("Easter Beauty" - Photo by Pastor Mike)
WEDNESDAY CHURCH
on the Internet
(This is your mid-week Christian power
surge with Pastor Mike Fonfara, D.Min.)
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Pentecost Season, Week 5
Greetings, Sisters and Brothers,
Welcome, summer! Another season graces our lives. Summer offers great opportunity to grow in Christian understanding. This Wednesday Church on the Internet praises God for the beautiful season in which to spend time maturing in our faith.
Thank you for visiting today's mid-week congregation so that we can worship together!
Pastor Mike Fonfara, D.Min.
OPENING THOUGHT ...
Christianity is always dynamic and never static.
Every day presents opportunity for our faith to
mature. It is a gift from God. Enjoy!
WORSHIP SERVICE ...
THE GATHERING
Fill your minds with thanksgiving.
Open your hearts to the Holy Spirit.
Give your soul freedom to praise Almighty God.
Let us join together in worship.
WE CONFESS OUR SINS AND RECEIVE NEW LIFE
O God, we aspire to live as vibrant disciples. Our intent is to live the biblical way. Still, our life stories tell of struggles to love you with our whole hearts and our neighbors as ourselves. We sin! Please forgive our wayward behaviors. Have mercy upon us and forgive these sins. Create within us clean minds. hearts, and souls to mature in "Christyles" of living. In short, energize our lives according to your rules. Thank you for your loving acts of kindness giving us assurance that we can live as vibrant disciples. Amen.
(Google Image)
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE Hebrews 6:1-3 (NIV)
"Therefore, let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so."
THE MESSAGE "Let Your Discipleship Mature"
Is your faith stronger now than two years ago? It should be. Christianity is a dynamic life force that grows with every lesson taught by the Holy Spirit. Plus, it is a lot of fun to apply faith to daily living and discover how God is present as well as how our discipleship matures. A growing faith brings many rewards!
How can you plan for a maturing Christian life? Here is what I like to do. I enjoy using the Advent to Pentecost Church Calendar to define my prayers, studies, and personal mission activity for the particular season. Look at this example. Since Pentecost revolves around the work of the Holy Spirit, I engage studies about the Holy Spirit's influence in my life and how it can help me serve other people. A little time spent at the end of the day reflecting on my faith work leads to greater understanding. I get free study material by turning to the Internet. I encourage you to develop your own method of faith growth. Be sure to make it enjoyable.
Strong disciples are needed by God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, and Church today. Faith growth is a must. The Apostle Paul had it right in Hebrews 6:1-3. Let us leave behind our elementary understandings of Christianity and move on towards maturity.
Say "amen" if you agree!
Pastor Mike
CLOSING PRAYER
Gracious God,
We've prayed, read Scripture, and learned about the importance of a dynamic faith. Send the Holy Spirit to help us mature our faith. We dedicate our efforts to making your presence felt and your love made manifest in this age. May all glory, honor, and praise rise to greet your Holy Being.
Amen.
BENEDICTION
May our loving God bless you and your
loved ones each day with ample faith
good health, and much happiness.
("Avacado Shadows" - Photo by Pastor Mike)
SACRED MISCELLANY ...
1. The tally is in for last week's question about your favorite prayer quotes. Number One by Soren Kierkegaard was the most selected. Here it is again.
"The function of prayer is not to influence God, but
rather to change the nature of the one who prays."
Thank you for your responses and encouragement for Wednesday Church.
2. What are your favorite intentional ways of maturing your faith? Please let me know.
3. Philippians 3:1-16 presents another biblical teaching by Paul on Christian maturity - 1st century style. If interested, read it and list some qualities of the mature Christian. Ask yourself this questions. How does the maturity described in these verses compare to your idea of the Christian maturity needed today? How does your faith stack up next to Paul's ideas and that which is needed today.
4. Have you had a laugh today? Here are a few short jokes good for a chuckle or two.
"Who's the Fool?"
Pastor George was opening his mail one morning. Finding only a single piece of paper in the envelope, he wondered about the only word on it - "Fool."
The next Sunday during worship announcements, Pastor George said to the congregation, "I have known many people who have written letters to me and forgotten to sign their names. This week, I received a letter from someone who signed his name and forgot to write a letter.
"Amish Humor"
Sign behind an Amish carriage:
ENERGY EFFICIENT VEHICLE.
RUNS ON GRASS AND OATS.
USE ESTREME CAUTION.
AVOID EXHAUST!
That's all for this week's Wednesday Church. Come back next Wednesday, July 3rd, when a new edition of Wednesday Church will be published by 5 a.m.
Help me spread the news about Wednesday Church on the Internet. The easiest way to get the word out is by sharing this blog on Facebook. Click the "f" box on your Facebook message. If you prefer, your can give this internet address to your friends, www.wednesdaychurch.blogspot.com. Let's grow this ministry together.
If you know of a way to improve Wednesday Church, I would welcome your comments. My e-mail is mefonfara@gmail.com. I learn something about social media every week.
Thank you for being a part of Wednesday Church today. See you next Wednesday!
Pastor Mike Fonfara, D.Min.
"Beverly Hills Sunset" - Photo by Pastor Mike)
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