tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45295189822513650922024-03-13T00:58:16.244-04:00Exton Community Baptist Church114 East Swedesford Road, Exton, Pennsylvania 19341 .................................................................................
www.extonbaptistabc.org 610-363-7814
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An American Baptist ChurchExton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.comBlogger410125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-84098450345075906322016-07-07T11:15:00.000-04:002016-07-07T11:16:33.751-04:00<span style="font-size: large;">This blog is inactive. It may have historical or inspirational value to some, but it is not monitored.</span> <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-29743631013766662112014-01-19T09:01:00.000-05:002014-01-19T09:01:07.099-05:00Snyder Family Wishes the Congregation Farewell<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We wanted to take a few minutes to stop and thank all the members of Exton Community Baptist Church for their love, friendship, and fellowship over the past twenty-five years. We enjoyed worshiping with you every week that we could. We have been happy to take part in all the joys and sorrows of the church family.<br />
When we first arrived at ECBC, it was just Sherry and Jeff (Mike was still a year away and Madeline six after that), we weren't sure what to expect. We'd bounced around a bit with Jeff's work in contract archaeology (Virginia, Georgia, then Pennsylvania). We were immediately charmed by the warmth of the community. You all made us feel welcome (those present, those now moved away, and those saints who have gone before us into the joy of God's presence). You also quickly involved us in church projects, which really made us feel part of the crew.<br />
You let us explore our God-given talents and grow them. You watched the plays and monologues ... and appreciated them, applauding for the players, sat ... and laughed ... through the epic Youth Group film "The Wrath of Grapes" (during the filming of which baby Michael became the group's mascot of sorts and received a purple onesie from the youth for ... well, being there), and their production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" with Madeline as the "backstage baby."<br />
Many of you performed in plays, both those purchased from various organizations and those written by Jeff.<br />
You helped us celebrate our joys together and gave us shoulders to cry on when times were tough.<br />
We've enjoyed the retreats, the Christmas eve candlelight services, ringing bells, singing in the choir, seeing pastors and interim pastors come and go, getting to meet founding members of the church, meeting more pastors than we'd ever expected to find in one church (how was this church blessed with so many retired clergy?!), working and playing with the youth group, studying the Bible together in Sunday school classes, and getting to teach a few of those as well, being involved with Vacation Bible School for umpteen years, taking part in special projects such as supporting a family in need or working with Bridge of Hope, taking Christmas gifts to the West Chester shelter and packing boxes of Haiti relief supplies. Thanks for working with Madeline on Project Christmas Child, who Franklin Graham's organization still writes to as Dr. Madeline Snyder. Pastor Mike quipped at the time if he'd known it could be that easy to get a doctorate he'd have never gone on to higher education!<br />
There are so many wonderful memories. We've enjoyed supporting and following Sue Heagerty in her missionary journey, as well.<br />
Jeff: Speaking for myself, thanks for supporting my journey through seminary and into ministry. Your support of my early explorations of my talents helped me down that path toward becoming a Reverend. Thanks for granting me the opportunity to baptize Madeline. That was a wonderful moment for us all.<br />
Sherry: This is my home church. I chose to be baptized here when we joined. Our church family has meant the world to me. People come and go, but the love we have shared remains.<br />
Thank you for blessing us with the love that comes from within. It will always be part of us. It will continue to carry us through our journeys.<br />
Madeline says, "Just tell everyone I love them."<br />
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Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-91500701986650866892014-01-19T07:59:00.002-05:002014-01-19T07:59:13.161-05:00Bible Verses This Week: John 1:29-42: Here Is the Lamb of God Who Takes Away the Sin of the World!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqI-NsSbsmdjbICZjOJNhwpAOer_D6BRi7bZYttFGdnQgglPUrEO7q23-9w93Vq8OGY0DDuSmIqold_f6TtWfthX5rUiGR01Y-I9GG3rN1Sck-UI7_iIw92jWcUTfYfKgR7yOX1fXspU/s1600/Bible+Readings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqI-NsSbsmdjbICZjOJNhwpAOer_D6BRi7bZYttFGdnQgglPUrEO7q23-9w93Vq8OGY0DDuSmIqold_f6TtWfthX5rUiGR01Y-I9GG3rN1Sck-UI7_iIw92jWcUTfYfKgR7yOX1fXspU/s1600/Bible+Readings.jpg" height="200" width="159" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>John 1:</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">30</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">31</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">32</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">33</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">34</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">35</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">36</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">37</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">38</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">39</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">40</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">41</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">42</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).</span></span></div>
Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-7825978948346096592014-01-19T07:55:00.000-05:002014-01-19T07:55:02.360-05:00Bible Verses This Week: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9: He Will Also Strengthen You to the End<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX50J420tpyt96EUlUKsAlS_nN5E43Ifvs3_v29O-eAVFDPoDIxQN4yk2WV6QPI_6_4UgnDunNF5qs8OOKvonrMZP7n_qJuzgKh8gpgzxvOZcYqt_1-CmoTQQM0PpHqUJK79DGfP17BZY/s1600/Bible+Readings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX50J420tpyt96EUlUKsAlS_nN5E43Ifvs3_v29O-eAVFDPoDIxQN4yk2WV6QPI_6_4UgnDunNF5qs8OOKvonrMZP7n_qJuzgKh8gpgzxvOZcYqt_1-CmoTQQM0PpHqUJK79DGfP17BZY/s1600/Bible+Readings.jpg" height="200" width="159" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">1 Corinthians 1:</span></b> <span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">2</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">To 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: </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">3</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">4</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">5</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">6</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">7</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">8</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">9</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.</span></span></div>
Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-49524371943462285042014-01-12T08:10:00.000-05:002014-01-12T08:10:11.257-05:00Ordination Service for Jeffrey B. Snyder<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Last Sunday, January 5, at 3 in the afternoon on a rainy, icy day, the Exton Community Baptist Church sanctuary and fellowship hall were warmed up by the Ordination Service for their own Jeff Snyder, who, on January 26, begins a new life in ministry as the pastor for Lansdowne Baptist Church in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, an inner suburb of Philadelphia.<br />
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It was a beautiful and meaningful service, well attended in spite of the weather, where beautiful ideas, advice, and music were shared. It was a serious, yet joyful service, in which a number of pastors who have been influential in Jeff's journey played an active role in the service. Jeff's wife, daughter, and father also participated.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJtRYMqDfLoKuTo88vZvVCzNzQXH6aV1xjkMb9GEoZaRnqvVGiUj02fSwFd87kUOagXhBLJQoF80s89iuRjsB870nmHnLf4EuiuPuBOKcdkA0QZrSHo1j7oBWEEJlmVQhXJt5vdanjSg/s1600/Photobombed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJtRYMqDfLoKuTo88vZvVCzNzQXH6aV1xjkMb9GEoZaRnqvVGiUj02fSwFd87kUOagXhBLJQoF80s89iuRjsB870nmHnLf4EuiuPuBOKcdkA0QZrSHo1j7oBWEEJlmVQhXJt5vdanjSg/s1600/Photobombed.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesus states in Matthew 18:20: "<span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.399999618530273px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">For where two or three <br />are gathered in my name, <br />I am there among them." Sure enough ...</span></span></td></tr>
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Jeff states: I want to take a moment to thank the ECBC community for playing a vital role in my spiritual development and for their support of my efforts toward this goal, following this calling from God. Thank you for allowing me to explore and hone my spiritual gifts over the years. No matter where God leads me and my family, this community will always be a part of my life. May the peace of Christ be with you! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ECBC's founding pastor is in the middle left, in the background ...</td></tr>
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Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-191835263448856292014-01-12T07:42:00.001-05:002014-01-12T07:42:39.958-05:00Bible Verses This Week: John 2:1-11: Do Whatever He Tells You<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>John 2:</b></span> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">2</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">3</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">4</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">5</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">6</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">7</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">8</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it.</span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">9</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">10</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">11</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"><b>Sidenote: </b>Never underestimate the power of a determined Mom ... </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">~ Reverend Jeff Snyder</span></span></div>
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Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-1617437294621179992014-01-05T08:45:00.001-05:002014-01-05T08:45:56.945-05:00Invitation to You on a Cold Morning<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dear Reader:<br />
<br />
Our church is warm today. Our church community is warmer still. Come join us as we share our joy in worship ... our joy in God the Creator, Redeemer, and Spirit. Come and get warm today.<br />
<br /></div>
Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-60113212866573708872014-01-05T07:55:00.001-05:002014-01-05T07:56:24.845-05:00Bible Verses This Week: Isaiah 60:1-3: Arise, Shine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Isaiah 60:</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the </span><span class="sc" style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 22.390625px;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;"> has risen upon you. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.390625px;">2</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the </span><span class="sc" style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 22.390625px;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;"> will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.390625px;">3</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. </span></span></div>
Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-67317002750923741752013-12-24T07:21:00.001-05:002013-12-24T07:21:28.592-05:00A Christmas Eve Message: Hold On<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In his devotional book, <i>Bread for the Journey</i>, author and theologian Henri Nouwen reminds us of what we should do this Christmas, especially when times get tough and situations dire, as they are for many right now (by whom we stand and for whom we pray as a church). He writes:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Life is unpredictable. We can be happy one day and sad the next, healthy one day and sick the next, rich one day and poor the next, alive one day and dead the next. So who is there to hold on to? Who is there to feel secure with? Who is there to trust at all times?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Only Jesus, the Christ. He is our Lord, our shepherd, our rock, our stronghold, our refuge, our brother, our guide, and our friend. He came from God to be with us. He died for us, he was raised from the dead to open for us the way to God, and he is seated at God's right hand to welcome us home. With Paul, we must be certain that "neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nothing already in existence and nothing still to come, nor any power, nor the heights nor the depths, nor any created thing whatever, will be able to come between us and the love of God, known to us in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39). </blockquote>
No matter how your life is trending right now, rest assured, Jesus is with you. </div>
Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-25344271236268310452013-12-22T07:12:00.000-05:002013-12-22T07:14:50.317-05:00Second Bible Verse This Week (It's Christmas!): John 1: 1-18: The Light of All People<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>John 1:</b></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; line-height: 22.390625px;">2</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">He was in the beginning with God. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; line-height: 22.390625px;">3</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; line-height: 22.390625px;">4</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">in him was life,</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4529518982251365092" style="background-color: white; color: #0000bb; line-height: 22.390625px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;"> and the life was the light of all people. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; line-height: 22.390625px;">5</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="vv" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; line-height: 22.390625px;">6</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;"> There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; line-height: 22.390625px;">7</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.</span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; line-height: 22.390625px;">8</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; line-height: 22.390625px;">9</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="vv" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; line-height: 22.390625px;">10</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;"> He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; line-height: 22.390625px;">11</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">He came to what was his own,</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4529518982251365092" style="background-color: white; color: #0000bb; line-height: 22.390625px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;"> and his own people did not accept him. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; line-height: 22.390625px;">12</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; line-height: 22.390625px;">13</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="vv" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; line-height: 22.390625px;">14</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;"> And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son,</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4529518982251365092" style="background-color: white; color: #0000bb; line-height: 22.390625px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;"> full of grace and truth.</span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; line-height: 22.390625px;">15</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">(John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.”</span><span class="thinspace" style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">’)</span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; line-height: 22.390625px;">16</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; line-height: 22.390625px;">17</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; line-height: 22.390625px;">18</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son,</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4529518982251365092" style="background-color: white; color: #0000bb; line-height: 22.390625px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;"> who is close to the Father’s heart,</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4529518982251365092" style="background-color: white; color: #0000bb; line-height: 22.390625px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;"> who has made him known.</span></span><br />
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Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-10941631991030127992013-12-22T07:05:00.000-05:002013-12-22T07:05:18.598-05:00Bible Verses This Week: Luke 2: 8-20: Good News of Great Joy ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim484ym5mZb7oMq-vPDExItIQiSZ7EmBjgbmbE9CMbkUTpwFhmtzpGPC1siMfyswsUnq1aYQlawFRVXKAqwCMOL5KJBpAyrslzSRbFCV9kiSPAaayljLNTEfzKGSt6WClA7Z0scmmZEdk/s1600/Christmas,+Church+(Bible,+horn,+candles,+greens).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim484ym5mZb7oMq-vPDExItIQiSZ7EmBjgbmbE9CMbkUTpwFhmtzpGPC1siMfyswsUnq1aYQlawFRVXKAqwCMOL5KJBpAyrslzSRbFCV9kiSPAaayljLNTEfzKGSt6WClA7Z0scmmZEdk/s320/Christmas,+Church+(Bible,+horn,+candles,+greens).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhMhrRAJj51AYJxS39OCY05tf1mQafEY-tJOAgeZKoXykJTXiUQCs4x9Bqc-FCzNgKAFxM5tnNGH_y8Plt1Aa9kdjnLa-9oGGsTHe_ZTOlWiP-9DuCm6qrKmJ_dkUHN0u97K8iik-vms/s1600/Bells+and+poinsetteas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhMhrRAJj51AYJxS39OCY05tf1mQafEY-tJOAgeZKoXykJTXiUQCs4x9Bqc-FCzNgKAFxM5tnNGH_y8Plt1Aa9kdjnLa-9oGGsTHe_ZTOlWiP-9DuCm6qrKmJ_dkUHN0u97K8iik-vms/s320/Bells+and+poinsetteas.jpg" width="60" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">Luke 2:</span></b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,</span><a href="" style="background-color: white; color: #0000bb; line-height: 22.390625px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;"> the Lord. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,</span><a href="" style="background-color: white; color: #0000bb; line-height: 22.390625px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;"> praising God and saying, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">When 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.’ </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22.390625px;">The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.</span></span></div>
Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-30902142379810442862013-12-15T08:28:00.003-05:002013-12-15T08:28:37.289-05:00Christmas Eve Service: An Open Invitation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
members of Exton Community Baptist Church would like to cordially invite you,
your family, your friends and their families to our Christmas Eve
Candlelight Service on December 24 at 7 PM in the sanctuary. If you are interested,
please come and celebrate Jesus’ birth with us. There will be favorite hymns
sung, our bell choir will perform, Scripture readings, and candles lit for the
singing of Silent Night at the close of the service. It is a wonderful service and it will be more wonderful if you come. You are most welcome. We want to share our joy with you as we remember how very much God loves us all, enough to send Jesus <i>to tell us so ... and show us how much we are all loved</i>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Come celebrate! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.545454025268555px; line-height: 16.363636016845703px;">We'd love to have you. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.545454025268555px; line-height: 16.363636016845703px;">If you are hurting this Christmas season, come join us. We will stand by you in your pain, pray for you, and do our best to support you and buoy your hurting spirit this Christmas eve. You too are most welcome among us. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.545454025268555px; line-height: 16.363636016845703px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.545454025268555px; line-height: 16.363636016845703px;">Wishing you and all those you love a blessed Christmas season. </span></span></div>
Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-69747350924895649102013-12-15T08:17:00.001-05:002013-12-15T08:18:27.642-05:00A Reflection from Sue Hegarty, Our Missionary in Costa Rica<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Next week, we Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. It´s a good moment to go over the year and<br />
remember reasons to be thankful; I personally have many!<br />
<br />
First, I am thankful that God has permitted me to witness God´s work here in Costa Rica and for allowing us (you and me together) to even participate in it. I hope that you are following my journals on the International Ministries website and <i>Sue´s News</i> for specific ways God is working.<br />
<br />
Second, I am thankful to God for each one of you!<br />
<br />
Do you know how much your prayers make a difference? Earlier this year, my MPT held a tea and gave out names of Costa Rican women involved in the Pastoral Care for Women program to pray for. When I announced this during a graduation celebration, one woman came to me in tears. Since a tea attendee had written who she was praying for, I had specifically mentioned the woman´s name in the announcement as an example. The Costa Rican woman felt so blessed and was encouraged to continue to wait on the Lord, feeling reassured that God was with her despite her difficult circumstances.<br />
<br />
Another example of the difference made by partnerships was the León XIII Baptist Church building dedication held Sunday, November 10. ABC of the Great Rivers Region work teams, the Baptist Federation and the church members had worked together to complete the construction project, to make a viable building for ministry. Your financial support has permitted me to be part of this process and to widen our partnership in the area of leadership development and spiritual growth.<br />
<br />
God continues to work. This past weekend (November 16-17) the pastor of the León XIII church and another member attended the Pastoral Care for Women retreat against domestic violence, for personal growth and to prepare themselves for ministry. We count on your prayers for those who attended this retreat, since the participants this year are mostly from marginal areas.<br />
<br />
Thank you so much for partnering in ministry with me, both in prayer and in financial support. Not only does it make a difference in individual lives, but also in entire communities. Thanks be to God!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sue Hegarty</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Apologies for the delay in publishing this letter. The blog writer has been quite busy with some personal matters of late and is just now catching up! J.S.)</span></div>
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Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-27476556962225258522013-12-15T08:02:00.000-05:002013-12-15T08:02:22.225-05:00Weekly Bible Verses: James 5:7-10: Be Patient<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmlaIQPdHy5wJyiua68aSCBDAm8FNxH4Hc-otwj9isw1M5oR1o3hIqeo2i3IAElcp3drrDC7LctiOGfA_AjWKNT9MoctRWB3AUkg5XvzZZ2pT_4P3ESv5c4hnxAAkF-FRG0lSjVuPheg/s1600/Advent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmlaIQPdHy5wJyiua68aSCBDAm8FNxH4Hc-otwj9isw1M5oR1o3hIqeo2i3IAElcp3drrDC7LctiOGfA_AjWKNT9MoctRWB3AUkg5XvzZZ2pT_4P3ESv5c4hnxAAkF-FRG0lSjVuPheg/s200/Advent.jpg" width="171" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">James 5:</span></b> <sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">7</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">8</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">You also must be patient. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">9</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">10</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.</span></div>
Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-88103630950509429882013-12-15T07:58:00.000-05:002013-12-15T07:58:37.163-05:00Forgiving the Church, a Reflection by Henri Nouwen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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There are times when we are hurt by the Church, a church, the assembled body of Christ in one place and at one time. On large scale or small, through the words or deeds of a member or the collective declaration of the "large C" Church, we have been wounded. Theologian Henri Nouwen suggests we do the following to grapple with our pain in his rich and beautiful devotional book, <i>Bread for the Journey: A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith</i><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
When we have been wounded by the Church, our temptation is to reject it. But when we reject the Church it becomes very hard for us to keep in touch with the living Christ. When we say, "I love Jesus, but I hate the Church," we end up losing not only the Church but Jesus too. The challenge is to forgive the Church. This challenge is especially great because the Church seldom asks us for forgiveness, at least not officially. But the Church as an often fallible human organization needs our forgiveness, while the Church as the living Christ among us continues to offer us forgiveness. </blockquote>
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It is important to think about the Church not as "over there" but as a community of struggling, weak people of whom we are part and in whom we meet our Lord and Redeemer. </blockquote>
This is a difficult challenge. Some of the wounds run very deep and are quite appalling. We do not attempt to whitewash any of that. Speaking simply for myself here, let me say I'm sorry for the wounds you have received from the fallible, struggling folk who make up the various churches of Christianity. I wish you well in your journey through life. I invite you to come back, to find a church community that is more supportive of your needs and through whom you may discover the balm of forgiveness that will help ease the pain of those awful wounds from the past. <br />
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Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-63715831279309593332013-11-17T07:45:00.002-05:002013-11-17T07:47:47.652-05:00Weekly Bible Verses: Psalm 98: Make A Joy Noise To The Lord<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Psalm 98</span></b> </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><sup class="ww" style="color: #777777;">1</sup>O sing to the <span class="sc" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><sup class="ww" style="color: #777777;">2</sup>The <span class="sc" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><sup class="ww" style="color: #777777;">3</sup>He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><sup class="ww" style="color: #777777;">4</sup>Make a joyful noise to the <span class="sc" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><sup class="ww" style="color: #777777;">5</sup>Sing praises to the <span class="sc" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><sup class="ww" style="color: #777777;">6</sup>With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">the King, the <span class="sc" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><sup class="ww" style="color: #777777;">7</sup>Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><sup class="ww" style="color: #777777;">8</sup>Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><sup class="ww" style="color: #777777;">9</sup>at the presence of the <span class="sc" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, for he is coming to judge the earth. </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22.390625px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He will judge the world with righteousness, </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22.390625px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">and the peoples with equity.</span></span></div>
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Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-28415953466516868252013-11-12T07:27:00.000-05:002013-11-12T07:27:37.833-05:00Contribute to Philippines Disaster Relief through American Baptist Churches USA's International Ministries Effort<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Super typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippine islands last weekend with devastating force. The Philippine Red Cross estimates that at least 1,200 people were killed by the storm. That number could grow as officials make their way to remote areas made nearly inaccessible by Haiyan. International Ministries missionaries in the Philippines, Debbie Mulneix, Jonathan and Thelma Nambu, have been contacted by IM and are safe.<u></u><u></u></div>
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<b>In response to this disaster, $10,000 in emergency relief funds is being sent from One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) to help victims of this massive typhoon.<u></u><u></u></b></div>
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“IM partners, the Convention of Philippines Baptist Churches (CPBC) and Philippine Baptist Church Development Ministries, in coordination with the Asia Pacific Baptist Aid of Asia Pacific Baptist Federation, received requests for relief in the hardest hit areas in the provinces of Capiz, Iloilo and North Negros where the majority of CPBC churches are situated,” reported Dr. Ben Chan, IM area director for East Asia, India, Hong Kong and China. “CPBC would like to assist in the immediate needs of families by providing food, drinking water, blankets and mats. The relief operation is difficult because of roads destroyed and flooded. Many areas could not be reached yet. Also electricity and communication line are damaged. CPBC is coordinating with government officials to be able to reach the affected areas."<u></u><u></u></div>
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<b>U.S. and Puerto Rico churches are asked to keep the victims, their families, their churches and the Filipino churches in the U.S. in prayer. Additional financial relief aid is urgently needed. To make a tax-deductible contribution online go to</b> <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.internationalministries.org/drives/16" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">http://www.internationalministries.org/drives/16</a> </span> To make a contribution by mail, write a check payable to International Ministries and write on the memo line: "OGHS-PHILIPPINES TYPHOON RELIEF.” Mail it to IM, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 10482 or give through your church, designating your gift for <u>OGHS – Philippines Typhoon Relief</u>.<u></u><u></u></div>
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<b>One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS)</b> is administered by the World Relief Committee of the Board of General Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA. The Committee facilitates American Baptist emergency relief, disaster rehabilitation, refugee work and the development of assistance by establishing policy guidelines and overseeing distribution of the annual One Great Hour of Sharing offering received by churches. Learn more: <a href="http://www.abc-oghs.org/" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">http://www.abc-oghs.org/</a></div>
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Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-33910727267621851952013-11-10T08:48:00.001-05:002013-11-10T08:48:23.260-05:00Bible Verses This Week: Mark 9: 14-24: Help My Unbelief!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO46INjd0KorWBvOtWEDbDJb8EmfJ0OYXzcc9a8nKRHY_AlUyt_iFWbB28plecuZewDepAxwVpf95hFzbAK7J49NrLLEAwZbpkhXSfZaaSk9dxnJgvk-FITDzyQar3gak-d76fdXsOUSs/s1600/Bible+Readings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO46INjd0KorWBvOtWEDbDJb8EmfJ0OYXzcc9a8nKRHY_AlUyt_iFWbB28plecuZewDepAxwVpf95hFzbAK7J49NrLLEAwZbpkhXSfZaaSk9dxnJgvk-FITDzyQar3gak-d76fdXsOUSs/s200/Bible+Readings.jpg" width="161" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.386363983154297px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mark 9: </b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">When they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">15</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">When the whole crowd saw him, they were immediately overcome with awe, and they ran forward to greet him. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">16</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">17</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak;</span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">18</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so.” </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">19</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">He answered them, “You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.” </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">20</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">And they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">21</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">Jesus asked the father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">22</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.” </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">23</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">Jesus said to him, “If you are able! —All things can be done for the one who believes.” </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">24</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">Immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” </span></div>
Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-34485515250407139412013-11-03T08:28:00.002-05:002013-11-03T08:28:40.830-05:00Bible Verses This Week: Luke 19:1-10: Hurry and Come Down ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVf1X1zvRK8Cqy2qAyDLERk4YshzhLTdWo0LUvLYXgQHUG2cup3pYzFYxKHlzOa39xM0gJaDE9sNYrhGbbjDnK07uYFwDIj3KeWfQZRbrYYMzYj1-PaHSirbYoAFFNRv2D76ehIqR3zfs/s1600/Bible+Readings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVf1X1zvRK8Cqy2qAyDLERk4YshzhLTdWo0LUvLYXgQHUG2cup3pYzFYxKHlzOa39xM0gJaDE9sNYrhGbbjDnK07uYFwDIj3KeWfQZRbrYYMzYj1-PaHSirbYoAFFNRv2D76ehIqR3zfs/s200/Bible+Readings.jpg" width="159" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Luke 19: </b></span>He entered Jericho and was passing through it. <sup class="ww">2</sup>A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. <sup class="ww">3</sup>He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. <sup class="ww">4</sup>So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. <sup class="ww">5</sup>When 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.” <sup class="ww">6</sup>So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. <sup class="ww">7</sup>All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.”<sup class="ww">8</sup>Zacchaeus 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.” <sup class="ww">9</sup>Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. <sup class="ww">10</sup>For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”</span></div>
Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-23743848764238434272013-10-21T07:18:00.001-04:002013-11-10T08:52:45.127-05:00Community and Mission Team First Meeting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOBdsa8LM-fMTQrgeJ5Zp4H5TkiO_55YVlIeTlqPwW6iYRQx-1iADEn5xUr55FpP4Puf1oMCI0L3uEMdxtC5q4pdVJWnot_Vb2ZBaeL2zTkwvcNqtV3-ICoYOPFOxiTL7lC9kZreigMw/s1600/Schedule.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOBdsa8LM-fMTQrgeJ5Zp4H5TkiO_55YVlIeTlqPwW6iYRQx-1iADEn5xUr55FpP4Puf1oMCI0L3uEMdxtC5q4pdVJWnot_Vb2ZBaeL2zTkwvcNqtV3-ICoYOPFOxiTL7lC9kZreigMw/s200/Schedule.jpg" width="143" /></a></div>
Mark your calendars!<br />
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On Sunday, November 10, from 6:30-8:30 PM, in the church sanctuary there will be a first meeting of the Community and Mission Team. Anyone with an interest in, or curious about, outreach to our local community and beyond is invited to attend. We will be exploring the topic, What Is the Missional Church?<br />
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Among the issues explored will be "The Missional Paradigm," "Eras of the Church," "The Times They Are a-Changin'," "Becoming Missional," and "Next Steps." Lots of interesting insights for all.<br />
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Along with the program will be a variety of potential projects from which we may choose how to move forward, including material from a guest speaker.<br />
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For more information, please contact Jeff Snyder.<br />
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See you Sunday, November 10th!<br />
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Isaiah 58:5-12<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="color: #010000;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the <span class="sc" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>? <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777;">6</sup>Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777;">7</sup>Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?<br /><sup class="ww" style="color: #777777;">8</sup>Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the<span class="sc" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> shall be your rear guard. <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777;">9</sup>Then you shall call, and the <span class="sc" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777;">10</sup>if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777;">11</sup>The <span class="sc" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.<sup class="ww" style="color: #777777;">12</sup>Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.</span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Will you be the restorer of streets to live in? </span></div>
Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-18182506867626678312013-10-20T08:36:00.003-04:002013-10-20T08:36:44.279-04:00Meditation on a Charitable Outlook toward Others by Reverend M.L. Hall<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4AQ9ujz846SgeID7uNrXJRtRw0Y086l-FZdzhLk_6_GONg6mjJB0INZtGQVo-GlDiRkioWgX3K0721E7a63KUYnHTtJxhHc_XaR5qm7pRLYWmQZ_A3-5_0RotXu5ukoX9ymunvG0LhQ/s1600/ML+Hall+Sermons+Typed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4AQ9ujz846SgeID7uNrXJRtRw0Y086l-FZdzhLk_6_GONg6mjJB0INZtGQVo-GlDiRkioWgX3K0721E7a63KUYnHTtJxhHc_XaR5qm7pRLYWmQZ_A3-5_0RotXu5ukoX9ymunvG0LhQ/s200/ML+Hall+Sermons+Typed.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rev. Hall's book of sermons, 1937-1938</td></tr>
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Given in a sermon in Sabraton, West Virginia, on October 31, 1937, Reverend M. L. Hall reflected on the Christian need for a charitable approach to the varying views of others. Using the analogy of the Christian mariner, he wrote:<br />
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The Christian's conscience, like the mariner's compass, is more or less influenced by early associations. We can never permanently settle ourselves from the effects of the moral direction in which our prow was set, or the spiritual atmosphere that surrounded the laying and shaping of our keel. Because of these great channels and laws of influence no two Christians look out upon the sphere of duty from exactly the same standpoint; and we need nothing so much as charity to enable us to patiently meet and rightly construe the opinions and conduct of others, who, though perhaps equally conscious, may not be able to see eye to eye with us in many things pertaining to Christian character and conduct. </blockquote>
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Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-52436658516401901822013-10-20T08:25:00.001-04:002013-10-20T08:25:17.045-04:00Weekly Bible Verses: 2 Timothy 3:14 - 4:5: Equipped for Every Good Work<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>2 Timothy 3:</b></span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">14</sup>But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed,knowing from whom you learned it, <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15</sup>and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16</sup>All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">17</sup>so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><span class="cc" style="color: #666666; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 2em; line-height: 1em; margin-right: 0.2em; vertical-align: top;">4</span>In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2</sup>proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3</sup>For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4</sup>and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5</sup>As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.</span></div>
Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-39109553648923031382013-09-22T08:25:00.001-04:002013-09-22T08:27:24.556-04:00Weekly Bible Verses: 1 Timothy 2:1-8: So That We May Lead a Quiet and Peaceable Life ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-UvXkQyuvHYXXyNDKG4Zhh3MigKre54NRtYuPg-IaKlhXt8Ydg-S7VEjn386w4fzphsiR4BInsCKgrdAdaxMlhWooTvGemKMBliamuNItPSzSJCfyivimdjIT0wd2NStO6wKnN3BOWA/s1600/Bible+Readings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-UvXkQyuvHYXXyNDKG4Zhh3MigKre54NRtYuPg-IaKlhXt8Ydg-S7VEjn386w4fzphsiR4BInsCKgrdAdaxMlhWooTvGemKMBliamuNItPSzSJCfyivimdjIT0wd2NStO6wKnN3BOWA/s200/Bible+Readings.jpg" width="159" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1 Timothy 2</b></span> First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">2</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">3</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">4</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">5</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human,</span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">6</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">who gave himself a ransom for all—this was attested at the right time.</span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">7</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">For this I was appointed a herald and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">8</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument;</span></div>
Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-59880261550538141562013-09-15T08:38:00.000-04:002013-09-15T08:38:02.302-04:00Weekly Bible Verses: 1 Timothy 1:12-17: The Grace of our Lord Overflowed for Me ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 Timothy 1:</span></b> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12</sup>I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">13</sup>even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">14</sup>and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15</sup>The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16</sup>But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">17</sup>To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. </span></div>
Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4529518982251365092.post-41377085334235617502013-09-08T07:51:00.002-04:002013-09-08T07:53:32.510-04:00Weekly Bible Verses: 1 Thessalonians 5:14-24: Rejoice!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><b>1 Thessalonians 5:</b> And </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the faint hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them.<sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15</sup>See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16</sup>Rejoice always, <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">17</sup>pray without ceasing, <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">18</sup>give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">19</sup>Do not quench the Spirit. <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">20</sup>Do not despise the words of prophets, <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">21</sup>but test everything; hold fast to what is good; <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">22</sup>abstain from every form of evil.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">23</sup>May 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. <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">24</sup>The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. </span></div>
Exton Community Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215229014916435312noreply@blogger.com0