IMG_0503_edited.jpg IMG_0490_edited.jpg IMG_0508_edited.jpg What to Expect What you can expect when you visit Church of the Messiah: You'll Be Welcomed: Our team of friendly greeters will meet you at the door with a warm welcome (along with a handshake or a hug!). As you head toward the sanctuary, ushers will greet you, hand you a bulletin, and may escort you to a chair, if you like. They can also answer questions about the service, location of restrooms, children's Sunday School, and the nursery. The Place of Worship: The central items in our sanctuary are the altar and the cross. This helps turn our focus to Christ and to God, whose house the church is. On or near the altar there are candles to remind us that Christ is the "Light of the world" (John 8:12). Flowers behind the altar beautify God's house and recall the resurrection of Jesus. The Act of Worship: We begin with praise and worship, led by our praise team. Songs include up-tempo praise songs, traditional hymns, and devotional worship. Words for all the music are projected in the front of the church. After the singing, we generally have a time when we listen for the Lord's guidance. Sometimes people will read a scripture, pray, or give a prophetic word. In the seats you will find liturgical booklets, which enable the congregation to share fully in every service. Communion: We celebrate the Eucharist, or Holy Communion, at each service. All who love the Lord Jesus and are baptized are welcome to receive communion with us. The priest or Eucharist minister intincts (dips into the wine) the wafer and then places it into your open hands. Children who love the Lord and have been baptized are also welcome to receive. The Church Year: Our church observes the traditional Christian calendar. The season of Advent, during which we prepare for Christmas, begins on the Sunday closest to November 30. Lent, the forty days of preparation for Easter, begins on Ash Wednesday. Easter season lasts fifty days, concluding on the feast of Pentecost. During these times the Bible readings are chosen for their appropriateness to the season. Fellowship: Our post-service coffee hour is a favorite tradition at Church of the Messiah! Help yourself to a cup of coffee and a snack, and come mingle with our friendly congregation as we enjoy this time of fellowship. WHO WE ARE WORSHIP WITH US FAQ I'M NEW

Every human being is “wonderfully made” by our Creator (Psalm 139). God cares deeply and specifically about each of our bodies, and our Savior Jesus became flesh and blood for our body’s redemption. And yet so many struggles relate to our body: appearance, aging, disability, gender, sexuality, race, and the deep need for human connection. Join us beginning September 18 as we explore how the Gospel speaks to these areas in profound, powerful, and often surprising ways. The aim of this series is to encourage each of us in the Bible’s hopeful message, and also to train us to love our neighbors wholly. Sermons will all be recorded and posted online each week. Sunday Sermons September 18, 2022 Wonderfully Made… Why? Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Sunday Sermons September 25, 2022 Glorify God in Your Body Pastor Marty O'Rourke Listen | Sermon Slides Sunday Sermons October 2, 2022 Technology and the Body Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen Sunday Sermons October 9, 2022 Boast in the Lord Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Sunday Sermons October 16, 2022 The Gospel and the Whole Person Fr. Dominick Hankle Watch | Listen Sunday Sermons October 23, 2022 Emotions in the Image of God Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Related links: From the John 10:10 Project Skeleton Keys 18 Trillion Feet of You

The purpose of Advent is to prepare for one of the greatest miracles in all history, the Incarnation of God in the person of Jesus Christ. The Eternal, Almighty and Invisible God has taken on a human body and entered our world as a baby so that we could know God by knowing Jesus. This Advent we are going to explore what the Incarnation reveals to us about God’s character and His great love and commitment to us. The Son of God became man to enable us to become the sons of God. — C S. Lewis, Mere Christianity Sunday Sermons First Sunday of Advent | November 27, 2022 The Incarnation Reveals the Humility of God Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Sunday Sermons Second Sunday of Advent | December 4, 2022 The Incarnation Reveals God's Understanding of Us Tim Maurer Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Sunday Sermons Third Sunday of Advent | December 11, 2022 The Incarnation Reveals the Exact Imprint of God's Nature Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen Sunday Sermons Fourth Sunday of Advent (Annunciation Day) | December 18, 2022 The Incarnation Reveals Christ's Victory over Sin and Death Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Sunday Sermons Christmas Eve | December 24, 2022 The Incarnation Reveals God's Deep Desire to Have a Personal Relationship with Us Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen

Lauren Coleman Children's Ministry Coordinator I grew up in the church and benefited from my mother's prayers and vibrant faith. At age 18 that faith came fully alive through the work of God's grace and Holy Spirit. I was soon called into vocational ministry and have now served in various ministries for over 30 years. I simply enjoy people and have been privileged to serve all age groups. Along the way I also earned a Master of Divinity (M.Div) degree from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, and I'm now working on a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min). I serve as a counselor at HopeWell Ministries. I’ve been married 20 years to Cheryl and we have two children, Cullen and Zoey.

with Dr. John Dooley Presented February/March, 2021 MODULE 1: February 24, 2021 - No Longer Strangers Reading Assignments February 18 – 23: Primary reading : Ephesians 1:1-23. Read through several times, then read the following texts the remaining of the week: Church at Ephesus : Acts 18:24-28 Related passages : Genesis 1:1-2; 3:1-24 Isaiah 14:12-21 & 61:1-4 Matthew 13:16-17 Romans 8:15-23 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Galatians 4:5 Colossians 1:1-2,11-20 Hebrews 11:3 1 Peter 1:20 2 Peter 1:3-4 1 John 5:19 Questions to ponder as you read: What is the purpose of the Bible, that is, why was it written? What is the purpose for the Book of Ephesians? (Why was it written? Identify in Ephesians 1 at least three major points you think are important. MODULE 2: March 3, 2021 - Saved and Unified Reading Assignments February 25 – March 2: Primary Reading : Ephesians 2:1-22 (Read through several times.) Church at Ephesus : Acts 19:1-10 Related passages : Leviticus 19:9-18 Deuteronomy 22:1-4; 30:1-10 Numbers 21:4-9; 32:20-27 Psalm 49:5-9 Isaiah 57:18-19 Mark 9:38-41; 12:28-34 John 3:25-27 & 8:42-44 Romans 12:1-2 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 1 John 4:7-21 Revelation 21:2-4 MODULE 3: March 10, 2021 - Empowered and Strengthened Reading Assignments March 4-9: Primary Reading : Ephesians 3:1-21 (Read several times) Church at Ephesus : Acts 19:11-20 Related passages : Isaiah 55:6-11 Matthew 16:13-18 Acts 9:1-19 Romans 11:33-36 1 Corinthians 15:8-11 2 Corinthians 12:1-6 Colossians 2: 6-15 Titus 1:1-3 MODULE 4: March 17, 2021 - Living a Life of Unity Reading Assignments March 11-16: Primary Reading : Ephesians 4:1-32 (Read through several times.) Church at Ephesus : Acts 19:21-41 Related passages : Genesis 3:14-24 Psalm 4:4 Jeremiah 9:4-9 Zechariah 8:16-17 Matthew 27:50-54 Luke 16:19-31 John 17:1-26 1 Corinthians 12:14-31 Galatians 5:16-26 1 Timothy 4:1-5 2 Timothy 2:1-4 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Hebrews 5:11-14; 9:22-28 & 10:11-18 2 Peter 1:3-11 Revelation 21:1-4 MODULE 5: March 24, 2021 - Spirit Life in the Culture Reading Assignments March 18-23 Primary Reading : Ephesians 5:1-33 & 6:1-9 (Read several times.) Church at Ephesus : Acts 20:17-27 Related passages : Exodus 30:7-10 Leviticus 1:8-13 & 19:17-18 Deuteronomy 7:9 & 30:6 Matthew 5:43-48, 19:16-22, & 20:24-28 Mark 10:1-12 Luke 10:25-28 Philippians 4:8 Colossians 2:8-15 & 3:12-17 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 Hebrews 13:1-17 1 Peter 2:18-3:7 1 John 2:15-17 & 4:7-12 MODULE 6: March 31, 2021 - Stand Firm Therefore! Reading Assignments March 25-30 Primary Reading : Ephesians 6:10-24 (Read several times.) Church at Ephesus : Acts 20:28-38 Related passages : Exodus 14:13 Psalm 76:3 & 144:1-2 Isaiah 7:9 & 59:17 Joshua 1:1-18 Matthew 24:11-12 Luke 11:5-13, 18:1-8 Romans 5:2 Hebrews 7:25 Philippians 1:27 & 3:20 Colossians 1:11 1 Timothy 2:1, 4:1-2 2 Timothy 3:1-5 & 13-17 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 1 Peter 1:1, 17, 2:11, & 5:4-14 2 Peter 2:4-16 Jude 20 Revelation 18:20 Listen Slides Listen Slides Listen Slides Listen Slides Listen Slides Listen Slides Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 Module 4 Module 5 Module 6

Fall 2021 Sermon Series “For a few weeks I have been seeking the Lord about our next sermon series. As I was sitting in the sanctuary, I sensed the Lord calling us to focus on the Father Heart of God. If you were to look into the heart of God’s call on Church of the Messiah, it is to see people’s lives transformed, healed and restored by experiencing the Father’s love through His Son Jesus and His Holy Spirit. I believe some of us are going to be healed through this series, and I have already sensed a difference in my own life as I have begun to focus on the Father heart of God.“ ̶ Pastor Marty September 19, 2021 Our Everlasting Father Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Slides September 26, 2021 Our Father's House Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen October 3, 2021 Our Compassionate Father Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Slides October 10, 2021 Our Adopting Father Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen October 17, 2021 Our Loving Father Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Slides October 24, 2021 Our Present Father Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Slides October 31, 2021 Our Perfect Father Bishop John Guernsey Watch | Listen November 7, 2021 Our Good Father Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen November 14, 2021 Our Heavenly Father Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Slides November 21, 2021 Our Forgiving Father: The "Prodigal" God Rev. David Martin Watch | Listen

The early church devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. This 4-week series will inspire you to live an empowered life of deep devotion. Embrace the divine call to triumphant living through the Word of God. Every individual birthed in the Spirit has the power to rise above worldly challenges, a victory achieved through unshakeable faith. Who can claim this victory? Only those who acknowledge and believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as stated in 1 John 5:4-5. The Book of Revelation, a divine testament provided for our understanding and preparation for the end times, unfolds seven distinct and extraordinary promises for those who choose to overcome. Yet, the reality is that many among us are not experiencing this victorious life due to our personal wounds, an unwillingness to forgive, negative thought patterns, or even self-condemnation. Enter the Book of James, a treasure trove of practical wisdom that guides us on living as overcomers, particularly during periods of trials and tribulations. This sermon series will explore these teachings, illuminating the path to victorious living, and empowering every believer to embrace their identity as an overcomer. Living an Overcoming Life September 10 Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen Overcoming Trials and Temptations September 17 Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Overcoming Self-Deception September 24 Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Overcoming Favoritism and Judging Others October 1 Vivian Hayes Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Overcoming Dead Faith October 8 Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen Overcoming the Tongue October 15 Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Overcoming Worldly Wisdom October 22 Rev. David Martin Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Overcoming Worldly Desires November 5 Pastor Marty O'Rourke Listen | Sermon Slides Overcoming Greed November 12 Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen Overcoming Suffering November 19 Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | List en | Sermon Slides Overcoming Through Prayer, Confession and Restoration November 26 Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides

Morning Trinitarian Prayer Good morning heavenly Father, good morning Lord Jesus, good morning Holy Spirit. Heavenly Father, I worship you as the creator and sustainer of the universe. Lord Jesus, I worship you, Savior and Lord of the world. Holy Spirit, I worship you, sanctifier of the people of God. Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Heavenly Father, I pray that I may live this day in your presence and please you more and more. Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you. Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity, three persons in one God, have mercy upon me. Amen. – John Stott, quoted in Basic Christian: The Inside Story of John Stott PRINTABLE VERSION

Preparing for Pentecost The Holy Spirit and You Deepen your love and appreciation for the Holy Spirit and His work in our lives as we prepare our hearts for Pentecost. Deepen your love and appreciation for the Holy Spirit and His work in our lives as we prepare our hearts for Pentecost. May 2023 Who Is the Holy Spirit? M ay 7 Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen Why Do I Need the Holy Spirit? I Tell You Th e Truth: It Is For Your Good That I Am Going Away May 14 Pastor Marty O'Ro urke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Why Do We Need the Holy Spirit? May 21 Pastor Nile Go mez Watch | Listen How Do I Receive the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit in You May 28 Pastor Marty O'Ro urke Wat ch | Listen | Sermon Slides

Rediscovering Evangelism Lent 2020 Sermon Series & Study Every Anglican church is called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Sadly, that doesn’t always happen. There is a tremendous need for us to rediscover how to do personal evangelism. We know evangelism can be fearful, but in this six-part series, you will learn how to move personal evangelism from a good idea that is scary into a commitment with the tools you’ll need to lead people into a relationship with Jesus and make them his disciples. In addition to Sunday sermons, an online study group will be held each Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Participants should watch that week's video online, and then join the discussion on Zoom, an online video conferencing app. See the instructions below for watching the video, downloading Zoom, and joining the discussion. ONLINE STUDY GROUP INSTRUCTIONS: Prior to the discussion, watch the teaching video: Session 1 Session 2 Session 3 Session 4 Session 5 Session 6 Shortly before 7:30 pm, log into Zoom for our live discussion, using the meeting ID number you will be provided: PC users: open your Internet browser and go to www.zoom.us/join ; then enter the meeting ID number. iPhone/Android users: Open the app on your phone and enter the meeting ID number. Folks should mute themselves until such time as they want to respond or ask a question. To download Zoom to your computer or mobile phone, please click on the appropriate link below and follow the instructions: PC/Windows Mac iPhone Android If you have trouble downloading Zoom, please contact Pastor Nile Gomez at 757-544-7232. Session 1: Introduction Sermon by Pastor Nile Gomez: Rediscovering Evangelism: Commitment March 1: Sunday Sermon & Study Group After Service March 4: Study Group @ 7 pm Session 2: Commission & Compassion Sermon by Pastor Marty O'Rourke: Commission and Compassion Sermon Slideshow March 8: Sunday Sermon and Study Group After Service March 11: Study Group @ 7 pm: Session 3: Cast Sermon by Vivian Hayes: Cast Sermon Slideshow Facebook Video Sermon March 15: Sunday Sermon March 18: Online Class & Discussion @ 7:30 pm Session 4: Continuum - Demonstration Sermon by Pastor Marty O'Rourke: A Demonstration of the Spirit's Power March 22: Sunday Sermon March 25: Online Class & Discussion @ 7:30 pm See Online Study Group Instructions Session 5: Continuum - Practicum Sermon by Rev. David Martin: The Proclamation of the Gospel March 29: Sunday Sermon April 1: Online Class & Discussion @ 7:30 pm See Online Study Group Instructions Session 6: Continuum - Transformation April 15: Online Class & Discussion @ 7:30 pm See Online Study Group Instructions Please reload Anchor 13

WOMEN'S LUNCHEON AUTUMN 2015 GUEST SPEAKER BETTE LAWRENCE Many times when we see bad things happen to good people, we bemoan our lives and say this shouldn't be. He was a good person, or they are good people, or she was only a teenager. And we secretly question God's plan. Maybe we think how? Why? Yet in the Bible, we read about Stephen, who in Acts is described as "full of grace and power, and was doing great wonders and signs among the people," who was just beginning his ministry. Yet he was violently stoned by his neighbors. Paul, a man complicit in the crime, watched. But we say, well, Stephen knew God, and his vision probably mitigated his horrible death. It probably wasn't so bad. Even John the Baptizer, a cousin of Jesus and a holy man, languished in prison, perhaps hoping for Jesus to rescue him. In times of isolation and waiting, we wonder, like John, what is going on. Did I really hear God? Have I placed my hope in the right person? Is God real? He sent his friends to ask Jesus, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" (Matthew 11:3) Maybe his unspoken question was, "Are you going to get me out? Do you know where I am? Hey Cuz, how can you heal others and not help me????" Jesus tells his disciples: "Tell John what you see and hear: the blind see and the lame walk. Lepers are cleansed; the dead are raised, and the poor have good news preached to them. AND BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO IS NOT OFFENDED BY ME." (Matthew 11:4-6) In other words, John, you are blessed if you are not disappointed in me. (Wow. . It's not just about me.) Isaiah 55:8-9 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways, my ways For as the heavens are higher than the earth So are my ways higher than your ways And my thoughts than your thoughts. When we come to a place like John's, we come to a crossroads. My mother was the youngest of nine living children. Her mother had five others who did not live to adulthood--not unusual for those times. My mother had five brothers--all of whom, as she would say, were cursed with alcoholism. Her response was not to drink, EVER! She prayed. She would make different choices and would save her family from this curse. Yet my brother did not escape. A neighbor of mine confessed to being an unbeliever after his son was born with cerebral palsy. His anger expressed itself in saying, "How could a loving God curse an innocent baby to go through life like that?" All of us come to similar crossroads. Even in secular literature, we see the same principle operating. In Greek drama, Oedipus is prophesized over at birth that he will kill his father and marry his mother. So, he is sent away. Later, unbeknownst to him, he kills who he thinks is a beggar and marries the queen, his mother. So in trying to escape, he fulfills the prophecy. In fantasy, we read about Aurora in Sleeping Beauty , who at birth is given many gifts except for an evil prophecy which foretells her death in the prime of her life when she pricks her finger on a spinning wheel. Unfortunately, getting rid of all the spinning wheels does not protect her from her FATE. Even unbelievers are aware of their inability to escape the human condition. They tried to make sense of it by calling it Fate. We Christians do not have to wonder. We know it as original sin. If that were the full measure of our knowledge, we would be no better than unbelievers. We would be aware of the harshness of life, and our inability to escape from it. So God, in His mercy and great love for all He has made, revealed Himself to us. The law made us aware of our sin; the blood sacrifices made us aware of our continual propensity to sin, and our inability to not sin. We realized our need for a Savior. At this moment in our own lives, we have a choice: Will we be the seed on rocky places with no root that falls away and says, "Live for today, for tomorrow we die," or will we be the seed that seeks God and the richness of His love? So this is the time in which Jesus must enter our lives as a person , not an idea, not a law. However, God has to prepare our hearts. He must get us ready. Jesus, after relating the parable of the seeds to his disciples, explains his reasons for speaking in parables: Though seeing, they do not see; Though hearing, they do not understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: You will be ever hearing but never understanding; You will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people's heart has become calloused; They hardly hear with their ears, And they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears. Understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. (Matthew 13:13-15) So, we are in a state of blindness and deafness, and we are not aware that we are. Like newborn animals, we are born with our eyes shut. Our problem is worse than we know, and it cannot be remedied by any worldly means. For it is a spiritual problem . Proverbs 4:19: "The way of the wicked is like deep darkness. They do not know over which they stumble." Paul writes in Ephesians 5:8, "At one time you were in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord." Today, many of us would equate depression with darkness. Yet this is not a new experience. Even Elijah (1 Kings 19:4-6) experiences the hopelessness that accompanies a great downturn in his life: "I have had enough, Lord, take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." The Lord does not strike him dead or remove His presence from him. He allows him to sleep and sends an angel to feed him. God knows our needs. Perhaps this is an experience we all need so that God can reveal himself to us. Elijah arrived at his crossroad. David expresses his feelings more emotionally: "For the waves of death encompassed me, the torrents of destruction assailed me, the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress, I called upon the Lord; to my God I called. From the temple He heard my voice, and my cry came to His ears." (2Samuel 22:5-7) When my grandparents were dying and my mother was driving from Baltimore up to Cumberland, Maryland every weekend to nurse them, she reached the end of herself and cried out, "Lord if you don't stop this, I'll never go to church again!" Her mother died that night. Later, in telling me this story, she said she was filled with dread. But she knew God had heard her. I believe, when we are honest with God, He acknowledges our heartfelt cry because it is a cry of utter pain and true hopelessness in our own abilities. David says again in Psalm 51, "Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart." So what is this personal truth God wants to impart to us? Jesus tells Nicodemus we must be born again, because without it we cannot see the kingdom of God. Without it, we cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3-8.) The water, we know, is Baptism. So we must know, believe, feel, and experience God's forgiveness. It is a state of being , not only knowing. For ten years I worked with a woman who had been severely abused as a child. She enjoyed coming to therapy; she was a member of a church; she sent her kids to Christian school. Yet she could not experience God's forgivenss because in some way, she would not admit that the person who had abused her was evil in his actions. Conversely, another person who had also been abused very early in her life did admit that what happened to her was evil and was able to process it emotionally, confront those responsible and experience freedom from shame. She believed that God had a purpose for her, and it was not to be cast aside. So, as John (1:5) writes, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." He also states that some people prefer darkness to light becuase their deeds are evil (John 3:19). Then again, (lest we exclude ourselves from this population), Paul says "For at one time, you were all in darkness, but now you are the light of the Lord." So, we need the Baptism of water. Jesus, very emotionally cries out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture (Isaish 58:11) has said, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water!" (John 7:38) So what are these rivers of living water if not continual conviction, confession, forgiveness, and cleansing. We may know they flow out of Jesus, BUT DO THEY FLOW OUT OF YOU AND ME? D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in his book, Studies in The Sermon on the Mount describes the Christian as always a person who walks in the fear of the Lord, always aware of her own limitations. He says there are always two sides to the Gospel: there is the pulling down and the rising up. You remember the words of the ancient Simeon, concerning the infant Jesus as He was presented in the temple: "The child is set for the fall and the rising again of many." The one who is poor in Spirit is the one who is emptying self. Conviction must always precede conversion. (One's attitude toward oneself.) Martyn says Jesus is speaking of humility. This is not a natural state. It comes from a sense of one's own sinfulness. Isaiah 57:15 says, "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite." The way to become poor in Spirit is to look at God. Those who are to be converted, and who wish to be truly happy and blessed, are those who first of all mourn. As I confront God and His holiness, and contemplate the life that I am meant to live, I see myself in utter helplessness and hopelessness. A person who truly faces oneself, and examines onself and his/her life is a person who must of necessity mourn for his/her sins also for the things he/she does. {paraphrased} We need the Holy Spirit. Who is this Holy Spirit? Jesus says, "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit (John 3:8). It sounds like a wild ride to me! What we can't be, if we are to allow the Holy Spirit in us, is controlling or bossy or unforgiving or lazy or self-righteous or stingy or critical. When you give God full reign, He will sprinkle water on you, and you will be clean. "And I will give you a new heart." (He will bind up our broken hearts. He heals us while we seek His face.) And He will put a right Spirit within us. (Ezekiel 36:25-27) He will DO IT. We just need to ask Him for His Spirit, and He will give it to us, and He will enter our hearts and have an intimate meal with each one of us. We don't need to search for a person filled with His Spirit. One of our Messiah family who recently went to be with the Lord said: "I am beyond all limits. God has opened up my eyes to all the limitations I have previously perceived. There is a hidden place in Christ of protection, of provision, of every good and perfect gift from God. We don't have to seek it. It seeks us. We step out on it, and it is there, waiting for us. God's love is eternal, everlasting. Although fear might try to rear its ugly head, God's might overcomes. I would encourage each of you to find a place to look for Him; do not fear Him." Karen Brockman Paul, in Romans 6, writes: "Don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ were baptized into His death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. . . Offer yourself to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, for you are not under the law, but under grace." We can live a victorious life because Jesus lives in us. Our relationships with others must reflect His relationship with us, characterized by forgiveness and change, becoming more like Jesus every day. Bette Lawrence October 10, 2015 All Bible quotations are from the English Standard Version

Anchor 3 Abiding in Christ Through Daily Engagement with the Scriptures Spring 2021 Why are we focusing on scriptural engagement? As I was seeking the Lord about the next sermon series, I came across the research of two pastors who wanted to know how to strengthen the Body of Christ. They did research that included 1000 churches and they came to this conclusion: Nothing has a greater impact on spiritual growth than reflection on Scripture. If churches do only one thing to help people at all levels of spiritual maturity grow in their relationship with Christ, the choice is clear. They would inspire, encourage, and equip their people to read the Bible — specifically, to reflect on Scripture for meaning in their lives. The Bible’s power to advance spiritual growth is unrivaled by anything else we’ve discovered. — Pastor Marty STEP 1: TAKE A SCRIPTURAL SELF-ASSESSMENT SUNDAYS @ 10 AM February 14-May 23 in-person or livestream THURSDAYS @ 7 PM February 25-March 25 on Zoom 2/14 Shaped by God's Word Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides 2/21 Abiding in the Living Word Vivian Hayes Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides 2/28 How God Reveals Himself to Us in His Word Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides 3/7 Why a Plan? Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen 3/14 Creation: Why Did God Create Us? Joe Kohm Watch | Listen 3/21 Fall and the Promises of the Word for a Savior Fr. Dominick Hankle Watch | Listen 3/28 The Word Arrives: On a Donkey - For Now Pastor John Dooley Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides 4/4 The Resurrection: The Word Is Proven to be True Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen 4/11 The Church: People Living in the Word Deacon Tom Sweeney Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides 4/18 The Great Ending Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen 4/25 What Does The Bible Say About Itself? Rev. David Martin Watch | Listen 5/2 Trusting the Bible & Living the Gospel Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides 5/9 How the Word is Living and Active Vivian Hayes Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides 5/16 How the Holy Spirit Empowers Us to Engage in God’s Word Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen 5/23 Being Filled with the Holy Spirit Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides EXPLORE DEEPER Join us online on Thursday evenings for deeper explorations of Sunday sermon topics. Zoom Meeting ID: 928 2372 1136 or click here to join 2/25 "Praying Through the Scriptures" Fr. Dominick Hankle Watch | Slides 3/4 Going Deeper Vivian Hayes Watch | Slides 3/11 What Are My Plan Options? Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Resource Sheet 3/18 The Big Story Ken Shomo Watch 3/25 Prophecy Fulfilled Theresa Newell Watch WEDNESDAYS @ 7 PM February 24-March 31 on Zoom A LENTEN STUDY OF EPHESIANS "A Life Lived in the Spirit" with Dr. John Dooley Zoom Meeting ID: 780 7929 3062 Zoom Passcode: yfP5er or click here to join Weekly Reading Assignments 2/24 Module 1: No Longer Strangers Readings Listen | Slides 3/3 Module 2: Saved and Unified Readings Listen | Slides 3/10 Module 3: Empowered and Strengthened Readings Listen | Slides 3/17 Module 4: Living a Life of Unity Readings Listen | Slides 3/24 Module 5: Spirit Life in the Culture Readings Listen | Slides 3/31 Module 6: Stand Firm Therefore! Readings Listen | Slides SCRIPTURE PLANS Parenting by Design Daily Devotional- 280 Days Experiencing God At Home For Daily Family - 12 Days Daily Office Lectionary Navigators Reading Plan YouVersion Bible App for smartphones, tablets & online Anchor 1 Anchor 2