COMMANDER INTENT Acys 13:1-12
Posted on August 13, 2010
Filed Under Pastor's Blog, Sermons
In the military you need clear and precise goals for a successful operation. They have what they call “commander intent.” At the end of the mission in simplest terms what had to be accomplished. Such as hold this hill, cross that river, provide support to third battalion as they make an orderly retreat. The goal is clear, precise and measurable. In Acts 13 Paul and Barnabas have embarked upon what has become known as their first missionary journey. Their first stop was Cyprus (Barnabas’ home island). It was there they met Satanic opposition in the form of Elymas the Magician.
Here God goes head to head against Satan. Though the conflict is carried out between God and Satan’s emissaries. Usually we concern ourselves with the will of God. At least from an intelectual perspective. In reality we generally just do what we want. God’s will has become so abstract to the Christian community we merely pay it lip-service. God’s cosmic agenda is big and bold and beyond our immediate responsibility.
But let’s face it. We are at war, spiritual war. All Paul and Barnabas were doing was being true to the mission God has given in Acts 1:8 to go to the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Cyprus was a microcosm of that mission. It became clear to Paul that the political leadership in Cyprus had to hear the gospel. In Paul’s mind that was commander intent. At all costs, if its the last thing he might do, Cyprus would know of Christ and his cross. Satan did not want the politicians on Cyprus to know of Christ. Such was the will of Satan. Paul realized for every intent of God there is an intent of Satan. Cyprus just happened to be the particular hill they were fighting over.
Kirkwood and moving to Trim Street are our Cyprus. It is a flashpoint of conflict with Satan. He does not want us to move to Trim Street. If he can keep us from crossing that street, making that move, taking on a challenge bigger than ourselves, dreaming about generations instead of dreaming about ourselves, he has won. His commander intent is to stop you from going to Trim Street and advancing the gospel in Kirkwood and Broome County. If he can keep you here he can contain you for another generation and he will have won. We know what God’s will is. He is going to build his church, including one on Trim. We know what Satan’s will is, to keep us from moving forward and crossing the street. The question that remains is what is your will? Are you really going to let Satan keep you from moving to Trim Street? WHB
Weekly Bulletin – August 15, 2010
Posted on August 12, 2010
Filed Under Weekly Bulletin
The Lord’s Day
Aug 15, 2010
Welcome!
In the spirit of the psalmist who said, “My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God” (Psalm 84:2), we joyfully welcome you to worship..
Prepare Your Hearts
Yours be the glory, loving Creator. Help us be humble before You as we worship and praise Your name.
Announcements
Given by Ralph Jackson
Sing Praise
Offering / Special Music
“Honor the Lord with your possession, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
A Word from God
- Title: COMMANDER’S INTENT
- Text: Acts 13:1-12
A Song in Our Hearts
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PLEASE STAY FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL, NEXT!
THIS WEEK
- Mon – Deacon’s Meeting , 7:00 PM @ the Fellowship Ctr.
- Wed – Dinner/Communion/Prayer Mtg., 6:30 PM / Fell. Ctr.
- Sat – Riddle – You throw away the outside and cook the inside. Then you eat the outside and throw away the inside. What did you eat? Answer – Corn or Chicken! And you can get both at the annual FCC Corn Roast/Chicken Barbecue from noon to 5:00 PM at the Trim St. property.
THIS MONTH
- Missionary Christmas in July. We will continue to take your donations for our Missionary’s Christmas Gifts throughout the month of Aug. This year’s goal is $2,090.00. Total so far is, $1,411.00. Every donation no matter how small will help. Thank you!
- Aug 22 – Orientation for Membership Class with Pastor Bill during Sunday school (location to be determined).
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Sept 11 – Volunteers Needed to put a deck on for the Impact Project. Sign-up sheet in the foyer.
SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES
- College & Career Class will be taught by Todd Smith for now.
- FirST Grade Class will be taught by Betty Valloney
OTHER NOTES
- Baptism- if you want to be baptized this summer, see Pastor Bill.
- Church Pictures, Broome County Historical Society has taken pictures of our church. To see, go to nyslandmarks.com/churches
GOD’S POWERFUL WORD
The Bible contains about 800,000 words, depending on the translation. This is about four times as many words as are found in a book of average length. Although the Bible is so long and deals with the greatest themes that can engage the human mind, its vocabulary is singularly limited. It uses only 6,000 different words, a very small number compared to the 20,000 words that Shakespeare employed while writing his plays. Not only is the Bible’s vocabulary limited, but the average word in it contains only five letters. However, many of these short words are full of the deepest meanings and are worthy of earnest study. For example, consider these five-letter words: grace, peace, faith, saved, serve, glory and Jesus.
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Thanks for attending First Christian today. Please come again!
Protected: Prayer Requests – August 11, 2010
Posted on August 11, 2010
Filed Under Prayer Requests
Protected: Prayer Requests – August 4, 2010
Posted on August 5, 2010
Filed Under Prayer Requests
Weekly Bulletin – August 8, 2010
Posted on August 5, 2010
Filed Under Weekly Bulletin
The Lord’s Day
Aug 8, 2010
Welcome!
God says, “Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me” (Psalm 50:5). We have come to worship God in spirit and in truth.
Prepare Your Hearts
Almighty God, may we all sense the glory of your presence today and find hope for life’s challenges.
Announcements
Given by Ralph Jackson
Sing Praise
- Sing to the King
- Glory in the Highest
- You Are My King
- My Faith Has Found a Resting Place (hymnal p. 416)
- Lamb of God
Offering / Special Music
“Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38
A Word from God
- Title: GOD TEXTS
- Text: Acts 13:1-4
A Song in Our Hearts
- I Love You Lord (hymnal p. 421)
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PLEASE STAY FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL, NEXT!
THIS WEEK
- Wed – Dinner/Communion/Prayer Mtg., 6:30 PM / Fell. Ctr.
- Thu – Sat – Kirkwood Fair – sign-up sheets in the foyer.
THIS MONTH
- Missionary Christmas in July. We will continue to take your donations for our Missionary’s Christmas Gifts throughout the month of Aug. This year’s goal is $2090.00. Total so far is, $1171.00. Every donation no matter how small will help. Thank you!
- Aug 15 – Impact Project Update – Jim Willard will be here to provide more information on the the Impact Project.
- Aug 21 – FCC Corn Roast/Chicken Barbecue – Noon to 5:00 PM. Sign-up sheet in the foyer.
- Sept 11 – Volunteers Needed to put a deck on for the Impact Project. Sign-up sheet in the foyer.
SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTE
- College & Career Class will be taught by Todd Smith for now.
- First Grade Class will be taught by Betty Valloney
ACTIVE LOVE NOTE – addresses are in the directory unless noted below.
- Nellie Markle recovering from infections
- Victoria Collins – at Geisinger Medical Center, PA (RR#2 Box 16A Montrose PA 18801)
- Violet Sivers – broken leg – (Bonnie Henderson’s Mom)(Gracious Living Estates, 10543 SR 29 Montrose PA 18801)
- Wilhelmina Wagner – recovering from knee replacement
- June Chamberlain – suffering with cellulitis
OTHER NOTES
Membership Class to begin. If you would like to join, please see Pastor Bill.
Baptism- if you want to be baptized this summer, see Pastor Bill.
Church Pictures, Broome County Historical Society has taken pictures of our church. To see, go to nyslandmarks.com/churches
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Thanks for attending First Christian today. Please come again!