Sermon for April 30, 2017 (third Sunday of Easter) Scripture readings: Acts 2:14, 36-41; Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19; 1 Pet. 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35 COMING TO FAITH IN JESUS (Luke 24:13-35) By Linda Rex Today, the third Sunday of the Easter season, let’s look at encountering Jesus. In our reading in Luke’s Gospel, two disciples of Jesus, walking … Continue reading "Sermon for April 30, 2017" Read the article
Sermon for April 23, 2017 (second Sunday of Easter) Scripture readings: Acts 2:14, 22-32; Psalm 16:1-11; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31 THE POWER OF JESUS’ RESURRECTION (John 20:19-31) By Ted Johnston Introduction The news that Jesus had risen from the dead spread rapidly among his followers—at first with skepticism, then hesitation, but finally with enthusiasm and … Continue reading "Sermon for April 23, 2017" Read the article
Got extra time and a room full of kids — but you’ve used up your teaching material for the day? Children’s Ministry Magazine offers assistance in an article titled “13 Ways to Turn Extra Classtime Into Extraordinary Learning Time.” To read it, click here. Also note that there is a treasure trove of children’s ministry … Continue reading "Kids Korner: resources for children’s ministry" Read the article
A significant aspect of our renewal as congregations is developing “healthy habits” related to reaching out to and engaging the unchurched community. For help, read Sam Butler’s article in this issue on community assessment, and check out these articles on various related topics: The Hospitable Gospel by Ed Stetzer 7 Reasons Churches That Want To Reach … Continue reading "Community outreach resources" Read the article
In order for a congregation to participate actively in what Christ is doing in the community where it meets, it must get to know that community well. There are multiple ways to do so with a particularly effective one being the nine-step community assessment process detailed in the article below by GCI pastor Sam Butler … Continue reading "How to conduct a community assessment" Read the article
Through the articles and sermons linked below, the March Equipper addresses various issues relevant to GCI’s journey of renewal in 2017 and beyond. From Greg: Trends for churches in 2017 GCI Vice President Greg Williams looks at ten trends likely to impact the ministry of our churches in the year ahead and beyond. How to … Continue reading "Forward in 2017!" Read the article
Sermon for April 16, 2017 (Easter) Scripture readings: Acts 10:34-43 or Jer. 31:1-6; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Col. 3:1-4 or Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18 or Matt. 28:1-10 THE DAWNING OF THE NEW DAY (John 20:1-18) By Ted Johnston (drawing on commentary by Michael Card) Biographies usually end with the subject’s death. But John’s recounting of the story of Jesus is not … Continue reading "Sermon for April 16, 2017 (Easter)" Read the article
Sermon for April 13, 2017 (Maundy Thursday) Scripture readings: Ex. 12:1-4, 11-14; Psalm 116:12, 12-19; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; John 13:1-17, 31b-35 WHOLEHEARTEDLY FOLLOWING CHRIST (John 13:1-17) By Cathy Deddo In this Maundy Thursday sermon we’ll look at the account in John’s Gospel of Jesus’ washing of his disciples’ feet. In doing so, we’ll see what it means to … Continue reading "Sermon for April 13, 2017 (Maundy Thursday)" Read the article
Sermon for April 9, 2017 (sixth Sunday in Lent—Palm/Passion Sunday) Scripture readings (Liturgy of the Passion): Isa. 50:4-9, Psalm 31:9-16, Phil. 2:5-11, Matt. 26:14-27:66 On this, the last day of Lent, the RCL has two liturgies---one for the liturgy of the Palms and one for the liturgy of the Passion. The sermon below is related … Continue reading "Sermon for April 9, 2017 (Palm/Passion Sunday)" Read the article
Sermon for April 2, 2017 (fifth Sunday in Lent) Scripture readings: Ezek. 37:1-14, Psa. 130:1-8, Rom. 8:6-11, John 11:1-45 WAKING THE DEAD (Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45) By Linda Rex Here’s a question for us all today: Where is our life? Asked other ways: From where do we draw our life? What is it that we build our life around? What is … Continue reading "Sermon for April 2, 2017" Read the article
