September 29, 2019

September 3, 2019 Zero Collective

FIELD GUIDE FOR A FOLLOWER | WEEK 4

A field guide gives us things to watch for that we might otherwise miss. Often important details and defining characteristics. What if there was a field guide to spotting a real follower of Jesus? To be honest, following Jesus today is more difficult than ever. We experience pressures to conform, to forget, to minimize, and even neglect the day-to-day implications of the Gospel. As our world changes, is it realistic to try and live the profound yet practical way of Jesus? We think so. By journeying through the life of the Thessalonian church, we will reclaim the defining markers of following Jesus.

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2019)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$3,580 $2,925 ($13,186)

UPCOMING EVENTS

CHILD DEDICATION: September 29

CENTER STUDENTS EVENT ‘Songs & S’mores’: September 29

BAPTISM SUNDAY: October 6

SMALL GROUPS FALL START-UP: October 6

21 DAYS OF PRAYER: October 6 - October 27

CENTER STUDENTS EVENT ‘Post Family Farm’: October 9

NEWCOMERS LUNCH: October 13

TRUNK-OR-TREAT!: October 19

CENTER STUDENTS EVENT ‘Game Night’: October 20

JOHN GORVEATTE | LEAD PASTOR

Key Passage: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-13 New International Version (NIV)

Request for Prayer

3 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

Warning Against Idleness

6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching[a] you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

September 22, 2019

August 21, 2019 Zero Collective

FIELD GUIDE FOR A FOLLOWER | WEEK 3

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2019)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$1,906 $2,925 ($13,841)

UPCOMING EVENTS

CHILD DEDICATION: September 29

BAPTISM SUNDAY: October 6

21 DAYS OF PRAYER: October 6 - October 27

SMALL GROUPS FALL START-UP: October 6

NEWCOMERS LUNCH: October 13

BRENDON ENDERS | WORSHIP/STUDENT PASTOR

Key Passage: Joshua 1:9 New International Version (NIV)

9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

September 8, 2019

August 21, 2019 Zero Collective

FIELD GUIDE FOR A FOLLOWER | WEEK 1

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2019)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$1,498 $2,925 ($11,367)

UPCOMING EVENTS

WELCOME HOME SUNDAY: September 15

HAND2HAND (First Packing Date): September 17

CHILD DEDICATION: September 29

BAPTISM SUNDAY: October 6

SMALL GROUP FALL START-UP: October 6

DAVID DOERNER | TEACHING PASTOR

Key Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2 New International Version (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 2 New International Version (NIV)

Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica

2 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children[a] among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.[b]

Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians

17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

September 15, 2019

August 15, 2019 Zero Collective

FIELD GUIDE FOR A FOLLOWER | WEEK 2

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2019)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$1,470 $2,925 ($12,822)

UPCOMING EVENTS

WELCOME HOME SUNDAY: September 15

HAND2HAND (First Packing date): September 17

CHILD DEDICATION: September 29

BAPTISM SUNDAY: October 6

SMALL GROUPS FALL START-UP: October 6

JOHN GORVEATTE | LEAD PASTOR

Key Passage: James 2 New International Version (NIV)

2 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a] you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”[b] also said, “You shall not murder.”[c] If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Faith and Deeds

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[d]?21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[e] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.