Our vision can leak over time - can't it.
Sunday Pastor Stephen reminded us where God is leading us and who He wants us to be, beginning and ending with Jesus.
Who do you say Jesus is?
Matthew 16:13-19
Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter,a] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hadesb] will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will bec] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will bed] loosed in heaven.”
Peter sees clearly who Jesus is. You are the son of God as you promised. In Jesus we find salvation.
1 Peter 2:4-5
The Living Stone and a Chosen People
4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual housea] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the living cornerstone of which the church is built on. The risen Lord and Saviour.
God placed Marion CC in this mission field.
We have a heart for this community to know Jesus and be the hands and feet of Jesus in our community as we together we Discover Jesus Value People and Build Community.
Caleb’s Voice has continued to work behind the scenes for a number of years - looking ahead, following paths, changing directions, waiting for doors to be opened, praying and discerning God's will for Marion CC into the future. Jesus gave us a promise in Matthew 16. He promised to build His church.
Listen to Pastor Stephen's sermon to hear The Word and God's vision over our mission field at Marion CC for 2024.
We finish the summer mini series with Pastor Steve bringing The Word on the last verse in Psalm 23.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
As we go through the year ahead this psalm is now printed on our heart and we can go back and spend time having it minister to us.
God is good.
God is loving
God is for us
In an unsure world God's love and goodness remains sure.
What do we ask God in our lives?
- Do we ask for the wrong things?
- How do we ask?
It’s a window into our hearts - don’t live life in our own strength.
God knows what we need.
Jesus says don’t let your hearts be troubled. It’s true for us today.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
There is a place for us in heaven - his house with the same surety as David wrote in Psalm 23.
Listen to Pastor Stephen as he leads us around the Word - link attached with worship included.
Pastor Stephen began Sunday's sermon with Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.
Pastor Stephen talked about how we have been getting the richness out of Psalm 23 by meditating over the verses and thus putting deep roots into God's Word and breathing life into Psalm 23
Then he asked us to close our eyes as he asked these questions:
Who God is and what God is like? Where does that impression come from?
Then onto the last two verses in Psalm 23
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Pastor Stephen said, there’s power in hospitality.
You’re welcome and invited to have a place at His table. Eat and be refreshed.
Good and generous God. There's comfort of knowing God has provided for me.
Connect in with Pastor Stephen's sermon in full as we continue to meditate over Psalm 23.
Last Sunday Pastor Steve shared the start of our summer series where we are looking at Psalm 23 as we begin a new year and are still in that rest, slow down stage of the summer holidays, slowly preparing for the new year to start. Steve reminded us of what the writer of Psalm 23:1-3 says about rest and still waters and how this can help us throughout the year ahead to take time to rest and be in God’s presence daily.
Pastor Sonya unpacked verse 4 and how we can prepare for the valley moments that we will face in the year ahead.
It would be nice to live in a world where there were no hard times or difficulties and we would certainly like to all stay on the mountain top experiences and not visit the valley experiences at all. But we all know that this is not the case and most of the time, the only way to the mountaintop is to go through the valley. Circumstances might lead us into the valley, but it is our choice as to whether or not we stay in the valley.
The You tube link is attached so you can hear Pastor Sonya speak the Word on the Valley moments in life and ways to get victory over the valleys we face in our lives, the unexpected and unwanted moments, as we look to a New Year ahead; let’s get some tools in our tool box to tackle the year with the Good Shepherd by our side
Psalm 23 (NIV)
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
Welcome to the New Year Everyone,
We have embarked on a new mini series with Pastor Stephen Scott looking at Psalm 23.
Written by David - he looked at how Gods hand had been on him even when he was a lowly shepherd.
David had good times and bad times in his life. He had a heart for God but we see that God stuck by him through David’s failures
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Catchup on Pastor Stephen's sermon and hear him unpack David's Psalm and the Word of God that is still relevant to our lives today as we embark on 2024.
Rest is important - Rest with God
Trust God
God provides what we need
Begin each day with God
Join Pastor Stephen Scott as he spoke the Word on Sunday - Advent Week 3 - Joy
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
The birth of Jesus brought hope and healing to the entire world. For this, we can celebrate with JOY!
Welcome back Pastor Stephen - wonderful to hear about your recent work with other ministries and your reflections on meeting Christians from around the work, seeing and hearing what God is doing around the world as we delve into the mini series 'Stewardship'
Catch on Sunday 12 November 10am service on You Tube - link attached.
Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent and Pastor Steve shared about the HOPE/Prophesy Candle.
If you missed it please catch up on You Tube.
The service is in 2 parts
Plus watch the joyous celebration of praise to God through worship with the MCC Music Team.
There may or may not have been a live and speaking Christmas Tree in the morning service.
Thanks Ashley for bringing the Word on Sunday. We appreciate you for all you do.
Connect in with the MCC Youtube channel and you'll be able to see and hear Ashley's sermon, which is the last in the mini series on Stewardship.
Some headlines to follow along with ...
Shine Brightly
You are the light of the world - the light of Jesus is in us and through us.
- Confess sins and asking for forgiveness
- Live a life worthy of our Savior
- Love one another
Shine Widely
Let your light shine
- Shine His light in on communities
- How widely we shine matters
- Tell our testimony
- Answer common questions
- Show our faith to those around us
- Be prepared to face criticism or loss for our faith
Shine for God
- Our motives matter