Sunday is Coming!
I enjoy cooking over a campfire, do you?
It may be slower and less efficient than using an oven or a microwave, and yet it is valuable in its own way.
Cooking over an open flame is even preferred by some—Barbecue anyone? Any man or woman who has learned the art of smoking meat can fill you in on the value of this slow & steady process that does what no microwave or fast-food restaurant could ever do. And any kid who has ever cooked their own hotdogs, marshmallows, or mountain pies on a campfire knows that food tastes the best (or is at least the most memorable) when you cook it yourself outdoors!
Campfire Food might not be of the same caliber as a 5-Star Restaurant, but for some, it’s more valuable due to a variety of other factors—the natural setting, the quality time spent with others, the simpler & slower pace, and many other factors make it a worth-while investment in time.
This weekend we will conclude our “Campfire” series by considering how things like quality & value are measured differently in God’s Heavenly Kingdom, and how—according to Jesus—God’s Kingdom is worth more than anything in this world. Understanding this can help us to redefine value and success in our own lives also.
Even when the world leaves us feeling empty, and even in times when we might feel like a worthless failure, Jesus reminds us that God has a different way of evaluating what matters most.
Once again, we turn our attention to some little stories that Jesus shares in Matthew 13:44-46 –
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Are we willing to give our all to go after what will last for eternity?
Previously Jesus compared the Heavenly Kingdom to seeds & yeast: two tiny but powerful things that grow and change everything around them.
Similarly, in these two short stories, Jesus identifies two more small things that remind us that value is not measured in size. Bigger does not equal better. A tiny pearl was worth selling everything for the merchant to obtain. The hidden treasure was worth more than the price of the whole field. And the treasures of heaven, though partially hidden for the time being, are actually much closer than we might realize, and much more valuable than we could ever imagine. As Jesus said elsewhere:
“…there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.”
–Matthew 10:26-27
Through Jesus, God’s Kingdom is actually within reach! It’s not so far away, it’s close at hand, waiting to be found! But as Jesus shows in these stories, and as He ultimately demonstrated on the Cross, finding God’s Kingdom requires sacrifice – we have to give up some things of lesser value to obtain it.
And Jesus teaches us that God’s Kingdom is worth it! It is more valuable than anything else we may possess. Do our priorities in life match the Heavenly perspective of our savior? Jesus says in Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
These Kingdom Principles we’ve been reading about in the parables of Jesus can guide us in many areas of our life—including the value we place on relationships, the way we spend our time & talents, how we set our priorities & preferences, the metrics we use to measure success or progress, the patient endurance with which we face hardships, or the grace we show to ourselves and others—having a proper heavenly perspective helps us to know what is really valuable from God’s point of view.
And be encouraged: YOU are worth everything to God! God loved the World so much that Jesus was willing to sacrifice His own life to purchase eternal life for all!
In response, it is worth it to seek out the Kingdom with everything God has given us!
This Sunday
8:25 Traditional Worship
We will share our welcome and announcements at 8:25, followed by a musical prelude for a time of quiet reflection.
All Hail King Jesus #103
Thou Art Worthy #100
Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee #90
More Precious Than Silver #88
9:45 Sunday School for all ages.
Check out our Care Groups & Sunday School Classes on our website, or visit the welcome desk to learn more.
11:00 Contemporary Worship
Tremble
Who You Say I Am
So Will I
Lead Me To The Cross
Global Leadership Summit
We will be taking 17 adults and youth from our fellowship to learn more about becoming better servant leaders! The GLS is happening Thursday and Friday and is being simulcast around the world. We will be attending at Grand Point Church in Chambersburg. Keep our participants in prayer as we seek to use what we have learned to further God’s Kingdom in our church, at our places of work, in our schools, our homes, our community, and around the world!
(please note that this will affect staff availability this week).
Back to School
Next Sunday is “Back to School Sunday” and we will hear a message from Elder and High School Teacher Bryce Pelow.
There will also be a Community Prayer service at the Shippensburg University Spiritual Center from 2:00-4:00 pm. This prayer event is being hosted by the Shippensburg Association of Christian Ministries and will focus on praying for our schools, our town, and many other needs around our world. Christian leaders from around the area will facilitate a time of guided prayer, and all are welcome to attend and worship together as we Seek the Lord as one community.
Community Night is Resuming Soon!
Our Wednesday Night ministries will be resuming in about 1 month on September 2. There is something for all ages at Community Night including:
- Children’s Ministry – AWANA
- Teenagers – Youth Group
- Young Adults – “Foundations of our Faith”
- Kinetics – The Continuing Adventures of the Apostles in Acts
- Fresh Start – Focus on Prayer
- Ladies in Step – The Gospel in Hard Times by Joni Eareckson Tada
Learn More:
Shippensburg First Church of God | Wednesday Community Night
*We are currently seeking team members to serve in AWANA with our Children’s Ministry!*
This is a fun and rewarding way to invest time & talents in the Next Generation! Responsibilities include showing God’s Love to Children, encouraging them to Learn God’s Word as they memorize verses, and working as a team with other caring adults to create a positive learning environment for these young learners.
One volunteer who began serving last fall said it was the best part of her year!
Contact our Children’s Ministry leaders (or reply to the email) to learn more.
Church Picnic
Mark your calendars now for our annual Church Picnic!
The Picnic will be on Sunday, September 13th at Memorial Park. It begins at 10:00 with a combined worship service, followed by a meal together, and some activities, games, and fellowship.
The Outreach Committee will once again be organizing a cornhole tournament. Teams, please sign up by 9/6. Sign-up sheets will be in the Sunday classrooms and in the gathering place.
Bible Quiz Team
Join the Team!
Our quizzers just concluded a successful season with top ranked finishes at the national competition, and now they are looking forward to next season! Teenagers grade 6-12 are encouraged to join in this fun way to learn the Scriptures and meet other young believers. Practice for Jr/Sr High will resume on August 23rd and any interested teens are encouraged to check it out. Final commitments for the season are needed by September 8th. The first quiz of the new season will be October 4th at Camp YoliJwa. To learn more, reply to this email or contact coach Nancy Morton.
There is also a Little League division for grades 3-5. Reply to this email or contact coach Jennifer Bistline to learn more.
Online Apparel Shop
Represent SFCOG at work or in the community!
We have partnered with Creative Engravings here in Shippensburg to set up an online apparel shop—you can custom order various shirts with our church logo embroidered on them. Select from 4 different styles (polo, t-shirt, long-sleeve t-shirt & sweatshirt) and several different colors. Items can be purchased online and picked up right here in Shippensburg at the Creative Engravings shop, or you may also reach out to us if you would like us to pick it up and deliver it to your church mailbox for you (select “Store Pick Up” and let us know when you receive notice that it is ready).
Visit the store:
Creative Engraving Plus, LLC| Ship First Church of God | CreativeEng&Apparel
Church Center
We have been gradually rolling out a new database tool called “Church Center.” It will be utilized for scheduling, record-keeping, giving, and many other ministry functions. You will be hearing more about it in the coming months as we implement new aspects of this resource, such as:
- a directory feature,
- an online giving option,
- and upcoming changes to our Children’s Ministry check-in system.
You can begin learning more and start exploring it by visiting this page on our website to create your own log-in:
Shippensburg First Church of God | Church Center
Communications Updates
Bulletins and newsletters are available for you as you enter for worship—you can find them right outside the main doorways into the sanctuary on a table or stand for easy access. Some are usually available at our welcome desk also, but we encourage you to keep access to our welcome desk (and our handicapped accessible seating) open and available for those who may need it.
*Be sure to check out our Activities Calendar and the Events page on our website to learn about more upcoming opportunities!
*If you or your small groups, committees, etc., are planning special events involving the facilities, please be sure to communicate with the church office so we can best accommodate your needs and coordinate planning details between various ministries—Thank You!
The latest monthly edition of our “FYI” Newsletter is available in the Gathering Place or as you enter into the Sanctuary. The FYI contains information about upcoming events, care group opportunities, giving and attendance information, and more.
If you have events or information you would like to communicate, communication request forms are available from the church office, in the Gathering Place, or online.
Let us continue to worship our savior together in the Sanctuary or Online this Sunday!
Pastor Rodney Bistline
Shippensburg First Church of God
seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org
Helpful Links:
Online Messages (shipfcog.org)
Our Activities Calendar & Events
Care Groups & Sunday School Classes
Shippensburg First Church of God | Church Center
Weekly Bulletin (updated over the weekend)
shipfcog.net/site/shipfcog/shipnews/index.html
