In Acts 5, the early apostles were arrested and put in the public prison. But then they were freed after an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors. The angel then told them, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” But after sharing the words of Life with the people, they were almost immediately reprimanded by the religious leaders. When the religious leaders discovered that the prison was securely locked but the disciples were not inside, they became greatly perplexed, wondering what happened to them. But then someone came and told them that the men whom they had put in prison were standing in the temple and teaching the people.
After being brought before the Jewish council, they were reprimanded for disobeying their earlier orders not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. The high priest said in Acts 5:28, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” This must have infuriated these religious leaders; not only were the disciples teaching about Jesus, but they were charging the religious leaders with murder.
The key verse here is how the disciples respond to these charges of disobedience. Peter and the apostles answer the charges in v. 29, “We must obey God rather than men.” Then they use that opportunity to proclaim the gospel, beginning in v. 30, even in the context of this high religious court. These early apostles gave up their dreams and were obedient to God’s plans in spite of the consequences.
In what areas of your life do you need to give up your dreams in order to be obedient to the Lord? Maybe it is dying to the need to be liked or popular or to have that new car you always wanted or the money that you think will make you happy. You fill in the blanks . . . but ultimately, may we, like these early apostles, discover the joy of obeying God rather than men!
Sunday Worship
Pastor Glen is continuing his sermon series this Sunday focusing on the Seven Churches of Revelation. This Sunday’s message is “A Church That Tolerates,” based upon Revelation 2:18-29 and the Church in Thyatira. Please read this text in preparation for worship!
We will also have representatives of Sister Miriam with us to give an update on her ministry with the International Women’s Ministries in the Maldives.
Nursery
We are pleased to offer a nursery for children through pre-school. The nursery is in the Sunday school area, and there is a check-in area at the door of the nursery. We are very grateful for the ministry of Ailene Wright, our nursery attendant!!
OUR VISION: To see Jesus Christ become the hub of every home in our community and beyond. It is a big vision, but we serve a BIG God. We believe that God will greatly use our efforts for His glory. And it all starts with prayer.
We don’t want to even attempt to see Jesus Christ become the hub of every home without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. And that’s why we begin with prayer.
Pray & Go is an opportunity for members of our church to walk and pray for the people in the homes (at first) in the Pelham neighborhood, as that is the neighborhood where our church is located.
As we pray for the people in the homes, we will leave a door hanger with information about our church, including an opportunity for people to respond by an email if they would like for us to pray specifically about an issue in their life.
We will NOT knock on doors or ring doorbells. We will simply walk in pairs, PRAY and share the door hangers. The most important thing we can do to reach our community for Jesus Christ is to pray for the people in our community. Join us in participating in this exciting ministry!! More will be shared on Sunday about how you may join in this ministry! Let’s attempt GREAT things for God!
The Session has launched a capital campaign to provide for both additional costs of renting our facility and saving to purchase our facility. We covet your prayers as we continue to provide needed ministry to our members, those in the Waynesboro community, and beyond.
Join us in praying that God will guide us as we take next steps into the future with anticipation of the many ways He will use us to be an ongoing blessing in our community and beyond. A Session member will contact you in the near future to participate in this campaign. At least FIFTEEN visits have already happened with encouraging responses! God will pour out His blessings as we respond to His grace and goodness!
Senior Choir – An Invitation from Harold Coiner
As you know, COVID-19 has interrupted human activity, not just here but worldwide. Things seem to slowly be getting back to “normal”.
I have been toying with the idea of starting a senior choir. Senior choir does not mean silver hair or NO hair, just folks who enjoy singing. Right now everything is in the planning stage and nothing is set in stone. Rehearsal would be once per month, along with singing once per month, unless a special occasion arises. The idea is to sing old songs not used much any more.
I will be glad to listen to suggestions, music selections, time of rehearsals, or personal requests, and the like. After Labor Day would be a good time to start; however, this new variant of COVID may put this idea on hold. Please share with me your interest or suggestions at (540) 447-0434 or buckomh@aol.com. Thanks so much!
Contagious Disease Preparedness Plan
The Session recently adopted a Contagious Disease Preparedness Plan to support our church family, as well as our visitors. We want to be supportive of our entire church family, as well as our community in this season of increased cases of COVID-19, including the delta variant. The plan will be sent to our members for reflection and feedback.
This Week’s Birthdays
Dianne Stewart (8/31)
