SE7EN: Week 5 > To the Church in Sardis: “Wake up, smell the coffee, and strengthen what remains…”

Week #5: To the Church in Sardis: 
“Wake up, smell the coffee, and strengthen what remains…”

Seen any Unicorns Lately?

“Creativity opens us to revelation, and when our high creativity is lowered to 2%, so is our capacity to see angels, to walk on water, to walk with unicorns. In the act of creativity, the artist lets go the self-control which he normally clings to and is open to riding the wind. Something always happens to startle us during the act of creating, but not unless we let go our adult intellectual control and become as open as little children. This means not to set aside or discard the intellect but to understand that it is not to become a dictator, for when it does we are closed off from revelation.” Madeline L’Engle

Call to Artists

Work to Be Hung Feb. 22

Bread and Wine/Body and Blood/Fullness of Emptiness

Today we take communion, a responce to Jesus’ invitation to partake of His Suffering. The Church is founded on nothing less than the reality of His Broken Body and Shed Blood. Lent gives us an opportunity to focus, focus, focus on His journey to Jerusalem (remember last year’s “Like a Flint”), the Triumphal Entry, the Upper Room, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Trial, the Via De La Rosa, Golgotha, the Garden Tomb, and the Fullness of the Emptiness.

Jacob’s Well is blessed to have so many wonderful fine artists in our family. This Lenten season I hope to include the gifts of our artists in the services, just as we did with the musical talents during Advent. Therefore…

…painters, sculptors, photographers; this is a call to you to provide works to adorn the sanctuary during Lent, works that you believe reflect the Lord’s Passion and Victory. With each work please include a brief artist’s statement as to your inspiration and intent. Ideally, we hang about ten works of art. Interested? See Pastor.

Prayer gathering this Wednesday:

• 7:00 @ the church: Advocate Bromenn Partners in Prayer February – Critical Care Unit
• A Little Night Magic!
  Sat., Feb. 11, Valentine’s Dinner for Couples
  See Harvey for Tickets and Details
• Summer in the USA!
  Lord-willing, we will once again host Basque students next summer. If you want to play a part, pray a part, or help plan a part, please let Bob V. know.
• First comes love, then comes marriage…
  A Weekend to Remember
  March 30-April 1 @ The Marriott Uptown Normal
  Derek and Abigail leading the charge; see them
• A Wedding to Remember
  Leah Bauersfeld & Dan Megli
  March 31, 1:00 p.. @ Calvary Methodist, Normal
• Why Live the Gospel Among the Navajo?
  The Navajo Christian Foundation is a burning shaft of light in a place and among a people who dwell in deep darkness. Gazing at the stars in Dilkon, AZ is to have your soul pierced by the amazing night sky. The darkness is profound, but it permits more stars to shine. Imagine yourself with a team of Jakesters, loving the Light.

Next week:

#6 of 7: What Jacob’s Well can learn from…The Church at Philadelphia > Patience and Open Doors

SE7EN: Week 4 > To the Church in Thyatira: “Simple, Uncompromising Faith.”

Week #4: To the Church in Thyatira:
“Simple, Uncompromising Faith”

“Hold On”

Some passages in Revelation are so symbolic as to demand very, very careful study and application. There is some of that in today’s letter to the church in Thyatira. But let us not fail to see the forest for the trees; Christ is saying to them to keep their faith in Him pure and unadulterated; they are not to let economic, cultural, or celebrity pressures dissuade them from keeping their lives and worship focused on and hoping in the Risen Christ alone. Some have fallen away… to their destruction; but those who stand firm will be rewarded with treasures that are literally (and when I say “literally,” I mean “literally”) out of this world.

The Christ Who knew men’s hearts in His earthly walk… still knows our hearts. He still calls us to hold onto Him, alone.

Call to Artists

Bread and Wine/Body and Blood/Fullness of Emptiness

Every time we take communion, we are responding to Jesus’ invitation to partake of His Suffering. The Church is founded on nothing less than the reality of His Broken Body and Shed Blood. Lent gives us an opportunity to focus, focus, focus on His journey to Jerusalem (remember last year’s “Like a Flint”), the Triumphal Entry, the Upper Room, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Trial, the Via De La Rosa, Golgotha, the Garden Tomb, and the Fullness of the Emptiness.

Jacob’s Well is blessed to have so many wonderful fine artists in our family. This Lenten season I hope to include the gifts of our artists in the services, just as we did with the musical talents during Advent. Therefore…

…painters, sculptors, photographers; this is a call to you to provide works to adorn the sanctuary during Lent, works that you believe reflect the Lord’s Passion and Victory. With each work please include a brief artist’s statement as to your inspiration and intent. Ideally, we hang about ten works of art. Interested? See Pastor.

News & Announcements:

• Prayer gathering this Wednesday: 7:00 @ the church
• Advocate Bromenn Partners in Prayer January – Cardiovascular Care Unit
• A Little Night Magic!
  Sat., Feb. 11, Valentine’s Dinner for Couples
  See Harvey for Tickets and Details
• Summer in the USA!
  Lord-willing, we will once again host Basque students next summer. If you want to play a part, pray a part, or help plan a part, please let Bob V. know.
• Weekly Soul Food:
• Women: 6:00-7:00 p.m., Thursdays @ church.
• Men: 6:00-7:00 p.m., Mondays @ Dave Park’s Place
  6:00 a.m., Wednesdays @ church (Fraternity)
• Readers: Tuesdays @ Noah pad @ 1202 Fell, B-ton. The Great Divorce brightens us @ 7:00 p.m.
• Why Live the Gospel Among the Navajo?
  The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly… They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God. Isaiah 35:1-2 God brings deserts to life, and when He does, His greatness is observed and declared. We can help this become literal for these people.

Next week:

#5 of 7: What Jacob’s Well can learn from…The Church at Thyatira > Wake Up! — and Strengthen the Things that Remain

Call to Artists: Bread and Wine/Body and Blood/Fullness of Emptiness

Every time we take communion, we are responding to Jesus’ invitation to partake of His Suffering. The Church is founded on nothing less than the reality of His Broken Body and Shed Blood. Lent gives us an opportunity to focus, focus, focus on His journey to Jerusalem (remember last year’s “Like a Flint”), the Triumphal Entry, the Upper Room, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Trial, the Via De La Rosa, Golgotha, the Garden Tomb, and the Fullness of the Emptiness.

Jacob’s Well is blessed to have so many wonderful fine artists in our family. This Lenten season I hope to include the gifts of our artists in the services, just as we did with the musical talents during Advent. Therefore…

…painters, sculptors, photographers; this is a call to you to provide works to adorn the sanctuary during Lent, works that you believe reflect the Lord’s Passion and Victory. With each work please include a brief artist’s statement as to your inspiration and intent. Ideally, we hang about ten works of art. Interested? Contact Pastor Dave.