This Sunday we are beginning our eight-week journey, reflecting on the life of Jesus through the eyes of the wonderful TV series, The Chosen! The Bible study prepared for this study asks the profound question, “What does it mean to be chosen? In responding to this question, we will be focusing on the significance of our relationship with God.
What is your relationship with God like? How would you describe it? Our relationship to God must be at the center of all we do, both individually and corporately. If our devotion for Him is lacking, we are just playing church. The church of Ephesus was rebuked in Revelation 2. They had worked hard for the Lord. They had persevered through trials. They had stood for the truth against false teachers in their midst. And nevertheless, the Lord said, “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.”
In all of our relationships, love for Jesus must be our first priority! We keep God central by continually coming to Jesus and building upon Him. Of course, we come to Him in salvation when we first put our trust in Him. But that is not the end of the story.
We read in 1 Peter 2:4-5, “As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” The present tense participle in this text means coming to Jesus repeatedly. This does not refer to our conversion, but to our daily communion with Him. We must come to Jesus repeatedly and build our lives on Him.
Peter calls Him a “living stone.” This term is an oxymoron, a seeming contradiction in terms (like “jumbo shrimp”!). That Jesus is a stone means that He is a solid foundation on which to build our lives. As Peter goes on to state in chapter 2, Jesus is the cornerstone of the church.
Friends, may we respond to God’s love for us by coming to the cornerstone of our faith, our Lord Jesus Christ, repeatedly! May we acknowledge that God has chosen us and called us to a life of joy and peace way beyond our current circumstances!
Sunday Worship
Pastor Glen will be sharing an introduction to The Chosen Bible study, including the pilot of the series, The Shepherd. Please read Hebrews 1:1-3 in preparation for worship!
We will expect individuals and families to follow appropriate social distancing guidelines. We want to be respectful of our brothers and sisters. You will need to bring and wear protective masks while entering and moving about the building. We will not pass an offering plate (an offering plate will be available for your tithes and offerings). Online giving opportunities are available on the website.
Children are welcome but families must sit together.
Nursery
We are pleased to offer a nursery for children through pre-school. The nursery is in the Sunday school area.
The Chosen Bible Study
We are excited to be offering an 8-week Small Group Bible Study series based on the popular DVD series, The Chosen. The small groups will begin on March 3rd. Small groups will either meet virtually through Zoom meetings or in person (at the church or in someone’s home), depending on what works best for each participant. Pastor Glen will be basing his messages each Sunday on the series, beginning on February 28th!! Please check out the information on our website and SIGN-UP!!!
Baby Bottle Campaign
We are once again participating in ComfortCare Women’s Health Baby Bottle Campaign, in order to raise support for their life-saving services and ministry with women. ComfortCare is a ministry that specializes in the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of unplanned pregnancy.
We will collect the baby bottles THIS SUNDAY. If you would like to contribute to ComfortCare Women’s Health, you can also make checks payable to Hope Community Church and put in the memo “Baby Bottle Campaign.”