You are invited to join together in prayer Thursday night at 7pm on Facebook, Youtube, or our website.
Please submit any prayer requests to me by 6pm. You can submit prayer requests on the Contact Us page.
Thank you and God bless!
See you tonight!
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
You are invited to worship with us at 11:30 AM on Sunday, July 5. Below, you will find the Order of Service so you can follow along and participate in the worship service. If you would prefer, you can also download a bulletin here:
Before we start, please share the live stream on Facebook and invite your friends.
Worship Service for July 5th, 2020 at 11:30 AM
Welcome
Opening Song: Sing to the King
Sing to the King Who is coming to reign
Glory to Jesus, the Lamb that was slain
Life and salvation His empire shall bring
And joy to the nations when Jesus is King
Chorus:
Come, let us sing a song, A song declaring that we belong to Jesus
He’s all we need
Lift up a heart of praise. Sing now with voices raised to Jesus
Sing to the King
For His returning we watch and we pray
We will be ready the dawn of that day
We’ll join in singing with all the redeemed
‘Cause Satan is vanquished and Jesus is King
Chorus 2x
Invocation
Confession and Forgiveness:
P: Come into the presence of God. It is God, Himself, who bids us to come to Him in prayer, especially when we have sinned, so that we may receive His forgiveness. So, we enter His courts with confidence that if we confess our sins, He will forgive us as He promised.
(a time of silence to reflect and personally confess our sins.)
C: Heavenly Father, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart and have not loved our neighbor as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ and His suffering and death on the cross, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen
P: The Lord our God is merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. Therefore, I announce unto you the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. In His stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen. Praise God!
Song of Praise and Thanksgiving: This Is My Father’s World
This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
his hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
the morning light, the lily white, declare their maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
in the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.
This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!
This is my Father’s world: why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!
First Reading – Acts 24:14-23
But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”
But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.
Gospel Reading – Matthew 11:25–30
At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Children’s Message
Sermon Hymn – God of This City
Verse:
You’re the God of this city, You’re the King of these people
You’re the Lord of this nation, You are
You’re the light in this darkness, You’re the hope to the hopeless
You’re the peace to the restless, You are
Pre-Chorus 1:
There is no one like our God, there is no one like our God
Chorus 1:
Greater things have yet to come
Greater things are still to be done in this city
Greater things have yet to come
Greater things are still to be done in this city
Verse
Pre Chorus 2:
There is no one like our God, there is no one like our God
Chorus 2:
Greater things have yet to come
Greater things are still to be done in this city
Greater things have yet to come
Greater things are still to be done In this city
Greater things have yet to come,
Greater things are still to be done here
Pre Chorus 1:
There is no one like our God, there is no one like our God
Chorus 3:
Greater things have yet to come
Greater things are still to be done in this city
Greater things have yet to come
Greater things are still to be done, Oh, we believe.
We believe in You God
Greater things have yet to come
Greater things are still to be done in this city
Greater things have yet to come
Greater things are still to be done in this city
We believe. We believe in You God
Greater things have yet to come,
Greater things are still to be done here
Sermon – “Celebrating Freedom”
1 Corinthians 10:23-33
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God
the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen
Benediction
Closing Song: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
Joyful, joyful we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love!
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee,
Praising Thee, their sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
Drive the gloom of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day.
All Thy works with joy surround Thee,
Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird, and flowing fountain
Call us to rejoice in Thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living,
Ocean-depth of happy rest!
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Fountainhead of love divine:
Joyful, we Thy heav’n inherit!
Joyful, we by grace are Thine!
Upcoming Events
July 9, 7 PM – A Time of Prayer
Facebook, YouTube, FaithWesleyChapel.com
July 10, 7 PM – Growth Group Bible Study
Zoom
July 12, 11 AM – In-Person and Online Worship Resumes
Facebook, YouTube, FaithWesleyChapel.com
Song and Dance – Studio 4
Connect with us:
You are invited to join together in prayer Thursday night at 7pm on Facebook, Youtube, or our website.
Please submit any prayer requests to me by 6pm. You can submit prayer requests on the Contact Us page.
Thank you and God bless!
See you tonight!
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
What is going on here?
Does Pastor know there’s only 30 days in June?
Why is he still writing these?
Over the past month we have gone over a lot of great things we can be doing to live on mission and share Jesus with people. Just because the month is over, doesn’t mean it ends. People still need Jesus and Jesus still wants them to be forgiven and saved.
My prayer is that you take this past month and use it as a springboard for the rest of your life. You have a wonderful opportunity to speak life into people’s lives. Praise the Lord!
Today and Every Day After: Keep it going!
As a reminder, here’s what we talked about these past 30 days.
1. Realize you are a missionary / ambassador
2. Pray for specific people who need Jesus
3. Pray for opportunities to love others and share the Gospel
4. Read a book on evangelism
5. Team up
6. Connect with people – Who do you already know
7. Love others authentically (don’t just talk about loving them, show it)
8. Share your story, be vulnerable
9. Connect with people – Neighbors
10. Pray with someone
11. Pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ (other church members)
12. Share the victories
13. Schedule margin
14. Ask intentional questions
15. Pray for opportunities to love others and share the Gospel
16. Connect with people – Discover where people already gather
17. Serve others
18. Know the Gospel
19. Listen to people – actively listen
20. Look for the hurt
21. Pray for specific people who need Jesus
22. Read the Word
23. Invite into community (may need to ease into it)
24. Know God is with You
25. Use your various resources (Facebook, Twitter, letters, etc.)
26. Pray for boldness to speak
27. Share the Gospel
28. Faith is God’s Work
29. Surprise someone
30. Pray over your Facebook friends
31. Keep It Going
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
If you are on Facebook or some other social media, you probably have a lot of friends, some of whom don’t, yet, know Jesus. Why not spend s few minutes today praying for them?
If your list is really long, break it up into chunks and commit to praying for them over the next several days. Who knows, when you’ve gone through the whole list, you may even decide this is something you enjoyed doing and continue doing it, going through the list again and again.
If you aren’t on social media, make another list. Maybe it could be a list of neighbors or coworkers or the people from your Zumba class.
Today: Pray Over Your Facebook Friends (Or Some Other Group)
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
The other day I received a note from a member encouraging me. It wasn’t an anniversary or my birthday or Pastor Appreciation Month. It was a nice, unexpected surprise (I know that’s redundant).
Surprises like this can be a wonderful thing. They brighten our day and show us that we are truly loved and appreciated.
Today: Surprise someone with a little unexpected gift, note, or act of kindness.
Note – This can be a great thing to do for someone who doesn’t, yet, know Jesus, but also something great to do for a friend, spouse, child, or church member. Give it a try.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9
I mentioned yesterday that one of the reasons people don’t share the Gospel is they are afraid they will mess it up and the person won’t believe. It’s understandable since so much in our lives either succeeds or fails based on our work. Someone receiving faith, however, is not one of them.
Faith is a gift of God. It isn’t earned. It isn’t chosen. It isn’t reasoned. It is purely the work of the Holy Spirit.
So, you can relax. You aren’t responsible for creating faith in someone’s heart. You couldn’t if you wanted to. That’s totally God’s domain. Simply share the Gospel and pray. Then, leave the results to God.
Today: Rest in the knowledge that faith is God’s work, not yours.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
You are invited to worship with us at 11:30 AM on Sunday, June 14. Below, you will find the Order of Service so you can follow along and participate in the worship service. If you would prefer, you can also download a bulletin here:
Before we start, please share the live stream on Facebook and invite your friends.
Worship Service for June 28, 2020 at 11:30 AM
Welcome
Opening Song: Now, All the Vault of Heaven Resounds
Now all the vault of Heav’n resounds
In praise of love that still abound,
Christ has triumphed, He is living!”
Sing, choirs of angels, loud and clear,
Repeat their song of glory here,
Christ has triumphed, Christ has triumphed!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Eternal is the gift He brings,
Therefore our heart with rapture sings,
Christ has triumphed, He is living!”
Now still He comes to give us life,
And by His presence stills all strife
Christ has triumphed! He is living!
Alleluia, alleluia.
Adoring praises now we bring
And with the heavenly blessed sing,
Christ has triumphed, Alleluia!
Be to the Father, and our Lord,
To Spirit blest, most holy God,
All the glory, never ending!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Invocation
Confession and Forgiveness:
P: Come into the presence of the Lord our God.
C: Have mercy, O Lord. If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?
P: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
C: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(a time of silence to reflect and personally confess our sins)
P: I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Let us confess our sin before the Lord.
C: Heavenly Father, we confess that we are sinners. We have sinned against you and our neighbors. We have not loved you with our whole heart and we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have backed down from speaking Your truth to keep others happy and prevent conflict. We justly deserve Your punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.
P: The Lord is gracious and merciful. He promises to forgive our sins. Therefore, upon this, your confession, as a called and ordained servant of the Lord, in the stead and by the command of my Lord, Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen. Praise the Lord! Great are His mercies, they are new every morning. Great is His Faithfulness.
Song of Praise and Thanksgiving: King of Kings
In the darkness We were waiting Without hope Without light
Till from heaven You came running There was mercy in Your eyes
To fulfil the law and prophets To a virgin came the word
From a throne of endless glory To a cradle in the dirt
Chorus:
Praise the Father Praise the Son Praise the Spirit Three in one
God of glory, Majesty. Praise forever to the King of Kings
To reveal the kingdom coming And to reconcile the lost
To redeem the whole creation You did not despise the cross
For even in your suffering You saw to the other side
Knowing this was our salvation Jesus for our sake you died
Chorus
And the morning that You rose All of heaven held its breath
Till that stone was moved for good
For the Lamb had conquered death
And the dead rose from their tombs
And the angels stood in awe
For the souls of all who’d come To the Father are restored
And the church of Christ was born. Then the Spirit lit the flame
Now this gospel truth of old Shall not kneel, Shall not faint
By His blood and in His name In His freedom I am free
For the love of Jesus Christ Who has resurrected me
Chorus 2x
Old Testament Reading – Jeremiah 28:5–9
Then the prophet Jeremiah spoke to Hananiah the prophet in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the Lord, and the prophet Jeremiah said, “Amen! May the Lord do so; may the Lord make the words that you have prophesied come true, and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of the Lord, and all the exiles. Yet hear now this word that I speak in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people. The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.”
Epistle Reading – Romans 7:1–6
Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.
Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.
Children’s Message
Sermon Hymn – How Great Thou Art
O Lord my God when I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the works thy hand has made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Your power throughout the universe displayed
Chorus:
Then sings my soul, my savior God to thee,
How great thou art, how great thou art
Then sings my soul, my savior God to thee,
How great thou art, how great thou art
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Chorus
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”
Chorus
Sermon – “Sent to the Dead…To Whom God Will Give Life”
Matthew 10:34–42
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God
the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen
Benediction
Closing Song: Resurrecting
The head that once was crowned with thorns,
Is crowned with glory now
The Savior knelt to wash our feet. Now at His feet we bow
The One who wore our sin and shame, Now robed in majesty
The radiance of perfect love, Now shines for all to see
Chorus:
Your name, Your name is victory!
All praise will rise to Christ our King
(Repeat)
The fear that held us now gives way to Him who is our peace
His final breath upon the cross is now alive in me
Chorus
By Your Spirit I will rise from the ashes of defeat
The resurrected King is resurrecting me
In Your name I come alive to declare Your victory
The resurrected King is resurrecting me
The tomb where soldiers watched in vain,
Was borrowed for three days
His body there would not remain.
Our God has robbed the grave
Our God has robbed the grave
Chorus
He is Resurrecting me, He is Resurrecting me
Upcoming Events
July 2, 7 PM – A Time of Prayer
Facebook, YouTube, FaithWesleyChapel.com
July 5, 11:30 AM – Online Worship
Facebook, YouTube, FaithWesleyChapel.com
“Celebrating Freedom”
July 10, 7 PM – Growth Group Bible Study
Zoom
July 12, 11 AM – In-Person and Online Worship Resumes
Facebook, YouTube, FaithWesleyChapel.com
Song and Dance – Studio 4
Connect with us:
There are many things involved in evangelism. We need to connect with people who don’t know Jesus. We need to genuinely show love to them and develop a relationship. We need to pray for them and for us.
We can do all these things up to this point and we’ll have a really great friend. At some point, though, if we want them to believe in Jesus, we have to talk about Jesus.
You may have heard the following quote,
“Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words”
Supposedly, this was said by Francis of Assisi, except there’s no record of that. Whether it was or not, it’s not really Biblical either. Yes, we should demonstrate the Gospel in our lives, but words are always necessary. As it says in Romans,
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” – Romans 10:14
Today: Realize that while actions are good, you must at some point speak up and share the Gospel.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” – Romans 1:16
Probably the biggest reason people don’t talk to others about Jesus is fear. We fear being rejected. We fear messing it up. We fear damaging the relationship.
We need, however, to remember the full situation. No one comes to the Father except by Jesus Christ. We’re talking eternal life or condemnation, here.
We also need to remember we aren’t selling something or convincing someone of something, we are sharing with them the good news of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus. The Gospel is the power of God that brings salvation.
In addition, we simply need to pray for boldness. We can ask the Holy Spirit to give us the words to say. We can ask God to give us strength and boldness.
“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
Today: Pray that God would give you the words to say and the boldness to say them.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
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