Greetings in Christ’s name!
On Saturday our Junior High Bible Quiz team competed at the first quiz of the season—right here at our church. 11 teams competed against one another, answering questions about the first several chapters from the Gospel of Matthew. It was fun to see the students exhibit their brain power—recalling Matthew’s story lines and the details of Jesus’s life and teaching. More than once, we all laughed when a student buzzed in without really knowing the answer to the question and subsequently guessed the answer, “Jesus,” which was a fairly good guess half the time. But more often, the students buzzed in and then quoted whole verses—word for word—as their answers. It reminded me of how intensive study and memorization of scripture can form our minds and help us know how to act in certain situations. It struck me when one team knew that Jesus was tempted by food, security and power in Matthew’s 4th chapter, and that Jesus responded to those temptations by quoting from scripture. Such an example tells us that knowing the scripture—even memorizing the scripture—can be helpful to us when we are tempted with things like food, security and power. If you’ve never memorized any verses in the bible, consider memorizing one verse a month this year (anything from Matthew’s 5th-7th chapters would be appropriate). You just might find that practice will help you get through times of difficulty, pain, or temptation.
And by the way, congratulations to our two Bible Quiz teams that competed and their coach Tena Roher. I’m proud of their diligent study and memorization!
Left to right back row: Tena Roher, Hudson Eubanks, Matthew Herrarra, Avery Perry, Josiah Brown. Front row: Carston Hernandez, Aidan Caudle, Dara Dudley, Mika Porterfield
This Week:
If you would like to make pledges to financially support our missionaries in this coming year. CLICK HERE to enter your financial commitment. Your pledge will help the Mission Team know how to budget and plan this year.
Several Bible Study opportunities are either in-progress or will start soon! Sunday Night Bible Study at 5 pm in the Coffee Café is open to all (the group is taking a break on February 12th but will be back on the 19th. Women’s Bible Study starts on Wednesday, February 8th at 9:30 am; click here for details. A Wednesday evening class on Jason Porterfield’s book, “Fight Like Jesus,” will begin on February 22nd at 7 pm – click here for details. Or for more information on any of these, contact the church office.
From our presiding clerk, Matt Wilber: The Coordinators are planning a luncheon to honor David and Rochelle Bridges and celebrate their 23 years of ministry among us. The celebration will take place on Sunday, February 26th following the morning service, which will be David’s last Sunday as our Senior Pastor. The church will provide fajitas, and we need a headcount by February 20th. Please sign up by using this link, or you can sign up in the Coffee Café for the next two Sundays.
Several people have asked me where they might donate for earthquake relief work in Syria and Turkey. I deeply trust the work of Mennonite Central Committee and they are receiving donations for their relief work here.
May the love of God, peace of Christ and fellowship of the Spirit be with you all this week.
Peace,
David Bridges