by CLC_Staff on May 20, 2013
Beginning April 14, Rev. Jasperse will be preaching a 7-week series on the Miracles of Jesus. These events in the Gospels reveal a lot about God. We will also explore together what the role of miracles is today.
April 14 – It’s A Miracle! – An Introduction to the Miracles of Jesus
April 21 – It’s A New Day! – Jesus Turns Water Into Wine
April 28 – Do You Know Who I Am? – Jesus Heals the Paralytic
May 5 – Are We Ready? – Jesus Casts Out Demons
May 12 -What Are You Afraid Of? – Jesus Restores Life
May 19 – Who Is That Man? – Jesus Walks on Water
May 26 – Yes, But What Do You Think? – Jesus Heals the Man Born Blind
by CLC_Staff on February 7, 2013
Ash Wednesday Service, Wednesday, February 13th
7pm at Church of the Living Christ
Next Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season with Ash Wednesday (February 13). Lent is a 40 day period invented by the ancient church in remembrance of the 40 days Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. (See Matthew 4:1-11) Ash Wednesday is actually 46 calendar days before Easter, but since Sundays are not counted as “Fast Days” Lent begins on Wednesday which then makes Lent 40 days long.
Lent traditionally has been a time of repentance and introspection. In our church I would encourage you to make use of Lent. Some people “give something up” for Lent, as a regular reminder of God and His works in our life. I’ve heard of people giving up chocolate, pop, or even pizza, and have found the experience rewarding. Others have added something during Lent, like a daily Bible reading or a specific prayer time. In either case Lent can be of benefit to the believer as we exercise spiritual discipline to prepare our hearts and consider the power and meaning of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Lent can be a tool. It is not to be something that separates the super spiritual from the rest of us. Again I encourage you to consider some kind of Lenten practice during the weeks leading to Easter. God does reward all who seek Him.
by Tom Jasperse on January 8, 2013
“If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8:31
Here is a verse that is immensely profitable to settle in one’s mind.
If God is for us….
Paul at this point assumes that God is for us. He has spent time already in the earlier parts of Romans building this point. Look at Romans 5:1, ” We have peace with God ” or Romans 5:8, “While we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” Paul argues that we are now children and heirs of the heavenly Father.
If God is for us….. ?
This question needs to be settled in the believers mind. God is for us , but for that fact to be enjoyed it must be believed. Many people doubt this, believers among them. But God is for us. What do you believe ?
If God is for us, who can be against us ? The list can indeed be long here. It might be helpful to honestly make a list sometime. The believer does not stick her head in the sand like some spiritual ostrich, but rather looks at the opposition realistically. There are people, and yes forces, that are against us. The larger question then becomes, what does it matter ?
Our birthright as children of God is to live with the confidence, joy, and peace that God has for us, in short to live out what we believe. As Paul writes a few verses later in Romans 8:37, “We are more than conquerors.” I want to live more and more each day with these blessings. Consider deeply these questions. There is spiritual gold to be mined within.
by Tom Jasperse on January 2, 2013
I have been reading “The Message”, the Bible paraphrase by Eugene Peterson a bit more the past month. A friend told me that he had been continually reading through the four gospels for quite a few years now. This sounded inviting so I decided to do the same to see how it worked out. One verse I read a couple weeks ago arrested my attention. It was Luke 11:10. In “The Message” it reads as follows:
Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need.
So that is what I’m doing. It does seem to cut down on my prayer time, although I do not think that prayer efficiency was the intent of the verse. More to the point I want to build a relationship with God that is honest and forthright. There is nothing I can say or do that is a surprise to God. He knows me better than I know myself, so I might as well just put my requests out there. What do I have to lose ?
This is what I have to lose; distance ! I think that if I am direct I will lose some of the distance between me and God. Hope a few of you can lose some distance too.
TJ
by CLC_Staff on December 26, 2012
Discipleship + 10am Worship – December 30th & Beyond
Beginning on December 30th we’re moving ahead to one 10am worship service and will continue with this in 2013. Coffee will be available before and after worship.
(After a three week break from Discipleship Classes on December 23rd, 30th, and January 6th—the classes will resume on January 13th after 10am Worship.)
Here’s What You Can Expect
Sundays, 10am Worship (beginning on December 30th)
11:15am—12pm Discipleship Classes (beginning on January 13th)
Nursery is available during the service AND during Discipleship.
Stepping Up – Ages 3-4 year olds- 10:15am – 11am
**Please Note – this age group is welcome in the nurseryduring Discipleship from 11am-12pm.
Children In Worship – Ages K-2nd Grade – 10:15am – 12pm
3rd – 5th Grade – 11:15am – 12pm
6th – 8th Grade – 11:15am – 12pm
9th – 12th Grade – 11:15am – 12pm
Adults – 11:15am – 12pm