Shippensburg First Church Of God Blog Site: Oh Well? SFCOG Updates for 7/14

Sunday is Coming!

A few years ago, I had a “water issue”—the main shut off valve to the water line in our house started to drip. I knew if I didn’t get it fixed, it could turn into a worse problem. It wasn’t an easy fix…

But during that long day, one of the men who came to work on the water line shared that his family was going through some struggles—they had a newborn baby with some health concerns. This gave me the opportunity to be in prayer for their family. My own personal problem created an opportunity to intercede for someone else facing a bigger problem.

This weekend we will read a story about someone else who had a “water issue” that resulted in God’s blessings extending to someone else… We turn to another one of the Patriarchs—Isaac, the son of Abraham, as we consider the “founding fathers of our faith” and what it means to leave a legacy to the people around us, as we are “blessed to be a blessing” to others.

In Genesis 26, Isaac faced some conflicts involving wells. These life-giving sources of water became sources of contention for Isaac, but they also presented the opportunity for the blessings of God to “overflow” on to his neighbors—even those who may have been perceived as his enemies.

When faced with a conflict, Isaac had a choice to make: would he fight to protect what was rightfully his own, or would he peacefully share what God had given him, knowing that it belonged to God to begin with?

When we face conflicts and struggles, we often have a similar choice to make—will we focus on ourselves, or will we look to the needs of others?

Paul addresses this in his writings in the New Testament, with a beautiful passage about how Jesus modeled this for us--

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.

Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

--Philippians 2:3-11

Jesus had true power and authority, but he willingly laid it aside to become a blessing to the world. Similarly, we will see that Isaac had wealth and power and authority, but he trusted in God and was willing to move along to allow what he had to become a blessing to others.

So often our natural tendency is to focus primarily on protecting what is ours… but what if God is asking us to be more concerned about sharing with someone else?

And to Trust Him more?

This is when the Blessings of God can overflow to the world around us!

Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.

--Jesus (John 7:38)

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.

562 Be Thou My Vision

712 Be Still My Soul

665 O Master Let Me Walk With Thee

670 Make Me a Blessing

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

Contemporary Spotify Playlist

Revelation Song

Inside Out

So Will I

Gratitude

While we love and encourage good conversation and fellowship in the Gathering Place, please remember to quietly respect the worship services as you are entering or exiting near the beginning or ending of the services. Thank You!

Council Highlights

This week our SFCOG council met for the monthly meeting. Various ministry matters were discussed, including:

A review of our Spring Congregational Meeting
A report from the ERC annual conference
The nominating process for November council elections
Ongoing projects related to security and hospitality
Some needed repairs and renovations for our facilities

Please continue to keep the members of our church council in your prayers as they continue to serve God and His church together!

Heritage Day

We will be participating in Shippensburg Heritage Day in celebration of the 250th anniversary of our Nation. This Saturday, June 13th at 1:00 pm we will host a historical presentation at Crossroads Station. Pastor Ed Rosenberry will once again be sharing about many subjects, including the civil war and the underground railroad. This event is open to all people in our community. Several other events are planned throughout the day.

Men’s Ministry Opportunities

Men’s Summer Bible Study

Jerry Underkoffler will once again be leading a Bible Study for all men on Wednesday mornings, 9:00 -10:15.

Dates: JULY 8 - AUGUST 26

Location: 23 Oak Lane, Shippensburg

Theme: "Thy Kingdom Come"

Men’s Alliance Keel Tribe 3-Year Anniversary

This Saturday, June 13, our “Keel” Tribe will be celebrating 156 consecutive weeks of rugged, outdoor workouts and devotions around a fire. Men’s Alliance meets outside at the Shippensburg American Legion every Saturday morning at 7:00 am and is open to all men ages 13 and above. In the past 3 years, Keel Tribe has brought hundreds of men out to challenge themselves physically and spiritual, equip them to be leaders in their families and our community, and it has spawned at least 10 more tribes in our local area. Praise God that it’s still going Strong!

Learn more at: Keel Tribe Men's Group in Shippensburg, PA | Men's Alliance

Vacation Bible School

VBS -- June 21-25, 6-8 pm

(A meal will be provided for helpers and families prior to the opening each night)

The Vacation Bible School theme this year is “Illumination Station.”

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

--Jesus (John 8:12)

Many claim to know Jesus, but remain in the dark—at Illumination Station, kids will learn that Jesus isn't just a person from history, a good man, or a wise teacher - but He is much more than that! They will discover Jesus is the perfect, proven, and powerful Son of God!

There are lots of ways to be involved with this important ministry!

See the display in the Gathering Place to learn more, or register online at the following link:

www.myvbs.org/shipfcogvbs

Volunteers are also needed (clearances required). Contact our office or our Children’s Ministry directors to learn more.

A training and planning meeting will be held TONIGHT -- June 10^th at 6:30 pm in the Lower Level.

Work days are scheduled for anyone who enjoys creative crafting and decorating, or is willing to help assemble kits for crafts or other items for various projects.

June 4 – 6-8 pm
June 8 – 1-4 pm

Join us for an amazing week of Bible stories, games, crafts, and fun—We can't wait to see you there!

Serve Ship

Serve Ship is returning July 15-17!

This is a local missions opportunity for our youth group, featuring several days of service projects and outreach events. The whole congregation is invited to support the mission through their prayers, and financially through giving as you feel led to do so. Baked Goods (such as cookies or brownies) will also be needed for the community meal.

On June 14^th, our youth will be receiving a special collection after the services to help cover the costs of the outreach projects. You may also use the white envelopes in the pews at any time to make a designated gift towards the event (write Serve Ship on the envelope). Thank you for giving as the Lord leads you!

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 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 celebrate our One True King together in the Sanctuary or Online this Sunday!

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org