plan, you'll discover the freedom and victory we have in Jesus, the dangers of legalism, the fruits of the Spirit, and the amazing promise of God through Christ. Join HERE.
This Week's Announcements:
Meet with Pastor Gary Do you have a question or issue you need to discuss? Pastor Gary is available for pastoral counseling with individuals and couples To schedule, just Click “Meet with Pastor Gary” on our website
Prayer Request Policy Change In order to maintain a more current prayer list, we provide a copy of this past week’s prayer requests. Submit prayer requests using the prayer request cards in the pews or the digital prayer request form on our website: pray.yourrhc.com Please make sure you have permission to share other’s information.
Current Prayer Requests
Our children and youth ministries
Caregivers and first responders
People of Ukraine
Our nation’s leaders
Healing of our nation
Israel and the Middle East
People battling addictions
Single parents and their kids
Pastor Gary and family
Joe & Cheryl Holliday
Dickie & Bettie Porter
Frank & Mariann Dulin
Karen & Mark Weller
Dean & Anna Mae Wood
Hubbard Kendall
Patricia Brown
Elmer Gustafson
Mark Lusby
Rick Reedy
Marge Kelley
Sandy Scanlan
Pastor Bill Carroll
Pastor Kenny Hickman
Active Military & their families including:
Trevion Hopkins
Kyle Schauber
Brock Willey
Makenzie Williams
Steve McCarthy
Tristan Hague
Dakota Collison
Geoffrey Andersen
John Pettit
Jonathan Conner
Dante Spagnolo
Homebound:
Phyllis Dierker
Jackie Price Williams
Edna Cox
This week's prayer focus:
Join us in focused and specific prayer for our church, our community, and our world. Be prepared to see God do great things as we collectively turn to Him in prayer.
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
This week’s events:
Sunday
10:00 am - Combined Worship Celebration @RH Church
Monday
11:30 am - The Chosen @RH Church Hall
6:00 pm - Women’s Bible Study at @WC
6:30 pm - Bible Study @Parsonage
Tuesday
7:00 pm - Small Group Bible Study @RH Church Hall
Wednesday
3:30 pm - Rock Solid Kids @RH Church Hall
6:00 pm - Dinner
6:30 pm - Youth Group
Thursday
7:00 pm - Praise Team practice
Sunday
10:00 am - Weekend Worship @Wesley Chapel Church
