Announcement

The Zoe Christian Fellowship blog will be on hiatus until January 4, 2010. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, and safe New Year.

SUNDAY SERVICE CANCELLATION

Due to the winter storm and slippery conditions, Sunday Service for 12/20/09 is cancelled.

Anouncements

About a week ago, a Pastor Rodney Albaugh, from Christ Life Church, in Kettering, Ohio, passed away leaving a wife and four young children. If you'd like to send the widow and children an offering to help them get a new start, we'll be collecting for them through the month of December. Write "Pastor Rodney" on the blank line of your offering envelope.

We're taking on the Christmas Project along with the Children's Church to raise money to feed homeless and needy people on Christmas Morning. The money will go to the Sunday Morning Breakfast Mission in Philadelphia. Any money designated for Missions or specifically to this project in December will go to them. So far, we've raised $147.00.

Our Christmas Eve service will be held on 12/24/09, at 7:30 P.M. We aim for it to be about one hour. Come out and honor Jesus, the reason for the season.

Quotable Quote

"Light of the world so clear and bright. Enter our homes this Christmas night. Re-light our souls so tenderly, that we may grow to be like Thee." - Unknown

This Week At Zoe

On Wednesday evening, 12/16/09, at 7:00 P.M., we'll be meeting at the church and then head over to Neshaminy manor about a mile north on Easton Rd. We'll be leaving promptly at 7:05 P.M. If you're late, join us there. We'll be singing Christmas carols, so follow the music.

Afterward, we'll go back to the church for hot chocolate and cookies. The hot chocolate will be ready, but we'll look forward to the cookies everyone brings!

Sunday Series - The Right Stuff - "Frustrating People"

Numbers 14:11-25

God knows about dealing with frustrating people. The Israelites never seemed to "get it" that they could trust God. Every time a crisis hit, they blamed God and forgot all the situations He'd brought them through. Sometimes God overlooked their unbelief. Other times He dealt with it.

Jesus gives us examples on how to deal with frustrating people. Before He began teaching and healing, John identified the Pharisees as troublemakers. (Matthew 3:7-12) Jesus gave them a clean slate and teaches openly. Once they revealed their true colors, Jesus switched to teaching in parables.

Eventually, there's open conflict between Him and the religious leaders. First, the Pharisees question Him on taxes. Then the Sadducees ask about the resurrection. Finally, the Pharisees want to know what is the greatest commandment. Scripture makes it plain they're not really interested in the answer. They're trying to trap Him with His words.

Jesus answers their questions with wisdom and grace, but then turns the tables on them with a question of His own. He goes on the offense. We cannot deal with everyone in the same way. Yet, if we follow the principles Jesus showed, we'll be okay. 1) He gave them a clean slate. 2) When their true motives became apparent, He worked around them. He did not try to persuade or engage them. 3) When they tried to entrap Him, He finally went on the offensive. He taught us not to believe what people say about their purpose. Believe their actions.

Dealing with frustrating people will anger them. Not dealing with them often angers others. Perceiving and doing what is needed pleases God.

To listen to the full message, check the website Sermon Player. And remember...you're always welcome at Zoe Christian Fellowship, 1111 Easton Rd., Rt. 611, Warrington, PA, (215)343-7686.

Announcements

On Tuesday, December 1, 2009, Administrative Pastor, Rodney Albaugh, from Christ Life Church in Kettering, OH, passed away. He leaves a wife and four children, ranging in ages 1-11.

We will be collecting donations for the family during the month of December. Just write, "Pastor Rodney" on the blank line of your offering envelope. Thank you.

Christmas Project

Along with the Children's Church, we're raising money to feed the homeless and needy on Christmas morning in cooperation with the Sunday Morning Breakfast Mission in Philadelphia. Any money given to missions during the month of December will be designated for this purpose.

Quotable Quote

"Faith is not a sword just to grab. Faith is a way of life!" - Lester Sumrall

This Week at Zoe

On Wednesday, 12/9/09, at 6:30 P.M., the leadership will meet at the church for prayer.

Following Leadership Prayer, the entire church is encouraged to participate in ALL Church prayer at 7:30 P.M. We expect to finish about 8:45 P.M., so families can get their children home to bed.

Sunday Morning Series - The Right Stuff - "Dealing With Frustrations"

2 Kings 3

After Ahab and Jezebel die, Jehoram becomes king of Israel. While he stops the worship of Baal, he does not tear down the other idols. Therefore, the scripture designates him as an evil king. Unlike the southern kingdom of Judah, the northern kingdom of Israel had no righteous kings.

During the lifetime of Omri and Ahab, Moab payed tribute to Israel. They saw Jehoram as weaker and refused to pay any longer. Naturally, Jehoram wasn't too happy about this and decided to attack Moab. He approached King Jehoshaphat, of Judah, and asked him for help. Instead of seeking the Lord, Jehoshaphat agreed without hesitation.

The king of Edom joins their company. They ask each other which route to take to Moab. As a result, they end up in a dry area with no water for the troops or livestock. They've stumbled into a bad situation. Is it God's fault? No. They didn't even ask Him for direction.

Did you ever notice how people blame God for all the bad things that happen? A baby dies, and they say, "God took him." Yet, when good things occur, they'll attribute it to luck. Don't blame God for bad things that result from the enemy's work or sin.

Jehoshaphat asked Jehoram if there's a prophet around, and is told that Elisha is close by. The prophet tells them if it were not for Jehoshaphat's presence, he wouldn't bother with them. It doesn't mean God approved of all Jehoshaphat's decisions. He used poor judgment in aligning himself with Jehoram.

Elisha gives them instructions from the Lord to dig ditches and utterly destroy the Moabites. They obey partially. The ditches are dug. The waters flow into them, and the Moabites are delivered into their hand. However, they allow some of them to survive. Years later, bands of Moabites raided their towns. If they'd done what they were supposed to, they wouldn't have had a problem.

To hear the message in detail, visit our website, and check out the Sermon player. If you're visiting the area or are looking for a church, we meet at 1111 Easton Rd., Route 611, Warrington, PA. Sunday morning service begins at 10:00 A.M.

Announcements

Has the Lord answered a prayer recently? We would love for you to share your testimony with the congregation. Let an usher know. If you write it down or email it, we'd love to post it on the website with your permission.

Please turn off your cell phone or at least put it on silent mode during services. Thanks for your cooperation.

Thanks to all those who brought in food for Thanksgiving Baskets. Four baskets were put together to bless some families over the holiday.

Christmas Project

We're taking on the Christmas Project (with the Children's Church) to raise money to feed homeless and needy people on Christmas morning. We're supporting the efforts of the Sunday Morning Breakfast Mission in Philadelphia. Any money given to missions or specifically earmarked for this purpose during the month of December will go toward this project.

Thank you in advance for helping.

Quotable Quote

"To be possessed with an ever increasing faith, one must make constant use of the faith they have." - Charles S. Price

This Week at Zoe

On Wednesday, 12/3/09, Pastor Steve will continue teaching on Genesis. This week, we'll be looking at Chapter 2 with the creation of Adam and Eve.

On Sunday, 12/6/09, we'll have our covered dish dinner. Please bring a main dish and a salad, side dish, and/or dessert (depending on the size of your family). We'll start right after the Sunday service and end around 2:15 - 2:30 P.M.