Pre-Service 4-29-2018 - By Faith

The message this morning will continue our Living On Mission series. It is based on Galatians 2:20, where Paul writes:

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Pastor Todd will explore the idea of the coming Kingdom as already and not yet here.

Solemn Assembly and Free Daily Journal Guide

Please remember that tonight at 6:30 we will hold the second Solemn Assembly at the Lapeer Free Methodist Church. You can find directions here.

Churches in Lapeer are gathering at the Solemn Assembly to renew our focus on God's call to be salt and light in our world. To help continue that focus, we put together a daily Journal Guide.

Click here to download the free guide as a PDF.

Even if you can't attend, download the guide and complete the daily journals. It comes with seven, but there are directions to receive the others by email.

Pre-Service 4-22-2018 - Make Them Come In

The sermon today will continue the series of Living On Mission. We will look at the parable of the banquet. You can read it here: Luke 14:16-28

In the parable, the first people who are invited to the banquet made excuses for why they couldn't come. The invitation was then extended to "the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame". When there was still room, the Master told the servant to go and invite everyone.

Is everyone invited? Really, everyone?

It seems all of us, at one time or another, have a hard time inviting some people. We have a list of reasons why we can't invite those people, or maybe just one particular person. There are people who challenge our patience or our comfort.

But Jesus calls to all who will follow Him.

This parable from Jesus was captured in a song by The Electrics several years ago called Party Going' On Upstairs. Some members of the worship team will play it this morning. Here's a verse:

Well, I drew back my curtains, and there before my eyes, to my surprise,

Well, there was hookers, drunk and junkies, and loads of other shady looking guys,

Well, I shouted out, “Oi, you lot, how come you’ve been invited? It’s not fair,”

But they all replied in unison, 

“The host said bring your friends to the party going on upstairs.”

And the blind were showing up to see what’s going on,

And the hungry for a banquet fit for kings,

And the lame kept me awake with their dancing all night long,

And the ones who couldn’t speak started to sing,

And the poor required no ticket; it was free for everyone,

There was people there relieved of all their cares,

For everyone was welcome,

You just had to say, 

“I’ll come to the party going on upstairs.”

Pre-Service 4-8-2018 - Whatever It Takes

This week we will begin a new sermon series called Living On Mission. The main passage of Scripture will be 1 Corinthians 9:19-27. Click here to read it.

We will focus on  Paul's example. He did whatever it took to bring the Good News to the people around him.

Here are some other passages to reflect on as you prepare for worship:

• Romans 5:8 - This realization is the heart of all worship and discipleship. Jesus died for us even though we didn't deserve it. 
• John 17:20-23 - It is amazing in this passage that Jesus prays for us. But he doesn't just pray that we will be blessed. What does Jesus ask for God to accomplish through us?

If we have committed ourselves to follow Jesus, we are on a mission. What is the mission? What is required of each of us?