Tag: Worship (Page 21 of 28)

“Div. by 0 Error! Undefined!”

May 30, 2021 / Scott Heitshusen

Our world is divided. Our country is divided. Our congregation is divided.

If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.
Mark 3:25

This should not and cannot be the case for the Body of Christ!

If we are to live in and for the cause of CHRIST, then we must find our unity in HIM and focus on it, and not something else – whatever it is!

That means loving and supporting our brothers and sisters even in disagreements because of the Faith we share and in Whom we share it – not matter what!

SCRIPTURE:

Mark 3:20-27

Goodness, Gracious, Great Balls of Fire

May 23, 2021 / Scott Heitshusen

“ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.’ … And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Acts 2:17a, 21

Pentecost is a pivotal event in the life of the Church. In fact, it’s often called “the birthday of the Church.”

On it, of course, we celebrate the gift of the promised Holy Spirit given to believers – and what that means for them and for the world in the light of Jesus!

May we be filled with the Spirit today!

Scriptures

Read the following as one, continuous story.

Look! Up in the Sky!

May 16, 2021 / Scott Heitshusen

Why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.
Acts 1:11

It’s sad when someone we love has to leave; even if we know it’s necessary for a while.

This had to especially be true when Jesus left and ascended into Heaven. The disciples thought when He was back that He would user in the Kingdom of Heaven then. But God had different plans – and it involved a temporary separation from them so that more people would have an eternity with Him!

That’s an amazingly good trade!

Jesus will come again, so let’s get to work in the meantime, telling others about Him!

Scriptures

Read the following as one, continuous story.

Go Time!

May 9, 2021 / Scott Heitshusen

You are My witnesses of these things.
Luke 24:48

God is so faithful to us; granting us forgiveness, grace, and mercy because of His love for us through Faith in Jesus.

We are witnesses – like the first disciples – of His Faith and blessings!

But God doesn’t just want us as His disciples; He wants everyone; and He wants us to help make that happen! He wants to use us, even with our frailties and faults, to share about Jesus and make disciples of all nations!

What a wonderful “commission” our Lord has given us!

Scriptures

Fishers’ Tale

May 2, 2021 / Scott Heitshusen

Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
John 21:25

Listening to Jesus is hazardous and, at times, painful; but it is also fruitful beyond measure!

“Cast your net on the right side,” “feed My sheep,” “follow Me.”

Obedience would yield a difficult death for Peter and a haul of 153 fish!

So the question for us: do we dare follow Jesus, regardless of where it leads? Is it worth it, no matter what?

The answer is a resounding ‘yes’! Following Jesus is always worth it – and has everlasting benefits!

Scriptures

John 21

Hole-ly Skepticism

April 25, 2021 / Scott Heitshusen

Have you believed because you have seen Me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
John 20:29

Thomas gets a tough wrap.

So many people he knows and trusts tell him the best news ever and he doubts.

But, honestly, how many times do we find ourselves in the same situation?

How many times are we told, again and again, how much Jesus loves us, forgives us, and is for us, and we don’t believe – wanting some kind of “proof” to convince us.

As if the resurrection and Scriptures aren’t proof enough!

May we be blessed in believing – without seeing!

Scriptures

John 20:24-31

Peek-a-Boo!

April 18, 2021 / Scott Heitshusen

Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?
Luke 24:38

Peace seems elusive.

We desperately want it and seek it – even taking classes or seminars or reading books on how to “get” it – but it seems ever out-of-reach.

Much of the reason is that we seek the wrong kind of peace. We seek the world’s promised “peace” rather than the Lord’s assured, resurrected, true Peace!

The disciples we’re afraid and hiding, not knowing what to do; even after being told that Jesus is alive. So when Jesus first appears to most of the disciples, His first words to them are words of the new reality found in His victory – “Peace be with you!”

May you know, live, and share His resurrected and victorious Peace today – and every day!

Scriptures

Read the following together, as one continuous story.

On the Road Again

April 11, 2021 / Scott Heitshusen

Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?
Luke 24:32

The resurrection of Jesus brings completion to the prophecies of the Old Testament and clarity to the future awaiting all of us. It helps us focus on the reality of Life beyond this life and that all our fears and uncertainties are temporary.

And all of this happens when Jesus, the resurrected One, opens Scripture – opens Himself – to us through the Holy Spirit!

May we be open to Him as He opens Himself to us – and live accordingly!

Scriptures

Luke 24:13-35

From EASTER to ASCENSION – A Sermon Series

April 7, 2021 / Scott Heitshusen

Join us for a new sermon series which explores the time between when Jesus rose and when He ascended!

We’ll cover:

“On the Road Again” — The Road to Emmaus
“Peek-a-Boo!” — Jesus appears to 10 of the disciples on the evening of Resurrection day
“Hole-ly Skepticism” — Thomas sees, and believes
“Fishers’ Tale” — Jesus appears on the shore and shows the coast of following Him
“Go Time!” — Jesus commissions His disciples, including us
“Look! Up in the Sky!” — Jesus ascends, but there’s still work to do

We hope you’ll join us!

EASTER, 2021

April 1, 2021 / Scott Heitshusen

The Resurrection is the pivotal moment in history when everything changes! It is prophecies fulfilled, anticipations realized, and eternity assured.

So why do we, like the disciples, live like this isn’t true and that Jesus isn’t alive? Why do we still fear and cower? Why do we doubt? Why don’t we live in the boldness and confidence that the Resurrection affords?

CHRIST IS LIVING! HE IS LIVING INDEED! ALLELUIA!!

Why do you seek the Living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.
Luke 24:5-6

Some Scriptures

More information on “Easter” and a “The Resurrection of our Lord” below.
(From lifebridgesealy.com/worship/easter/.)

“CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN, INDEED! ALLELUIA!!”

This is the great shout for Easter; the highest day on the Church calendar!

On this day we celebrate the victory of Jesus over sin, death, and the power of the devil. All that He went through and endured is over and exultation and joy remain.

And for all who have faith in Jesus as their savior gain the same victories He won! Our sins are gone and forgiveness takes its place. Death is gone and everlasting life takes its place. Pain and anguish are bound to this life only and joy eternal awaits.

The resurrection of Jesus is the sole event to which all of history hinges. All of the old testament points to its coming and all since draws meaning in the light of it.

If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
1 Corinthians 15:17

Without the resurrection everything else would be pointless and moot!

Come and be with us to celebrate this greatest day of the year and see how Jesus, though His resurrection, changes everything – for you!

PALM SUNDAY, 2021

March 28, 2021 / Scott Heitshusen

We, who shout with loud, “Hosannas” today – where are we Thursday? Friday? Saturday? Do we truly call out for Jesus to “save now, we pray!” or just say, “I’m ok” or worse, “Crucify Him!”?

We’re not as different from the crowd as we might like.

But thanks be to God, who saves us nonetheless!

And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

Matthew 21:9

Some Scriptures

GOOD FRIDAY, 2021

March 23, 2021 / Scott Heitshusen

ANNOUNCEMENT

On Friday, April 2, 2021, at 7:00 PM, we will worship and “celebrate” Good Friday with a form of a “Service of Darkness.”

It will be a meaningful, but difficult service. We pray you will attend.

RECORDING

https://youtu.be/aENad4pNVRg

More information on “Good Friday” and a “Service of Darkness” from
lifebridgesealy.com/ministries/worship/good-friday/.

“Good Friday.” Such a strange name for the day when the innocent Savior of humanity and God’s Son died horribly. Yet, for us, the day marks a pivotal event in history. A holy and unbelievable imbalanced exchange: His perfection and innocence for our sins and guilt.

And twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head and put a reed in His right hand. And kneeling before Him, they mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit on Him and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the robe and put His own clothes on Him and led Him away to crucify Him.

Matthew 27:29-31

Lord, have mercy!

And He did. Have mercy. For us. When we were still in sin and rebellion.

We worship and “celebrate” this event and exchange with a form of a “Tenebrae” service. Tenebrae means “darkness” and the service takes its name from the ceremony of extinguishing the worship candles in such a way that the Church is gradually cast into darkness, except for the light of a single candle. The focus of the Tenebrae is the consequence of sin and the magnitude of Jesus’ sacrifice. The worship ends in darkness and silence, symbolizing our Savior’s death upon the cross. The single candle symbolizes the hope of our Savior’s resurrection. At the completion of the Tenebrae service, the worshipers are asked to leave in silence, in order to maintain the spirit of the Good Friday commemoration of our Savior’s crucifixion.

Experience the depth of God’s love for you on Good Friday so that you can sour with the news of His resurrection on Easter Sunday!

You will be blessed.

SCRIPTURE:

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Some Scriptures

“CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN, INDEED! ALLELUIA!!”

Other Posts Dealing with Easter

Some Scriptures

ANNOUNCEMENT

RECORDING

Other Posts Dealing with Good Friday

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Connecting People to Jesus by: Reaching the Lost. Discipling the Saved. Sharing the Love of Jesus with Everyone.

Connecting People to Jesus by:
Reaching the Lost.
Discipling the Saved.
Sharing the Love of Jesus with Everyone.