The Dartts - Live in Concert

Sunday July 10, 2016

Some notes from Sunday evening's service.  (Thanks, Heather)

 

Something to Think About

• What makes you happy?
• Do you pray for things that make you happy? (Better job, more money, fewer bills)
• John 4 (Woman at the well story, but focused on when the decouples try to get Jesus to eat, He says, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about"
• The Israelites prayed for years to be free from bondage, and eventually they did, after 40 years in the wilderness. 
• God gave them manna from heaven each day... Kept them alive And gave them energy for 40 years.
• They prayed for release, and then for food, having everything they really needed, but then still weren't happy... They were bored.
• Even with church, people get bored.
• How many times are we not happy with what we have, so we try something different.
• Get drunk for something different... Be sexually promiscuous for something different, but still don't find happiness.
• Revelations 2:17
• John 6:31+
• Many people leave the faith/religion because they are bored
• But if we look to HIM, we will never be bored or live a mundane life.

The Message ~ Jackie Ross

• What do you think when you see 'cop hat'? Depends what you're doing ;) :D
• Officer Happy Ross is out looking for smile stealers/joy stealers.
• If you have a Bible Verse to convict these fellons, bring it to their attention asap; Or please call 1-800-PICK-JOY.

• We are people of Faith when we come to Christ, and we're people of joy 
• Because God is with you and I, He will strengthen and help us, He will uphold us...
• You do not walk through this thing called life alone or condemned!
• When God is on your side, you are a majority!
• God's presence is a shield, so there is no need to fear.
• To worship... To ascribe worth.
• A new system was coming in... Old Testament to New Testament (one sacrifice for all)... Some wouldn't believe/conform, then there were others who followed Jesus.
• Revelations 4:1-11... John wrote this book, and he knew things were changed.
•  Thou Art Worthy, Thou are worthy, Thou are worthy oh Lord, to received glory, glory and honour...
•  He paid a debt He did not owe, I owed a debt I could not paid. I needed something to wash my sins away. And now I sing a brand new song, "Amazing Grace"...
• John knew the 'world' he knew was changing.
• The world tries to steal our joy, but we are called to be faithful, joyful followers... That is our calling.

Service of Sunday July 3, 2016

Notes from Sunday's service.  (Thanks, Heather)

Something to Think About

• Did you know there's a prayer room before service?
• Jesus said 'My house will be a house of Prayer.'
• Many people who do pray seem to think their prayers are unanswered.
• In some churches, they teach all prayers are answered: Sometimes he says 'yes', sometimes he says 'no', sometimes he says 'wait'.
• No where is it found in the Bible that God says he answers ALL prayers, or that he hears all prayers.
• "The prayers of a righteous man availeth much"... And yes the Bible says none is righteous. Hmmmm...
• A righteous person has to have faith.
• Prayer without faith is useless.
• We are to prayer in faith, when some of us pray in fear.
• Prayer is a communication with God. Thus, if we are not praying for 'healing' (for example), when we are not ill, we should be praising for health!
• We are more likely to help a friend with financial needs if it's someone who you speak to often; maybe a 'stranger' wouldn't get the same treatment
• Faith without prayer is useless.
• HOWEVER, without submission, this is all useless
• Pharisees were good at faith and prayer, but they weren't submissive.
• Answered prayers are from those who pray in everything, and pray earnestly. This is why some prayers aren't answered until what seems to be the last minute; we are not praying in submission.
• And when we pray/communicate with God, sometimes what we once prayed for,  changes.

The Message ~ Pastor Caroline

• Pastor Caroline just gave the title and ending of her prepared sermon, but gave up the Message time for a personal testimony from a congregation member
• "Testing Times, Trusting Him"
• When you trust God, you will see the positive and the rewards will be yours. In your testing times, trust God. And when you come through, Praise God.

Praise testimony to God was given from a man in our congregation:

PART I (last Sunday)

• Recovering from alcoholism
• Quitting smoking
• The belief in the power of prayer, through answered prayer.

PART II

• Had a baby in his teens, but wasn't in the child's life.
• Later married and had a daughter.
• 18 years later, alcoholism had taken over and the marriage ended in divorce
• We all need help at times, but we don't know how to get it/to ask for it.
• Watched porn channels, just from time to time, but there was 'side-effects' of that.
• Through friends, true friends with concern, he started seeing a counselling.
• 28 weeks, still seeing a councillor!
• January 2016. In a counselling session, he decided he wanted to know the children of his daughter that he hasn't seen for some time.
• Without knowing how to make contact, he prayed!
• Decided to 'give up' in April.
• On an errand to Sears, he met the mother of his first child at the mall, and she said his grand-son wanted to meet him.
• Through meeting his grand-son, who happened to attend the same University as his daughter, he was able to find out something's about her, and have tracked her down!
• God has a sense of humour. He wanted to get in-touch with his daughter to see his grand-children, and who does God send as the messenger... The son of his first born!
• He then thanked many people in the church and said he has NEVER felt acceptance until becoming a part of this assembly!