Category: Minister’s Blog

The question asked for our sermon this Sunday is “How Do I Stay Strong in My Faith?”  In seeking to answer this question, we will examine the life of Nicodemus.  Nicodemus was a Pharisee who met Jesus by night seeking answers and eventually becomes one of two people to bury him after the crucifixion. And we will learn from the example of Nicodemus that the way to stay strong in our faith may be different from what we have always thought.

There are just a few weeks left to register for our new Wednesday evening children’s ministry.  To register, follow this link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0548ada923aa8-carlock.  Also, we will be starting a discussion group at the Carlock Public Library on September 21.  We will be reading the book Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne.  Send us a message on Facebook if you would like to receive a book and participate.

There are just a few more Sundays left in our sermon series answering questions from the congregation. This Sunday we will address the question, “What is Grace?” Grace is a word we hear a lot about in Christian circles, but one we may not fully understand. In delving deeper into this concept, we will look at the parable of the prodigal son. And we will consider whether the prodigal son is really the central character in this Also, don’t forget to register for our new evening children’s ministry which begins September 6 at 6 p.m. You can register by following this link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0548ada923aa8-carlock. We will be using an interactive curriculum with videos, music, games, and snacks. The first month’s theme is “The Lunchroom.” We will examine the importance of friendship and seek to understand it as a reflection of God’s character.

This Sunday we will seek to answer the question, “How Do I Know If I Am Following God’s Will?”  We will look at John 10, a familiar passage in which Jesus compares himself to a shepherd guiding his sheep.  But practically speaking, it is sometimes difficult for us to know when we are hearing the voice of the shepherd and what exactly he is saying.  While the way we hear his voice will be different for each of us, there are patterns we see in how God seeks to guide us.  Join us this Sunday as we address this important question.  And be on the lookout for news about our new Wednesday evening children’s ministry beginning September 6!

This Sunday, as we continue our series of sermons based on questions from the congregation, we will seek to answer, “Does Prayer Really Work to Heal Someone?”  While praying for the health of others feels routine to many Christians, while this is something we do every Sunday in our worship service, many times we fail to reflect on how this type of prayer works.  Those times when prayers for healing seem to go unanswered are often some of the most difficult for us spiritually.  And this is why it is so important for each of us to have not only answered the question of whether this type of prayer works, but also how.  This Sunday, the Rainmakers will again be playing during our worship service which will conclude with the baptism of our two newest members.  Join us for this great day of celebration.

This Sunday we continue our series of sermons which responds to questions posed by members of the congregation.  After tackling “Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?” last week, we will turn to the question “How Do We Make Sense of Creation and Evolution?”  In seeking to respond to the war which has raged between religion and science, we will take a closer look at the creation accounts in Genesis 1 and 2.  And we will consider the possibility that these accounts seek to reveal much larger truths than a historical account of how the world was formed.  This Sunday, we will also have special music provided by our own clarinetist extraordinaire, Marc Thomas.  And don’t forget, there are only two weeks left to register for vacation Bible school!  Please register online at vbspro.events/p/carlock so we can insure we have materials for all who will attend.

For the next several Sundays, our sermons respond to questions about faith submitted by members of our congregation.  This Sunday we seek to answer the question, “Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?”  In seeking to answer this question, we compare two teachings of Jesus to his disciples, one in response to a man’s blindness and one in response to two tragedies which occurred at the time of Jesus’ ministry.  In comparing these two accounts we find some interesting parallels which help us arrive at an answer to this question which has been asked for centuries.  Katelynn Clement will also be providing special music during our worship service.  After our service, you are invited to join us for a cookout.  I hope you will join as we seek to grow not only in our faith, but also in our relationships with each other and our community.

This Sunday we begin our series, “Seeking Answers, Finding Home.”  Each of the sermons during this series seeks to answer questions raised by members of our community about their faith.  The question which we will address this Sunday is “How Do I Deal with Anxiety and Stress through Christ?”  This is a question I’m sure many of us deal with on a consistent basis as we struggle with health issues, family problems, or financial insecurity.  We will look to the Sermon on the Mount to find two practical strategies to deal with these anxieties which plague us all.  This Sunday also begins our new worship service which blends our traditional service with more contemporary elements from our Fourth Sunday service.  I hope you will join us this Sunday as we seek answers together and provide an environment in which more members of our community can find a home in our church.

This Sunday we conclude our series entitled, “Rebuilding.”  We will examine the final chapters in the book of Nehemiah and discover the last but most important step in the reconstruction efforts in Jerusalem.  And we will examine why we must follow this same step in the rebuilding of our church community.

This Sunday we continue our series on rebuilding, recounting the story of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and comparing that to the rebuilding which needs to be done in our own church and community.  This week we discuss phase three, overcoming obstacles.  Nehemiah learned in his efforts that when we seek to undertake a major new effort to rebuild what has been broken, some of the loudest voices are those of dissent, those of doubt, and those of anger.  When headway begins to be made, when there is obvious progress, is often when these voices of opposition become loudest.  When the outcome we hope for seems like it will be achieved is often when roadblocks we do not expect are put in our way.  And we will learn how Nehemiah overcame this opposition and rebuilt the walls despite obstacles.

Don’t forget to register for our Vacation Bible School which will be held July 10-July 14 from 9 to 11 a.m.  You can register at vbspro.events/p/carlock. There is no cost, and it promises to be a fun-filled week of games, science experiments, snacks, and learning more about how we are created by God.  Please feel free to message the church with any questions you may have. 

This Sunday we continue our series on Nehemiah entitled “Rebuilding.”  Last Sunday we discussed phase one – recognizing that our identify, our future, our joy, and our well-being is tied up with those in our community.  And when we identify ourselves with those in our community, when we give of ourselves out of a sense of equality rather than superiority, when we see that we are not only a giver but a receiver in relationships with others, is when true rebuilding can begin.  This Sunday we will discuss phase two – a radical and committed faith.   Also, be on the lookout for more information about our vacation Bible school which we will be held July 10-14 from 9 to 11 a.m.  Registration is now available at vbspro.events/p/carlock.