New web site

Since we have finally updated our website at www.MessiahWF.org, we will no longer maintain this blog.

New Meeting Location!

We will begin meeting at The Cotton Company beginning May 6th. We will meet in the upstairs "Reception Room" each Sunday morning beginning at 10:30 a.m., and on Sunday evenings beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

This week when we gathered, Anthony C. taught from Titus 1:10-16. Paul warns Titus and the believers in Crete to look out for false teachers, similar to the warnings he gives to Timothy in his letters. Paul also warns of the influence of Cretan culture on the Cretan church. Believers today should be conscious of the influence of American culture on the church. Finally, as Paul speaks of the pure and the unpure, we are taught to be cautious of legalism. Anthony C. defined legalism as the "keeping of biblical regulations by our own strength in order to earn God's favor." Anthony reminded us that if we only have "teeth-gritting resolve" to not sin, we will fail. We must lean on the grace of God to fight sin.

Alan K will be teaching through Titus 2 for the next two Sundays.

Also, please remember that we will begin meeting at The Cotton Company beginning May 6th.

Sunday, April 8, 2007

This week when we gathered, Maël D. taught from Titus 1:5-9. Maël D. pointed the body to visit his blog post in reference to his views on the distinctions between ministers, pastors/elders, and overseers/bishops. Paul points to three criteria for recognizing an elder. These criteria will help recognize a person who characterizes the list that follows, beginning in verse 7. This list, as well as the list in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, is not meant to be exhaustive, but to characterize the blamelessness of an elder. Maël D. challenged the body to examine ourselves in light of these characteristics.

Next Sunday, Anthony C. will teach from Titus 1:10-16.

It was also announced that we will begin meeting at The Cotton Company beginning May 6th.

Friday, April 6, 2007

Our church body gathered tonight to celebrate the Lord's Supper in the home of Don and Laura B. In our gathering, we also read through the gospel of John - men, women, and children all taking turns to read aloud. We were all greatly blessed by the telling of the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Sunday, April 1, 2007

**Sorry that this post is late!**

This week when we gathered, Maël D. taught from Titus 1:1-4. Paul laid out the DNA of his message to Titus and all believers: that we are called to godliness and to hope in Christ, which leads us to proclaim His truth. The truth of Christ should push us toward Him. Likewise, this truth draws us together as a family through faith.

Next Sunday, Maël D. will continue our study in Titus.

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.