We read in Genesis 17:8: “The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you.” God had made a promise. He had told Abraham that he and his descendants would receive the land of Canaan for an inheritance. Even though over 400 years had passed, the promise of God was still real and genuine. In Joshua 1, God speaks to Joshua and tells him in verse 2 that “Moses My servant is dead.” Then He tells him to get up and cross over the Jordan to the land that He is giving them.
I imagine that there were many among the Israelites that felt everything was lost; what was the use of going on? Moses, God’s man was dead. Maybe they wondered how they could continue on after the death of Moses. But God speaks and tells them to continue on, and he restates the promise He made to Abraham 400 years before. He reminds Joshua of an important truth that we also need to remember. God’s promises are solely dependent upon Him and not anyone or anything else. In Joshua 1:2, God says, “into the land that I am giving to them.” In verse 3, God says, “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.” God wants Joshua to see that He is the Giver, not Moses, nor anyone else. God’s great promises are bound up in His divine nature – in who He is. God is the Giver and God is the source of our blessings.
Just because Moses had died, did not mean that the promise of God would die out. God wanted Joshua to see that He was the Provider! We also need to see God as our Provider. Far too often we tend to view our job, our boss, or our own ability as the key to what we have. Throughout the Bible, we discover God giving: the promise to Abraham – Genesis 28:4; the law to Moses – Exodus 31:18; wisdom, honor, and wealth to Solomon – 1 Kings 4:29; the kingdom to David – 2 Chronicles 13:5; and the list goes on. We cannot read the Bible without seeing God’s faithfulness and provision. We need to realize that God is our Source, He is our Provider, and He will be faithful in His promise to provide for us – even when everything is changing around us! May we remember God is the Giver of everything we need!!
Sunday Worship
Pastor Glen’s sermon this Sunday is entitled, “Be Strong in the Lord,” based upon Ephesians 6:10-11. Please read this text in preparation for worship.
Sunday School
Our Adult Sunday school class will meet this Sunday immediately after worship in the large Sunday school room. Please join Janet Coiner and others for a wonderful time around God’s Word!! We will be continuing a study of the Gospel of Luke. This Sunday we will study Luke 11: The Lord’s Prayer and Jesus’ Teachings! Please bring your Bible!!
Tithes and Offerings
An offering box is available when you enter or exit the sanctuary. Additionally, online giving opportunities are available on the website.
Combined Worship and Luncheon with Lebanon Evangelical Presbyterian Church
We will be hosting our sister congregation across the mountain on February 19th. Our worship service that Sunday will be at 10:30 a.m. in lieu of 9:30 a.m. There will be NO adult Sunday school on that Sunday! Lebanon EPC will join us for worship, and our hospitality team is coordinating a meal after worship. Ladies and/or gentlemen are encouraged to bring a dessert. There is a sign-up sheet on the Welcome Table.
Since we will be having guests on February 19th, it would be helpful for those who are able to park in the parking lots to the west of our church building (Synergy Rehab & Wellness, etc.).
March 19th the Lebanon Church will host our congregation for worship and a fellowship meal! Please mark your calendars now for these wonderful times of worship and fellowship.
The LAUNCH of HOPE NAVIGATORS
Also, on February 19th Hope Navigators will be launched. Please pray for God to move mightily, as we begin this exciting ministry for children and families.
NEW SUNDAY SCHEDULE
Beginning on Sunday, February 26th, we will begin a new schedule! Adult Sunday school will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Given that we only have three Sunday school rooms in our building, it will be helpful to have all of those available for family/children’s ministry during worship.
Our worship service will be moved to 10:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings. While this move will be helpful for our ministry to families and children, it will also make it easier to have meetings and other events after worship.
AGAIN, this change will begin on February 26th.
Women’s Bible Study
We are excited that our women’s Bible Study has been launched! We are studying Elijah, utilizing Priscilla Shirer’s wonderful study “Faith and Fire”! We began the study on Tuesday, February 7th and will continue each Tuesday through March 21st. There will be two options for participating in the study: Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesdays 6:30 p.m. Ladies, we look forward to your participation!!
Men’s Ministry
The next men’s ministry gathering will be at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15th in the Panera Bread Community Room. Come on out, men!!
Hope Navigators
Hope Navigators is coming . . . As Wills & Sarah Kitchen stated in a recent Facebook ad, “Hope Navigators is the portion of our Family Ministry program designed specifically for your kids! We exist to see the youngest among us brought to faith in Jesus and discipled in His ways!”
The first BIG event will be a Carnival for families and children on Saturday, February 18th at our church building. We need as many volunteers as possible to make this a wonderful outreach to our community. Please see Wills or Sarah THIS Sunday to sign-up!!
In order for this ministry to be a success, we need multiple people to serve. Some help will be directly serving with children, while some of the needs require support with prep work and decorations. Here is a list Sarah provided for specific helpers! Please pray about your role in making Hope Navigators a genuine blessing to young families with children!!
Weekly
Nursery: 1 leader, 2 helpers
Pre-K: 1 leader, 1 helper
Elementary K-5th: 2 leaders, 2 helpers
Sign in/Greeters: 1-2 person
Monthly Numbers
Nursery: 4 leader, 8 helpers
Pre-K: 4 leaders, 4 helpers
Elementary K-5th: 8 leaders, 8 helpers
Sign in/Greeters: 4-8 people
Extra jobs 1x/month: Each job would work on a rotation of every 2-3 months depending on the amount of people that sign up
Prep Team (monthly job): Team consists of 2-3 people
Decorators (monthly job): team of 2-3 people
Snack Coordinator (monthly job, rotate every 2-3 months): 1
Total number of Ideal teams per year
Prep Team: 3 teams (total of 9 people)
Decorators 2-3 teams (total of 6-9 people)
Snack Coordinator: total of 3 people
Prayer Concerns and Praise Reports
If you have any concerns you would like to add to the Prayer Concerns and Praise Reports list or give an update, PLEASE contact our prayer coordinator, Janet Coiner (540.447.0918) by THURSDAY at NOON!! Thanks so much!!
Driver Assistance
If you or someone in our congregation needs a ride to a doctor’s appointment or other appointment, please call Tom Reider (540.649.5162). He has agreed to coordinate rides. He has a list of those who have volunteered to give those rides. We are grateful for this important ministry!!
Mission Corner
Baby Bottles to support the ministry of ComfortCare Women’s Health has begun. Baby bottles are available to pick up and fill with extra change or any other donations. The baby bottles are to be returned by February 19th.
Missions Team is active keeping in touch with our missionaries and other ministries. Please keep updated! You can visit our website and go to the Outreach page
December Financial Report
Offerings: Monthly: $15,141 YTD: $185,266.50
Expenses: Monthly: $20,983.26 YTD: $188,826.61
We have also received monies designated for our capital campaign and restricted giving. In December we received $12,140 for our capital campaign.
February Birthdays
Blake Porter (2/3); Albert Danraj (2/5); Matt Lucas (2/14)