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Lessons in a Minute – Major points from the sermon |
Designated Pastor, Pastor David Goode |
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February 26, First Sunday in
Lent/Communion SERMON: “The Tempter’s Temptingest Temptations” SCRIPTURE: Old Testament: Genesis
9:8-17, Gospel Lesson: Mark 1:9-15 February 19 Last Sunday after
Epiphany/Transfiguration SERMON: “On a Mountaintop with Jesus” SCRIPTURE: Old Testament: 2 Kings 2:1-12,
Gospel Lesson: Mark 9:2-9 February 12 sixth Sunday after
Epiphany, Lancaster Association Pulpit Exchange Rev. Christian Creyer
from St. Paul’s, Bowmansville, PA SERMON: “It’s the Simple Things” SCRIPTURE: 2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; Mark
1:40-45 January 29, 2012 – fourth Sunday after
Epiphany SERMON: “The Authority of Jesus” SCRIPTURE: Old Testament: Deuteronomy
18:15-20, Gospel Lesson: Mark 1:21-28 January 22, 2012 – third Sunday after
Epiphany SERMON: “A Changing and Unchanging God” SCRIPTURE: Old Testament: Jonah 3:1-5,
10, Gospel Lesson: Mark 1:14 – 20 January 15, 2012 – Second Sunday after
Epiphany SERMON: “Called? Me?” SCRIPTURE: Old Testament: 1 Samuel
3:1-10, Responsive Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18, gospel Lesson: John 1:43-51 January 8, 2012, The Baptism of Christ
Sunday SERMON: “To belong, To be Loved, To Be
Praised” SCRIPTURE: Gospel Lesson: Mark 1:4-11 January 1, 2012 – 9:15 AM, First Sunday
after Christmas/communion SERMON: “Putting on Heirs” SCRIPTURE: New Testament: Galatians
4:4-7, Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 December 25, 2011 – 9:15 AM SERMON: “The Cost of
Christmas” SCRIPTURE: Old Testament:
Isaiah 52:7-10, Gospel Lesson: John 1:1-14 December 24, 2011 – 7:30
Christmas Eve SERMON: “What Not to Miss at
Christmas” SCRIPTURE: Gospel Lesson:
Luke 2:1-20 December 18, 2011 – Fourth
Sunday of Advent SERMON: “Restore Us, O God:
Love” SCRIPTURE: Psalm 89:1-4,
19-26, Luke 1:26-38 December 11, 2011 – Third
Sunday of Advent SERMON: “Restore Us, O God of
Joy” SCRIPTURE: Psalm 126; 1
Thessalonians 5:16-24, gospel Lesson: Luke 1:46b-55 October 30, Reformation
Sunday SERMON: Let the Reformation
Continue! SCRIPTURE: New Testament: Romans 3:19 – 28, Gospel
Lesson: John 8: 31-36 October 23, Nineteenth Sunday
after Pentecost SERMON: “Our Purpose: Love” SCRIPTURE: Old Testament:
Leviticus: 19: 1-2, 15-18, Gospel lesson: Matthew 22: 34-36 October 16, Eighteenth Sunday
after Pentecost SERMON: “Giving to God” SCRIPTURE: Responsive Psalm
96: 1-9, 10-13, Gospel Lesson: Matthew 22: 15-22 October 9, Seventeenth Sunday
after Pentecost SERMON: “When God Seems Silent” SCRIPTURE: Old Testament:
Exodus 32: 1-14, New Testament: Philippians 4: 1-9 October 2 - World Communion
Sunday SERMON: “Confession: There’s
an App for That!” SCRIPTURE: Old Testament:
Exodus 20: 1 – 4, 7 – 9, 12 – 20, gospel Lesson: Matthew 22: 37 – 40 September 25 - Fifteenth
Sunday After Pentecost SERMON: “Correction a
Disconnect” SCRIPTURE: New Testament:
Philippians 2: 1 – 13, Gospel Lesson: Matthew 21: 23 – 32 September 18 – Fourteenth
Sunday After Pentecost SERMON: “You May Die!” SCRIPTURE: New Testament:
Philippians 1: 21 – 30, Gospel Lesson: Matthew 16:21 - 28 September 11 – Thirteenth
Sunday After Pentecost SERMON: “I Wonder Why Bad
Things Happen to Good People” SCRIPTURE: New Testament:
Romans 8:28 – 39, gospel Lesson: Matthew 5: 1 – 12 September 4 – Twelfth Sunday
after Pentecost – Communion SERMON: “Mending Bridges” SCRIPTURE: New Testament:
Romans 13:8-14, Gospel Lesson: Matthew 18:15-20 August 28 – Eleventh Sunday
after Pentecost SERMON: “Sandals of
Skepticism” SCRIPTURE: Old Testament:
Exodus 3:1 – 15, Responsive Psalm: Psalm 105 August 21 – Tenth Sunday
after Pentecost SERMON: “God is Enough” SCRIPTURE: Old Testament:
Exodus 2:1 – 10, Responsive Psalm: Psalm 124, Gospel Lesson: Matthew 16: 13 –
20 August 14 – Ninth Sunday
after Pentecost SERMON: “Feasting at the
Table of Grace” SCRIPTURE: Old Testament: Genesis 45: 1 – 15, Gospel
Lesson: Matthew 15: 21 – 28 August 7 – Eighth Sunday
after Pentecost - Communion SERMON: “Walking on Water” SCRIPTURE: Epistle Lesson: Romans 10: 5 – 15, Gospel
Lesson: Matthew 14:22 - 23 7/31/11 Seventh Sunday after
Pentecost SERMON: “A Little Boy’s
Lunch” SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 55:1-5;
Matthew 14:13-21 7/24 Sixth Sunday after
Pentecost SERMON: “The Treasure of a
Lifetime” SCRIPTURE: New Testament:
Romans 8:26-39; Gospel Lesson: Matthew 13:44-52 7/17/11 Fifth Sunday after
Pentecost SERMON: “ 4 Things to
Remember in Uncertain Times” SCRIPTURE: Old Testament:
Genesis 28:10-22; Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 (Responsive); New Testament: Romans
8:12-18 7/10/11 Fourth Sunday after
Pentecost (Rev. Goode on Vacation) July 3, Third Sunday after
Pentecost SERMON: “Christ Has Set Us
Free” SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 40:25-31;
Matthew 11:25-30 June 26, Second Sunday after
Pentecost SERMON: “Glorious Hope” SCRIPTURE: Genesis 28:
10-19a; Romans 8:12-25 June 19, Trinity Sunday SERMON: “Who is God?” SCRIPTURE: Genesis 1: 1-2,
4a; Matthew 28: 16-20 June 12, Pentecost Communion
Sunday SERMON: “Church on Fire” SCRIPTURE: Acts 2: 1-4; John
20: 19-23a June 5, 2011, Ascension
Sunday SERMON: “The Ascension of
Jesus: We are Never Alone” SCRIPTURE: Psalm 68: 1-4,
32-35; Acts 1 6-14; John 17: 1-11 May 29, 2011 – Sixth Sunday
of Easter SERMON: “The Witness of
Suffering” SCRIPTURE: Epistle Lesson: 1
Peter 3:13-22; Gospel Lesson: John 14:15-21 May 22, 2011 – Fifth Sunday
of Easter SERMON: “St. Stephen Faith” SCRIPTURE: Responsive Psalm
31:1-5, 15-16; Church History Lesson: Acts 7:55-60; Gospel Lesson: John
14:1-14 May 15, 2011 – Fourth Sunday
of Easter SERMON: “You Can Discover
Abundant Life” SCRIPTURE: New Testament:
Acts 2:42-47; Gospel Lesson: John 10:1-10 2/27 Eighth Sunday after the
Epiphany SERMON: Living the Worry Free
Life SCRIPTURE: Old Testament:
Isaiah 49:8-16a, Gospel Lesson: Matthew 6:24-34 2/20 Seventh Sunday after
Epiphany SERMON:”Be Holy, Be Perfect,
We are the Temple of God” SCRIPTURE: Old Testament:
Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, Gospel Lesson: Matthew 5:38 – 48 2/13 Sixth Sunday after the
Epiphany Lancaster Association pulpit
exchange Sunday. Rev. Rachel Hackenberg from
Grace UCC, Lancaster will be here. 2/6 Fifth Sunday after the
Epiphany SERMON: “Is That You God?” SCRIPTURE: Old Testament: 1
Samuel 3:1-10, New Testament: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 Jan. 30, Fourth Sunday after
the Epiphany SERMON: “I Will Be Happy When . . . “ SCRIPTURE: MICAH 6:1-8; MATTHEW 5:1-12 Jan. 23, Third Sunday after the Epiphany SERMON: ‘Be Our Guest” THEME: Are we available and willing to allow God to use us? SCRIPTURE: I Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4: 12-23 January 16, Stewardship Sunday SERMON: “God is owner of Everything” THEME: Stewardship/faith promises of time and talents SCRIPTURE: 1 Chronicles 29:10-17; Mark 12:38-44 January 9, First Sunday after the Epiphany (Baptism of Christ) SERMON: “God’s Time of Affirmation” THEME: God loves us unconditionally, affirms us, nurtures us, and
calls us to love others as God loves us. SCRIPTURE: Acts 10:34-43;
Matthew 3:13-17 January 2, Second Sunday after Christmas/New Year Holy Communion Guest Preacher: Rev. Linda Lindenburg FOOD BANK SUNDAY Dec. 26 First Sunday after
Christmas Day SERMON” “After Christmas . .
. Now What?” SCRIPTURE: Old Testament:
Isaiah 63:7-9, Responsive Psalm 148, Gospel Lesson: Matthew 2:13 – 23 December 24 Christmas Eve
Service 8:00 PM This year we will have one Christmas
Eve worship service beginning at 8:00 PM. We will have lots of special music,
Communion and a candle lighting ceremony. December 19 Fourth Sunday of
Advent (Candle of Love) SERMON: “The Pinnacle of
Love” SCRIPTURE: Old Testament:
Isaiah 7:10 – 16, Gospel Lesson: Matthew 1:18 – 25 December 12 Third Sunday of
Advent (Candle of Joy) SERMON: “Mary’s Recipe for
Christmas Joy” SCRIPTURE: Psalm 146: 5 – 10,
Gospel Lesson: Luke 1:47 – 55 December 5 Second Sunday of
Advent/Advent Communion (Candle of Peace) SERMON: “Preparing For and
Receiving Peace” SCRIPTURE: Old Testament:
Isaiah 11:1-10, Gospel Lesson: Matthew 3: 1 -12 November 28, 2010 First
Sunday of Advent SERMON: Rev. Haydn McLean November 21, 2010 – Reign of
Christ Sunday SERMON: “Letting Christ Be
the Center of Our Lives” THEMES; What Discipleship:
Walk the Talk SCRIPTURE: Colossians
1:15-23; Luke 23:33-43 November 14, 2010 – 25th
Sunday after Pentecost SERMON: “When Your World is
Shaken” THEMES: What do you do when
you are feeling frightened due to a crisis or disaster? SCRIPTURE: Luke 21:5-19 November 7, 2010 - Totensonntag/All
Saints Sunday SERMON: “Be a Saint” THEMES: Jesus unbinding
Lazarus and unbinding us as well to be saints SCRIPTURE: John 11:32-44 Oct. 31 23rd
Sunday after Pentecost SERMON: “Up a Tree and
Wanted” THEMES: Unconditional love of
God SCRIPTURE: Psalm 32:1-7; Luke
19:1-10 Oct. 24 22nd
Sunday after Pentecost SERMON: “Do it Now” THEMES: Do what you know God
wants you to do. SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 4:6-8;
Luke 18:9-14 Oct. 17 Twenty-first Sunday
after Pentecost SERMON: “don’t quit-Pray
Persistently!” THEMES: Prayer SCRIPTURE: Genesis 32:22-31;
Luke 18:1-8 Oct. 10 Twentieth Sunday
after Pentecost SERMON: “Be Thankful” THEMES: Thankfulness SCRIPTURE: Psalm 66: 1-12;
Luke 17:11-19 Oct. 3 World Communion Sunday SERMON: “Lois and Eunice:
Pass the Faith” THEMES: Receive faith and
pass it on SCRIPTURE: 2 timothy 1:1-14;
Luke 17:5-6 September 5, 2010 Fifteenth
Sunday After Pentecost SERMON: “The Potter and the
Clay” We are a throwaway society.
God is not a throwaway God. God wants us to become beautiful, useful vessels.
God made us and will remake us. The remaking to get rid of imperfections will
be painful. August 29 Fourteenth Sunday
after Pentecost SERMON: “Where There Is
Sadness, Joy” Be anxious about nothing.
Worry leads to sadness and depression and stress. Jesus said don’t worry. God
will take care of you. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all else will
follow. Our purpose is to love and worship God. Don’t worry, pray and praise. August 22 Thirteenth Sunday
after Pentecost SERMON: “Where There is Darkness,
Light” August 15 Twelfth Sunday
after Pentecost SERMON: “Where There is
Despair, Hope” Despair is to have no hope.
Don’t give up. Moses was once a basket case. Discouragement, despair are part
of life. With God all things are possible. God is a God of hope. Because
Jesus lives, Hope lives. August 8 Eleventh Sunday
after Pentecost SERMON: “Where There Is
Doubt, Faith” August 1 Tenth Sunday after
Pentecost/Communion SERMON: “Where There Is
Injured, Pardon” Failure to forgive is a
devastating injury. We can’t recover until we forgive. God will forgive us as
we forgive others. We can forgive because we have been forgiven by God
through Jesus Christ. July 25 Ninth Sunday after
Pentecost SERMON: “Where There Is
Hatred, Let Me Sow Love” Sin brings spiritual death.
Hatred is a sin. Love thinks before it speaks, forgives, puts others first.
Tact is an act of love and the lubrication of relationships. Love is
courteous. Love God. Love all. Where there is hatred sow love. Be slow to
suspect others and quick to trust, defend, shield, appreciate, make peace,
forgive. July 18 Eighth Sunday after
Pentecost SERMON: “Lord, Make Me an
Instrument of Your Peace” Only Jesus can bring us true
peace. Peace with God. No Jesus = No Peace, Know Jesus = Know Peace. 1.
Realize we are sinners. 2. Stop the wrongs. 3. Let God help remove the
behaviors. 4. Let God help us do what He wants. 5a. Place the needs of others
first to bring God to others. 5b. Humble ourselves (apologize). 5c. Confront
the falsity with truth. 5D. Pray. July 11 Seventh Sunday after
Pentecost/ Communion 8:15 only Jesus said, “I am the bread
of life.” At the communion table we use bread to remind us of Jesus. Here we
receive the sustenance of our spiritual life. Remember Jesus. July 4 Sixth Sunday after
Pentecost SERMON: “The Nearness of the
Kingdom” Scripture: Galatians 6:1 –
18: Luke 10:1-20 |
February Dear St. Stephen Members and Friends, Winter is here and the season of Lent is just around the corner. Lent is traditionally a 40 day period in the life of the church when we get right with God by paying special attention to self-examination, prayer, fasting, spiritual renewal and works of love. It begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd, when we will gather at Trinity Lutheran Church for a combined Ash Wednesday Worship Service at 7:00 PM. One of the special opportunities we provide during Lent is a weekly worship service on Wednesday evenings. The theme of our joint Wednesday evening Lenten services will be “The Sign of Jonah”. Jonah . . . for Lent? Sounds fishy, but it’s a natural fit. When Jews asked Jesus for a sign, he said, “I will give you only the sign of Jonah” (Matthew 16:4; Luke 11:29). After three days in the belly of the earth, Jesus rose with news of God’s extravagant grace. This series of special services for Lent explores the meaning of “The Sign of Jonah” as we follow Jonah on his journey . . . and Jesus on his way to the cross. The weekly schedule and service themes are on the church services page. May you find yourself challenged this Lent to grow closer to God through self-examination, prayer, fasting, spiritual renewal and works of love. In Christ, Pastor David Goode January Dear St. Stephen members and friends, As we enter into a new year, I would like to share with you this blessing: May God make 2012 a happy one for you! Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain, But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes; Not by making your path easy, But by making you sturdy to travel any path; Not by taking hardships from you, But by taking fear from your heart; Not by granting you unbroken sunshine, But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows; Not by making your life always pleasant, But by showing you when people and their causes need you most, and by making you anxious to be there to help. God’s love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead. Pastor David Goode December Dear Friends and Members of St. Stephen, Our doors are opened wide to the community, as we enter this Christmas season. We served 453 free Thanksgiving Meals on Thanksgiving Day. We will be partnering again with New Holland’s Christmas on Main, by serving hundreds of pancake breakfasts, providing a Christmas craft for the children and of course Santa will be here as the families take special holiday pictures with their children and Jolly Old Saint Nick. Community Dance groups will performing in Upper Zwingli in the afternoon and tours of the Sanctuary will be provided. We offer many ways for you to reach out to others through the church this time of the year. Coats and Jackets are being collected to share with others through the Lancaster County council of Churches Clothing Bank. Hats and mittens can be placed on the tree in the breezeway for children. Suggestions for gifts to give to Ephrata Manor residents and children at Bethany Children’s Home can be found on the church bulletin board. Collection boxes are located in the narthex and breezeway. I hope you will find time during this Advent season to simply breathe in deeply, hold your breath, and in that moment of holding to be aware “in the twinkling of an eye” of all the world contained in your lungs, all the spirit, all the hope of your life and of those you love. Also the longer you hold your breath, you will become aware too of the pain and hurt and scarcity and deprivation not only in your life but in the world. In holding your breath, the beating of your heart becomes clearer and louder, along with the sharpening of all your senses. That is like the waiting that is called Advent. And Christmas is like the rush of new breath, new life, that comes filling us up once again, reminding us of the gift of Life we’ve been given. Blessed Christmas, Pastor David Goode October Dear St. Stephen members and friends, Hope that you have dried out by now! With all the rain we had last month, we anticipate a dry Farm Show week here in New Holland. This 80th year of the New Holland Farmers Fair is September 28 – October 1, 2011. Many here at St. Stephen have been working hard to get ready for our food stand. It will feature again this year: ox roast sandwiches, chicken corn noodle soup, ham and bean soup, deserts and more. We will be open to serve throughout the fair and hope to see you either inside the vending trailer helping to serve or outside the trailer supporting this church fund raising activity. Carey Habalar wrote about Fair: “Every year the streets of New Holland close to traffic and the center of town transforms into a celebration of farm and community. The crisp autumn air is sweetened with funnel cake, hot cinnamon rolls, and cotton candy. Laughter rings out and dazzling lights shine on the midway filled with thrilling rides and games of chance. The four day event kicks off with the Spectacle of Bands Parade Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. where excitement and attendance is at its peak. The entire two mile route is flooded with spectators and is quite a sight to see. There is something for everyone throughout the week . . . “ (Published in “Pennsylvania A fine State of Fairs”, 2004) Sunday School got off to a good start. We have more children attending this year than we did at the end of last school year. On Sunday, November 6, we will begin our 2011-2012 Confirmation Class which will conclude Pentecost Sunday, May 27, 2012. The adult 9:15 Class and Book Study Class are doing well and you are invited to drop in any Sunday for either one. Throughout this issue of the Gleanings you will find many other opportunities to learn or serve or grow in your faith here at St. Stephen United Church of Christ. In Christ, Pastor David Goode September “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.” Psalm 46: 1 – 3 Dear Sisters and Brothers in the faith, What is going on? Hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, flooding and who knows what the next disaster will be. Where is God in all of this? Human nature seems to have the tendency toward the extremes. Either God causes natural disasters and therefore is mean and judgmental or God doesn’t exist. People of faith however choose to live out their lives in the middle. A faith that says, God is always with us in the good times and the bad. A belief that though we can’t always understand God, we know God is good. We are not left to believe in the extremes that God is evil or God is non-existent. We are content that God is better, smarter and more loving than us and, ultimately, somehow, in control. This belief is an uncomfortable place for many. We want black and white answers. Do you really want to know where God is in all the current events? Read the Bible with your mind not made up. It is full of story upon story of a God who is not just a spiritual help, but a holy help for all aspects of life – physical, social, political, spiritual, emotional, and more – a God who is a help when the world is literally shaking. The Bible is full of people who don’t know what to believe, who change their minds, and start and stop believing. When you read the Bible with your mind not made up, you find real people in there, people you can learn from. But you have to read their stories without your mind made up, or else all you’ll learn is what you already believe. We do not yet fully know or understand the mind of God. We do know and believe that God is with us now and until the end of the age. So, where is God in the midst of these natural disasters? Right there in the middle of it all, suffering with us as God was there when Jesus hung on the cross and died. We believe in a loving and redeeming God. God, help us in our unbelief. Peace, Pastor David Goode August Dear St. Stephen friends and members, What a wonderful Vacation Bible School this year. It was Co-Sponsored by New Holland United Methodist Church, St. Stephen UCC and Trinity Lutheran Church. From Sunday, July 24 through Thursday, July 28 we began at St. Stephen for a meal and then went over to Trinity for the activities. We learned about Jesus and how He cares for His people of all times and places. The kids heard stories from Scripture and learned how to relate these Bible truths to their own Faith Journey. We sang, we played games; we did crafts, and had a great time! Jean has provided us a summary of the week: · Attendance (children): Sunday – 21, Monday – 23, Tuesday – 20, Wednesday – 19, Thursday – 18. · Adults: Kitchen crew – 9, teachers – 10, pastors – 3, tens – 5, adult class – 5 · Total children registered: 25 that attend church and 6 that have no church home · Activities: singing, Bible stories, fun papers, crafts, games, eating From all appearances the adults had as much fun as the kids. Jill Pretz and jean Martin didn’t fit any of the above categories, but were definitely busy keeping everyone “on track”. The Educational Ministries committees of the 3 churches would like to thank every person who helped make this outreach so successful. What a great way to come together and reach out to the children and families of our community! Peace, Pastor David Goode July Dear St. Stephen friends and members, Summer is a wonderful time to do different things; like take a trip, read a book or many books or get together with people you don’t see too often. It may also be a food time to try a new way to pray. Writing prayers has been very helpful to me over the years. I am currently using Rachel Hackenberg’s new book Writing to God, (Paraclete Press, 2011) and have been experiencing some great times with God in prayer. Some of her ideas for prayer-writing include: · Read a scripture passage and write your initial response: a strong emotion, a resonance with a certain phrase, an image, a memory. · Write what matters now in your prayer journal. · Use a pen for your prayers. The temptation, when using pencil, is to erase frequently as part of the writing process. If you find yourself erasing words regularly (or crossing out penned words left and right), it’s likely that your double and self-criticism are overtaking your prayer. · No editing. No grammar rules. No judgments on your writing. · When your praying pen feels stuck, or you’re too worried about writing a “good” prayer, make a mark on the page, write something – anything. Doodle in the page margin to check your pen’s ink flow. Write two-word descriptions of what you smell, see, and hear at that very moment. Then get back to praying. · Remember that this is prayer, not poetry or prose or an essay or a letter. Your prayer might look like a list of words one day and a pargraph the next day. Use whatever literary form (or lack thereof) feels most comfortable and most prayerful to your pen. · Trust that God “hears” your written prayer in a nay format! · Believe that God is still speaking and will have a word for you in your time of praying to God in writing. May this summer bring you rest and renewal. Hope to see you in church as often as you can make it. Praying for renewal, Pastor David Goode June 2011 When
the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly
there was a noise from heaven like the sound of a mighty wind! It filled the
house where they were meeting. Then they saw what looked like fiery tongues
moving in all directions and a tongue came and settled on each person there.
The Holy spirit took control of everyone, and they began speaking whatever
languages the Spirit let them speak. (Acts 2:1-4) Dear St. Stephen friends and members, The church is on fire! When the church was born, there were no candles on the cake. A matter of fact, there was no cake at all. The flames burned over the heads of the church members. We call this day Pentecost. Pentecost is one of the most ancient celebrations of the church; early enough to be mentioned in Acts 20: 16 and Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians (16:8). Jesus had told his followers to wait in Jerusalem until the Spirit came to them, so they waited. Fifty days after the resurrection and Ten days after the ascension, the Holy Spirit came upon them a Jesus had promised. The disciples began to preach the Gospel in all of the languages that the people who were gathered there spoke. About 3,000 people were converted that day. That is why Pentecost is often called “the birthday of the Church”. The Holy Spirit came upon disciples, Jesus’ mission is completed on earth and New Covenant begins with the church now being responsible for the message of Christ. Let’s join together this Pentecost to see what God will do here at St. Stephen. What are your expectations of God? What will the Holy Spirit do in you and through you this Pentecost Season? See you at Worship, Pastor David Goode May 2011 “I
planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who
made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the
watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.” 1 Corinthians
3:6-7 Dear Friends of St. Stephen, The spirit has been moving here at St. Stephen. We have had a significant increase in fellowship activities. Outreach continues to be an important part of our life together. There has been more intentional spiritual support of one another as we have gathered in the church as well as times outside the church. The Body of Christ is coming alive this spring. As we watch our flowers bloom and the fields around us begin to yield their crops, look for continued growth here at St. Stephen. What signs are you seeing? What seeds are you planting? How are you watering or fertilizing the spiritual life here at St. Stephen? Please join us regularly in worship. Know that you are always welcome to any event here at church. Let your spiritual needs be known to receive the nourishment you need. And God will continue to bring growth to you and to our life together. In Christ’s Love, Pastor David Goode April 2011 “I
pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and
peace because of your faith. And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you
with hope.” Romans 15:13 A Sunday School teacher asked her class of children what Easter was all about. She got a bunch of answers ranging from candy to the Easter Bunny to having a dress in fancy clothes. She wasn’t getting the answer she had hoped for so she pressed on. What does Easter really mean, what happened on the first Easter morning? A little girl raised her hand and said that that was the day that Jesus had come out of his tomb. Sighing with relief, the teacher smiled at the girl and prompted, “Jesus arose from the tomb, and what does He do for us?” the youngster replied, “He looks to see if he can see his shadow, and if He can, he goes back in for another six weeks.” With all the activities of April, we can lose sight of the real message of Easter. Easter is about one thing really. When you take away all that we’ve made it, Easter is hope. The death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus on that first Easter morning gives all hope. The world around us needs hope. Those who suffer with physical, emotional and relational problems need hope. We need hope, and our only true hope is found in the resurrected Christ. “Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is so good, and by raising Jesus from death, he has given us new life and a hope that lives on.” (1 Peter 1:3). See you at worship, to celebrate our new life and our eternal hope. Blessed Easter, Pastor David Goode February 2011 “Purify me from my sins, and I will be
clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7 (New Living
Translation) Dear St. Stephen friends and members, I love the snow. For me, it’s one of the most beautiful sights to see. Shoveling it, I’m not too fond of. Often when I see new fallen snow, I think of the Scripture passage above. Because of Jesus Christ’s birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension to God’s right hand side, we are forgiven. We are made whiter than a new fallen snow. Now that’s Good News that we all need to hear no matter how we feel about snow. Do you want to know where snow comes from? Little Bobby was spending the weekend with his grandmother. She decided to take him to the park on Saturday morning. It had been snowing all night and everything was beautiful. His grandmother remarked . . . “Doesn’t it look like an artist painted this scenery? Did you know God painted this just for you?” Bobby said, “Yes, God did it and he did it left handed.” This confused his grandmother a bit, and she asked him “What makes you say God did this with his left hand?” “Well,” said Bobby, “we learned at Sunday school last week that Jesus sits on God’s right hand!” May the now always remind you of God’s love and forgiveness shown in Jesus Christ our Savior. Happy Winter, Pastor David Goode |
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