Sunday is Coming!
Greetings! If you happen to be reading this email on a smart phone, the device in your hands contains hundreds of unique parts that make the screen viewable, that connects the cellular signal to the worldwide web to retrieve and decode the message, and it all fits together in a protective outer shell that houses these inner workings (including circuits, processors, storage memory, sensors, battery, and more) and still fits comfortably in your hand.
All of these parts are different, but they all work together towards one common purpose. If the pieces weren't put together in the right places, the message wouldn't get across.
This week we will continue studying how every believer works together to "build the church." We will further study Ephesians 4 to learn about 5 types of people that Christ equips to carry out His Kingdom Mission as they build His Heavenly Temple on Earth—and realize we all have a part to play!
"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
–Epheisians 4:11-13
This weekend we focus on the role of Apostles. Thinking and serving like an apostle is a revolutionary way to live, and it has applications for each of us in our daily lives. But what is an apostle?
Apostles – Pioneers, Visionaries, Entrepreneurs – the ones who get things started
When we summarize this to say "the ones who get things started," what we really mean is joining God in the work He is already doing, by humbly helping to get the right pieces in the right places, so that the message of the Gospel can be received.
"Apostle" is not a title we use in our modern world very much. It is a very unique sort of servant-leadership role. Historically, before Christ & His Church, this title could be used of someone who was delegated as an official messenger for a ruler, similar to an ambassador—Someone who would go ahead to prepare the way for a King!
In the Gospels, Jesus designates His Twelve Disciples to be His first Apostles—and then He sends them out to be His representatives. As the Church grew and expanded, "Apostle" became a formal title given to the disciples, and while the term does carry special meaning for the twelve and others who knew Jesus personally, it also came to have broader application. This can be seen in various places in the New Testament, where it became used more generally to speak of people who were church planters and community organizers and network builders, who labored to bring others together to advance the Gospel.
Paul is probably the most well-known person who is identified as an Apostle, but the term was applied to others who would take on this role of servant-leadership, especially in terms of expanding the Christian Community and Mission. In the early Church, Apostles were the sorts of people who would go into a community to plant the seeds of the Gospel, and then find and appoint people who could carry on the work of ministry.
Apostles got things going, but would often hand it off to others to carry it forward, while checking in on them from time to time, as we saw with Paul & Titus earlier this month. Even Paul himself acknowledged other prominent apostles who went before him, like a woman named Junia in Romans 16:7, as we will also see on Sunday.
If there is a top to the "chain of command" in these Spiritual Gifting roles, it would be the Apostles, but we must remember that power and authority looks different in the Kingdom of God, according to Jesus—
"Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.
–Matthew 20:26
Essentially Apostles must be the servants of the servants.
We've seen when Paul and the other Apostles introduce themselves in letters in the New Testament, it is often with an added title of "Servant of God." Even here in Ephesians, Paul makes his appeal to unity "As a prisoner for the Lord…" –Ephesians 4:1
As with all of these spiritual gifts, the Bible presents Jesus as the Ultimate Model of an Apostle.
The writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 3:1—
"Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest."
This passage goes on to explain how Christ's "apostolate" or "apostleship" was demonstrated through His faithfulness to God, setting an example for all believers to follow through faithful service, which ultimately lead to His own glorification.
Paul tells us that Jesus, in the fullness of God, represented our Heavenly Father as a divine ambassador who pioneered the way for salvation, speaking of Jesus using apostolic language in Colossians 1: 15-20—
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Notice that Jesus 'represents' God as His image or ambassador, He is "firstborn" among the dead—the one who goes before others to establish peace through submission (even unto death). This is at the heart of what it means to be an Apostle.
Notice also that Jesus is the one who holds everything together, putting the right pieces (the right people) in the right places, sending other people out as His Church to live as peacemakers, reconcilers, and apostolic ambassadors who serve as Christ has served all.
Have you found your place to serve in God's House?
Our Lord personally calls and equips each believer "for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."
Let us all strive to serve others as we serve the Lord together!
This Sunday
8:30 Traditional Worship
Rescue the Perishing #441
He Keeps Me Singing #746
O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing #21
Open My Eyes That I May See #563
We conclude our Summer Special Music series with a Children's Choir sharing at the end of the service.
9:45 Sunday School for all ages
Check out our Sunday School classes and other Care Group ministries on our website, or visit the welcome desk to learn more.
11:00 Contemporary Worship
In Tenderness
This Is Amazing Grace
Christ Be Magnified
Special: Children's Choir
Tremble
This is a 5th Sunday, which means the children will be joining us in worship during the 11:00 service, and sharing 2 special songs. A Children's message will also be shared at the beginning of the sermon.
Church Picnic – Next Sunday!
On the first Sunday of September (September 7th), we will have our annual Church Picnic. This takes place at Memorial Park and features a combined service at 10:00 am followed by a meal together. The church will provide chicken & ham, drinks, and paper products, and we invite each household to bring side items to share. To help us plan for the picnic, please RSVP by signing up on the clipboards located around the church: at the side entrances, in the gathering place, in your Sunday School classrooms, and in the Children & Youth areas. We hope to see you all there!
Get Connected
Normally we offer the Get Connected class on the First Sunday of every month, but due to the Church Picnic, we will hold it on September 14th instead. This is a great way to learn about our Sunday School Classes and other Care Group opportunities to help you find fellowship opportunities and grow in your faith alongside of others! You can also check out our Sunday School classes and other Care Group ministries on our website, or visit the welcome desk to learn more.
Community Night
Our Wednesday Night ministries will be resuming NEXT WEEK on September 3rd from 6:30-8:00! There's something for everyone at Community Night, including Awana for Children, Youth Group for Teens, Young Adult Bible Study, and 3 other Adult Bible studies to choose from covering a variety of topics, beginning with those listed here:
- Young Adults – Genesis
- Kinetics – Acts
- Ladies in Step – 10 Important Women of the Bible
- Fresh Start – "Everything You Need" by Dr. David Jeremiah
Learn more on our website: Shippensburg First Church of God | Wednesday Community Night
Awana Update
Thanks so much to the individuals who answered the call to serve with AWANA! We praise God for you, and trust it will be a great year!
There is always need for additional helpers with AWANA!
This is a fun and rewarding way to help Children learn God's Word and make a difference for eternity, while serving as part of a great team!
Open spots include:
--Teacher or Helper – Assist with sharing Bible Lessons and learning activities with children.
--Listeners – Assist students as they review workbooks and encourage them as they recite God's Word.
The class for Grades 3-5 (T&T) has the most openings at this time, but all age groups welcome new helpers.
Living Stones Activities
This event is open to families and individuals of all ages.
Several Tickets are Still Available!
Contact Pastor Gary or the Church Office to learn more (814-289-9982)
Location: FNB Park, 245 Championship Way, Harrisburg, PA 17101
Leave Annex (Church van and carpooling) at 5:00 PM.
Upcoming Retreats
There are several local retreats and special events being offered for Men & Women of all ages—
- Women's Retreat at Camp YoliJwa – September 5-7 (early bird pricing ends tomorrow) Ladies ERC Fall Retreat 2025
- Men's Retreat at Mt. Pleasant Church of God (Dillsburg, PA) – September 6 Register by emailing HOLDERBRANDON16@yahoo.com
- "Spark" Youth Revival at Newburg First Church of God – September 6 Register here: SPARK 2025
- Men's Alliance All Tribe gathering at Shippensburg American Legion – September 13
- Women's Alliance All Tribe gathering at Grand Point Church – September 13
- Uprise Festival – September 12-14 Ticket Information — Uprise Festival
- Several fall retreat options at Camp Joy El
Learn More: Shippensburg First Church of God | Retreats
Ministry Fair
There's a place for everyone as we build God's Kingdom!
On September 28th we will take time to showcase the various ministries of SFCOG as we celebrate what God is doing in and through them, and open doors of opportunity for others to join in the movement of God! On this special Sunday, we will have a combined service at 10 AM, followed by a Ministry Fair from 11:30 to 12:15 in Crossroads Station. Over 60 ministries will be showcased, and lunch will be provided at 12:30 PM.
God has given you a gift! Who will you share it with?
You will receive a prayer sheet in your church mailbox, or you can pick one up from the Gathering Place. Each week for the next 5 weeks, the Christian Education Committee is asking the congregation to join them in prayer for the Ministry Fair. This week, we invite you to pray for our church leaders and ministry staff.
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."
--I Peter 4:10
Communications Updates
*Be sure to check out our Activities Calendar and the Events page on our website to learn about more upcoming opportunities!
The August edition of our "FYI" Newsletter is available in the Gathering Place or the center section of the Sanctuary. The FYI contains information about upcoming events, care group opportunities, giving and attendance information, and more.
If you have information you would like to communicate, communication request forms are available from the church office, in the Gathering Place, or online.
Looking forward to worshipping with you 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
Weather Alerts/ Schedule Changes (shipfcog.org)
Weekly Bulletin (updated over the weekend)
shipfcog.net/site/shipfcog/shipnews/index.html
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