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On this weekend we celebrate the birth of our nation and the freedoms we enjoy. The sacrifices made on our behalf by the many who gave their all have provided us with these freedoms. Jesus gives us true freedom. Through His death and resurrection we are free from the bondage of sin and death. In the way we live our lives we can honor the many who have died for these freedoms. Above all we must honor the greatest sacrifice ever made, Jesus, the Lamb of God who gave all for you and I that we may have eternal life.
Scripture is clear, we are to love one another in the Body of Christ. And although the Spirit dwells in us, love still needs to be perfected. To be like love from brother to brother and sister to sister— love as family. Love from the Father through the Son that is activated in our lives overflows into our speech and deeds. Join us this week in worship as we discover the Only Jesus— Brother and His love in the family of God.
We can rejoice knowing that it is through the righteousness of Christ and our faith in Him that we are redeemed people of God. We find out this week it takes perseverance in faith to stay on track, to set our eyes on the goal of knowing Christ. There will be some who come along our pathway and try to lead us off the mark set before us. Let us remember we are people who are growing in their knowledge of Christ and growing in our understanding of just how powerful God is. It is in His strength we find the assurance to stand firm, to press on, to journey toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
This week, we are traveling about 2 miles east of Jerusalem to the small village of Bethany. There are about a dozen references found in the Scriptures of this town. It was the home of Simon the leper, it is the place where Mary anoints the feet of Jesus. It is where preparations start for Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. But most of all it is probably best known for being the hometown of Jesus' good friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. And, we too can look at Jesus as our friend.
It’s hard to believe we are at the end of the first month in the new year. Have you been listening for God during this time? Have you heard Him speak to the one thing He wants you to do for Him this year? Maybe you have heard something or had a thought about what to do and yet you asked God, Why me? Why now? That’s exactly what we’ll be discussing this weekend during worship. We might know what God's answer is already— Why not you! Why not now! Imagine the people you know or that know you, there is no better person to speak to them about the love of Christ than you!
We’re hanging out the “Gone Fishing” sign— well not really, but it does make us think about going out. When someone hangs out that sign, they in fact are going fishing. As believers, as followers of Christ, He has given us a great commission to go out and make disciples teaching all He had taught us. Have you gone fishing lately? Have you told your story of how God through Christ has made you new? Listen in this week as we dialogue about what it takes to be purposefully active in ministry with Christ.
We continue this week with our new sermon series: L.A.N.D. and things we might have to look at in our lives to join God in HIs plans and purpose for us. This week, we look at what it means to Navigate and not just to fix our eyes somewhere but how to effectively Navigate the Narrow Road. Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). There are things we can do to navigate in this world with godly perspective.
This week we confront being transformed not just informed. The stories of the Bible are great but they are meant to transform our lives into the Christlike nature of the Son. Let us remember we are the Body of Christ growing up into Him who is the perfecter of our faith.
Who owns your heart? Where does your allegiance lie? The world says so many things that sound like the truth but there is One who we ought to bow the knee and give our allegiance, and He is Jesus. We can be patriotic and be proud to be an American, but we must know and understand our citizenship is in the Kingdom of God.
Today we complete our series on the Apostle’s Creed and what we believe. We focus on the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Today, we also want to take time and reflect on those men and women who have given their lives to fight for our freedom. We honor them and we pray for their families. We also take a moment to think about those frontline heroes in our midst during the pandemic and thank them for their service.
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WORSHIP GATHERINGS:
Sundays at 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. 835 Riverside Avenue Torrington, CT 06790 See our regathering info here PHONE (860) 482-4705 OFFICE EMAIL secretary@firstcong.com GENERAL CHURCH EMAIL fcongrchurch@optonline.net |