Pastor Joe continues our series on The Lord’s Prayer. This week, we explore what it really means to pray “Your kingdom come” on earth as it is in heaven. For context, this week also marks the beginning of Maplewood’s 2017 Vacation Bible School for children.
Here’s the podcast for June 18, 2017.
Talking With God–Our Father, Hallowed Be Your Name
Everyone knows The Lord’s Prayer. In fact, it may be so familiar that it has become cliche. Starting June 11, we’re beginning a new sermon series at Maplewood Naz called Talking With God. We’re going to spend the summer focusing on how we can use The Lord’s Prayer to amp up the effectiveness of our individual and collective prayer lives. Check out this brief video for a preview and plan to join us this Sunday as we begin this exciting series. – Joe
This month, Maplewood Nazarene is focusing outside the walls of our little church on the east side of Springfield, Ohio.
We believe that we are called to make Christ-like disciples. That is our sole focus. Not programs, not fund-raising, not social gatherings. Making disciples is our mission, our purpose and at the center of who we are. We want as many people as possible to come to know that God loves them, that Jesus has made a way to get right with God, and that there is a better way to live a life of love (as opposed to selfishness).
One of the ways we live into our purpose is to commit a small portion of our financial resources to support global missions work through the Church of the Nazarene. Faith Promise is a way to partner with God so others may also know of His love, His grace and His mercy.
So what is Faith Promise? Here’s some information:
What is Faith Promise?
The Church of the Nazarene acknowledges that Faith Promise giving is a biblical method used by many local churches for raising financial support for world evangelization. For our denomination, it is dedicated specifically to the mission support of the Church of the Nazarene through various offerings promoted by Nazarene Missions International (NMI).
Faith Promise is not to be confused with:
What does my giving to faith promise do?
The main priority is reaching the world for Christ through the payment of the World Evangelism Fund.
Many offering opportunities exist for you to give toward missions, Alabaster, World Mission Broadcast, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, deputation, and so forth. The NMI Handbook & Constitution provides guidelines regarding what offerings may be included in Faith Promise with the World Evangelism Fund as the foundation. However, Faith Promise is not intended to replace missions offerings.Opportunity should be given for people to give to missions. Such offerings allow those not participating in Faith Promise an opportunity to give to missions; and, for those who are, it provides additional opportunities for giving as the Holy Spirit leads.
Where did Faith Promise originate?
Although a number of people have come up with similar giving plans, the Faith Promise plan, as we know it, was developed in the late 1800’s by Dr. A. B. Simpson, founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Feeling a burden for the lost of the world, Simpson was influenced by the writings of Paul in 2 Corinthians 8-9.
How can you help support missions this year?
It’s Easter Season.
Where we typically celebrate Christmas in the weeks and days leading up to the birth of Christ, Easter is a little different.
Yes, we celebrate the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday–Resurrection Sunday, but the celebration doesn’t end there. At Maplewood, we are celebrating the Easter season through Pentecost Sunday.
Leading up to Easter, we were focused on “spring cleaning”–evaluating our lives, shoring things up spiritually and preparing ourselves for a new move by God in our hearts. Now, as we celebrate Easter, we’re focusing on what it means to be a believer in the resurrected Christ.
If you are looking for purpose, meaning, hope and contentment, you are invited to join us this Sunday as we celebrate New Life in the Living Jesus.
Experts say that depression hits humanity hard in the depths of winter. The days are so short and gray.
If you are like many people, you miss the warmth of sunshine. In fact, the sun rays actually have a physical impact on our well-being. A co-worker of mine has one of those special lights at her desk to help her cope with the lack of sunshine this time of year. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I’m frequently tempted to borrow that light just to get a little bit of vitamin D running through my body.
Life can be like the dead of winter sometimes. Circumstances can overwhelm us. We can get depressed. We long for the warmth of love, peace, contentment…and joy!
Over the next few months, we’re going to be focusing on what followers of Jesus can do to find lasting, sustainable joy, even in the dark of winter.
The apostle Paul has much to teach on this topic in his letter to the Philippians. I’d encourage you to join with me to read through this short letter (just 4 chapters) over the next few months.
And I’d also invite you to join me this Sunday at 10:30am as we embark on the quest to FINDING JOY.
-Pastor Joe
Maplewood Nazarene 