Authentic - Full Devotion
I’ve been thinking about our vision statement:
“Leading people to become fully devoted followers of Christ.”
I think that’s a good vision statement. It’s an admirable goal. It’s something not reserved for a select group of people, but something for everyone. It implies the 5 purposes of our church: Worship, Discipleship, Ministry, Fellowship and Evangelism. And it’s focused on the two things God cares about most: Christ & People. Most importantly it’s not a clever marketing phrase designed to build an organization but a summation of Scriptural concepts focused on building people.
I’ve wondered though…what does a fully devoted follower of Christ look like? Does full devotion mean perfect attendance at every activity the church has to offer? Does it mean I never make a mistake? Am I so heavenly minded I’m no earthly good? I don’t think that’s it at all.
When I think of full devotion what comes to mind is healthy living. There’s nothing complicated about being healthy physically. It’s just hard. To be healthy physically requires three things:
Healthy Appetite (eat right) + Healthy Activity (exercise) + Healthy Choices = Healthy Living
The same is true spiritually.
Healthy Appetite (A hunger for prayer and Bible Study) + Healthy Activity (this is church involvement) + Healthy Choices = FULL DEVOTION.
And here’s the thing about spiritual health (A.K.A Full Devotion). We gain a healthy appetite and discover how to make healthy choices by participating in Healthy Activity – that’s church involvement. Now, there’s a lot going on at FBCO every week. This weekend alone we’ll have a Marriage and Parenting Conference, Easter Egg Hunt, our regular Sunday AM Worship services and Sunday School, the Easter blitz and a Singles Ministry Event Sunday night. There’s no lack of activity or opportunity here! When I say Healthy Activity is church involvement and that it’s one thing that leads to full devotion am I suggesting that you’re not fully devoted if you’re not at every one of these events? Certainly not.
But I will suggest this. Healthy Activity (A.K.A. Church Involvement) is reflected in three simple things:
- Sunday School – that’s a small group connection – this is Bible Study, relationships, accountability & friendship
- Worship Services – that’s a large group connection – this is worship, Bible Study & sharing the gospel
- Special Interest (iConnect) – that’s an individual, special connection. This is volunteering in
That’s what I mean when I say healthy activity is church involvement, to participate in Sunday School and Worship and to be involved in some area of special interest as a volunteer, using the opportunities the church provides to deepen your individual walk with Christ and to lead others to do the same.
It’s interesting. I’ve been a church member all my life and I’ve seen it a thousand times. When someone opts out of one of these three things it’s not long before they opt out of church all together. There’s always an excuse and they will always say they are continuing in their own personal disciplines such as prayer and Bible Study, but eventually their appetite for these things subsides and their ability to make healthy choices erodes as they further separate themselves from the church, the body of Christ. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not talking about someone God moves to another church…sometimes God moves the troops around. I’m talking about someone who, for whatever reason, opts out of fellowship with other Believers all together.
So I wonder. How you’re doing on your journey toward full devotion? Do you have a healthy appetite for prayer and the study of God’s Word? Are you involved in healthy activity with other Believers? Do you attend Sunday School, Worship Services and are you connected in some area of special interest? Are you making healthy choices, choices based on Scripture rather than the whims of the moment? Take some time to evaluate where you are on this road to full devotion, and then ask God to give you the courage and the strength to take your next step of faith. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
Love y’all, God Bless,
Notes to Notice
WELCOME BACK
Spring Break is over and EASTER is just around the corner! I look forward to seeing everyone tonight! We’ll go over things for this Sunday & Easter Sunday!
EASTER BLITZ
Sunday, April 1st – 4:30 – 6:00pm | Sign up today to invite the people of our community to worship with us this Easter!
EASTER
Sunday, April 8th – Three Services with a Worship Venue in the
7:30am | 9:00am | 10:45am
With Miss America 2006, Jennifer Berry! We’ll have a music team in Fellowship Hall to facilitate worship with those who attend in that area.
EASTER SPECIAL REHEARSAL
SPECIAL REHEARSAL – THURSDAY, April 5th – 6:30 – 8:00pm
In order to prepare for Easter we will have ONE special rehearsal on April 5th – this will take the place of our regular Wednesday rehearsal!
Childcare by reservation or voucher only, please sign up tonight if you need childcare for this special rehearsal
EASTER CALL TIMES
Early Preparation Times for Easter Sunday
6:20 – Tech Prep
6:40 – Praise Band & IE
6:50 – Celebration Choir
7:30 – FIRST SERVICE BEGINS
Yup…it’s early so as you make plans to be on time, bright-eyed and ready to lead consider this:
1. We’re not getting up early just for the sake of getting up early.
2. We’re not getting up early because of just one more thing to do.
3. Because you get up early nearly twice as many people as normal will experience the LOVE of God and hear the gospel from YOU on Easter Sunday.
4. Because you get up early and lead so well someone will experience true JOY during our services Easter Sunday.
5. Because you get up early YOU will experience the excitement of simple obedience to God and the blessings that flow from that.
6. Because you get up early we get to see each others smiling faces. It’s exciting to me because we get to do this TOGETHER!
A-MAY-ZING
Things get A-MAY-ZING for us during rehearsal in MAY – be watching here for more details next week!
RESCUE – the Prayers We Pray
PRAISE: “Heavenly Father, thank you for the safe trip. Most of all thanks for the lives that were changes: for those who came to know your saving grace for the first time and for those who had the privilege of sharing your saving grace with someone else. Thanks for involving us in Your work!”
Steve K – Got paid for a watermelon he sold 2 years ago.
Pray like this: “Father, thanks for providing for us. You always take good care of us. Help us to trust in you.”
Previous Requests…For those in the know…please give us an update!
Karla Price – Friend of family (also friend of Vance & Brenda), Eddie Jo Thompson has ALS. The condition is getting worse.
Pray like this: “Father, protect and provide for Eddie and his family. Bring healing and peace. Let Karla, Vance & Brenda know how to minister to him and his family.”
Wendi Stacy – Nathan Stacy was diagnosed with asthma.
Pray like this: “Dear Jesus, thank you for modern medicine and the treatments we have now for asthma. Let the doctors find the right one. More than that bring your healing in Nathan’s life and let Him know your favor.”
Tony Foster – He will have chemo and radiations treatment.
Pray like this: “Father, do a miraculous work in his life and the life of his family. Let it be known that you are healer and provider for Tony Foster.”
Vanessa Kehl – Great Niece, Isabella, 5 months old – She will have surgery to correct the problems.
Pray like this: “Father, bring healing to the Vanessa’s niece, bring comfort to the family.”
Bonnie Walters – Chris Walters – He’s home and doing well.
PRAISE: “Thank you, Father, for taking care of Chris. Help him to heal well and quickly.”
Melissa Tyndall – Ear Problems.
Pray like this: “Heavenly Father, let Melissa know Your healing. Make her healthy and able to do all you’ve called her to do.”
Don Huggins – A teacher’s (Jenna Mandell) 6 year old daughter is having surgery.
Pray like this: “Heavenly Father, bless this child with healing and health. Let the family trust You in this and give Don words of encouragement for them.”
Cindy DeWitt – Sister-in-law is in
Pray like this: “Father, you are Jehovah Rapha, the Healer. Let your healing come here.”
Several People – Military Service
Bonnie Walter’s brother, Brian
Casey & Desha Clawson’s son, Trey
Pray like this: “Heavenly Father, let these men and their families know Your peace, comfort and favor. Protect them in their service and assure them of Your presence.”
Sunday AM – 04-01-07
Daniel – God’s Final Word
PRE-SERVICE
CD | Countdown
SERVICE START
CONGREGATIONAL MUSIC
You Will Be Our God – A, CHART
VIDEO
VIDEO – First in Action
WELCOME
Dr. Roger Ferguson
WELCOME MUSIC
I Love Your Church, O God – E, CHART
To God Be the Glory – Ab, BH – 4
CHOIR SPECIAL
It’s Amazing – F, GIW – 25
CONGREGATIONAL MUSIC
Hallelujah (You’re Love is Amazing) – G, CHART
SPECIAL MUSIC
Basil Pelton – We Believe
MESSAGE
Dr. Roger Ferguson
INVITATION
I Will Say Yes – G, CHART
OFFERING
Children’s Ministry VTV Offering
Preschool Ministry VTV Offering
Presentation of New Members
Close
I Love Your Church, O God – E, CHART
VIDEO
VIDEO – First in Action
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
Oh Praise Him
All the Way to
More Than Enough
Church Medley
It’s Amazing
For Every Mountain
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