Weekly Bible Verses: Luke 2:1-20: I Am Bringing You Good News of Great Joy for All the People...

Luke 2: In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. ²This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³All went to their own towns to be registered. ⁴Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. ⁵He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. ⁶While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. ⁷And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
⁸In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ¹⁴“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” ¹⁵When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. ¹⁷When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; ¹⁸and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

An Evening in Song: Celebration of Belief and Belonging

My memories of holiday dinners past - way, way past - are not complete without the “saying of the piece” , a mandatory performance by individual family members, the children in particular, which always followed the meal. Of all the annual performances, none comes to mind more clearly than Aunt Agnes singing “Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries” year after year. After Grandad bought one of those newfangled reel to reel tape recorders, we got to hear it even more often than that.

ECBC’s Christmas concert is not your average Christmas concert. It is like an enthusiastic “saying of the piece” by our individual church family members. The interior walls of our church are painted a kind of neutral rose, so at night with the Christmas tree lit (it’s a little tipsy this year since one section was accidentally overlooked during assembly) and the house lights down, our little church is positively glowing.

First up was Andrew Henry’s annually composed for the occasion “Christmas Poem”. He always rises to the challenge of fitting his rhymes very neatly into a very eclectic meter. From there we were touched by Kathi Johnson’s singing of “Mary Did you Know?”

The musical performances included Leah Johnson on violin, some super jazzy piano playing by Sally Sorber complete with glissandos, trills, and fancy chords, and then Madeline Snyder thrilling the crowd with “O Holy Night”.

We swayed to “Calypso Lullaby” sung by our own ECBC choir, Lucy Jefferys on guitar with “Go Tell It On the Mountain”, favorite hymns sung by Holly Johnson, Dawn & Dustin Flay, and multiple generations of Hegarty women singing a Spanish song, an English song, and a just plain silly song.

Bruce Reid managed to pierce our hearts with his reading of a story about a baby and a skid row bum. Jesus liked to do that with his parables.

Wrapping it all up was Pastor Joseph Sum singing and playing guitar followed by our usual circle and blessing.

Belief and Belonging - We celebrated it here Saturday night.

Then we ate cookies.

—Marie Jones

Weekly Bible Verses: Luke 1:26-38: The Lord Is With You

Luke 1: ²⁶In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, ²⁷to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” ²⁹But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³²He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. ³³He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” ³⁴Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” ³⁵The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. ³⁶And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. ³⁷For nothing will be impossible with God.” ³⁸Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Weekly Bible Verses: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28: Joy, Prayer, and Thanksgiving in ALL Circumstances

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28: ¹²But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; ¹³esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the faint hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. ¹⁵See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.
¹⁶Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray without ceasing, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ¹⁹Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰Do not despise the words of prophets, ²¹but test everything; hold fast to what is good; ²²abstain from every form of evil.
²³May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. ²⁵Beloved, pray for us. ²⁶Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. ²⁷I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all of them. ²⁸The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Seeing Your Bible Relationally

Here is a view of the Bible you might find challenging, but is well worth consideration. If you take this view seriously, you'll want to spend more time with the scriptures and in discussion of the scriptures with your friends. The emphasis added to the text below is mine.

Through Scripture, the Spirit continues to bear witness to the truth of God in the person of Jesus the Christ and to bring us into personal relationship with God. The type of knowing that we may expect to experience through the Bible is relational; it is in community that we learn the truth about God. I believe God's intention for the Bible is to testify to and to anchor the continuing dialogue between God our Creator and humanity. Just as God shepherded the Bible's formation, the Holy Spirit stirs our interpretation of it, as we seek God's guidance in faith.

Donald J. Brash. The Indispensable Guide to God's Word. Cleveland, Ohio: The Pilgrim Press, 2010. p. 109

Annual Christmas Card Exchange

A basket will be in the narthex again this year.  Bring the cards for other church members.  Save on postage and make a donation to the youth to help fund their activities.

Poinsetteas Offered for Christmas

We will again be offering the chance to buy Christmas poinsettias at a cost of $5.  They will remain throughout the Christmas Season and will be available for buyers to take home after worship on January 2.  If you would like to buy a 6" poinsettia, please fill out the form, attach payment and give to the church office (or drop in the offering plate).

Weekly Bible Verses: Psalm 85: Steadfast Love and Faithfulness Will Meet

Psalm 85: ¹Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
²You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin. Selah
³You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.
⁴Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us.
⁵Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
⁶Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you?
⁷Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.
⁸Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
⁹Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
¹⁰Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
¹¹Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.
¹²The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
¹³Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps.

Weekly Bible Verses: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9. I Give Thanks To My God Always

1 Corinthians 1: Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, ²To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: ³Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, ⁵for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— ⁶just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— ⁷so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁸He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

ADVENT CELEBRATIONS 2011 STARTING SOON

Hanging of the Green: Sunday, November 27 (Dinner @ 5pm, Service @7:00pm) 

Christmas Concert  "An Evening in Song": Sunday, December 18, 7:00pm

Christmas Eve "Lessons and Carols" Service:  Saturday, December 24, 7:00 pm

Christmas Worship Service: Sunday 12/25/2011  @ 11:00am

Come and join us for this joyous celebration! All are welcome!  

Family Bowling After Church!

When: Sunday, December 4

                               12:30pm-3:00pm

Who: ECBC Family & Friends

Where: Palace Bowling Center, Downingtown, PA

Cost: $ 5 per Person ($ 15 maximum per family)

RSVP by: Sunday, November 27. Thanks!   

        

                Friends are Welcome!!!

Invitation to the Hanging of the Greens Service

Our Hanging of the Green Service is Sunday, November 27 (First Sunday in Advent).

5:00pm..........Dinner and Making Ornaments

7:00pm..........Hanging of the Green Service

This is a beautiful service and time of sharing. Come and join us as we begin our celebration of the Advent season!

Weekly Bible Verses: Psalm 100: Make a Joyful Noise!

Psalm 100: ¹Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
²Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.
³Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
⁴Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name.
⁵For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Weekly Bible Verses: Ephesians 1:11-23: In Christ ...

Ephesians 1: 11-23 ¹¹In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance,having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, ¹²so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. ¹³In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; ¹⁴this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.
¹⁵I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason ¹⁶I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. ¹⁷I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, ¹⁸so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, ¹⁹and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. ²⁰God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. ²²And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, ²³which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Weekly Bible Verses: Matthew 25:1-13: Keep Awake!

Matthew 25: “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. ²Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. ³When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; ⁴but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. ⁵As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. ⁶But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ ⁷Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ ⁹But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ ¹⁰And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. ¹¹Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ ¹²But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ ¹³Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Don't Forget to Fall Back

To the members of ECBC and all our friends, don't forget to set your clocks back tonight. Remember, it's Spring Ahead and Fall Back. One hour back please so we see you in church on time.

Enjoy the blessing of an extra hour's sleep!

You Too Can Choose a Small Ministry All Your Own

We American Baptists believe in the "priesthood of all believers." That means, each of us is empowered to spread the good news of the Gospels using the special gifts God has given us all. A while back, I struck upon a simply ministry concept that has proven effective, provided that I am patient and trust that God will send someone in need across my path.

I keep a Bible in my car at all time. This is a used Bible (in good shape but offered up at book sales, garage sales, etc.) I have picked up along the way. I got the idea when we purchased our most recent car and it came with a small Bible in the glove compartment. The owner of the dealership is a Christian and he considers this part of his ministry. I thought the idea was brilliant and chose a variant on that idea for myself. I started with that Bible in the glove box.

When I hear of someone in need of a Bible, I offer them the one in my car. It is a simple and effective ministry, always bringing a smile to the recipient's face and passing along the good news of God's kingdom.

So, what will you do? If you prepare yourself, God will present the opportunities. God bless you in your ministry!

Weekly Bible Verses: Luke 19:1-10: Hurry and Come Down; For I Must Stay at Your House Today

He entered Jericho and was passing through it. ²A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. ³He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. ⁴So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. ⁵When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” ⁶So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. ⁷All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” ⁸Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” ⁹Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”

This is also this week's passage for the sermon. Come and find out where things will go!

Reflections on Mission

As I was wondering what I could write about for our newsletter, I was reminded of my upbringing in a Christian and Missionary Alliance church.  As I look back, one of our main emphases was missions.  Every year we had a three or four-day stint when missionaries came to speak at our church, and we pledged what we would give for the coming year.  When I attended Nyack, their Bible school, a missionary spoke every Friday night.  So, as a result of my background, I was pretty much sold on giving to missions.  In fact, I wanted to be a missionary.

 

When Dean and I married, we decided to apply to be missionaries, but that didn’t pan out.  However, we have always emphasized the importance of standing behind our missionaries and informing others about what they are doing.  When Dean was a pastor, he sought to have missionaries speak as often as possible, and we entertained many in our home.  He had a “moment with missions” every Sunday.  As a result, our kids were exposed to missions.  When the children’s boxes for the special offerings were passed out, they gave generously of what they had, which wasn’t much.

 

We review in our minds the process of preparation for Sue --- through high school.  Then Eastern College … visiting her roommate’s family in Peru (she changed her minor to Spanish) … studying in France for her French major.

 

There was seminary and study with Wycliffe during two summers …getting a job at Valley Forge with Educational Ministries.  Then came the loss of her job because of cutbacks --- what should she do then?  Was it a good time to test her “call” to be a missionary?  Sheila and Steve Heneise had stayed with a family in our church when on home assignment so Sheila could finish her college degree.  Sue decided to go to Nicaragua to work with Sheila on educational materials.

 

On her return home she got a local job but was asked to work temporarily with short term volunteers at Valley Forge.  The big day came --- her appointment to Nicaragua!  After serving five years as the National Christian Education Coordinator for Nicaragua, she left.  She was then approached to go to Cuba with Ruth Mooney to conduct classes on writing Christian educational materials.  During that time she met Ramon … returned to Cuba … got married … had Katy … continued working with the writing group and taught some seminary classes.

 

It’s amazing how God prepares each of us to fulfill the plan He has for us.  Along the way you have been a great support in helping Sue fulfill His plan for her. Thanks so much!  May God bless you as you continue to follow His plan for yourself and as you reach out to others to enable them to fulfill theirs.

 

P. S.  Although we never went overseas as missionaries, we have visited our two daughters who serve the Lord in foreign countries.  What part did we play in their decision to go?  What part does each of us play in our commitment to pray for and support emotionally and financially our missionaries?

 

Erma Hegarty (Our missionary to Cuba, Sue Hegarty's, mom

Celebrating Silent Auction Success!

We are so grateful for all those who donated or purchased items, who attended the auction and celebration, or who supported the event with prayers or other financial gifts. A total of $1,820 was raised to support Sue Hegarty’s ministry (our missionary to Cuba). If you were unable to attend that evening, you are still welcome to send a financial contribution for Sue’s support to:

 

International Ministries

Attn: Missionary Support

PO Box 851

Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851

 

Please indicate on your check “Ongoing support – Sue Hegarty.” And please join in praying for the additional commitments of monthly support needed to underwrite her personalized support goal. Her support goal is currently at 78.6%. If you know of someone who might like to join Sue’s support network, please let them know how they can contribute.

 

 

Bible Verse This Week: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8: We Had Courage In Our God ...

1 Thessalonians 2: You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain, ²but though we had already suffered and been shamefully mistreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. ³For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, ⁴but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. ⁵As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; ⁶nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others,
⁷though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. ⁸So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.

Silent Auction October 15, 2011, 6:30 pm. All Welcome

Exton Community Baptist Church holds its Silent Auction in Support of Sue Hegarty's Missionary Work In Cuba At the Church This Saturday, October 15, at 6:30 pm. Among the items to be auctioned are: 

• Home and Office:
  • Armoire (Double door pine)
  • Bookcase                                                    
  • Candlesticks – handmade in Austria               
  • Cedar Chest
  • Ceramic Angels (set of 2)
  • Chair (pink upholstered)
  • Chair (red skirted)  
  • Coffee Table Books by Jeff Snyder (two editions)
  • Coffee Table Book – National Geographic Journeys of a Lifetime
  • Desk
  • Oil Paintings (selection of 5
  • Quilt - Full Size
  • Quilted Wall Hanging "Three Wise Men" 
  • Receiving Blanket & Crocheted Rabbit
  • Reed & Barton 115 piece flatware (service for 12)
  • White Wingback Chairs (set of 2 

•  Health and Beauty
• • Floris Nails, Exton – gift certificate   
  • Longaberger Purse (1996)   
  • Mary Kay “Satin Hands” Set
  • Poncho – White, made in Ecuador
  • Salon Da Spa, Exton – gift certificate
  • Wrap – Red, made in Ecuador  
  • Wrap – Blue & Black, handmade in Ecuador 
  
  
  • Fun Activities
    
  • Children’s storybook – “Michal and the New Baby”
  • Gilbert & Sullivan DVD Set   
         
  • Restaurants & Food
  • Bakers of Buffington – gift certificate
  • Bob Evans – dessert coupons
  • Coventry Tea Room, Pottstown – gift certificate
  
  
  And much more. 

Checks and cash only accepted for this event! Come ready to bid. The items are well worth the effort and the cause even more so. We hope to see you there. 

A Celebration for Sue Hegarty

American Baptist missionary serving in Cuba

Sponsored by “The Cuba Connection”

Sue’s Missionary Partnership Team

WHAT:   An opportunity to meet Sue Hegarty, learn what God is doing in Cuba, and participate in a Silent Auction to raise funds to support her ministry.

WHERE:  Exton Community Baptist Church

114 East Swedesford Road, Exton, PA 19341

WHEN:   Saturday, October 15, 2011

6:30 pm – Silent Auction, Refreshments and Fellowship

7:30 pm – Program and Auction Results

A free-will offering will be received for Sue’s ministry.

Anxiety, Worry, and Fretfulness, Oh My!

Do not be anxious about anything (Philippians 4:6)

Quite a few Christians live in a terrible state of anxiety, constantly fretting over the concerns of life. The secret to living in perfect peace amid the hectic pace of daily life is one well worth knowing. What  good has worry every accomplished? It has never made anyone stronger, helped anyone do God's will, or provided for anyone a way to escape out of their anxiety or confusion. Worry only destroys the effectiveness of lives that would otherwise be useful and beautiful. Being restless and having worries and cares are absolutely forbidden by our Lord, who said, "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' (Matt. 6:31). He does not mean that we are not to think ahead or that our life should never have a plan or pattern to it. He simply means that we are not to worry about these things.

People will know that you live in a constant state of anxiety by the lines on your face, the tone of your voice, your negative attitude, and the lace of joy in your spirit. So scale the heights of a life abandoned to God, and your perspective will change to the point that you will look down on the clouds beneath your feet. Darlow Sargeant

It is a sign of weakness to always worry and fret, question everything, and mistrust everyone. Can anything be gained by it? Don't we only make ourselves unfit for action, and separate our minds from the ability to make wise decisions?  We simply sink in our struggles when we could float by faith.

Oh, for the grace to be silent! Oh, to "be still, and know that [Jehovah] is God" (Ps. 46:10)! "The Holy One of Israel" (Ps. 89:18) will defend and deliver [God's] own. We can be sure that [God's] every word will stand forever, even though the mountains may fall into the sea. [God] deserves our total confidence. So come, my soul, return to your place of peace, and rest within the sweet embrace of the Lord Jesus. selected

Excerpt from Streams in the Desert: 366 Daily Devotional Readings. L.B. Cowan. Jim Reimann, ed.

Weekly Bible Verses: Philippians 4: 1-13: Rejoice in the Lord Always

Philippians 4: Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. ²I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. ³Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. ⁴Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. ⁵Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ⁸Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
¹⁰I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. ¹²I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. ¹³I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Bible Verses This Week: Matthew 21:33-43: Parable About Jesus

Matthew 21: ³³“Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. ³⁴When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. ³⁵But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. ³⁶Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. ³⁷Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ ³⁸But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.” ³⁹So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. ⁴⁰Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” ⁴¹They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.” ⁴²Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes’? ⁴³Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. ⁴⁴The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.” ⁴⁵When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. ⁴⁶They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.

Crop Walk 2011: If You Can't Walk, You Can Donate Canned Goods!

DOWNINGTOWN COMMUNITY CROP WALK

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2011, 2:00 PM

If you wish to be involved in some way, but aren't part of one of the participating churches, you can drop off canned goods at the gathering site for the Crop Walk, Central Presbyterian Church on Rt. 113 in Downingtown, PA.

This is the 25th anniversary of the Downingtown CROP Walk. Our walk benefits local neighborhood food cupboards including the Lord’s Pantry, the Emergency Food Cupboard of Coatesville, Steeple to People in Honeybrook, the Deacon’s Pantry in Frazer, and the Salvation Army in West Chester. In addition, through Church World Service, the walk provides relief to famine-stricken areas worldwide to those desperate to obtain food and water for their families. Last year 440 walkers from 27 churches and high schools participated in our community CROP Walk raising an all-time record of $30,208.  

Weekly Bible Verses: Ezekiel 18:1-32: They Shall Surely Live

Ezekiel 18: The word of the Lord came to me: ²What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge”? ³As I live, says the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. ⁴Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins that shall die. ⁵If a man is righteous and does what is lawful and right— ⁶if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor’s wife or approach a woman during her menstrual period, ⁷does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, commits no robbery, gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, ⁸does not take advance or accrued interest, withholds his hand from iniquity, executes true justice between contending parties, ⁹follows my statutes, and is careful to observe my ordinances, acting faithfully—such a one is righteous; he shall surely live, says the Lord God.
¹⁰If he has a son who is violent, a shedder of blood, ¹¹who does any of these things (though his father does none of them), who eats upon the mountains, defiles his neighbor’s wife, ¹²oppresses the poor and needy, commits robbery, does not restore the pledge, lifts up his eyes to the idols, commits abomination, ¹³takes advance or accrued interest; shall he then live? He shall not. He has done all these abominable things; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon himself. ¹⁴But if this man has a son who sees all the sins that his father has done, considers, and does not do likewise, ¹⁵who does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor’s wife, ¹⁶does not wrong anyone, exacts no pledge, commits no robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, ¹⁷withholds his hand from iniquity, takes no advance or accrued interest, observes my ordinances, and follows my statutes; he shall not die for his father’s iniquity; he shall surely live. ¹⁸As for his father, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother, and did what is not good among his people, he dies for his iniquity. ¹⁹Yet you say, “Why should not the son suffer for the iniquity of the father?” When the son has done what is lawful and right, and has been careful to observe all my statutes, he shall surely live. ²⁰The person who sins shall die. A child shall not suffer for the iniquity of a parent, nor a parent suffer for the iniquity of a child; the righteousness of the righteous shall be his own, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be his own.
²¹But if the wicked turn away from all their sins that they have committed and keep all my statutes and do what is lawful and right, they shall surely live; they shall not die. ²²None of the transgressions that they have committed shall be remembered against them; for the righteousness that they have done they shall live. ²³Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord God, and not rather that they should turn from their ways and live? ²⁴But when the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity and do the same abominable things that the wicked do, shall they live? None of the righteous deeds that they have done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which they are guilty and the sin they have committed, they shall die. ²⁵Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? ²⁶When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die. ²⁷Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. ²⁸Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. ²⁹Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?
³⁰Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. ³¹Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? ³²For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live.

Sermon for 9/18

Pastor Joseph Sum - 9/18 Sermon

Weekly Bible Verses: Matthew 20: 1-16: The Last Will Be First ...

Matthew 20: “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. ²After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. ³When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; ⁴and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. ⁵When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. ⁶And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ ⁷They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ ⁸When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ ⁹When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. ¹⁰Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. ¹¹And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, ¹²saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ ¹³But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? ¹⁴Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. ¹⁵Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ ¹⁶So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

2011 Central Union Association Rally

Sunday, October 16 - 3:00-6:00 PM

Octorara High School Auditorium

228 Highland Avenue, Atglen, PA
Tickets: $5.00

Featuring Concert by “Point of Grace” and Message by Author Bob Lenz