For God’s people, November is the month for Thanksgiving! This is far more than a special day on the calendar. The Bible urges us to live a life of thanksgiving each day. Being thankful to God for all of His blessings is truly a mark of the Christian. In the Sunday’s leading up to the holiday, SFC will look at four biblical ways to express your thanksgiving to the Lord during this season of the year.  To give us a foundation, we will use Psalm 100 – a song of praise to God as our Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer.

There are at least four ways that Psalm 100 instructs us to praise and worship God. Some may be a little scary to those who are not used to joyously expressing praise, but I encourage you not to be afraid!

1. Don’t Be Afraid to Shout Praise to the Lord. (Sunday, Oct. 30)

The Bible says, “Make a joyful shout to the LORD” (Ps. 100:1). In the Bible, shouting is associated with great achievement or joy. Joshua told Israel to march around Jericho for six days and on the seventh day to lift a great shout. When they did, the walls fell down (Josh. 6).  When you are thanking and praising God, don’t be afraid to be a little loud or simply vocal. God loves to hear our praises.

2. Don’t Be Afraid to Serve the Lord with Gladness. (Sunday, Nov. 6)

“Serve the LORD with gladness” (Ps. 100:2). Gladness means mirth, gaiety and happiness. No service to the Lord, whether great or small, should be done grudgingly. Sincere and true delight in service to God should accompany our words and deeds of worship. When you are serving the Lord, don’t be afraid to do it with a glad heart—and don’t be afraid to smile!

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Come into the Lord’s Presence. (Sunday, Nov. 13)

“Come before His presence with singing” (Ps. 100:2). God calls us to come into His presence privately each day and together in corporate worship. “Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice” (Ps. 55:17).  It was said of the fledgling New Testament church that they met daily in the temple for teaching from the Word, fellowship, worship and praise. Little wonder that Hebrews 10:25 begs us not to fail to regularly assemble with other believers in thanksgiving, hearing the Word and worship.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Get to Know the Lord. (Sunday, Nov. 20)

The rest of Psalm 100:3 says, “Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture” (emphasis added). The psalmist calls the people to recognize and “know” God’s words, works and ways.  God wants us to know that He is Jehovah God and we are not, that He is the Creator and we are His creatures and that we are His sheep and He is our Shepherd. The heart-longing of every godly person is to get to know God more intimately.

We will conclude this series with the Community Thanksgiving Service featuring Bethel Mountain Blue Grass Band at 6pm on Sunday evening, November 20^th at Silverton Assembly of God Church. Don’t forget to bring a pie!

“Community” is a buzzword today. It is overused, misused, confused and rather annoying at times. I used to think it seemed pretty elementary, but when done biblically, I find it much more complicated.

If asked, we probably all would have a slightly different idea of what good community looks like. Personally, I’ve had a few misconceptions about what constitutes community, one being the idea that everyone should be “best friends.”

When I have pictured good community in the past, I usually think of myself in a group of really great friends. We get together on an autumn evening, have a cookout, talk about the “deep stuff,” all the while making light of the greater mysteries of life.

Obviously, in this scenario of good community my happiness is very important. If I am experiencing true community, I know that I am pleased with the way things are going. My friends are always looking out for me, I feel supported, and I am comfortably content.

Over time, I have realized I was wrong about what constitutes true community. I have decided that one of the best, and most difficult, ways to live in community is to spend time with people who are not exactly like me. Knowing the way God works, it is most likely that he doesn’t encourage fellowship with one another for the sole purpose of our own satisfaction. He probably has something for us to learn through community.

For instance, in Romans 12:4-5, it talks about how believers are all part of the same body, but we all have different roles. We have each been given gifts that we are to use for God’s glory. As believers who are striving toward the same goal, we should appreciate one another’s gifts. Instead of thinking that everyone should do things the way that we would, we are to appreciate the diversity that God has placed within the body.

Once I realized this beautiful aspect of community, I was content. Then I found Ephesians 4:2-3.

St. Paul is talking to the Ephesians about being united as a body. He urges them to recognize each other’s individual callings. He also tells them to “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (NIV).”

I am very good at knowing when others need to make an effort to be humble or patient. I can point out when someone should be better at bearing with me in love. And, honestly, the Lord often convicts me about playing my part as well. But what hit me when reading this passage was the command to “make every effort.” I may be completely justified in the fact that I do just enough, but have I done all I can to be united with my brothers and sisters?

Perhaps the Bible so often encourages us to love one another and to be united because it helps us take the focus off ourselves.

I cannot control how other people respond to me. I cannot make them be what they should. All I can do is what I have been asked. And uncomfortably for me, I have been asked to do a lot. I am asked to get my attitude right, no matter what the other person is doing. I am to love at all times. This love for others – whether or not they love me back – is part of my responsibility in encouraging biblical community.

Part of what community teaches us is to slowly and painfully begin to think about others, to forgive others, to bear with one another. Taking the focus off ourselves is part of living in community.

Too often I cocoon myself within my community. I use my desire for fellowship with other believers as an excuse to ignore those who do not believe the words of Jesus. Isn’t this the opposite of what we are supposed to be doing as a biblical community?

Community is less about a great group of people who can make me feel loved and important, and more about how I can make an effort to love those around me, and in turn, how together we can show God’s love to those around us.

by Pastor Bob Henry

Throughout the “Posture and Practice” sermon series Pastor Bob has commented, quoted or taught principles out of several different books.  If you have followed the series, you may have been interested in further study.  Below are a couple of recommended readings that may challenge your thinking, but help you see more clearly how you and SFC can work to make visible the Kingdom of God now.

“Naked Spirituality: A Life with God in 12 Simple Words” by Brian McLaren is not your typical book on spiritual disciplines.  In this book, McLaren presents four spiritual “seasons”—simplicity, complexity, perplexity, and harmony—accompanied by 12 prayer practices. Each practice, described as “simple, doable, and durable,” is rooted in a single word (e.g. here, thanks, sorry, help, why, yes, behold).  Very different from McLaren’s other work, this book gives the “insider” and “outsider” direction, biblical wisdom, and at times tough questions to ask.  Pastor Bob quoted from this book in his sermon on “Wholeness” and will teach from it more this Sunday in his sermon on “Community.”

For those who have read the bible for years, or for those just beginning, “The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read the Bible” by Scot McKnight is a breath of fresh air.  McKnight calls Christians to a way of reading the Bible that leads beyond old debates and denominational battles. It calls Christians to stop taming the Bible and to let it speak anew for a new generation.  A great deal of what Pastor Bob has been trying to convey in the “Posture and Practice” sermon series has relied on having new eyes to see scripture.  This book will help you see anew!

On various occasions I have had people in my life ask me, “Do you really believe that?” Usually prior to my answer they have concluded that I do. Yet what makes them wonder? Not often is it because they have allowed me to argue my point or debate the issue, because, let’s face it, most people want to avoid that as much as discussing their political views. Instead, they quietly, from a distance, take note of what I believe through the way I live my life – never asking me a thing.

I think we all can relate. Living our beliefs can often be uncomfortable. I don’t remember Jesus saying, “I have come so that you will have belief.” Rather, I am pretty sure Jesus said, “I have come so that you might have life.” This is just one of the fundamental errors I have come to recognize in modern Christianity.

Actually, we all have birthed many false or preconceived ideas about Jesus without even knowing it. One of the biggest errors is that many people define Christianity almost solely by belief. Ask any Christian denomination, and they will be quick to tell you what they believe Christianity is and is not. However, I don’t think belief was ever meant to be an end.

John 20:31 says, “But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” By believing, we may have life? Now, I am not saying belief is not important, it just isn’t the end. Instead, belief is a portal by which we enter the life Jesus intended.

In its simplest form, the word disciple means to live like I do. Jesus told his disciples to teach people to live his way. Here enters the problem for most of us. You and I must admit we fail to do this in our faith communities.

We do not train for living but for indoctrination. It is all about learning “the system” and having the “right” answer. Where is the life?

Throughout the years, this has caused me great frustration – knowing a lot about Jesus, but seemingly not able to find him anywhere. Sadly, this is a consistent testimony of many people you and I know.

Remember the first Christians? They weren’t called Christians at all; they were called “The Way” (Acts 9:2). You and I tend to romanticize the early church; however, it was a complex and rather messy time. Thousands were being converted, without official books or teachers, meaning almost every early Christian could easily have been discipling 50 people! They loved one another in such a way that the wealthy believers sold their possessions to help the poor believers.

Yet, how often do we find ourselves arguing about what they taught and believed? If we want to know what they believed, we should start by examining how they lived. Their own neighbors got anxious and tried to shut them down by stoning them, throwing them in prison, robbing them, and even killing them. Not over just doctrine but rather their lifestyle.

We don’t realize how much their neighbors were also in awe of them. Why? Because these early Christians rejoiced in spite of all the persecution. Can you imagine giving someone a beating and they turn around and say, “Yeah, bring it on!”

What are you and I to do with that? These early Christians were not made known by mere doctrines, but by the radical way they lived their lives. People do not seem to have a problem with beliefs until others start living them out loud in the world.

Maybe you and I should take some time to examine how we live. Do you think we would find our neighbors in awe of our lives? We might, if we worked at demonstrating who Jesus is to our neighbors and helping them learn how to follow him instead of being quick to spout out our peculiar doctrines and judgments.

You and I might just find ourselves opening our homes to the needy, giving to the poor, sharing our possessions with the less fortunate, praising God and enjoying the favor of all people, much like the early Christians (Acts 2:42-47).

The questions now being addressed would be remarkably different and far more powerful and effective than a debate about what we believe. In the end, we might just find the “life” that Jesus came to give us.

This week Pastor Bob will begin a six-Sunday sermon series on the Posture and Practice of Silverton Friends Church.  He will begin by taking us back to the roots of Salvation history and end with how God invites everyone everywhere into the best possible way to live.

If you have wanted a kick-start to understanding the role of the church as a harbinger of the Kingdom of God and what part YOU play – then don’t miss the next 6 Sundays!

Septemeber 18:  Roots (Looking Back)  Seeing ourselves in a long line of generations taking part in the endless conversation between God and people.

September 25: Journey (Moving Forward) What does it look like for us to live out the future reality today?

October 2: Wholeness [Gazing Inward] Looking at all of life as spiritual, and that all of our fears, failures, and brokeness can be restored and made whole.

October 9: Community [Practicing Withward]  How we value the image of God in all people, everywhere. Created to “LIVE DEEPLY” with one another.

October 16: Serving [Moving Outward] The incarnational aspects of the church and its presence in our world and community of Silverton.

October  23: Celebration [Focused Upward]  Living the way God intended – all life is sacred!

We are excited about SFC Sunday School! How about you?

This Sunday (Sept. 11) is Education Sunday at SFC.  We will begin our morning at 9:30 am in the Sanctuary with Morning Exercises (singing and celebrating) together!  Children will be introduced to their teachers and rooms, and adults will here a brief description of the new classes offered (see below). All classes will begin promptly at 9:40am.  We look forward to you joining us this Sunday as we celebrate Christian Education at our church and school!

During the worship service (10:45am) we will be recognizing our new Sunday School teachers, Silverton Christian School teachers, and all teachers who serve in our local communities.

Adult Bible Study Opportunities:

Join George and Louise Carver in the Green Room for

Join Curtis Climer in the SCS Library for

DREAMS IN THE BIBLE

If you are a man, you may want to join Doug Zade in Room 5 for

THE LONE WOLF (Men’s Class)

Join Karen Williams in SFC Library for

STUDY ON COLOSSIANS

Some great thoughts on the Kingdom of God.

Over the past couple of months, Pastor Bob has quoted and taught from several books that he considers worth reading.  A number of you have asked for more information on the titles as well the possibility of using them for book studies. Below are three that were mentioned and highly recommended. Click on the picture of the book for ordering information and summaries.

In his sermon “The Treasure Hunt” the second in a series on The Kingdom of God, Pastor Bob read from Scot McKnight’s, One.Life: Jesus Calls, We Follow.  If you recall the sermon, this is where he shared the word Ubuntu from the South African culture. This was developed in McKnight’s book as he used it to explain a better understanding of the Kingdom of God.  Great for personal or group study.

In his sermon, “Kingdom Driven” the third in his series on the Kingdom of God, Pastor Bob quoted from Todd D. Hunter’s Christianity Beyond Belief . This was the book Pastor Bob recommended as an alternative to The Purpose Driven Life. Hunter says, “Our story does not start with us and our need.  It doesn’t start with our sin, mistakes and imperfections and then look forward to heaven. It starts with the perfect intention of God to have a people who love him and work with him for the sake of others.”  This would be a great book for discussion.

This last recommendation has been a part of many of Pastor Bob’s sermons including his most recent “Rest-Deprived Christianity.”  Richard Foster’s Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home has become a classic on prayer in many circles.  Pastor Bob recommends this book for those looking for encouragement in prayer and for the further study of specific types of prayer. This book is in our church library.

Our hope his that you take the time to order, download, or borrow one of these excellent sources for further study.

August 21 (after worship) will be our quarterly business meeting.  We will not be hosting a full potluck meal, instead please bring light finger foods (no dishes that need to be warmed in the ovens) to share with others.  We will grab a quick plate of food to sustain us through the meeting, and try to begin the meeting earlier than usual (approx 12:15pm).  Items on the agenda (in addition to the staff & committee reports) will include:

• Financial Update
• Approval for some recent additions to committees by the nominating committee
• Some time for input regarding the structure and timing of Sunday morning programs

Look forward to you joining us this Sunday!