Who are you inviting to church this Easter?

Who are you inviting to join you this Easter? Easter Sunday is April 8th. Both the 9:00 and 10:45 AM worship gatherings are "family style" with a special children's presentation during the message for pre-school and elementary children. Regular attendees who are physically able are encouraged to park in the "additional parking" area to the right of the FMC. This allows for plenty of parking for our guests.

Please pray that God would reveal Himself in a powerful way this Easter as we proclaim the Resurrection Life available in Christ. Here’s a little encouragement to be bold as you invite friends and neighbors to join you this Easter.

Acts 15:1-11 Questions for Discussion and Reflection

Dispute about Outsiders
In Genesis 17:10 God gives to Abraham and his descendants the sign of circumcision, “This is My covenant, which you are to keep, between Me and you and your offspring after you: Every one of your males must be circumcised.” This was done to “serve as a sign” of the covenant God had established with Abraham. (Genesis 17:11) Read Acts 10:23-11:18. Here the apostle Peter proclaims the gospel to the gentile Cornelius and his household. What is the response of the “circumcised believers” when these “uncircumcised gentiles” repent, believe the gospel and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? (11:45) What did Peter conclude? (11:34-36) What outward symbol was used to demonstrate that these new believers where accepted as full-fledged brothers and sisters in Christ? (10:47-48)

Evaluate the claim, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved!” (Acts 15:1) in light of the following Scriptures.

Jeremiah 4:4-

Matthew 23:25-26—

John 7:22-24—

Romans 3:28-30—

Romans 4:10-

Galatians 5:6; 6:15—

Colossians 2:11; 3:11—

Read Peter’s address to the elders in Acts 15:6-11. What does he mean by the proponents of circumcision putting “putting a yoke on the disciples’ necks”? How does Jesus define His “yoke” in Matthew 11:28-30?

Go. (Romans 1:16-17) Questions for Discussion and Application.

Read Romans 1:1-17.

How does the Apostle Paul identify himself? (1:1)

According to verse 5, what did Paul receive that equipped him for the ministry he was called to? _____________ and _____________.

How did Paul describe the aim of his ministry? (1:5) How are his hearers equipped for ministry? (1:6-7)



Why did Paul yearn and long to see these brothers and sisters? (1:11)


How are we to feel concerning our obligation to present the Word of God to everyone (1:15)?

Why are we not to be ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16)?


What is revealed in the Gospel (Romans 1:17)?

Mission Week-- Monday Prayer Needs

Angel Aguirre and ACEE-Working with prisons throughout Ecuador, establishing Bible Studies, training Bible Study leader sand establishing training centers for believers in preparation for release. Director of Theo. Studies for prisoners-it has been a great year for Angel and his ministry.Training Bible Study leaders in local churches. Has over 100 working on Bible Studies. Setting up Bible Studies for children of prisoners. Pray for writing thesis on 1 Corinthians.
Nehemiah Ministries-Wayne and Jan Briggs-Working with troubled churches and congregations seeking Pastors. Pray for future ministries to open up nearby. Has had 5 inquiries since 1/13 after many months without a call .New Website-
Jim and Sylvia Campana-Safety as area is not safe-but shootings have decreased some.-Good attendance to services, outreach programs well attended. Praise for continued souls hearing salvation message .Have found Property for new church building Pray for funds- and outreach programs to be held. They have received another used bus to pick up local folks for services.
S.D. -SIL-Safety and wisdom as she continues language study and translation work. Keeping busy editing. Coming home Mar.3/4 for 1 month to visit churches, family and Medical check-ups. Pray for visa renewal.
Solutions Preg. And Health Center- Pray for counselors that work with women and their pregnancies and make difficult decisions. Pray for PACE ministry and leader, volunteers, Medical Staff, new programs. Banquet-March 22-7PM

"Go" Questions for Discussion and Reflection

Read Matthew 28:18-20. To whom did Jesus give the Great Commission? What is the command? How is this command to be achieved?

Read Acts 20:24-27, 31-32. How did the Apostle Paul describe his obedience to the Great Commission?

What was the Apostle Paul’s motivation according to 2 Corinthians 5:14-15?

What should be our attitude in response to what Christ did on our behalf?

Read the following Scriptures. Is the Holy Spirit leading you to make any changes in your priorities in response to these Scripture? If so, what are they?

Luke 9:26—

Matthew 4:19—

2 Corinthians 5:18-20—

Ezekiel 3:18—

John 15:8—

John 15:16—

Where Am I Serving?-- Questions for Discussion and Reflection

What additional insights about the priority of serving one another do you observe in the following Scriptures?

Romans 15:25—

1 Corinthians 16:15—

2 Corinthians 9:1-2—

Hebrews 6:10—

Read Philippians 2:2. Make a list of the specific ways you have been “encouraged in Christ”, “consoled by love”, experienced the “fellowship with the Spirit” and received “affection and mercy.” How does this motivate you to serve?

Read John 13:2-17. How does Jesus washing the feet of His disciples model and explain Philippians 2:4?

How is the Holy Spirit leading you to “consider others as more important than yourself”?

Is the Holy Spirit leading you to explore a ministry team? If so, what is your next step?

Pray for Nigeria

On Sunday upon learning of the church bombing in Jos, Nigeria, we prayed for God's comfort and healing for those injured and the families of those who lost their lives. Here's a news update from Open Doors: Suicide Bombers Attack Worship Service in Jos, Nigeria

NMBC mission partners Dwight and Miriam Singer live and work in Jos. We received this report from them on Sunday-- “ We are about a mile or so from where it happened.... Pray for our city today and all of Nigeria. We are ok. Thanks for your prayers.” You can learn more about their work at www.sim-nigeria.org.

Let's continue to pray for our brothers and sisters of the Church of Christ in Jos, the Singers and the nation of Nigeria. Here's a specific prayer request for the nation of Nigeria from Operation World: (www.operationworld.org)

The challenges facing the government are myriad and urgent – extremist Muslim agitation in the north, armed militias in the disgruntled and oil-rich southeast, pervasive corruption, a self-serving network of bureaucratic elite, emigration/brain drain, widespread poverty and an apparently disintegrating sense of national identity. These are challenges enough for any established government, never mind a fledgling democracy. Pray for the right balance between caution and decisiveness in addressing such threats, and between prudence and ambition in economic development and in combating poverty.