November 12, 2014 Inside Article: 7: The Experiment Bible Study

Inside Article:
7: The Experiment Bible Study
Turkeys NEEDED
Support Groups +
November 12, 2014
Made for More: Commitment
Through sermons shared in worship services, Messenger articles, and other means, we’ve been
inviting you throughout November to ponder the theme, “Made for More.”
You were Made for More. I hope you own that. I hope you recognize that God made you for an
abundant life, and Jesus invites you to find that abundant life in him. I hope you know that you
shouldn’t settle for the times when you feel weak, but instead let the strength of the Holy Spirit fill
you. I hope you know you can be more, and do more, than you allow yourself to dream or
imagine. I hope you want to be equipped for more and better life in and through Christ and his
Church.
We were Made for More. I hope we own that. I hope we recognize that God made St. Mark’s to
live out of his abundance, not our own fixation on scarcity. I hope we know that we shouldn’t
dwell on our weaknesses, but instead let the strength of the Holy Spirit re-ignite this amazing
body of believers. I hope we know we can be more, and do more, than we allow ourselves to
dare or implement. I hope we want to be equipped to be the church in all its glory as St. Mark’s
today and tomorrow, to the glory of Almighty God through his Living Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
The World was Made for More. I hope we own that. I hope we recognize that God wants all of
his creation to have abundant life, and that Jesus came to give it to us all. I hope you want to join
me in letting the people we can reach know they don’t have to settle for a shallow reflection of
that abundant life, but that in Jesus – and His Church – there is power to see transformation
anywhere and everywhere. I hope you want to see the Holy Spirit move in places that are dry
and dusty, on the outside perhaps but especially on the inside. May Christ cover the earth with
his glory!
If you share these hopes with me, then you also know the realization of these hopes requires
sacrificial love on the part of both Christ and his Church. We can’t see these hopes find tangible
expression in our own lives, or in the lives of others, without serious engagement in our
covenantal patterns to worship, grow, serve, and share. And now, it’s time for the Share. It’s
time to make commitments to generosity in 2015. It’s time for me to know what I have to work
with, in terms of financial resources, to lead St. Mark’s in its mission and ministry next year.
I know what we have done. I know what God is calling us to do. I know who we can be in Jesus.
How about you?
I look forward to seeing part of your response as you prayerfully consider filling out a commitment
card for giving in 2015, and help me know how to lead our preparations for ministry in 2015.
There is a Commitment Card in the Messenger this week and next week. Cards will be available
at worship, and will be sent out via mail and email over this next week. If you’re worshiping with
us on November 22nd or 23rd, bring the card with you and make your commitment part of our
worship that weekend. Or, feel free to turn it in, during worship or at the church office, when the
time is right for you to commit.
May the commitment you make be part of your worship, part of your praise, part of your joy, part
of your thanks, part of our hope, part of God’s plan, part of the Kingdom Christ is forming in our
very midst, using you and me. Thanks be to God, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Pastor Jon
pastorjon@loveroad.org
Greg Harrell
Kenneth O. Agbita
Jennie Bouchard-Hall
Taber Bouchard-Hall
Josh Drake
Christinia R.Golden
Paul Herrera
Jason Hill
Aaron Lane
Courtnay Madden
Matthew McMurtry
Carrie Pommeranz
R. J. Rahey
Tyler Ryan
Sean Madden
Stephen Marion
“The 2-29”
Walter Golden III
Mark Griggs
Matthew Wingo
Michael Weiss
John Longenbaugh
Robert Ed
Patrick Kilroy
Alton Weber
James Lay
Bryan Ed
Spiritual Mentors
If you have not already done so, finding a spiritual mentor will be a tremendous help and support as
you move forward in your daily walk and spiritual growth. Your spiritual mentor should be a person
who is a mature Christian, one who knows and studies the Bible, and one who understands the
power of prayer. This person should care for you and desire that you grow in the Lord.
The best way to find a spiritual mentor is to pray that God will bring the two of you together and to
actively seek out someone in your church. Then, make a plan with that person to meet together or
have regular phone chats. Plan to pray together, ask questions, and discuss biblical truths that apply
to the difficulties you are facing each day. This person should be one who encourages you to study
your Bible, meditate on God’s Word, and live it daily!
The Bible contains many, many examples of Christians helping one another to grow in the
understanding and application of faith and the Scriptures. Aquila and Priscilla were faithful followers
of Christ, who were mentored by the apostle Paul. Later, Aquila and Priscilla had the opportunity to
mentor a highly educated man named Apollos. A good spiritual mentor is one who is strong in areas
that you are not.
When Priscilla and Aquila heard him [Apollos], they invited him to their home and explained to him
the way of God more adequately. Acts 18:24-26
Dear Lord, lead me to a person who can help me grow in my relationship with You and who will
teach me how to live a life rooted in You. Amen.
Mission Kids
Our midweek program for
kids 1st-5th grade
Wednesdays | 6:30pm
Contact Joyce Yellock
915-581-4444
Lillie Harvey is looking for a roommate to
share a 3 bedroom home in the
Upper Valley area.
For more details:
915-587-4537
Tonight | November 12th |
CIA Bible Study St. Mark's 6:30pm
Activities:
Friday, November 21st | 6:00pm
Food Truck Dinner - meeting at the food trucks on the corner of Remcon & Mesa
in the parking lot of a Pay Day Loan
Saturday - November 22nd | 9:00am
Going to Raynold's House to deliver stuffed animals.
Meet at Peggy's Home to ride together
Sunday, December 7th | 2:00pm
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the El Paso Playhouse
Heaven Isn’t Boring
One of the things known about heaven from the Bible is that it is not a place of inactivity. In fact, there will not be a
single moment in heaven that is boring.
“Our experience in heaven won’t be static; it won’t be inert,” explains Joni Eareckson Tada. “It will be active. It will be
dynamic. And it should be, because we as humans are only inspired by the active and the dynamic, never the inert or
static.”
Dr. Erwin Lutzer says, “In heaven, first of all, we worship God. It is spontaneous worship of God. It is a worship of God
that is fulfilling. It is a worship of God that does not weary us. Then, the Bible says His servants shall serve Him. We
will be given assignments. I think some of the same vocations here on earth are going to be continued in heaven. I can
imagine an artist continuing to do artwork. I can imagine a scientist continuing to study the universe.”
Your work in heaven will be completely exciting and satisfying to you. On earth you are fortunate if your work is
occasionally exciting or satisfying! Think of the opportunities for hands-on learning and intellectual growth that will be
available in heaven from biblical leaders and historical figures who have died before you. Think of meeting the God of
the Universe!
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to
serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Revelation 1:5-6
I worship You, O God, my King. Blessing and honor, forever and ever, belongs to You. Amen.
Utter Satisfaction
“Heaven is going to be real,” says Dr. Joseph Stowell. “It’s not like we end up being clouds of mystical dust wafting
through the universe. We’re going to be real people, really reacting with a real God and His Son Jesus Christ.”
"The heartbeat of heaven is going to be the fullness of unlimited satisfaction and joy in the presence of my Lord forever
and ever and ever. Think about the most satisfying experience you’ve ever had in life, the most joyous, most fulfilling
moment you’ve ever had in life. Heaven will be that moment multiplied by a thousand times forever, no end.”
In the Bible, Paul knew that to be in heaven with Christ would be “better by far” than to remain on this earth. Paul
longed to be in the joyful presence of God, but he understood that God wanted him to continue His work on earth first.
Paul’s desire on earth was to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to as many people as he could.
If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn
between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I
remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and
joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
Philippians 1:22-26
Heavenly God, life with You in heaven would be better by far, but for now I will continue Your work here on earth.
Amen.
Exploring Eternal Life
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he
has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us
who believe. Ephesians 1:18-19
So many people do not take the time or make an effort to discover the truth about Jesus Christ and God’s
plan for eternity. Our prayer is that you take the time to read God’s Word, to pray, and to learn more about
Him.
Do not believe all you hear. Find out the truth for yourself. The Bible has much to say about Jesus, eternity,
heaven, death, and abundant life.
Dr. Erwin Lutzer says, “Christ is the only one who can forgive you, declare you to be righteous, scoop you
up out of the pit of sin, and place you right before the throne of God.”
The key to eternal life, Jesus, is You. Help me to learn more and to back up my beliefs with facts. Amen.
Weekend Services
Saturday
5:32pm Evening Contemporary Worship
Sunday – Love Road Campus
8:00am
9:00am
10:00am
11:00am
Senior High Youth
Sundays
10am Walker Annex, room 3
Class: Proverbs, verse by verse
Tuesdays 5:45pm Youth Group
Word & Table
Praise & Worship
Traditional Worship
Praise & Worship
Sunday – Grace Campus
9:00am Traditional Worship
Our Pastoral Staff
Rev. Jon Moore, Sr. Pastor
Rev. Tina Cross, Associate Pastor
Rev. Matt Bridges, Associate Pastor
Mid-High Youth
Sundays - 11am - Walker Annex, room 3
Class: Student Life, James
Sundays - 12:30pm Walker Annex
Quick Reference List
Church Office:
Wednesday, November 12
5:45pm
6:30pm
6:30pm
6:30pm
6:30pm
6:30pm
Dinner at the church
Courageous- Men’s Bible study - Perales
18 to 24 Young Adults Group
CIA Singles
Say What?
Mission Kids
Thursday, November 13
10:00am Women’s Bible Study – Owen
11:30am Men’s Bible Study at Great American Steakburger
6:30pm Men’s Bible Study
Friday, November 14
6:30pm Women’s Unleashing Faith
7:00pm Narcotics Anonymous
Saturday, November 15
9:00am Mexico Missions to Casa De Vida Y Paz
5:32pm Saturday Worship Service
Sunday, November 16
Nursery is always available during worship.
8:00am Word & Table Worship Service
9:00am Traditional Worship Service on Grace Campus
9:00am Praise & Worship Service
9:00am Kid’s Church
9:00am Agape Class
9:00am Followers Class
9:00am Differently Abled
10:00am Traditional Worship Service
10:00am Sunday School
11:00am Praise & Worship Service
12:30pm Mid High Youth Group
Monday, November 17
10:00am Readers Book Chat
5:30pm Connect 3
6:00pm Open Gym
Tuesday, November 18
2:00pm Bible Study-Grace by Max Lucado-Grace campus
5:45pm Dinner at the church
5:45pm Senior High Youth
6:30pm Divorce Care
6:30pm Grief Share
6:30pm Cancer Care
6:30pm Bible Study - Rash
phone: 581-4444
fax: 581-1866
web: www.loveroad.org
Pastors’ Assistant
Nancy Watters nwatters@loveroad.org
Children and Family Ministries Director
Joyce Yellock jyellock@loveroad.org
Preschool Programming Administrator
Norma Covington ncovington@loveroad.org
Youth Director
Jachin Ford jford@loveroad.org
Congregational Care Director
Frances Gonzalez fgonzalez@loveroad.org
Congregational Care ccm@loveroad.org
Office Manager
Elena Flores eflores@loveroad.org
Office Assistant
Susangail Roberts ladybug@loveroad.org
Communications Director
Terrence D. Johnson tjohnson@loveroad.org
Operations Manager
Arlene Cooper acooper@loveroad.org
Maintenance
Scott Spidel sspidel@loveroad.org
St.Mark’s Early Education Office: 581-2186
stmarkskids@aol.com
St.Mark’s School Office: 581-2032
web: www.stmarksep.com
Rehearsals
Jazz Unlimited
Tues., Nov. 18
6:30pm
Getting Down To Business
Full Staff Meeting
Worship Planning
Tues., November 18 9:00am
Tues., November 18 11:30am
Month of November:
Green Team cooks
Leader: Frances Gonzalez
For More Information:
Frances Gonzales
915-581-4444 or fgonza49@yahoo.com
Messenger is published weekly
by St. Mark’s UMC,
5005 Love Road, El Paso 79922
Issue 11/2, November 12, 2014
Editor: T. Johnson
Deadline for articles:
Monday morning