Shippensburg First Church Of God Blog Site: SFCOG Updates for 3/17

Sunday is Coming!

In college, my friends coined the phrase “Relationship Defining Talk” (RDT) to describe those often-awkward conversations that a young man might have with a young woman when discussing their friendship or dating situation.

It was about this time of the year in 2003 that I had an “RDT conversation” with my wife, Jen who was “just a friend” at the time. After that talk, we started “dating” and Jen became my “girlfriend.” About a year later we were engaged!

I’ve heard that in the modern dating scene there is some New Slang-- “Situationship.” This is when two people are in a relationship but they don’t talk about terms or titles or other details about the direction they are heading together. “Relationship Defining Talks” are awkward, so some people avoid them.

I think many believers are in a “Situationship” with God. We’ve heard about Jesus and the Holy Spirit, but we don’t always understand how this changes things for our daily lives, so we just kind of leave it “ambiguous” and may miss out on the blessings that full commitment to Jesus can bring.

Truthfully, some people struggle to talk about relationships…they’ve been hurt before or seen bad examples in the world around them. It is also worth noting that following Jesus is more about action than just talk. Recall that Jesus called his disciples to “follow him” into an adventure, not just meet for coffee once in a while… But as we will see, our relationship to God does affect our relationship to others, so it warrants our attention.

In the next part of Romans 8 which we will read this weekend, Paul “redefines” some relationships we face on our spiritual journey. To summarize, in Romans 8:12-25, Paul Redefines the Relationships we experience in life:

• between ourselves and the desires of our flesh,

• between God and people,

• between glory and suffering,

• between humankind and the natural world

What Paul describes us much more hopeful, and much less awkward! Here’s just a glimpse:

‘For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”’

-Romans 8:14-15

What a radical way to redefine the relationship! And this overflows into all areas of life, as we will see this Sunday. Hope you can join us in person or online!

This Sunday

As part of our Scripture lesson in both services, we will also hear a report from the Youth Retreat which took place last weekend.

To help you prepare your hearts for worship this week, check out the songs we plan to sing together:

8:30 –We will worship our Savior with a variety of Hymns:

I Know Whom I Have Believed #527

My Faith Looks Up to Thee #539

My Hope is in the Lord #540

The Solid Rock #526

What a Day That Will Be #762

11:00 –We will exalt God together reflecting on the Resurrection of Jesus

Glorious Day

Graves into Gardens

How Good is He

Death was Arrested

**Got any song requests?

Feel free to reply to this email with songs that you love, and our worship leaders will consider adding those to an upcoming worship time!

(Watch for song request forms in the Gathering Place soon!)

Jon has put together a Spotify playlist featuring a variety of songs we sing on Sundays at 11:00. Enjoy!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7E8YRF1NCIGbFoMNYNPn9K?si=ZivXqX5MRWe3nIDG1nx_qw&pi=u-Y90v2ygGSTKK

Upcoming Opportunities

You are all invited to our first Fellowship Meal in the newly renovated Cross Roads Station fellowship hall!

It will take place this Sunday, March 17, at 12:15 (following the 11:00 worship service). We will be providing baked spaghetti, garlic bread, and drinks, and we will invite each family to bring a salad or desert.

The annual Good Friday Luncheon provided to Senior Citizens (60+) by the Busch Trust Fund will be taking place in the Cross Roads Station fellowship hall on March 29 at Noon. Sign-up sheets are located in the Sunday School classes. Please RSVP by March 22 for planning purposes.

Card Shower

Joanne Diehl’s daughters invite you to participate in a Birthday Card Shower for Joanne’s 90th birthday which is on March 26.

You may send cards to:

Joanne Diehl

c/o Chapel Pointe

770 S Hanover Street, Main 231

Carlisle, PA 17013

Children & Youth

Easter Eggtraveganza!

Our children’s ministry is preparing some special Easter activities for kids and families on Sunday, March 24 from 4:00-6:00pm.

NOTE the Date & Time Change!

Families are invited to join us in the Lower Level for an Egg Hunt and some other easter-themed games and activities!

If you would like to support the Childrens Ministry in this event, they are accepting Candy Donations, which can be taken to the kitchen in the lower level by Wednesday, March 20.

Our Children’s Ministry does a variety of activities, and would always welcome more people to join their team for Sunday Mornings & Wednesday Nights. See the check-in area downstairs to learn more.

This Sunday We will be hearing a report about our Youth Retreat which took place at Camp YoliJwa last weekend!

Easter Activities

March 24 – Palm Sunday (normal worship times- 8:30am & 11:00am)
March 24 – Easter Eggtravaganza Childrens Ministry Event (see above) 4:00pm-6:00pm in the Lower Level
March 27 – No Community Night
March 28 – Maundy Thursday Service Communion and Feetwashing worship service at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary
March 29 – Good Friday Busch Trust Luncheon for ages 60+ at 12:00 noon in Cross Roads Station
March 31 – Resurrection Sunday (normal worship times- 8:30am & 11:00am)

Let us live as Children of God, free from sin and fear and death, and co-heirs with Christ to a Heavenly Kingdom of Glory that is redeeming all of creation!

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org