News & Announcements for Sunday, September 8, 2024
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
WEDNESDAY PRAYER – WEDNESDAYS @ Noon
Please join us on Wednesdays at noon for a time of prayer in the sanctuary as we bring our needs before our loving God.
MANY VOICES – ONE SONG COMMUNITY WORSHIP SERVICE
Join us for a community worship service on Sunday, September 8 at 7:00pm at Randolph Memorial Baptist Church. Come together with our brothers and sisters throughout the Madison Heights community as we worship God together. Donations will be accepted to benefit Helping Hands Ministry. We look forward to seeing you there!
TOWN HALL MEETING – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 4PM
The Session has called a Town Hall meeting for Sunday, September 15th at 4 pm. All active participants and members of the church are encouraged to attend. We will be providing an update on the state of the church and what we see ahead of us. Please be sure to attend.
MISSION FOCUS FOR SEPTEMBER: AMHERST COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Our mission focus for the month of September is Amherst County Habitat for Humanity. We have partnered with Amherst County Habitat for Humanity for many years. Recently, we helped fund three houses in Amherst and provided volunteer support for two new homes off Coolwell Road. Learn more about Amherst County Habitat for Humanity in this month’s newsletter. You may make a donation by specifying Habitat for Humanity on your check memo line.
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September 2024 Pastor’s Corner — Did He Really Mean That?
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 5:17-20 ESV
Arguably the greatest sermon of all time is also the most famous, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew 5-7. It is an incredible message that outlines the nature and character of the Kingdom of God, and just how different it is from the powers and kingdoms of the world. It is a fairly straightforward and simple message, but it has generated enormous controversy in terms of how to interpret and apply it.
There are those who believe that the Sermon on the Mount is meant to show just how impossible it is for a person to live up to the standards of God’s Law. As Jesus says in Matthew 5:20, “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Perfect perfection is what it takes to make it into heaven, and the only perfectly perfect person was Jesus Christ. Our salvation is by faith in him alone, not through our works, and just in case you think you can work your way into heaven, Jesus makes it clear in this sermon that we never can. It’s not just the act of murder that’s wrong, it’s even calling someone an idiot. It’s not enough to love your neighbor, you have to love your enemy also. According to this view, the purpose of the sermon is to illustrate our depravity and need for a Savior.
Others see Jesus describing the ideal nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. It’s a Utopian vision of what could be and what will be when Jesus returns and consummates the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. It’s certainly not the way the world works right now, but it’s what we can aspire and hope to experience one day. After all, “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matt. 7:14 ESV) According to this view, the sermon was meant to inspire us to look forward to the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven… eventually.
But what if Jesus meant what he said? Not some of it, but all of it? Not eventually, but right now? Not to say what we have to do to earn our salvation, but to show how to live because of our salvation? What if, because of the salvation made possible by and given to us through Jesus Christ, we set aside anger and lust, forgiving others as we’ve been forgiven, loving our enemies as much as our neighbors, followed Jesus sincerely instead of ostentatiously, trusted in the provision of the Lord instead of what we gain by our own hands? What if we followed the narrow path into depths of living of which we can only dream, the path along which Jesus invites us to follow him?
After all, the key to “unlocking” the Sermon on the Mount is found in Matthew 7:24: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” The solid rock that secures our faith isn’t just believing in Jesus, it comes in doing what he said, and what he said was the message of the Sermon on the Mount. If we truly want to change the world, it starts by taking Jesus seriously and doing what he said.
Join us this fall as we walk through the Sermon on the Mount and follow Jesus along the narrow path that leads to more and better life than we’ve ever dreamed of.
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” —Matt. 7:24-27 ESV
Blessings,
Rev. David Garrison
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News & Announcements for Sunday, September 1, 2024
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
WEDNESDAY PRAYER – WEDNESDAYS @ Noon
Please join us on Wednesdays at noon for a time of prayer in the sanctuary as we bring our needs before our loving God.
MANY VOICES – ONE SONG COMMUNITY WORSHIP SERVICE
Join us for a community worship service on Sunday, September 8 at 7:00pm at Randolph Memorial Baptist Church. Come together with our brothers and sisters throughout the Madison Heights community as we worship God together. Donations will be accepted to benefit Helping Hands Ministry. We look forward to seeing you there!
TOWN HALL MEETING – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 4PM
The Session has called a Town Hall meeting for Sunday, September 15th at 4 pm. All active participants and members of the church are encouraged to attend. We will be providing an update on the state of the church and what we see ahead of us. Please be sure to attend.
MISSION FOCUS FOR SEPTEMBER: AMHERST COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Our mission focus for the month of September is Amherst County Habitat for Humanity. We have partnered with Amherst County Habitat for Humanity for many years. Recently, we helped fund three houses in Amherst and provided volunteer support for two new homes off Coolwell Road. Learn more about Amherst County Habitat for Humanity in this month’s newsletter. You may make a donation by specifying Habitat for Humanity on your check memo line.
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News & Announcements for Sunday, August 25, 2024
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
WEDNESDAY PRAYER – WEDNESDAYS @ Noon
Please join us on Wednesdays at noon for a time of prayer in the sanctuary as we bring our needs before our loving God.
MISSION FOCUS FOR AUGUST: AMHERST CARES
Our mission focus for the month of August is Amherst Cares. Amherst Cares or “The Backpacking Program” is our mission focus for this month. Started in September 2010, Amherst Cares is the collaborative effort of school, community, churches, and individuals to provide weekend, holiday, and summer food to the neediest students in the Amherst County School System. You may make a donation to this special ministry by specifying Amherst Cares on your check memo line.
DOWNLOAD THE CHURCH CENTER APP
Scan the QR code below with the camera on your smartphone to download our app! In the app are the church calendar, small group and volunteer opportunities, the online church directory, and more.
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News & Announcements for Sunday, August 18, 2024
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
GLEANING FOR THE WORLD – WEDNESDAY @ 8:30 am
Please join us in the parking lot of the church for carpooling. We will return to the church around 11:30 am.
WEDNESDAY PRAYER – WEDNESDAYS @ Noon
Please join us on Wednesdays at noon for a time of prayer in the sanctuary as we bring our needs before our loving God.
MISSION FOCUS FOR AUGUST: AMHERST CARES
Our mission focus for the month of August is Amherst Cares. Amherst Cares or “The Backpacking Program” is our mission focus for this month. Started in September 2010, Amherst Cares is the collaborative effort of school, community, churches, and individuals to provide weekend, holiday, and summer food to the neediest students in the Amherst County School System. You may make a donation to this special ministry by specifying Amherst Cares on your check memo line.
DOWNLOAD THE CHURCH CENTER APP
Scan the QR code below with the camera on your smartphone to download our app! In the app are the church calendar, small group and volunteer opportunities, the online church directory, and more.
Read more...
News & Announcements for Sunday, August 11, 2024
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
WEDNESDAY PRAYER – WEDNESDAYS @ Noon
Please join us on Wednesdays at noon for a time of prayer in the sanctuary as we bring our needs before our loving God.
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB – THIS THURSDAY, JULY 18, 11AM
Please join us on Thursday, August 15 at the Depot Grille at 11:00 a.m. as we discuss the book, the little liar by Mitch Albom, an unforgettable story of truth and lies set during the Holocaust. We have such a great time eating, talking and finally discussing the book of the month. Be sure to join us for lunch at The Depot Grille, whether you’ve read the book or not!
MISSION FOCUS FOR AUGUST: AMHERST CARES
Our mission focus for the month of August is Amherst Cares. Amherst Cares or “The Backpacking Program” is our mission focus for this month. Started in September 2010, Amherst Cares is the collaborative effort of school, community, churches, and individuals to provide weekend, holiday, and summer food to the neediest students in the Amherst County School System. You may make a donation to this special ministry by specifying Amherst Cares on your check memo line.
DOWNLOAD THE CHURCH CENTER APP
Scan the QR code below with the camera on your smartphone to download our app! In the app are the church calendar, small group and volunteer opportunities, the online church directory, and more.
Read more...
News & Announcements for Sunday, August 4, 2024
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
WEDNESDAY PRAYER – WEDNESDAYS @ Noon
Please join us on Wednesdays at noon for a time of prayer in the sanctuary as we bring our needs before our loving God.
MISSION FOCUS FOR AUGUST: AMHERST CARES
Our mission focus for the month of August is Amherst Cares. Amherst Cares or “The Backpacking Program” is our mission focus for this month. Started in September 2010, Amherst Cares is the collaborative effort of school, community, churches, and individuals to provide weekend, holiday, and summer food to the neediest students in the Amherst County School System.
This program provides food for hundreds of needy students. As a result, the people in Amherst are making a connection with the message of love and caring in ways that are relevant to the present challenges in life. Amherst Cares is an advocate for our neediest students, an advocate for collaboration between our churches, and an advocate for church, school and community as well.
You may make a donation to this special ministry by specifying Amherst Cares on your check memo line.
DOWNLOAD THE CHURCH CENTER APP
Scan the QR code below with the camera on your smartphone to download our app! In the app are the church calendar, small group and volunteer opportunities, the online church directory, and more.
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August 2024 Pastor’s Corner — A Threat to Our Very Existence?
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. — 2 Cor. 4:7-12 ESV
In a few months we will have the opportunity to exercise our civic duty and vote for who serve as president of our country for the next four years, along with a slew of other national, state and local offices. Those who are running for office, regardless of party affiliation or anything else, have pretty much one message: My opponent is a threat to our very existence, so vote for me. Usually there’s a bit more nuance to that statement, but that’s the effect. However, there’s been little to no nuance about it of late. One candidate is painted as a threat to democracy, the other as a threat to your freedom. To elect the other is to choose the path of destruction of all that we hold dear. It all sounds pretty scary and dire, which is what it’s trying to do. Fear is a powerful motivator and very, very effective.
However, we are reminded in 2 Timothy 1:7 that “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ no longer need to be afraid for several reasons. First, we don’t need to be afraid because God is fully in control of all things. In the book of Job, Satan has to ask permission in order to persecute Job. In the prophets, Israel’s enemies are only allowed to attack her when God permits it. In the book of Revelation, Satan and his evil forces are bound by the Lord in what they are allowed to do. On this side of glory, there’s much we don’t understand about why God allows the things He does, but we can trust that He knows what He’s doing and that He’s always in control.
Secondly, we don’t need to be afraid because “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12) At first glance, that kind of actually seems scarier. But not when we remember two things: 1) that Jesus has already defeated the spiritual forces of evil on the cross and 2) when Jesus Christ comes back, all of the forces of evil and darkness will be eradicated completely. Evil might seem to have the advantage for a moment, but ultimately the victory has already been decided and won.
Finally, we don’t need to be afraid because the Christian exists in the ultimate win-win situation. That’s the point of the Scripture passages above and below. In the passage from 2 Corinthians, Paul reminds us that no matter how bad things might get, we will not be crushed, nor despairing, nor forsaken, nor destroyed because Jesus is with us, strengthening and encouraging us at all times. The passage below from Philippians reminds us that even if we die, we will then see Jesus face-to-face. So if we live, we become more like Jesus, and if we die we get to be with Jesus. I’m not saying it’s always going to be fun and smooth sailing, because that’s certainly not true. I am saying that we don’t need to be afraid of whatever comes our way, even if it’s suffering and especially if it’s death.
The politics of fear are powerful and effective. But when we step out of the fear cycle and live in the peace and security we have in Jesus Christ, we bear witness to something far greater and stronger than fear: the amazing grace and love of God the Father, made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and made effective through the presence and ministry of the Holy Spirit. As we move through the next few months, may the grace of God comfort and strengthen all of us, reminding us that no matter the rhetoric, we don’t need to be afraid.
Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. — Phil. 1:18-24 ESV
Blessings,
Rev. David Garrison
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News & Announcements for July 28, 2024
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
WEDNESDAY PRAYER – WEDNESDAYS @ Noon
Please join us on Wednesdays at noon for a time of prayer in the sanctuary as we bring our needs before our loving God.
MISSION FOCUS FOR JUNE: DAYSTAR JUNIOR SCHOOL
Our mission focus for the month of June is Daystar Junior School in Uganda. Opened in 2015, this school is for children ages 3 to 15 years and is located in the slum areas of Kirombe Uganda, East Africa. Donations from Northminster have helped to purchase uniforms for the students, wood for new desks, and begin a 3-floor classroom building. You may make a donation to this special ministry by specifying Daystar on your check memo line.
DOWNLOAD THE CHURCH CENTER APP
Scan the QR code below with the camera on your smartphone to download our app! In the app are the church calendar, small group and volunteer opportunities, the online church directory, and more.
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News & Announcements for July 21, 2024
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
WEDNESDAY PRAYER – WEDNESDAYS @ Noon
Please join us on Wednesdays at noon for a time of prayer in the sanctuary as we bring our needs before our loving God.
JUDE NYANZI VISITING THIS MORNING
Jude Nyanzi from Daystar Junior School in Uganda is visiting with us this Sunday. God is doing some great things at Daystar, and much of that is because of your support. If you missed hearing from Jude during the Sunday School hour, he will be sharing briefly during the worship service.
MISSION FOCUS FOR JUNE: DAYSTAR JUNIOR SCHOOL
Our mission focus for the month of June is Daystar Junior School in Uganda. Opened in 2015, this school is for children ages 3 to 15 years and is located in the slum areas of Kirombe Uganda, East Africa. Donations from Northminster have helped to purchase uniforms for the students, wood for new desks, and begin a 3-floor classroom building. You may make a donation to this special ministry by specifying Daystar on your check memo line.
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