Haiti Relief

We're still collecting money to aid the people of Haiti. We will take all money specified for Missions this month and send it to Compassion International.

You can mark your offering toward this cause in the mission column or write in "Haiti." We can send them your offerings each Monday, and don't have to wait until the month is over. Your money will go right to work.

Thank you for your donations.

Mark Your Calendar

SIGN LANGUAGE TEAM: We'll begin practice for the Resurrection Sunday presentation on Sunday, 1/31/10, at 12:30 P.M. (after the service). For those of you who received the music, please familiarize yourself with the words and music.

The Men's Ministries will be going to the Auto Show on Friday, 2/5/10. We'll meet at Keith's house at 4:00 P.M. Afterward, we'll head out for a late dinner. See Keith if you have any questions. Tickets are $10.00 each.

Quotable Quotes

"Faith never rises above its confession." - E. W. Kenyon

This Week at Zoe

On Wednesday, 1/27/10, at 7:30 P.M., Pastor Steve will continue the series on Genesis. This week, we'll talk about what led to the first murder, the curse put on Cain, and even where his wife came from.

The next Ladies' Brunch is Saturday, 1/30/10, at 10:00 A.M. Bring your Bibles and a breakfast dish.

Sunday Morning Series - The Right Stuff - Unthankful Words

Text: Luke 15:11-32

In Luke 15, we have three parables: The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Prodigal Son. It's interesting to note how each situation was handled.

Lost sheep wander off. They're curious and get distracted. Their leaving is not deliberate. The shepherd goes after them and brings them back to the flock.

The lost coin is part of 10 silver coins a married woman would wear around her neck. For some unaccountable reason, one disappears. The woman searches for the coin.

Our main focus is on the Prodigal Son. You'll notice the father did not seek him out or search for him. Scripture says the son "came to himself" - wandering from the father is like being out of his mind. The father waited for him to return. He expected repentance, but not perfection and restored him to his former position.

The older, faithful son comes in from the field and hears a party going on inside the house. He asks a servant what's going on and is informed that his brother has returned. The older son is angry, stays outside, and pouts. His father comes out and urges him to enter the house and join the celebration. He spills out his tale of woe. You never gave me a kid much less a fatted calf. The father tells him everything he has belongs to him. The older son could have had his heart's desire at any time.

Our words identify us: The wayward son was identified by...

The Father as his son who was dead.

The servant called him, "your brother."

The older brother identified him to the father as, "your son."

Unthankful people always look to blame others, feel like they're being cheated, and that they deserved better.

To hear the complete message, go to our website. You can listen via the Sermon Player, MP3, or podcasting.

If you're visiting in our area or looking for a church home, we're located at 1111Easton Rd. (Rte. 611), Warrington, PA 18976. Our Sunday morning service starts at 10:00 A.M. The church phone is (215) 343-7686. All welcome!

Announcements

The tragic earthquake in Haiti has left the people in a desperate situation. We can help those in need through Compassion International. All monies specified for Missions this month will be sent to Compassion International. On your offering envelope, specify the amount on the Missions line or write in "Haiti." We can send them your offerings each Monday, and don't have to wait until the month is over. This way, the funds will go right to work.

Are you on the Church Email List? If you want to receive our weekly newsletter, please write your email address down and give it to an usher or Pastor Steve on your way out. We'll make sure you're added to the list.

Quotable Quote

"God has decreed to act in response to prayer. 'Ask," He commands us. And Satan trembles for fear that we will." - Ruth Bell Graham

This Week At Zoe

On Wednesday, 1/20/10, at 7:30 P.M., Pastor Steve will continue our study in Genesis. He'll be finishing up Chapter 3 and moving on to Chapter 4 with Cain and Abel.

When It Rains, It Pours

One of the young men in our church, who is away at college, sent an elder this testimony. He gave us permission to share it with you.

"I've been going through a lot of things lately, some good and some bad regarding school, friends, and in almost every aspect of my life. I was talking to a friend last night, and he kept saying, 'You know what they say, when it rains, it pours.' I've heard this expression I don't know how many times in my life and never really took the time to realize what it really meant. It seems that always when you're hit with something, the devil is planning something soon to follow.

"When I laid in my bed this morning, I said to myself, you know what? 'When it rains, it pours.' Then I heard God say, 'However, as long as I reign, we can make it through the storm.' I rolled and looked at my phone. It was 2:13 A.M. And all I could say was, 'Really?'

I started thinking about the scriptures, Romans 8:28, 31-39, in the Message version. 'When it rains, it pours.' It took me 20 years, 359 days, and at 2:13 A.M. to realize that there was another side to this phrase. What I and I think others sometimes forget is that even though we are going through tough times and it doesn't look like we are going to make it through, if we hold steadfast to God that we can weather through any trial, any tribulation, any hard time, or any storm.

We focus on the eye of the storm, rather than remembering that we are the apple of the eye of the One Most High. We need to remember that the One that put the stars in line, the One who spoke and it was created, the One who knows how many hairs are on our heads, rejoices when just one of his children comes home. He is the same One who promises to always stick up for you. What hit me the most was what he said, 'we' can make it through this storm, not 'you' will. We. Together. That like the word says, 'If he is for us...' How could we ever lose? How could anyone or anything dare to stand in the ring with the Almighty. Because he loves us, nothing, I mean nothing, can stand between us and God's love.

No matter how much rain pours out, if we allow him, God will pour more into us than we can ever imagine."

Sunday Morning Series - The Right Stuff - Resistance is Futile

Text: II Chronicles 14-15.

This text deals with Judah's King, Asa. Unlike the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Judah had some good kings. King Asa started off well. Scripture tells us he did what was good and right IN THE EYES OF THE LORD. Some people think if something is good in our eyes, it must be good in God's. That's not always the case. Asa trusted God and reigned for 41 years.

When the Ethiopians came against him with a million man army and 300 chariots, Asa went to God. He knew only God could deliver them because their army was only 580,000 men. After the battle was won, a word from the Lord came through Azariah to Asa. God encouraged him to be strong, don't let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded. With renewed strength, he did what God wanted.

King Asa and Judah enjoyed peace for 35 years. Then King Baasha, of Israel, built Ramah, which sat at a major crossroads. He wanted to prevent his people from going south to Judah. King Asa wasn't happy, but debated whether or not Judah should attack their northern brothers. He comes up with a peaceful solution by buying a treaty with Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria. Ben-Hadad attacks King Baasha and takes care of King Asa's problem - or so Asa thought.

This time, God sends Hanani, the prophet, with correction. Because he did not seek God's wisdom, he ended up strengthening a nation God wanted to judge. Instead of repenting like David did after he sinned, King Asa got made and threw the prophet in jail. Asa is not only mad with the prophet, but with God and doesn't repent. In the 39th year of his reign, he becomes diseased in his feet. He doesn't go to God because he's at odds with God. Physicians cannot help him, and after two years, Asa dies.

Check out these Scripture verses: I Peter 5:5-9, James 4:6-7, Acts 7:51-53, 2 Timothy 3:8-9, 2 Timothy 4:14-15. We're instructed to become conformed to the image of Christ. If you're resisting God's work in your life, who are you becoming conformed to? We're yielding to the enemy of our souls. If we want to have victory in the Christian life, it's necessary to submit to God and resist the devil. Only then will the devil flee from you.

To hear the entire message, check out our website Sermon Player. We also have FREE MP3 downloads and podcasting available for your convenience.

Miscellaneous Notes

Do you have a testimony you'd like to share on Sunday morning? Do you need prayer? Please let an usher know before the service.

Also, if you want to be on the Church email list, please write your email address down and give it to either an usher or Pastor Steve on your way out. We generally send out a newsletter on Friday.

Make a Note

The next Ladies' Brunch will be held on Saturday, 1/30/10, at 10:00 A.M. Please bring a breakfast item and your Bible.

The next covered dish dinner is set for the first Sunday in February (2/7/10)right after the service. We usually finish around 2:30 P.M. Please bring a main dish (enough for your family and some extra to share), as well as a side dish or dessert.

Quotable Quotes

"Faith cannot grow in the atmosphere of condemnation." - E. W. Kenyon

This Week At Zoe

On Wednesday, 1/13/10, at 7:30 P.M., we'll have all-church prayer. We aim to finish by about 8:45 P.M. to allow those with children to get home at a decent hour.

The Men's Breakfast will be held on Saturday, 1/16/10, at 8:00 A.M. We'll meet in the Children's Church area. Please bring a breakfast item along with your Bible. If you have any questions, talk to Keith.

Sunday Morning Series - The Right Stuff - Capernaum

Text: Mark 1-2, Mark 4, and others.

Jesus started off His ministry in the area around the Sea of Galilee. He often held meetings in Capernaum and other towns nearby. Soon, He was drawing massive crowds thanks to word of mouth. When people are getting healed, set free from bondages, and raised from the dead, you know they'll talk.

Gradually, however, the tide begins to turn. The Pharisees criticize him for healing on the Sabbath and not adhering to their pet doctrines. The people, many of whom were healed or who knew someone who was healed, began to question. Instead of being thankful, many walked away from Him.

Today, many experience forgiveness of their sins, see prayers answered, and then run into a situation they can't understand or explain. They prayed for their aunt, but she died. They forget all God's blessings and focus on that incident. We don't know all there is to know about God. When things happen we don't understand, that don't fit into our small theological mindset, we need to remain thankful for all He's done in our lives and put our questions on the back burner.

To hear the message in its entirety, check out our website Sermon player. If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, you're welcome to worship with us. We're located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Rte. 611), Warrington, PA. Our telephone number is (215) 343-7686.

The Zoe Blog

After a two week vacation break, the Zoe Blog is once again up and running. If you have any suggestions for blog features, are interested in writing a devotional, or have a testimony of how God answered prayer, please contact Susan.

Thanks!

Quotable Quotes

"There is no need to pray the problem. What we need to do is zero in on the answer. Pray and speak the answer; cast the problem over on Him." - Charles Capps

This Week at Zoe

We hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and wish you a Happy, Healthy New Year!

On Wednesday, 1/5/10, at 7:30 P.M., Pastor Steve will continue the Genesis series. He will finish chapter 3 and move on to chapter 4. Come out, and invite a friend!

Men's Night Out is Friday, 1/8/10. We'll be seeing the movie, "Sherlock Holmes," at the Warrington Regal Cinema. We're looking to get into the 7:00 P.M. showing.

We'll meet at Chick-fil-A for dinner at 6:00 P.M. You might want to get your tickets on the way to dinner to avoid any problems.

If you just want to see the movie, we will meet you at the Cinema. An email will be sent out on Wednesday. By then, we should have details on exact show times.

Sunday Morning Series - The Right Stuff - Grateful and Exalted

Text: Luke 14:1-24.

In this passage, Jesus is an invited dinner guest at the home of a Pharisee. The Pharisees watch to see what he will do. You see, it's the Sabbath, and they've also invited a man with dropsy. Did they want to hear his wisdom or did they want to entrap him?

Jesus talks to them about doing good on the Sabbath. He then heals the man. I'm sure that guy was happy Jesus cared about him.

The Pharisees exalted themselves and looked down at Jesus. Their do's and don't's meant more to them than loving people. They didn't love Jesus or honor him, but criticized and denounced him.

Jesus goes on to tell them a story about a man, who sends out dinner invitations. Everyone makes an excuse why they can't attend. So, he tells his servant to go and summon the lame, the blind, and others because he's determined his house will be filled. Those who made excuses weren't grateful. In their eyes, the dinner was just another event, not an exalted event.

In my life, I can be exalted, or things, or animals, or other people. If God is not exalted above all, then I will find myself behaving like those who made excuses and rejected the invitation. Don't allow the blessings, the good things of life to distract you from the Giver. Stay in an attitude of gratitude.

If you'd like to hear the entire message, check out the Sermon Player at our website. You can also download it FREE to your MP3 player.