Death Be Not Proud, John Donne

By On February 18, 2012 · Leave a Comment · In From the Pastor
72. “Death be not proud, though some have called thee”
DEATH be not proud, though some have called thee  
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so,  
For, those, whom thou think’st, thou dost overthrow,  
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.  
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,          5
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,  
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,  
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.  
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,  
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,   10
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,  
And better then thy stroake; why swell’st thou then;  
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,  
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.
 

Missions Speaker during Adult Education this Sunday Feb 19th

By On February 18, 2012 · Leave a Comment · In From the Pastor

Come learn about Mission to the World and how the PCA missions sending agency is helping more take the love of Christ to the World. 10 -11 Sunday morning.  This class meets in the CCC Office Complex.

Mitch Gindlesperger has served with MTW for eight years, and is currently the director of the Two-Week Department. Mitch has led trips to China, Greece, Mexico, Belize, Spain, and locations throughout the US.
Mitch is married to his middle school sweetheart, Melissa, and they have three boys; Mason (7), Miles (5),and Merritt (3).

 

 

Quotes on Forever

By On February 17, 2012 · Leave a Comment · In From the Pastor

So much of your distress at what is, is really a hunger for what will be.
–Paul Tripp

“You may never call yourself a Presbyterian, Buddhist, Lutheran, Hindu, Mormon, Baptist, or Muslim, but you will also never successfully escape forever. It is inside you. It has been constructed inside you by your Maker. You and I didn’t have a vote.”. —-Paul Tripp

What is the ultimate Christian hope?
and
What hope is there for change, rescue, transformation, new possibilities within the world in the present?
–Tom Wright

Often people assume that Christians are simply committed to a belief in “life after death” in the most general terms and have no idea how the more specific notions of resurrection, judgment, the second coming of Jesus, and so on fit together and make any sense—let alone how they relate to the urgent concerns of today’s real world.
–Tom Wright

 

Catechisms are cool

By On February 16, 2012 · Leave a Comment · In From the Pastor

I always appreciate the way catechisms can beautifully & concisely communicate Bible teaching in a way that warms the heart.

Q. 82. What is the communion in glory which the members of the invisible church have with Christ?
A. The communion in glory which the members of the invisible church have with Christ, is in this life, immediately after death, and at last perfected at the resurrection and day of judgment.

Q. 86. What is the communion in glory with Christ which the members of the invisible church enjoy immediately after death?
A. The communion in glory with Christ which the members of the invisible church enjoy immediately after death, is, in that their souls are then made perfect in holiness, and received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies, which even in death continue united to Christ, and rest in their graves as in their beds, till at the last day they be again united to their souls. (excerpt)

Q. 87. What are we to believe concerning the resurrection?
A. We are to believe that at the last day there shall be a general resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust: when they that are then found alive shall in a moment be changed; and the selfsame bodies of the dead which were laid in the grave, being then again united to their souls forever, shall be raised up by the power of Christ. The bodies of the just, by the Spirit of Christ, and by virtue of his resurrection as their head, shall be raised in power, spiritual, incorruptible, and made like to his glorious body.  (excerpt)

–those were from Westminster Larger Cat and these are Heidelberg Cat———————–

57. Q. What comfort does the resurrection of the body offer you?

A. Not only shall my soul after this life immediately be taken up to Christ, my Head,[1] but also this my flesh, raised by the power of Christ, shall be reunited with my soul and made like Christ’s glorious body.[2]

[1] Luke 16:22; 23:43; Phil. 1:21-23. [2] Job 19:25, 26; I Cor. 15:20, 42-46, 54; Phil. 3:21; I John 3:2.

58. Q. What comfort do you receive from the article about the life everlasting?

A. Since I now already feel in my heart the beginning of eternal joy, [1] I shall after this life possess perfect blessedness, such as no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived– a blessedness in which to praise God forever.[2]

[1] John 17:3; Rom. 14:17; II Cor. 5:2, 3. [2] John 17:24; I Cor. 2:9.

59. Q. But what does it help you now that you believe all this?

A. In Christ I am righteous before God and heir to life everlasting.[1]

[1] Hab. 2:4; John 3:36; Rom. 1:17; 5:1, 2.

 

 

Prayer meeting for parents of youth

By On February 16, 2012 · Leave a Comment · In From the Pastor

Parents of Youth,
Please join me Sunday evening for a prayer meeting that is focused upon extending the kingdom of Christ in and through the hearts and lives of our children.  We’ll pray for:
—repentance and faith, for youth and their parents
—God to raise up staff for A.N. (After Nate)
—upcoming trips
—volunteer staff

We’ll meet from 6:00-7:15 in the purple room.