Week ending April 17, 2005
Know the story…Be the people…Expand the Kingdom
If you would like to contribute to the eNews or converse with the editor (Laura1), send an email to tfbyam1@hotmail.com
NOTE: heretical typo repaired on April 14 ("biblical" should have been "unbiblical"; see Bible discussion quote from Messy Spirituality...thanks to TomW for the keen eye and wisdom to email!)
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IN THE eNEWS THIS WEEK
WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL, by Jonathan P
TELLING THE STORY OF GOD: the media piece
BEING THE STORY OF GOD: the life piece
THE STORY OF GOD—What it is we’re up to…
BIBLE DISCUSSION—Messy Spirituality, Psalm 31, 32, 33
SERMON NOTES—Good News about Grace, Part 2: Saving Grace
REGULAR HAPPENINGS
UPCOMING EVENTS
NOTE: the Bible Discussion section is updated on Wednesday.
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WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL, by Jonathan P
PRESENCE OF GOD:
Father, prepare our hearts and minds for our time with you today. Show us truth in a new light through your word. Amen.
WORD OF GOD:
Psalm 25:4-10 NLT
Show me the path where I should walk, O LORD;
point out the right road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
Remember, O LORD, your unfailing love and compassion,
which you have shown from long ages past.
Forgive the rebellious sins of my youth;
look instead through the eyes of your unfailing love,
for you are merciful, O LORD.
The LORD is good and does what is right;
he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
He leads the humble in what is right,
teaching them his way.
The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
all those who keep his covenant and obey his decrees.
Psalm 26:1-7 NLT
Declare me innocent, O LORD,
for I have acted with integrity;
I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
Put me on trial, LORD, and cross-examine me.
Test my motives and affections.
For I am constantly aware of your unfailing love,
and I have lived according to your truth.
I do not spend time with liars
or go along with hypocrites.
I hate the gatherings of those who do evil,
and I refuse to join in with the wicked.
I wash my hands to declare my innocence.
I come to your altar, O LORD,
singing a song of thanksgiving
and telling of all your miracles.
DEVOTION:
Yesterday afternoon, I washed my car, vacuumed it out, and gave it a wax. Before, it was covered in dirt, the old faded paint was showing its age, and the inside was all messy. Afterward, the wax made the paint shine and the inside was clean and fresh. If we get off God’s beaten path, we can feel worn down and tired. However, a little time with God and in His word can freshen and renew us.
CONVERSATION:
God, I ask that I be honest with you about what is going on, that I might be bold in talking to others about you, and that I would have the courage to speak the truth to myself.
Thank you for being available!
Thanks that we don’t have to understand you to know you.
Thanks for being there for rough times.
Help me develop a HESED filter!
BENEDICTION:
This week, let’s tune in to God’s desire. Sometimes it may not seem to make sense to us or those around us, but in the end God’s plan will be revealed.
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TELLING THE STORY OF GOD: the media piece
Intent: to create a media piece that communicates to the average South Bay twenty-something the facts, emotions, and participations in the continuing story of God.
Collegium, April 10:
Assignments:
Executive Producer: LauraS
Line Producer: DanP
Producer: JonathanP
Editor: DanP
Other assignments as we go along.
SCENES AND STORYBOARDING: Creation, Fall, Flood, and Babel
Scenes for the first four story segments will be posted Wednesday, April 13 (oops)
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BEING THE STORY OF GOD: the life piece
Intent: to implement a student-run, on-going goodness ministry in the South Bay.
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THE STORY OF GOD—What it is we’re up to…
The story of God runs from the creation of everything to the consummation of everything in God’s Kingdom and includes everything God is doing in the already-and-not-yet. The lives of God-followers today are vignettes in that continuing story, joining the millennia of God-followers who live out God’s story. The God-followers here in Torrance, at TFB, and in the TFB college group are part of the ongoing story that includes believers across the globe. God has commanded us to be his storytellers through our lives, through words, through media, through art, and through any means possible, spreading the Story of God to all who will listen.
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BIBLE DISCUSSION—Messy Spirituality, Psalm 31, 32, 33
TUESDAYS
7:15-9:00 pm— TFB College Room
Discussion is potluck style—everybody brings something to share,
so read ahead, pray a bunch, listen, and create.
Basic Questions
- Who is God?
- Who are we?
- What difference does this make?
“The Kingdom Monitors would raise their voices immediately. ‘You can’t do this!...Real Christians do not condone unbiblical behavior!’ And they would be correct. Christians do not condone unbiblical behavior; we redeem it” (p. 54).
NOTE: heretical typo repaired on April 14 ("biblical" should have been "unbiblical"...thanks to TomW for the keen eye and wisdom to email!)
Psalm 31
God’s hesed is the reason we can be glad when God sees our affliction (v.7).
31:7 NLT “I am overcome with joy because of your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.”
Psalm 32
God’s hesed is what surrounds those who trust Yahweh (v10).
32:10 NLT “Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD.”
Psalm 33
God’s hesed is the most important substance in the universe (v.5).
33:5 NLT “He loves whatever is just and good, and his unfailing love fills the earth.”
Tuesday prayer, 4/12/05
Thanks to Laura1 for being our worship leader.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Mike Yaconelli’s Messy Spirituality-we’re on pg 60
Psalms ‘hesed’ passages—worship readings and prayer response
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SERMON NOTES—Good News about Grace, Part 2: Saving Grace
Psalm 145:8
Pastor Charlie
April 10, 2005
"The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love" (Psalm 145:8, NIV).
Mercy is when God does not give us what we Do Deserve - punishment.
Grace is when God gives us what we Do Not Deserve - blessing.
G. R. A. C. E.
G – God’s Gift. Romans 3:24
Every other faith can be summarized in one word - DO.
Christianity can be summarized in one word - DONE.
R – Received by Faith. Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 4:16
A – Available to Everyone. Romans 3:22; 10:13
C – Comes Through Christ. John 1:17; Romans 5:15-16; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 2:21
GRACE is God's Riches at Christ's Expense.
E – Extends through Eternity Romans 6:23; Isaiah 30:18
Next Weeks Sermon: Guilt and Grace - Dealing with guilt God’s way.
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REGULAR HAPPENINGS
SUNDAYS
WORSHIP GATHERING @ 9:15 am—Main Worship Center
Intergenerational worship gathering with indy-folk-rockish music and good preaching… too fun!
“COFFEE HOUSE” @ 10:30ish
Coffee, conversation, and donut holes in the TFB Courtyard.
COLLEGIUM @ 11 am—TFB College Room
Fifteen minutes of random yapping,
followed by 45 minutes of tangent-surfing and bible searching
TUESDAYS
BIBLE DISCUSSION @ 7:15-9:00 pm— TFB College Room
Bible study meets hangout. Thirty minutes of random yap
followed by directed digging. Right now we’re going through
Mike Yaconelli’s Messy Spirituality and the OT ‘hesed’ passages.
We’re also working on the Story of God media project.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Kamper Kamp: June 3-5
College Briefing—Forest Home: cost $155
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