June 29, 2008 by PastorDave.

#317, Make Disciples, Pastor David McIntosh, Sunday 06-29-2008

Text: Matthew 28: 18-20

INTRODUCTION:

• I sat in this chair some weeks ago and told you we were going to take the next four weeks and talk about us, who we are, who we are becoming and where we are going.
• We began by letting the words of Jesus speak into our lives, first He told us to Honor our parents, (Donna Goss gave a great testimony of how honoring her mother lead to her mother receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior).
• Next, Jesus told us to despise not the little ones, and men were huddled down at this altar and encouraged to write, call and take out on a date their sons and daughters.
• Last week Jesus told us to honor marriage and we saw not only did God create marriage, have in interest in marriage, but also he laid out a perfect design for every marriage to understand and follow.
• Today we are again going to hear words that Jesus spoke. These words give common purpose to every Christian home. But instead of beginning with Jesus’ words we are going to end with them.

QUOTE:

“The common response to the spiritual development of children, then, is for parents to seek the best help they can find and then get out of the way.” -George Barna-

TRANSITION:

I would like to ask you to take these next few minutes and come on a journey with me. In order to benefit from the journey you will have to take all your pre conceived notions about family life and any conclusions you have already made about family life and Christianity and lay them aside.

1. In this journey we will simply allow the bible to speak to us all by itself, about what should be happening inside a Christian home.
2. I have some helpers this morning that will be assisting us on our journey.
3. The journey will have four stops and each stop gives incredibly specific instructions for our lives. So specific you may get uncomfortable, but let me assure you the word of God wants you and your home to be prosperous and successful!

DEUTERONOMY 6:6-9

1. 1st responsibility is to place God’s words in our hearts. (impress them inside yourself)
2. Teach with diligence these words to your children.
3. TALK ABOUT THEM (sit at home, go about your day, evening & morning)
4. Keep them before your eyes by having the visibly on display in your house. (example)

PSALM 78:5-7

1. Father’s are commanded to declare to their children God’s law (God’s ways)
2. Specific purpose: Next generation would be spiritually prepared (3 generations-parents, children, grandchildren)
3. The need for the next generation:
4. Hope in God (growing faith in God)
5. Not Forget His works (healthy fear of the Lord)
6. Obey His commands (living relationship with Jesus Christ)

PROVERBS 6:20-23

1. Specific responsibilities; first for the parents
2. Father’s commands & mother’s teachings (mom & dad are command here by the word of God to have a plan for their children)
3. If I asked your children, what does your dad stand for? What is your mom teaching you? What would our children respond?
4. Second, responsibility of the children (impress them on your heart and around your neck)
5. They will lead you, keep you and speak to you as you go on in life.
6. See how important it is to have commands & laws that we instill in our children!
7. They work together like a lamp & light to guide in an ever growing dark world. (show oil lamp picture)

MATTHEW 28:18-20

1. Now we get to the words of Jesus. Because He posses all authority we are told to do something.
2. Make disciples (of all nations): Disciple = disciplined learner
3. TEACHING THEM (know God)
4. TO OBEY (see it modeled, understand what it means to them, have questions answered, see benefits and consequences)
5. EVERYTHING
6. I COMMANDED YOU
7. Our homes should be Learning Centers; where everyone is leaning to obey everything Jesus commanded.
8. The great commission is simply an extension of what should be happening in our homes as Christians.
9. If we are purposing to follow God’s ways for our homes then when we get to the Great Commission to go and teach people to obey Jesus, we & are children will be experts!

QUOTE:

“After all, God never told His followers to take over the world through force or intelligence. He simply told us to have children and then raise them to honor God in all they do. Therefore, you might logically conclude that bearing and raising children is not only our most enduring legacy but also one of our greatest personal responsibilities.” -George Barna-

CLOSING

• According to the Word of God, parents have a simple but deeply profound responsibility to evangelize & disciple their children.
• The local church should be and intimate and valuable partner.
• Israel cried for deliverance from the bondage of Egypt, God sent a Moses, but he was a baby.
• When Israel needed a judge to replace a corrupt leader named Eli, God sent Samuel, but he was a young boy.
• When the whole world needed a Savior, God sent Jesus, but he was a child.
• I was a young Christian, but hungry, and growing in the Word and ways of God. I was about to be put into a position of leadership in a church and I wondered what God was looking for. I came upon a Scripture that changed the focus of my life, because I was focusing all my attention on church & ministry, but just as I was about to be put into a position of leadership I read God’s perspective on it:
• 1 Timothy 3:4, 5 – “He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)
• I began to understand that perhaps God’s church is struggling because we have not focused on our families.
• God determines potential leaders by what is happening at home. Do we?

ALTAR

• Invite up all young people 18 and under. Here is a generation that needs to be disciple… that begins at home.
• Who will teach them, who will model it for them, who will answer their questions, bring them understanding, who will love them with the love of the Lord.
• Who will join these young people and say I want to turn my home into a discipleship center for the Lord, no matter who lives there!

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June 29, 2008 by admin.

JOIN US TODAY

• WORSHIP and THE WORD at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM
  • Nursery, 4s and 5s, Kids 4 Christ
  • We will honor our high school and college graduates.
  • Pastor Dave McIntosh, “Make Disciples” (Matthew 28:18-20)
• CHRISTIAN EDUCATION at 10:00 AM
  • Adults meet in the Youth Chapel for the summer.
• LIFELINE INFORMATIONAL MEETING, 1:30 PM, Sanctuary
• KIDS’ FUN FEST, 2:00-7:00 PM, Church Lawn
  • Join us for a great time of fun, fellowship, and outreach!

JOIN US THIS WEEK

• MONDAY 7:00 PM—Prayer
• TUESDAY
  • 7:00 PM—Prayer (Specifically for our church as we grow and expand)
  • 7:30 PM—Christian 12 Step
• WEDNESDAY
  • 5:45 PM—A.L.I.V.E. Homeschoolers Prayer
  • 6:30 PM—FAMILY NIGHT
    • Rainbows (girls & boys, 3 up to K)
    • Girls Ministries (grades K-8)
    • Royal Rangers (boys’ clubs, K-12)
    • Adults & Impact Youth Ministries
    • John Bevere DVD Series: “Honor’s Reward”
• SATURDAY
  • 12:00 PM—Ministry of Joy Adult Fellowship
  • 7:00 PM—All-Church Prayer

ANNOUNCING

• VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL REGISTRATION continues in the foyer. We’re going to have an exciting week (July 14-18) at Avalanche Ranch. Stop by the VBS table to register your children who have completed Kindergarten through 6th grade.
• MINISTRY OF JOY ADULT FELLOWSHIP will be held this Saturday, July 5, in the Fellowship Hall from noon until 2:30. You’ll enjoy great food (please bring a dish to share if you plan to eat lunch with the group), fellowship, praise and worship, and more.
• OUR ROTATION WEEK IS COMING UP, July 13-20, in the Interfaith Hospitality Network. Please stop by the table in the foyer to sign up to prepare or provide a meal or to be an on-site two-hour host or overnight (sleeping) host. What a great opportunity to be a blessing! You are needed!
• ISRAEL TRIP DEPOSIT DUE: If you have signed up to go to Israel, please keep in mind that the initial deposit of $350 is due July 5.
• THANK YOU to all who attended my fundraisers. It was very helpful. I appreciate all the support I have received. I will be leaving for Australia July 5 and returning July 24. May God bless you all. –Tiffany McDonald
• FROM ELEEN BARD FOSTER CARE: Interested in becoming a foster parent? An informational meeting will be held at the New England Dream Center in Worcester on Monday, June 30, at 7:00 PM. The next training will be on July 17, 21, and 22, 4:00-9:00 PM at the Dream Center. Also, volunteers are needed for their Royal Family Kids Camp (August 18-23) which will be held in the Berkshires. Call 508-770-0511, ext. 144 for more info about either program.
• LOST AND FOUND is filling up again. There are several Bibles, umbrellas, articles of clothing, etc. that need to be claimed. The lost and found is in the hallway near the church offices.

HOMETEAMS MEETING THIS WEEK

• Christians in Action (Proiettis)—Tuesday, 7:00 PM
• Branches of Messiah (Wheelers)—Wednesday, 6:30 PM
• YACC for Young Adults (Riehles)—Thursday, 6:30 PM
• Women of Faith (Telliers)—Friday, 10:00 AM
• Pick up directions at the Welcome Center. You are invited!

CHURCH LIBRARY

• The library, located next to the Youth Chapel, is open:
• Sunday: 10:00-11:00 AM, after second service, 6:00-6:30 PM
• Wednesday: 6:15-6:30 PM and after Family Night ministries

TAKE THE LAND OFFERINGS TO DATE

• Beginning Loan Amount: $600,000
• Regular Principal Payments: 12,680
• Extra Principal Applied: 115,411
• Current Loan Balance: $471,909
• At an average $9500/month extra applied each month, the loan should be paid off by Aug 2011.

NEEDS IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• The Silva family will be relocating to Ashburnham on or before June 28. They are in need of the following items: a small dinette set, twin bedding/comforters for a boy and a girl, a kitchen utility cart, patio chairs/table, floor shelves, and a basketball hoop/stand. If you have any of these items that you could bless them with or sell to them at a reasonable price, please call them or the church office.

BULLETIN INSERTS

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June 29, 2008 by PastorDave.

In Deuteronomy 32:9 we read, “The Lord’s portion is his people.” What an incredible understanding God gives us of His heart. There is nothing that has been created that God hasn’t created. He owns everything and is the maker of all things. His portion or what belongs to Him is without measure. We learn from this Old Testament verse of scripture that God is very specific about what He wants. God wants you, “his people.” You are God’s son! You are God’s daughter! You are what God is interested in so much that He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for you. God wants to have a relationship with you every day. Today is your day to draw close to the God who loves you!

Pastor David McIntosh

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June 22, 2008 by PastorDave.

#316, Honor Marriage, Pastor David McIntosh, Sunday 06-22-2008

Text: Matthew 19:4-6

INTRODUCTION

• We are focusing our attention this month on the Christian home.
• We first looked at honoring our parents, last week turning our hearts to children and today we are going to look at marriage.
• Remember, 19 out of 20 families have no type of worship experience together outside of church.
• The foundational relationship for all of mankind, not just the spiritual health of the family, is the husband, wife relationship.

TRANSITION:

Jesus said, “Haven’t you read…that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and said, for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” -Matthew 19: 4-6-

“THE TWO WILL BECOME ONE FLESH. SO THEY ARE NO LONGER TWO BUT ONE.” -Jesus Christ- (describes the covenant between the three)

• “In marriage each one willingly offers all he has to the other.”
• “Has not the Lord made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.” -Malachi 2:15-16-

HONOR MARRIAGE

Invite Tatiana to come and we will share together for the next few minutes.

Before we begin, let me say that what we are going to share next is what we have learned and are learning even today about how the Word of God applies to marriages and is the source of a dynamic marriage for the lord.

EXPOSING THE ENEMY OF MARRIAGE

1. Because God created marriage between a man and a woman and loves marriage, the enemy hates marriage.
2. Marriage is the picture of Jesus and the Church (the enemy hates both) and marriage is the plan God created & designed for godly offspring (the enemy hates godly offspring as well).
3. So, the enemy will take God’s design for marriage and make-up a counterfeit and sell it to couples so they choose it over God’s design.
4. God’s design is shared in 1 Corinthians 11:3 – “Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
5. God speaks to us, protects us, teaches us and leads us from inside of His Perfect Design.
6. The enemy’s desire is for husbands and wives to work outside of this design.
7. This picture describes our RESPONSIBILITY to God. (show 1 Cor. 11:3)
8. This picture describes our RELATIONSHIP to God (Galatians 3: 28-29; 1 Peter 3:7)
   1. Gal. 3:28,29 – “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (value of our God designed role)
   2. 1 Peter 3:7 – “Husbands, dwell with them (wives) according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life.”
9. This is a test of our virtue (responsibility); this is picture of our value (relationship).
10. The roles of male, female, husband & wife are still our responsibility; but through the finished work of Jesus Christ all people are of equal value, have equal access to Jesus, can achieve great things for the Lord and have the potential to store up treasure in heaven equally! To that I say Amen!

THE CHALLENGE

It was challenge to me not to mix these two up in my mind. God says to renew our minds. Ladies/wives we need to understand our responsibilities and challenges that God had given us in His design.

1. Respect Him: Ephesians 5:33b – “and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”
   1. One way to respect your husband is to ask him your spiritual questions.
   2. Realize that God will use him (saved or unsaved) to give you guidance. (1 Cor. 14:35)
2. Accept Him: Confidence that God is working through him (Romans 8:28)
3. Be Grateful for Him: (1 Thess. 5:18- “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”) HERE’S HOW
   1. Giving expectations to God and taking them off your husband.
   2. Learning contentment with Godliness (Col. 3:1) growing character
4. Influence Him: Gain influence by not rehearsing past failures but by demonstrating present faithfulness in these areas:
   1. Genuine love; loyalty; servant’s heart; asking forgiveness
   2. Work on goals together with your husband
   3. Influence him by LIVING IN THE NOW LADIES!! LOVE IN THE NOW!!

HUSBANDS: We to need to understand our challenge in the responsibility that is given to us in God’s design.

1. Husbands need to understand that they are not on the top of the chain of command. As the wife is under the husband, so is the husband under Christ. We need to look up for our direction & answers.
2. We are given the responsibility to be spiritual leaders. Our wives need to experience us actually leading spiritually. This means four things:
   1. Regular times in God’s Word
   2. Faithfulness in prayer
   3. Regular church attendance
   4. Discussion of spiritual matters, followed by searching the scriptures for God’s answer.
3. Our wives need to know that they are meeting vital needs in our lives that no one else can meet. (sharing our fears, goals, heart)
4. Our wives need to know that we will listen to hear their heart. They need to know that we are making efforts to understand them.
   1. But honey, do you UNDERSTAND what I mean?
   2. Do you UNDERSTAND what I am trying to say?
   3. If our wives don’t think we will even try to understand them they will get discouraged, then lose hope, that leads to depression.

BEACH STORY

WE NEED EACH OTHER TO SUCCEED! (Genesis 2:18)

1. Husbands: It is not good for man to be alone. (thought life, work, heart, dreams)
2. Wife: I will make a helper

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June 22, 2008 by admin.

JOIN US TODAY

• WORSHIP and THE WORD at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM
  • Nursery, 4s and 5s, Kids 4 Christ
  • An offering for Benevolences will be taken today.
  • Pastor Dave McIntosh, “Honor Marriage,” Matthew 19:4-6
• CHRISTIAN EDUCATION at 10:00 AM
  • Adults meet in the Youth Chapel for the summer.
• PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY, 1:00-3:00 PM, Pastor’s office
  • For more info, contact Alice at astacy@juniper.net.
• THE TRUTH PROJECT SMALL GROUPS at 6:30 PM

JOIN US THIS WEEK

• MONDAY 7:00 PM—Prayer
• TUESDAY
  • 7:00 PM—Women’s Prayer (Prayer Room)
  • 7:30 PM—Christian 12 Step
• WEDNESDAY
  • 5:45 PM—A.L.I.V.E. Homeschoolers Prayer
  • 6:30 PM—FAMILY NIGHT
  • Rainbows (girls & boys, 3 up to K)
  • Girls Ministries (grades K-8)
  • Royal Rangers (boys’ clubs, K-12)
  • Adults & Impact Youth Ministries
  • John Bevere DVD Series: “Honor’s Reward”
  • 8:00 PM—Ice Cream Social Fundraiser (after Family Night in the Fellowship Hall)
• THURSDAY 6:30 PM—Church Board Meeting
• SATURDAY
  • 4:00 PM—African Fellowship Prayer (Onos’ home)
  • 7:00 PM—All-Church Prayer

ANNOUNCING

• VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL REGISTRATION continues in the foyer. We’re going to have an exciting week (July 14-18) at Avalanche Ranch. Stop by the VBS table to register your children who have completed Kindergarten through 6th grade.
• YOU CAN BRING IN your baby bottle for the Care Net fundraiser at any time. Your financial and prayer support are greatly appreciated. If you’d still like to help, pick up a baby bottle at the Welcome Center, fill it, and bring it back ASAP.
• KIDS’ FUN FEST IS NEXT SUNDAY! The insert in your bulletin today is to be given as an invitation to a neighbor, friend, etc. for this great gospel outreach. More fliers are available at the Evangelism & Spiritual Growth Resource Center in the foyer.
• PASTOR MARK WOULD ENJOY HEARING FROM YOU (his e-mail address is: Mark.Boucher@laog.org) as he is in Springfield, MO at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary for the month of June working on his doctoral thesis. He’s making great progress!
• FROM ELEEN BARD FOSTER CARE: Interested in becoming a foster parent? An informational meeting will be held at the New England Dream Center in Worcester on Monday, June 30, at 7:00 PM. The next training will be on July 17, 21, and 22, 4:00-9:00 PM at the Dream Center. Also, volunteers are needed for their Royal Family Kids Camp (August 18-23) which will be held in the Berkshires. Call 508-770-0511, ext. 144 for more info about either program.
• LOST AND FOUND is filling up again. There are several Bibles, umbrellas, articles of clothing, etc. that need to be claimed. The lost and found is in the hallway near the church offices.

HOMETEAMS MEETING THIS WEEK

• Christians in Action (Proiettis)—Tuesday, 7:00 PM
• Branches of Messiah (Wheelers)—Wednesday, 6:30 PM
• YACC for Young Adults (Riehles)—Thursday, 6:30 PM
• Women of Faith (Telliers)—Friday, 10:00 AM
• Pick up directions at the Welcome Center. You are invited!

CHURCH LIBRARY

• The library, located next to the Youth Chapel, is open:
• Sunday: 10:00-11:00 AM, after second service, 6:00-6:30 PM
• Wednesday: 6:15-6:30 PM and after Family Night ministries

TAKE THE LAND OFFERINGS TO DATE

• Beginning Loan Amount: $600,000
• Regular Principal Payments: 12,680
• Extra Principal Applied: 115,411
• Current Loan Balance: $471,909
• At an average $9500/month extra applied each month, the loan should be paid off by Aug 2011.

NEEDS IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• The Silva family will be relocating to Ashburnham on or before June 28. They are in need of the following items: a small dinette set, twin bedding/comforters for a boy and a girl, a kitchen utility cart, patio chairs/table, floor shelves, and a basketball hoop/stand. If you have any of these items that you could bless them with or sell to them at a reasonable price, please call them or the church office.

BULLETIN INSERTS

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June 22, 2008 by PastorHarv.

I hear if often: “I’m so busy!” Have you noticed that the important things have to be scheduled in order to get them done? Next to the Bible, the most important book I carry is a Day Timer. My schedule is important to me. But schedules require prioritizing. That means “first things first.” You have made a good choice to be here this morning to worship the Lord. The Bible encourages us to “not neglect the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is” (Hebrews 10:25). When we think of what we receive from the Lord while here, we are amazed at the love and mercy of our Lord. It’s worth our time. We welcome you!

Pastor Harv Meppelink

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June 15, 2008 by PastorDave.

#315, Despise Not Little Ones, Pastor David McIntosh, Sunday, 06-15-2008

Text: Matthew 18:1-4; 10

INTRODUCTION

• As we continue to look at the Christian home these next few weeks, this morning we will focus our attention on “little ones.”
• I would like to go directly to the scriptures this morning and right to the words that Jesus spoke in Matthew 18:1-4; 10.
• This command of Jesus to despise not one of these little ones was initiated by a question His disciples asked him: “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
• KINGDOM GREATS:
  • Greatest in the kingdom of computers: Bill Gates
  • Greatest in the kingdom of TV talk shows: Oprah
  • Greatest in the kingdom of rock-n-roll: Elvis Presley
  • Greatest in the kingdom of baseball: Babe Ruth
  • Greatest in the kingdom on authors: William Shakespeare
  • Greatest in the kingdom of composers: Bach
• The greatest in the kingdom of heaven is a whole different question. (eternity)
• Jesus calls a little child to himself and basically shocks the disciples.
• Then in Matt. 18:10 – Jesus says, take heed that you despise not one of these little ones!

THE BIBLE IS VERY CLEAR IN WHO IS KEY IN RAISING “THESE LITTLE ONES”

1. Malachi 4:6 – “And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children.”
2. Luke 1:17 – “And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children.”
3. Proverbs 23:36 – “My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.”
4. Ephesians 6:4 – “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

WHAT IS THE ENEMY’S GOAL IN EVERY HOME?

1. Matthew 12:29 – “Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? And then he will spoil his house.”
2. The enemy wants the spoils, the little ones, the next generation. So he is active in binding the strong man (dad) so he can get at the hearts & minds of the children.
3. Psalm 127:3 – “Children are a heritage of the Lord.”

WHAT IS THE ENEMY’S PLAN?

1. To persuade men to “despise” the little ones God has given them.
2. Jesus commanded, “Take heed, that ye despise not one of these little ones.”
3. What does Jesus mean and why did He have to warn us of it?

DESPISE

1. The word that Jesus used for despise implies motion downward, have an opinion of.
2. Despising a little one begins by thinking that they are not very important or valuable.
3. Right away we dismiss ourselves because we believe our little ones are very important and valuable to us.
4. But is what we think a reality in the lives of our children.
5. About 85% of young people raised their hand when asked the question: “Have you done things that you know are wrong and have not yet told your dad about?”
6. Why? Because my dad loves me but he doesn’t understand me.
7. The things in our lives that are important and valuable to us we take the time, energy and investment to understand them.
8. Our sons & daughters will trust us as far as we understand them, after that they pull back and trust friends, TV, movie, music, sport heroes and whoever else is available.
9. Three things hinder every dad: Mark 4:19 – “The cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”

OBSTACLES

1. Two of the greatest obstacles for every dad to overcome are these:
2. Despising little ones is caused by thinking that they have little or nothing to contribute to our lives and that we are more important than they are.
3. Despising little ones is often motivated when our personal freedoms are limited because of their needs or weaknesses.
4. If we are obligated to make adjustments in our schedules or choices of activities in order to advance the welfare of a little one, we tend to get frustrated and resentful.

ANSWER

1. Pursue your children’s heart. Go and get it. Win their favor.
2. Make a life changing covenant that your goal is now to get their heart.
3. It will cost you time, energy, money, hobbies, maybe even friendships, but the reward will far outweigh all of those and more put together.

HOW

1. LETTER
2. CALL
3. DATE
4. ALL THREE BATHED IN PRAYER

• I personally make myself available to any dad here that will take up his cross and follow the call the win the hearts of sons and daughters for Jesus Christ.
• www.david.mcintosh@laog.org is my e-mail I make myself available to help anyone get started.

CLOSING

Have all five of my children come up front:

• Matthew = son of my old age, sit and sing with him every night (gift of God)
• Andrew = 2nd son, I am the 2nd son we relate. (courageous)
• David = 1st born son, sign of my strength (beloved)
• Hannah = 2nd born child, I am the 2nd born child, (graceful)
• Rebecca = 1st born, paves the way (faithful)

Read Hannah letter, share date with Rebecca

• “Has not the Lord made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking Godly offspring.” -Malachi 2:15
• “You have wearied the Lord with your words.” -Malachi 2:17
• Altar Call for dad & all men to make a covenant with the Lord to pursue the heart of your children, with letters, calls and dates, bathed in prayer!

Posted in Podcast, Sermons, Pastor Dave | Print | No Comments »

June 15, 2008 by admin.

JOIN US TODAY

• WORSHIP and THE WORD at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM
  • Nursery, 4s and 5s
  • The children in Kids 4 Christ (6- to 12-years-olds) will remain in the sanctuary today for the message.
  • Pastor Dave McIntosh continues a series on the family: “Despise Not Little Ones,” Matthew 18:1-4, 10
• CHRISTIAN EDUCATION at 10:00 AM
  • Adults meet in the Youth Chapel for the summer.
  • There are classes for all ages, nursery through youth.
• THE TRUTH PROJECT SMALL GROUPS at 6:30 PM

JOIN US THIS WEEK

• MONDAY 7:00 PM—Prayer
• TUESDAY
  • 7:00 PM—Women’s Prayer (Prayer Room)
  • 7:30 PM—Christian 12 Step
• WEDNESDAY
  • 5:45 PM—A.L.I.V.E. Homeschoolers Prayer
  • 6:30 PM—FAMILY NIGHT
  • Rainbows (girls & boys, 3 up to K)
  • Girls Ministries (grades K-8)
  • Royal Rangers (boys’ clubs, K-12)
  • Adults & Impact Youth Ministries: John Bevere DVD Series: “Honor’s Reward”
• SATURDAY
  • 10:00 AM—Red Cross Babysitter’s Training
  • 7:00 PM—All-Church Prayer

ANNOUNCING

• VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL REGISTRATION begins today in the foyer. Stop by the VBS table to register your children who have completed Kindergarten through 6th grade.
• LAST CALL, GRADUATES! If you are a 2008 graduate from high school or college and have not turned in your name and info to the office, stop by the Welcome Center, fill out a form, and turn it in.
• THE RED CROSS BABYSITTER’S TRAINING COURSE continues this Saturday, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, in the Youth Chapel.
• THE PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY will meet next Sunday, 1:00-3:00 PM, in Pastor’s office. For more info: astacy@juniper.net.
• PASTOR MARK WOULD ENJOY HEARING FROM YOU (his e-mail address is: Mark.Boucher@laog.org) as he is in Springfield, MO at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary for the month of June working on his doctoral thesis. He’s making great progress!
• DID YOU FORGET TO BRING IN YOUR BABY BOTTLE for the Care Net fundraiser? Bring it in any time. Your financial and prayer support are greatly appreciated. If you’d still like to help, pick up a baby bottle at the Welcome Center, fill it, and bring it back ASAP.
• FROM ELEEN BARD FOSTER CARE: Interested in becoming a foster parent? An informational meeting will be held at the New England Dream Center in Worcester on Monday, June 30, at 7:00 PM. Also, volunteers are needed for their Royal Family Kids Camp (August 18-23). Call 508-770-0511, ext. 144 for more info about either program.

HOMETEAMS MEETING THIS WEEK

• Christians in Action (Proiettis)—Tuesday, 7:00 PM
• Branches of Messiah (Wheelers)—Wednesday, 6:30 PM
• YACC for Young Adults (Riehles)—Thursday, 6:30 PM
• Women of Faith (Telliers)—Friday, 10:00 AM
• Pick up directions at the Welcome Center. You are invited!

CHURCH LIBRARY

• The library, located next to the Youth Chapel, is open:
• Sunday: 10:00-11:00 AM, after second service, 6:00-6:30 PM
• Wednesday: 6:15-6:30 PM and after Family Night ministries

TAKE THE LAND OFFERINGS TO DATE

• Beginning Loan Amount: $600,000
• Regular Principal Payments: 12,680
• Extra Principal Applied: 112,519
• Current Loan Balance: $474,801
• At an average $9500/month extra applied each month, the loan should be paid off by Aug 2011.

NEEDS IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• The Silva family will be relocating to Ashburnham on or before June 28. They are in need of the following items: a small dinette set, twin bedding/comforters for a boy and a girl, a kitchen utility cart, patio chairs/table, floor shelves, and a basketball hoop/stand. If you have any of these items that you could bless them with or sell to them at a reasonable price, please call them at 978-895-5659.

BULLETIN INSERTS

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June 15, 2008 by PastorDave.

Psalm 13 begins: “How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever?”(KJV). What an incredibly honest prayer! Perhaps as you enter into service this morning, this scripture is your friend. You feel that God has forgotten you…and it has been some time now. Listen to how the psalm ends: “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me” (vv. 5-6, KJV). Praise the Lord! You are not alone if you are in a tough time, but let your response be that of Psalm 13:5-6, and trust in the Lord and sing unto Him because He is good! If you choose this way, you will not regret it because God is a rewarder of those who seek Him!

Pastor David McIntosh

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June 9, 2008 by admin.

SHAVU’OT (PENTECOST)

After His resurrection, Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah had told His disciples in Luke 24:49: “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Also, at His last Passover Seder (Last Supper), Yeshua had already promised to send them the Holy Spirit after He would leave the earth. Even John the Baptist had prophesied that Yeshua would baptize them with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11).

Picture the scene later on. Jesus had ascended to His Father, and the disciples were left behind…waiting. What were they waiting for? What did they expect? What did they think the Holy Spirit would be like? As Jews, they knew from Leviticus 23 that fifty days after Passover was the celebration of the feast of Shavu’ot or Pentecost. During the time of Jesus, this was an agricultural festival, but the sages of the time recognized it also as a time of celebration marking the anniversary of the Lord giving the Commandments to Moses at Mt. Sinai. Also, in Jewish tradition, on the first Shavu’ot the Jewish people were seen as betrothed to God through the giving of the Law on Mt. Sinai. It was one of the three feasts where all males were commanded to go to Jerusalem for the festivities.

So, there they were in the Upper Room in Jerusalem, Israel. They probably had been eagerly counting the fifty days since Passover in anticipation of celebrating their betrothal and the giving of the Torah, as many devout Jews do to this day. They were also waiting…expecting the Holy Spirit at some point.

All of a sudden…it happened! Acts 2. What a wonderful surprise! What an incredible, awesome gift for the faithful seekers! The supernatural unfolded before them! There was the sound of a violent wind! Tongues of fire came down and landed on each of them! Disciples of Yeshua cried out in foreign languages that they had never learned! Prophesying! Visions! Signs! Wonders! Wow! The Holy Law that had been written on tablets of stone was now written on the tablets of their human hearts (2 Corinthians 3:3; Hebrews 8:10)! The betrothal period was over. Here on the first Shavu’ot after Yeshua’s death, His people, both Jew and Gentile, now became His Bride!

The 6th of Silvan (Monday, June 9, 2008) marks this year’s celebration of Shavu’ot. This same Fire that fell 2,000 years ago–this same Holy Spirit–is now offered to all those who expect His impartation, believe the words of Yeshua, and wait. He is here! He is being poured out in these last days!

Bless the Name of God (Baruch HaShem)!

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