Sunday, March 25, 2007

We were joined this morning by Dr. David Black and his wife, Becky Lynn. Dr. and Mrs. Black have a continued ministry aiding the Church in Ethiopia. They shared this morning specifically what they are doing among the church families in Ethiopia and how they plan to continue coming alongside the believers there. Mrs. Black presented a slide show along with many stories of the lives of various Christians they have met. It was a very informative and motivating time for all.

We later gathered at the home of the Taylor's to share in a meal and the Lord's Supper. We followed with a time of prayer, focusing on our families, workplaces, and the possibility of a future relationship between our local body and a body of believers in Ethiopia.

For more information on the Blacks' work in Ethiopia, visit their website.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

This week when we gathered, Tracy M. taught out of the first three chapters of Hosea. God calls Hosea to take to himself a wife of harlotry. The children she bears are given significant names - Jezreel (in reference to the violence done is Jezreel), "No Mercy", and "Not My People". We see God's judgment on the house of Israel. The end of chapter 2, however, displays God's mercy as he calls "Not My People" "You are my people". We as Gentiles have hope in this mercy of God that extends to the nations.

Tracy challenged the body to consider our interaction with God's plan for the nations, specifically how we can 1) pray, 2) give, and 3) go.

Next week Dr. and Mrs. Black will join us for our morning gathering to speak of the work of the Church in Ethiopia. We will follow with a celebration of the Lord's Supper at the Taylor's.

Please remember that as we approach Easter, we will be looking to collect offerings for Annie Armstrong - money to support missions in North America. Our goal for this year is $2,000.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

This week when we gathered, Maël D. finished our study in 2 Timothy. 2 Timothy 4:9-22 contrasts the Fickleness of Man with the Steadfastness of God. Paul points to those who have deserted him and caused him trouble. But he comes back to the faithfulness of the Lord to rescue him. We see in Paul's final days a God-centered, gospel-focused perspective.

Tracy M. will teach out of Hosea next week when we gather.

Please remember to be in prayer for all of the families that have gone out from our body to serve the Lord through missions.

Also, as a reminder, Dr. and Mrs. Black will be with us on Sunday, March 25th. We will follow by breaking bread at the Taylors.

Sunday, March 4, 2007

This week when we gathered, Rodney M. taught from 2 Timothy 4:1-8. Paul exhorts Timothy to guard sound doctrine. If we zoom out from this text, we see that this fits within Paul's theme in the book of 2 Timothy to Persevere in the midst of Persecution. Zooming out again, we see Paul's call to godly living. And with a final zoom, we see Paul's emphasis on righteousness that comes through faith. Rodney encouraged the body to remain mindful of the two greatest commandments: To love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul, and To love your neighbor as yourself.

We will finish our study of the book of 2 Timothy next week. It was announced that Dr. and Mrs. Black will be joining us on the morning of March 25 to share about their work in Ethiopia. We also hope to break bread with them afterward at the Taylor household.

Finally, the church will now be supporting the Pregnancy Life Care Center in Raleigh.