Greetings Everyone
Greetings Everyone.
On Sunday mornings at 9 Am in the Chapel, we have been working our way through the Book of Romans. Of all the books in the New Testament, Romans, especially chapters 1 through 8, is the key development of what Christians believe. This Sunday we are tackling the verses that inspired Billy Graham to write his book, Peace with God, Romans 5:1-11. On www.peacewithgod.net , a website of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association, there is a wonderful article written to address the question, What is Peace? Here is what it says:
So many people strive for one thing more than any other—peace. The reason they seek it is because there’s no lasting comfort or freedom in their lives. It’s like they are always unsettled. The Bible defines peace primarily in three ways.
1. Psychological peace, the comfort within.
2. Relational peace, harmony among humanity.
3. Spiritual peace, which is between God and man.
The Bible outlines how sin damages or wipes out all three types of peace. When God created man, he was at peace with God, himself, and everyone else. However, that peace was lost when he turned against God. Peace can be restored, but we can’t do it alone. God provided a way.
Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, was sent to our world to take away our sins. He did so by allowing Himself to be crucified, and it was that sacrifice that made it possible for us to have peace again—peace within ourselves, peace with each other and peace with God.
Romans 5:1 talks about it in this fashion:
Therefore, since we are justified by faith we HAVE peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Faith demands a focus (faith in what or in whom). In this case the focus of that faith is Jesus Christ and the work he did when he died on the cross for my sins. Notice that the verse does not place this peace in the future. It says WE HAVE. Notice it does not say this truth is speculative. It says, WE ARE. The word “JUSTIFIED” is a word from the judicial system. It implies that the justification is not based on our feelings but on a judicial fact. Notice that this peace with God does not come to us through our right behavior, it comes to us THROUGH Jesus Christ. WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST!!!
Our world needs peace! We need it in our own heart. We need it within our marriages and our family relations. We need it to govern how we treat our neighbors. We need it between our political parties. We need it with our friends around the world. We need peace. But it is hard to have peace when individuals do not have peace in their own hearts. That is what Jesus came to bring. That is why Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be “The Prince of Peace…” (9:6).
My hope for we who follow Jesus would be that we intentionally invite Jesus into our lives each day and that we spend time listening to his word and being open to hear his voice. By doing so we will discover once again that he is the source of our peace and through his Spirit we are empowered to both live it and share it with those our lives are blessed to touch.
“May the peace of the Lord be with you.”
“And also with you.”
Walking the road with you.
Pastor Paul
News & Events
Sunday, March 3rd
9:00 a.m. Bible Study in the Chapel
10:00 a.m. Worship Service with Pastor Paul Hayden
Monday, March 4th
5:30 p.m. Handbell Choir
7:00 p.m. Choir Practice
Tuesday, March 5th
7:00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study
Wednesday, March 6th
10:00 a.m. Ladies AM Bible Study (LAMBS)
5 p.m. FPC Youth Meet Up – Sledding, see info below
Thursday, March 7th
10:00 a.m. Bible Babes bible study
Check out the Events Calendar for more upcoming events.
Join Us for a Snowy Adventure! 🎉
Hey there, awesome youth and parents!
Winter’s not over yet, and neither are the fun times! 🛷❄️ Our youth ministry is gearing up for an epic sledding adventure at the Great Northern Veterans Peace Park, just off Ramsey Ave. It’s going down on March 6th, starting sharp at 5:00 PM.
Who’s Invited? All kids from 4th grade and up are welcome to join in on the excitement! Bring your friends along for the ride; the more, the merrier! 🤩
What to Bring: Don’t forget your sleds and gear! 🧤🧣 Dress warmly in your snow gear, and let’s hit those slopes together!
Logistics:
- Drop-off: Parents, drop your kiddos off at the park.
- Pick-up: We’ll wrap up the fun by 7:00 PM at the church.
- Transportation: Our leaders will safely transport the kids back to the church.
- Dinner: After all the sledding fun, dinner will be waiting for everyone at the church.
Important Note for Newcomers: For any new friends joining us, please make sure to have a permission slip signed for them to ride in vehicles.
Get ready to glide down those hills, laugh with friends, and make unforgettable memories! 🏔️✨ Let’s embrace the winter wonderland one last time before spring rolls in!
See you there, ready to sled! 🎿
Your Youth Ministry Team
Photos: Minute To Win It challenge played at our February meet-up!
Easter Lily order forms will be in this Sunday’s bulletin. Forms must be returned to the church office by Palm Sunday. Cost is $15 for each potted flower ordered; please make checks payable to FPC with “Easter Lily” in the memo.
Volunteers needed to help pick up and place lilies in Sanctuary Easter weekend. Please contact Nichole in the church office if you’re willing to help.
March 17 Join Us for a Mission Discussion!
Do you have a passion for making a difference in the world? Are you eager to explore how we can better serve our community and support missions worldwide? If so, we invite you to join us for a special gathering downstairs after the church service on March 17th. Get your chili and head downstairs to one of the classrooms.
Together, we’ll dive into a conversation about mission – whether it’s right here in our local community, lending a helping hand to those in need, or extending our support to missions worldwide. Your ideas, insights, and enthusiasm are valuable as we seek to make a positive impact in the world.
Come and be a part of this important discussion as we explore ways to fulfill our mission as a church and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Your presence and input are highly valued!
We look forward to seeing you there!
Blessings, Shelle Kuntz
Chili Luncheon
Our 1st Fellowship function of the year will be a Chili Luncheon set for Sunday, March 17th, 2024 immediately following the 10:00am church service. Your Fellowship Committee will be providing Chili with all the condiments and we are asking the congregation to signup for a side dish (i.e.; green salad or cornbread), and/or a dessert. The signup sheet will be posted on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall.
