August 25th 2015

COMMUNITYFREE CHURCH WEEKLY

PRAISE GOD!

You never know what God is going to do. This is why this past weekend I said that the Christian life can be summarized by putting Hebrews 11:8 “not knowing where” and 2 Timothy 1:12 “but I know whom I have believed upon” together.

We don’t know where, when, and why, but we do know whom we have believed upon, Jesus Christ, and that is enough.

Want to hear something very cool? This past weekend we baptized Angenette Hart. It was an amazing moment where we got to experience the promise that Jesus Christ is still seeking, and still saving in front of us!

But it doesn’t end there! After service Kevin Smith approached me with tears in his eyes and said he wanted to give his life back to Jesus and get in the water! So this next weekend we will be having another baptism, but it doesn’t have to end there. My prayer is that we would have to keep the baptismal out because God is moving through the hearts of His people! Please join me in praying “keep The baptismal out” for God’s Glory and Praise!

If you are interested in baptism please call Pastor Jason this week.

Interim Church

Secretary

Deb Henrikson

As many of you may already know, Jan Piasecki took a nasty fall last Tuesday night breaking two ribs and puncturing a lung. As she is healing Deb Henrikson has graciously agreed to step in as interim secretary, and help the office to continue to serve you well. If you need anything over the next few weeks please give Deb a call!

Sunday night we hosted an AWANA BBQ/Registration night. Given the change in the program we didn’t know what to expect in terms of numbers so we were SO THANKFUL for all the kids and registrations that happened Sunday night! PRAISE GOD for a wonderful time to connect with new friends and old, and to get kids registered for AWANA. Thanks to Bruce and Deb Henrikson, Mark Thompson, Don Ramsey, and all the AWANA directors for making it a great night!

What’s Happening This Week at Jesus’ Church?

Isaiah: The King and His Glory “I know whom I have believed upon.”Introduction: Isaiah 33:2, 10, 24 Isaiah 34 The way of unbelief. 35 The way of faith.

Hebrews 11:8 2 Timothy 1:12

Exposition: Isaiah 36:1-22 Isaiah 7:3 Romans 4:17 Acts 5:39 Psalm 33:15, 20:7 Isaiah 37:1-8 2 Timothy 1:12

A new addition to the weekly newsletter is a copy of the scripture outline from Sunday’s sermon. It is my hope that this helps you in reflection on the work that God did through his Word.

Tuesday 8/11 Community Groups The Schifo Home 6:00pm

Wednesday 8/12 Youth Group 6:00pm Thursday 8/13 Worship Practice 7:30pm

Friday 8/15

River Festival 3:30-7:00pm

Volunteer to promote AWANA or come and pray for people at the festival!

Saturday 8/15 Act Like Men 7:00am

River Festival 9:00-5:00pm Volunteer to promote AWANA or come and pray for people at the festival!

Sunday 8/23 Christian Education 9:30-10:30am Counter Culture with Jerry Unger God’s Prophets with Bruce Henrikson Precepts Upon Precepts Women’s Study Jr. and Sr. High School

Worship Gathering 10:45am Isaiah 39: Pastor Jason Schifo

Kevin SmithIf you are interested in baptism see Pastor Jason this week.

Isaiah has been called the Bible in mini. The first 39 chapters, “judgement”, mirror the 39 books of the Old Testament, and the last 27 chapters, “comfort and relief”, mirror the 27 New Testament books.

On September 9th, at 10:45am, we are going to be having a special message on the Gospel as we transition between the 39th chapter and into the 40th. Join us!

After tons of hard work by Josh DeYoung (Thank God for Josh!) We received our building permit for the nursery construction.

Please pray now forthe doors and windows that need to be ordered so that construction can begin. Your prayers have been a huge part of howGod is working through this whole process! Praise Him and Pray!

As I was sitting in my office late April I was praying for the nursery project and I was struck by a particular vision and scripture. As I closed my eyes I saw young children being prayed over and the bible being read to them. I heard the gospel being shared, and at that moment I heard Acts 11:26, “For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”

My prayer out of that moment is that by seeking the Lord we would establish a “Little Antioch”, a safe and inviting place where children can hear the gospel, and grow as disciples who know and trust Jesus.

Excited? I certainly am, but as with anything I have to make sure my excitement doesn’t exceed my obedience because none of this is possible without prayer. Prayer delights Him and unites us. Please consider stopping by the church and pray - fill out a prayer card - and put it on the wall where

construction will begin to happen!

PRAY FOR GOD’S WORK IN OUR MIDST

Psalm 127:1God this is your

project and place - fill it with Your Glory!

There will be a Beth Moore simulcast shown at Windsor Road Christian Church on Saturday, September 12th, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is to join the simulcast is $20.00, and lunch is an additional $10.00. The subject will be Beth Moore’s new book, "Audacious".

If anyone is interested in going, please let Deb Henrikson, 586-2918, know by September 1st.

There will be no daytime Ladies Bible Study this fall, but they will begin meeting in January looking at the new Beth Moore study, "Audacious", from the simulcast.

If anyone is interested in doing a Bible study this fall, we want to encourage you to check out Bible Study Fellowship  (see Michelle Shafer or Tasha Schifo for more information) studying the “Book of Revelation”.

Men’s Bible Study Fellowship will start September 14th, 6:45pm, at First Baptist Church of Savoy. The cost is “Free” and there is a program for kids 1st grade through High School.

Women’s Bible Study Fellowship will start September 15th, 9:10am, at First Christian Church in Champaign. The cost is “Free” and there is a children’s program birth through preschool.

Are you available to volunteer at the River Festival? Friday: 3-5:00pm Friday: 5-7:30pm Saturday: 9-11:00am Saturday: 12-2:00-pmSaturday: 1-3:00pmSaturday: 3-5:00pmSaturday: 5-7:00pm

Sign up to volunteer today!Interested in praying for people at the festival? Contact Deb Henrikson in the office today!

As of today there are over 40 kids registered for the 2015/2016 AWANA program that starts September 13th, at 6:00pm!

With the challenges of a fresh start no one knew what this year would hold, but faithful volunteers met, prayed, listened, learned, and have led us to this point where we are hoping to meet even more kids with the Gospel in the coming months!

Please continue to Pray AND Praise God for His faithfulness because it is GREAT!

Please take a moment today and share AWANA with someone via email. Tell them about this great opportunity!

What a Great Sunday!

Over the past year we have watched Judah live in spite of God rather than in light of His great love. They trusted in themselves, they trusted in Assyria, and they trusted in Egypt - all to no avail.

Finally they hit rock bottom. All other hope and human help have run out. In chapter 33 they are at the end of themselves and finally after 32-34 years they turn and move in repentance:

Isaiah 33:2O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble.

Isaiah 33:10, 24Now I will rise up, Now I will lift myself up, Now I will be exalted And no inhabitant will say, “I am sick” the people who dwell there will be forgiven their iniquity.

God’s people call out to Him and He rises up because He is mighty to save. Now the rubber meets the road and it is decision time.

Isaiah 34: The way of unbelief driven by our feelings, felt needs, and desires. Isaiah 35: The way of faith in God alone - His grace, goodness, and loving kindness towards us.

Now in chapter 37-38 God’s people face the world typified in Assyria. Because when God’s people put their complete trust in the God the world will always rise up against them. So don’t be shocked in what you read and see in the media. Don’t be shocked by the persecution that has come and is coming. The world will always

rise up against those who put their faith in the Lord.

Thus far in the book of Isaiah we have sinfulness, judgement, God’s persistence in pursuing His people at all costs, Judah hitting rock bottom - repenting, God’s reaction in rising up, a call to decide, and now in chapters 37-38, living that out in the real world.

If I had to summarize the Christian life in just one sentence I would do so using two verses:

Hebrews 11:8 “He (being Abraham)went not knowing where he was going” (I know not where)2 Timothy 1:12 “I know whom I have believed upon”

“I know not where, but I know whom I have believed upon.”

So often this has been my own story. Has it been yours? Hoping, but not knowing, and in the end realizing that trusting in the faithfulness of God is all that we have.

That great faith chapter of Hebrews 11 it is quite clear that Abraham didn’t know where God was leading him, and that he didn’t need to know, to respond by faith. Paul writing to his disciple Timothy didn’t know where he was going but he knew whom he had believed upon.

We don’t always know where, but we do know who, and that my friends is enough. If you always have to know the what, where, when, and why all in advance before you obey God then you are not living by faith in God. Living by faith accepts ambiguity and the unknown - because God is in charge. As we saw in Angenette and in Kevin’s stories He is MIGHTY to save - Trust Him today!

Weekly Bible Reading

As you may know, the United States along with the leaders of 5 other

countries, have signed a “deal with Iran” which includes some language and

promises that are very dangerous to the well being of our nation, and to the

stability of Israel and the Middle-East.

We have an opportunity to lift our voices in a powerful way and lend our support to our leaders, thereby being

instrumental in pursuing a better deal.

September 6th at 6:00pm at Community Evangelical Free Church

of Mahomet - Make a difference!

Peggy Shapiro, Midwest Director of “StandWithUs” will be at the Community Evangelical Free Church of Mahomet, September 6th, at 6:00pm, to discuss this very important and urgent situation. Peggy will help us understand how we can practically engage in a letter-writing campaign to voice our concerns and encourage our leaders.

When was the last time you were able to spend an hour rocking a baby?

When was the last time you were able to give your undivided attention to a

curious infant? 

Now is your opportunity!

 The baby/infant nursery needs your loving touch. We have many babies coming to Sunday School and church each week and their parents

could use a break so they can focus on God. During this time it is our chance to tell these

little ones how much God loves them. Say “YES” to serving on a rotating team.

 

Aug 23rd Revelation 13 Aug 27th Revelation 17Aug 24th Revelation 14 Aug 28th Revelation 18Aug 25th Revelation 15 Aug 29th Revelation 19Aug 26th Revelation 16 Aug 30th Revelation 20