Mary did you know …

Mary did you know…
…that your baby boy will one day walk on water?

Did you know…
…that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know…
…that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you’ve delivered…
… will soon deliver you.

(lyrics by Mark Lowry)

I’ve heard from several of you that this has been a worthwhile series. Good! Praise the Author!

These women chosen by God played compelling roles in salvation history.

Each story shows…

• Providence
• Human responsibility
• Utter futility of wickedness

Here’s a worthwhile review:In 5 words or less, please describe each drama.

Eve: ______________________________________________

Sarah:____________________________________________

Rebekah:_________________________________________

Rachel & Leah:___________________________________

Tamar: ___________________________________________

Rahab: ___________________________________________

Ruth: ____________________________________________

Bathsheba: ______________________________________

Esther: ______________________________________

Mary: ______________________________________

News & Announcements:

• No prayer gathering this Wednesday. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
• Advocate Bromenn Partners in Prayer Nov. – Emergency Department (ED) The Current ED at the Medical Center has 18 beds, four of which are dedicated to cardiac emergencies and traumas.  There are one to two emergency trained physicians in house 24×7.  Approximately 90 patients are seen a day in this area.
• Our traditional “Deck the Halls”evening: decorating the church, enjoying Christmas music, and pizza.Sunday, Nov. 27 @ 5:00
• Attention Jr. High youth and their parents!  We have spots reserved for you and your friends at the Jan. 20-22 ICE CAMP Weekend Retreat at Miracle Camp.  We would love for any Jr. high students and their friends to join us!  More details coming soon!  Email Cary with questions.
• Calling young(er) couples (under 40 – no offense)!  Hire a babysitter and join us for a potluck holiday meal at The Jake on Friday, Dec. 9th at 6:30pm!  Bring a dish to pass and enjoy fellowship with other couples!  Who knows, maybe this will be a monthly thing?!  email Cary to RSVP.

Queen of Lawbreakers, Esther the Brave

Ladies First, Story Nine

When the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his own daughter, to go in to the king… Now Esther was winning favor in the eyes of all who saw her. And when Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace… the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown[a] on her head and made her queen…(from Esther 2)

Simply put, Purim (the feast from the Book of Esther) is about “reversal.” We tend to use the term reversal most often as a negative, as in “so and so suffered a reversal.” However, reversal is a neutral word and can refer to a turnaround from negative to positive just as readily as the other way. Purim is about such a reversal.

The women in this series had their own reversals.  Take a moment and jot down how each of these women’s stories include a reversal… and how each is evidence of the truth of Genesis 50:20 – “what you meant for evil, God meant for good.”

Eve: ______________________________________________

Sarah:____________________________________________

Rebekah:_________________________________________

Rachel & Leah:___________________________________

Tamar: ___________________________________________

Rahab: ___________________________________________

Ruth: ____________________________________________

Bathsheba: ______________________________________

News & Announcements

• House Blessing @ Dan and Kaetlyn Hubbard’s Wednesday, Nov. 16, 7:00
• Advocate Bromenn Partners in Prayer for Nov. – Emergency Department (ED) The Current ED at the Medical Center has 18 beds, four of which are dedicated to cardiac emergencies and traumas.  There are one to two emergency trained physicians in house 24×7.  Approximately 90 patients are seen a day in this area.
• Our traditional “Deck the Halls”evening: decorating the church, enjoying Christmas music, and pizza.Sunday, Nov. 27 @ 5:00
• Attention Jr. High youth and their parents!  We have spots reserved for you and your friends at the Jan. 20-22 ICE CAMP Weekend Retreat at Miracle Camp.  We would love for any Jr. high students and their friends to join us!  More details coming soon!  Email Cary with questions.
• Calling young(er) couples (under 40 – no offense)!  Hire a babysitter and join us for a potluck holiday meal at The Jake on Friday, Dec. 9th at 6:30pm!  Bring a dish to pass and enjoy fellowship with other couples!  Who knows, maybe this will be a monthly thing?!  email Cary to RSVP.

Bathsheba: Bad start. Good ending.

Ladies First, Story Eight

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah… (from Matthew 1)

Ever wonder what inspired the Psalmists to compose such timeless “songs”? No mystery here for the answer is quite simple:LIFEThe Psalms are unique in all Scripture because they are purely the outpourings and opinings of people towards or concerned with God as life reveals our need for Him. As I have said many times, I believe that Psalm 23 is the finest literary effort of all time: personal, lovely, pithy, theologically astute, economical, and uplifting.

Our same brother in the faith who wrote #23 also wrote what is, in my opinion, the next nominee for the “Psalms to Memorize” list: Psalm 51. This masterpiece is profound in the breadth of what it covers, while all the time being so readily familiar and able to be grasped, applied, and made one’s own. It is the heart’s cry of a broken man of God repenting and humbly exulting in redemption. King David wrote this in response to finally coming to grips with his sin regarding Bathsheba, Uriah, and all Israel.  No doubt his words have been uttered in humble hope and confession BILLIONS of times since they were first written down. And no doubt the mercy and grace of God has poured over the pray-ers of these confessions BILLIONS of times. That I memorized parts of Psalm 51 as a boy prepared me to be part of the BILLIONS confessed and mercy received.

Both Psalm 23 and Psalm 51 flow from David’s experience. Both are ideally suited for the human condition, without exception. And both proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ hundreds of years before His Incarnation.  He is the Good Shepherd who creates clean hearts, renews spirits, and restores the joy of salvation.

News & Announcements:

• House Blessing @ Bill & Suzi Matthews’, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 7:00
• Advocate Bromenn Partners in Prayer for Nov. – Emergency Department (ED)The Current ED at the Medical Center has 18 beds, four of which are dedicated to cardiac emergencies and traumas.  There are one to two emergency trained physicians in house 24×7.  Approximately 90 patients are seen a day in this area.
• Ladies –Thursday evenings 6:00-7:00 @ the church. Subject: Philippians.
• Men’s Gospel of John Manuscript Study – 6:00-7:00 on Mondays @ Dave Park’s Place
• Men – Men’s Fraternity Wednesday mornings, Sept. 21 @ 6:00 a.m.  Coffee & donuts provided.
• Anybody – C.S. Lewis Reading Group, Tuesday evenings, 7:00, Fellowcopter Pad (ask Pastor)
• Our traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Saturday, Nov. 12 @ 5:00
• OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD – GIVE THE LOVE OF GOD SHED ABROAD IN SHOEBOXES OF HOPE – NEXT SUNDAY!

Ruth: The Poor. The Oppressed. The Alien.

Within every culture that has ever existed these words have been common place. Our government and educational systems are doing their best to make these words obsolete. It’s as if we believe that within our modern ways we can wipe these things away. However, even with the “political correctness agenda” at its peek, oppression is still felt.  With financial assistance at every corner, and welfare programs that far exceed previous standards, we still have the poor.  And as we tighten our national boarders and attempt to legalize the influx of foreign nations, the reality of illegal aliens is at an all time high.

It’s as if God has deemed it to be this way, as if he has a purpose in the outcast.  Perhaps that purpose is for his church to show compassion.  Or maybe its his hope that we would all find ourselves labeled as the outcast in order that we would be looking, hoping and clinging to our very own……..Kinsman Redeemer.

News & Announcements:

• Prayer Gatherings Resume Nov. 9, (possibly a house blessing night)
• Advocate Bromenn Partners in Prayer October – Critical Care Unit (CCU) Located on the West End of 1 South, this unit has 13 beds in individual rooms, which serve the most serious medical/surgical patients.
• Ladies –Thursday evenings 6:00-7:00 @ the church. Subject: Philippians.
• Men’s Gospel of John Manuscript Study – 6:00-7:00 on Mondays @ Dave Park’s Place
• Men – Men’s Fraternity Wednesday mornings, Sept. 21 @ 6:00 a.m.  Coffee & donuts provided.
• Anybody – C.S. Lewis Reading Group, Tuesday evenings, 7:00, Fellowcopter Pad (ask Pastor)
• It’s a Feast. It’s supposed to be!
  Our traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Saturday, Nov. 12 @ 5:00 (details to follow; looking for volunteers to harvest our sweet potatoes for this event; talk to Bruce if interested

A Scarlet Cord of Hope

Ladies First, Story Six

Rahab the Harlot in the “Faith Hall of Fame”
Hebrews 11 is about faith, what it is and how it has been the key attribute of key characters in the history of salvation. The list of “the faithful” includes today’s “lady,” who just happens to be a lady of the night.

31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

Rahab’s story speaks of God’s remarkable and surprising gift and means of salvation. Her story points to the life and work of Jesus, in symbol and in substance. How so?

A valuable devotional exercise for is to consider the aspects of Rahab’s story which parallel or intersect what we know about the life and work of Jesus. Again, “put on your thinking caps,” open the Scriptures to Joshua 2, Matthew 1:5 and Hebrews 11:31, and apply some brain power to this exercise.

Think of the plight and the promises of the children of Israel and how they, through spying, enter Rahab’s world as she enters their world through subterfuge. Think of her reputation as a prostitute, her interaction with the King of Jericho, her family situation, her ethical dilemmas and decisions. Take special note of her insights into the children of Israel and most notably her concludes about Israel’s God.

The deeper you dig, the more treasure you’ll find. Think about Rahab’s redemption and her progeny. Think about her “saving” acts and scarlet cord. Think about God’s choosing of a harlot with a big heart to preserve his people and provide for their protection in their promised land. And think about things Jesus said about people like Rahab and forgiveness and love.

Rahab’s redemption is one of those stories which cause the skeptic to shake his head… and the believer to deepen her faith. Rahab is, indeed, in the Faith Hall of Fame. Hope you plan to meet her someday.

News & Announcements

• Prayer Gatherings Resume Nov. 9, (possibly a house blessing night)
• Advocate Bromenn Partners in Prayer October – Critical Care Unit (CCU) Located on the West End of 1 South, this unit has 13 beds in individual rooms, which serve the most serious medical/surgical patients.
• Ladies –Thursday evenings 6:00-7:00 @ the church. Subject: Philippians.
• Men’s Gospel of John Manuscript Study – 6:00-7:00 on Mondays @ Dave Park’s Place
• Men – Men’s Fraternity Wednesday mornings, Sept. 21 @ 6:00 a.m.  Coffee & donuts provided.
• Anybody – C.S. Lewis Reading Group, Tuesday evenings, 7:00, Fellowcopter Pad (ask Pastor)
• It’s a Feast. It’s supposed to be!
  Our traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Saturday, Nov. 12 @ 5:00 (details to follow; looking for volunteers to harvest our sweet potatoes for this event; talk to Bruce if interested)
• Please check coat rack in foyer for your jackets, sweaters, etc. Will dispose of this week if items are not claimed.

God can orchestrate evil into a symphony of glory.

God can orchestrate evil into a symphony of glory. ~ Sam Storms

Ladies First, Story Five

A Word about Today’s Message: Rated PG-13

The story of Tamar and Judah is anything but antiseptic. Don’t be shocked or offended by what we are going to read/discuss, for this is the Word of God.

This story should elicit some questions, challenging our  ideas about who God uses to bring about His purposes.It’s Always Time to Renew Our Minds to More Deeply Experience and Appreciate God’s Saving Mercy and Grace;The Story of Judah and Tamar Should Shake Out the Cobwebs of Complacency…

… and inspire us to awe and wonder at the brilliance of Jesus’ mission/journey which began before the foundations of the earth (please read Ephesians 1:3-10) and is yet to be completed (please read Revelation 21-22).

This story of salvation contains all stories.

When I was a grade school kid, I read a series of books entitled something like: You Were There with …

These stories transported the reader back to historically significant settings with George Washington, Molly Pitcher, Ben Franklin, Davy Crockett, Jim Bridger, Harriet Tubman and on and on. I loved the vicarious nature of how these stories were woven for the reader’s imagination to enter into a past reality.

The Holy Scriptures are also “You Were There with…” stories, except this time the reality isn’t imaginary. Every story we’ve read in this “Ladies First” series subsumes our own lives, past-present-future, which is why this story of Tamar is both intriguing and difficult. In keeping with Eve, Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah, Tamar is desperate to achieve ends by whatever means. And in keeping with these other stories, hers REQUIRES mercy and grace pointing to Jesus in order that her sins might be forgiven and her life redeemed.

You were there along that roadside to Timnah. So was I. So was Jesus. Feel free to ask Him about it. (Romans 3)

News & Announcements

• Advocate Bromenn Partners in Prayer for October – Critical Care Unit (CCU) Located on the West End of 1 South, this unit has 13 beds in individual rooms, which serve the most serious medical/surgical patients.
• Ladies –Thursday evenings 6:00-7:00 @ the church. Subject: Philippians.
• Men’s Gospel of John Manuscript Study – 6:00-7:00 on Mondays @ Dave Park’s Place
• Men – Men’s Fraternity Wednesday mornings, Sept. 21 @ 6:00 a.m.  Coffee & donuts provided.
• 4:00 Today! Fall Festival 2011!
  If you can, bring an abundant dish to share for this classic potluck dinner. Students, just bring your appetites and friends. Church will provide meat and drink! Maps/directions in foyer. Or put 1861 Country Road 400N Congerville, IL 61729 in your GPS.
• Please check coat rack in foyer for your jackets, sweaters, etc. Will dispose of if not claimed.