It was a good day to be in church on Sunday. It is so good to be in the presence of God as a people of faith, lifting up our voices in praise and worship to God.
Sonya read these verses at the 10am yesterday, to come and to worship, to worship from our hearts, to make a joyful noise, to bless God and each other in our singing.
Psalm 100 A psalm. For giving grateful praise. (NIV)
1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Ephesians 5:19 (NIV)
19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,
Pastor Stephen asks the question: Why is it that we want people to Meet Jesus?
Above all our hope is to get to know people, come to our church and connect with our community but most of all that they Meet Jesus for themselves.
Looking at the Gospel of John
Connect in and see Sunday's service online.
God Bless,
Church Office Team
Discovering Jesus Valuing People Building Community
Welcome to Sunday's sermon - which was a little different last Sunday because we concluded MarionLIFE Community Services month with a Panel discussion about MarionLIFE - who they are and what they do.
The mission here at MCC - Discovering Jesus | Valuing People | Building Community
Our connections with MarionLIFE from it's inception to it's place in our community now, are reflected in our mission here at MCC.
There are many ways that we can be involved - the hands and feet - wherever God leads you.
Catch up or rewatch the Worship, Praise, Communion and MarionLIFE Panel from Sunday 30 June 10am Service.
Next week we have Aaron Gully preaching on The Word, so come along inperson or online to hear what he has to share.
Blessings,
Church Office Team
Sunday’s 45th birthday celebration services was a day of celebration and honouring God for His faithfulness, goodness and provision over the past 45 years and acknowledging our trust in Him that He is not done with us yet and that there is an exciting plan the He has for us into our future.
Thank you to all involved in leading the services and please, if you missed Sunday morning catch it up on the YouTube Channel as you definitely want to hear the stories and reflections shared, honouring God, giving thanks for His faithfulness, goodness and provision.
Pastor Stephen wraps up the different ways we can grow in the final sermon in the Greenhouse Christianity Series.
Pastor Stephen asks you : How important it is to spend time in God’s presence?
John 15:1-17
The Vine and the Branches
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunesa] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
Abide: Make your home in me - How do we grow in our relationship with God?
To grow as Christians - to produce fruit - being fruitful spiritually - in us and through us
God is the gardener
- Pruning in our lives - God has the best for us - so we can be more fruitful
- What things in our lives are keeping us from being fruitful for God.
- Depend on God - Abide in Him
Abide in Him: A life of obedience to Him
- a branch connected to Jesus
- Identity
- Intimacy
- Obedience
Connect in with Sunday's service - soak in the worship and praise, communion with Janet and then the sermon with Pastor Stephen.
Did you miss our special combined service at Marion Church of Christ for the Long Weekend with Ashley bringing the Word on Psalm 73.
Thank you to the Music Team - Sonya, Pete, Andy and Erin - a beautiful time of worship and praise.
Great news shared also from MarionLIFE Community Services as we celebrate and honour MarionLIFE Month in June.
We invite you to connect in with the youtube link attached.
The Bible speaks comprehensively about how we give our money and processions - over 2,000 references.
- Giving Invigorates our spiritual life
- Our relationship with money can be a spiritual killer.
So how do we grow in our faith?
How can this gift be used for good?
Joyful giving - refreshes us and others.
Connect in with Pastor Stephen as he brings the Word and looks at the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea.
Proverbs 11 24:25
One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Greenhouse Sermon Series
It has been a busy month in MAY. Here are the titles of the Sermons that you can catchup on.
5 May Greenhouse Gathering
12 May Greenhouse Bible
19 May Greenhouse Prayer
26 May Greenhouse Evangelism
These services including worship, communion and sermon are found on the Marion Church of Christ YOUtube channel.
The link is attached. Go to each date and have a listen.
New Sermon Series : Greenhouse Christianity
Did you miss Pastor Stephen's Scott's sermon on Sunday.
Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
How are you doing in your walk with Jesus?
Maybe we should ask this more often.
Pastor Stephen explores this new sermon series - so connect in and listen to what he has to share.
Why Jesus came …
Isaiah 61
Message of hope to captives
The world needs Jesus. Hope.
Luke 4:14-21
Jesus was announcing that he was the anointed one.
What is your mission?
What is our mission?
Discovering Jesus
Valuing People
Building Community
⚫️ Good News
Jesus died for our sins. Reaching out to us. Good news for all.
⚫️ Freedom
We all fall short without the Good news. Jesus is freedom. We need God.
The spirit of freedom is caught not taught.