Love Yourself
February 8, 2024
Nobody should think better of you than you do.
Do you realize that the most important relationship that you have is with you?
Do you realize that the most important relationship you have with any human being is with you? You spend more time with you than anybody else. You live with you, work with you, and even vacation with you!
That becomes a real problem if you don’t like yourself. Too many people don’t like who they are. They focus on their faults and weaknesses. They’re constantly kicking themselves. And then they wonder why they’re not happy!
The other big problem is: If you don’t get along with you, you’re not going to get along with other people.
Jesus told us this: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” (Mark 12:31)
You can’t love others if you don’t first love yourself.
And, so, the best thing you can do for neighbor … the best thing you can do for your family … the best thing you can do for your friends is …
- Be good to you.
- Be kind to you.
- Be merciful to you.
- Be forgiving to you.
- Be loving to you.
You’re good to others, so why aren’t you good to you?
- You don’t criticize your friend, so why are you criticizing you?
- You compliment your coworker, when was the last time you complimented you?
- Start being good to you.
Someone once said, “I discovered the enemy. It was me.”
Are you your own worst enemy? It’s time to be your own best friend.
Stay positive toward yourself. Nobody should think better of you than you do.
February 8, 2024
“Souperbowl” Sunday
Rob Skiba at the Grind
Ash Wednesday Service, 7:00 p.m.
Class 301, Spiritual Maturity Begins
Myles Reed at the Grind
Ed Bentley at the Grind
Ash Wednesday
Join us Wednesday evening, February 14 at 7:00 p.m. as we mark the beginning of Lent with a poignant service. We will turn our hearts toward the final days of our Lord’s earthly life.
Class 301, Discover Spiritual Maturity
Christ Church’s small group offers six sessions for getting involved in your church. Participants learn the five healthy habits that lead to a mature Christian lifestyle. Join Mike Curran Thursday, February 15 at 6:30 p.m. as the Bible Study begins. The class will meet in the conference room in the main building. This is a great follow-up to our Class 201.
Please look for the sign-up sheets on the Information and Opportunities Table to see how you can “Plug In” for any of our winter classes.
What is the Bible?
The Bible isn’t a book; it’s a library.
The Bible is …
- A collection of 66 different books
- Written in three languages
- Across three continents
- Over a 1,500-year time period
- By 40 different authors
The authors include farmers and fishermen, shepherds and doctors, priests and prophets, philosophers and kings.
What is it? It’s actually a collection of poems and prophesies, letters and laws, histories and biographies that shows us God’s love for us.
And to understand the context of what you’re reading, when you open up the Bible, you’re always going to ask three questions …
Three Simple Questions
- Who wrote it?
- To whom was it written?
- What is its purpose?
So, let’s practice this together. We’ll open up the Bible to Philemon, and we’ll try to get the context as we go. Philemon starts with these words …
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker … and to the church that meets in your home … (Philemon 1:1-2)
First of all: Who wrote it? Paul. It’s the shortest letter he ever wrote – only 335 words.
What’s interesting is that he identifies himself as “Paul, the prisoner.” He doesn’t say, “Paul the apostle.” Almost every other time, he says, “Paul the apostle.” But here he writing to an old friend. And he doesn’t want to pull his official rank on his friend.
And the leads to our second question: To whom was it written? It was written to Philemon, a wealthy businessman who led a church in his home, and was an old dear friend of Paul.
• “What is God saying to me?”
• Is there a PROMISE to be claimed?
• Is there an EXAMPLE to follow?
• Is there a COMMAND to obey?
• Is there something to KNOW about God?
January 5, 2024
- Jan 4—Art with a Heart at the Daily Grind 11-1:30
- Jan 9—Winter Bible Study Begins at 6:00
- Jan 18—Ministry Fair
- Jan 20—Art with a Heart at the Daily Grind 11-1:30
- Jan 21—Ministry Fair
- Jan 21—Mike the Music Man at the Daily Grind 10-1
- Jan 28—Ed Bentley at the Daily Grind 11-1
- Feb 6—Class 101, Membership Information Class
- Feb 15, Class 301, Discover Spiritual Maturity Begins
MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY
Our Community Food Pantry Delivery Person
Did you know we are a drop off location for the Southwick food pantry? We would love to have someone help deliver our generous donations to Our Community Food Pantry. They’re located right down the road near McDonald’s. If this sounds like a ministry you would enjoy, please speak to Kathy Elias at 413-569-5151, extension 15.
MISSION OPPORTUNITY
Our Community Food Pantry
It takes a lot of work to help our neighbors in need. Our local food pantry is looking for help with fundraising, grant writing, marketing and working with their wonderful volunteers! Check out their website, ourcommunityfoodpantry.org for more information and a volunteer application.
Obedience
the outcome is God’s.
December 8, 2023
Dec. 10, 11:00-2:00 ~Acoustic Café at the Daily Grind—Rob Skiba
Dec. 16, 6:00 p.m. ~Christmas with the Rattletones Concert
Dec. 24, 5:00 p.m. ~Christmas Children’s Service Sunday
Friday, Dec. 29 ~Christ Church serves dinner at the Westfield Soup Kitchen
November 10, 2023
- CHURCH EVENTS
- Nov. 12 Women’s Ministry Craft Event
- Nov. 12 Acoustic Café with Rob Skiba
- Nov. 19 Acoustic Café with The Rattletones
- Nov. 19 Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Donations Due
- Nov. 19, 26 Thanksgiving Sundays
- Nov. 26, Dec. 3 Children’s Pageant Rehearsals after 11:15 service
- Nov. 26 Acoustic Café with Ed Bentley
- Dec. 2 Church Decorating Day 1-5
- Dec. 7 and 10 A Manger Suite
- Dec. 10 Children’s Pageant
- Dec. 16 Christmas Concert with the Rattletones 5 p.m.
- Dec. 17 Adopt-A-Child Presents Due
What’s Your Plan?
I wonder how many of you would say, just real honestly now, there’s some part of your life that you wish wasn’t in this chapter. You want something different. You want something better. You want something more. It could be something for you; it could be something for someone you love. But you’re asking God for a better chapter.
Father, I pray that even though we can’t see You now, we thank You that You are here – that You’re even with us in the chapters that we don’t understand. So, help us trust You.
And, Father, help us do our part – to create a plan and work hard. But, Father, ultimately, we know that we depend on You. Thank You for Your providence in our life. You’re so good to us. Thank You for the new chapter that You’re writing in our life.
Thank You, Father, especially for your plan to save us and bring us home to heaven. You sent Jesus to die for us. That’s your plan. You sent Jesus to defeat death. That’s Your plan. And I want to thank You for letting me be a part of it. Thank You that there is a chapter of my life that is called “Heaven.” And there is a chapter of my life that is called “Victory.” And there is a chapter of my life that is called “Glory.”
Thank You, Jesus, I pray this in Your Name. Amen.
One Decision
October 13, 2023
- Women’s Ministry—Pizza and Game Night Oct. 15
- New Series on the Book of Ruth Begins Oct. 15
- Acoustic Café, Michael McEleney Oct. 22
- Acoustic Café, The Rattletones Oct. 29
- Women’s Ministry K Love Worship Concert Nov. 6
- Women’s Ministry Craft Event Nov. 12
- Operation Christmas Child Gifts Due Nov. 19
MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY
Playground Spruce Up
All the rain has made our playground mulch a little sparse looking. We’d like to order a truckload and were wondering if you’d be available to help spread it around? The rain has also made the weeds on the playground grow, maybe you’d be able to do some weeding and weed whacking? Please let Kathy King know if you can help. Kathy can be reached at 413-569-5151, extension 13.