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What’s in a name? Plenty! Just ask anyone named Ichabod. There was a child in Israel’s history that was given this name. He was born right after the Ark was taken out of Israel by Israel’s enemies (1 Samuel 4:19-22). Which makes sense—Ichabod means “the glory of God has departed.”

This Sunday, we continued our study of the seven letters to seven churches in the book of Revelation. The next two churches were on the verge of being called Ichabod. Thyatira and Sardis were dying and almost dead. Thankfully, Jesus doesn’t rename them Ichabod—His glory hadn’t completely departed. However, He cries out to them to repent and fan into flame the smoldering spark of faith still found in their hearts.

Though it was the smallest of the seven churches, Thyatira received the longest letter—but not for the best of reasons. Listen to our study from Revelation 2: 18-29 as we considered how the letter applied to the church of Thyatira then…and how it applies to us now.

Read ahead for this Sunday! We'll be studying the letter to the church of Sardis in Revelation 3:1-6. See you on Sunday!

Women's Creative Connection Event

November 2nd, 9am-12pm
Lower Level

Our recently renovated children's church rooms have been upgraded bu they are still a little bare and in need of some sound absorption. Women—please join us this Saturday, November 2nd from 9am to Noon as we create art to liven up the space and absorb sound at the same time. Intimidated? Don't be! We have some predesign layouts that you can just fill in the spaces. Light refreshments provided.

Just a friendly reminder to “fall back” this weekend. So set your clocks back an hour on Saturday night and enjoy an extra hour of sleep! See you Sunday morning at 10am!

41st Annual Mayors Prayer Breakfast

Thursday, November 21st, 6:30am-9:00am
River's Edge Convention Center

Gather together with others from our community to lift local mayors up in prayer and enjoy a delicious breakfast. This year's speaker is Lee Strobel. Lee is the former award-winning legal editor of the Chicago Tribune and bestselling author of more than 20 books. For the last 25 years, he has shared the evidence that supports the truth and claims of Christianity, equipping believers to share their faith with the people they know and love. His story was recently made into the motion picture The Case for Christ.

Hey Children's Ministry Volunteers! We'll be getting together in December for a time of fellowship, refreshment, and review of the vision for Children's Ministry in our fellowship. Volunteers for each class will be meeting on different Sundays so we can discuss topics specific to each class:
  • December 1st: Nursery Servants
  • December 8th: Pre-K Servants
  • December 15th: K-5th Servants
We'll gather in the Children's Ministry rooms in the lower level following service and meet for an hour. If you are serving or want to serve, please come for a time of refreshment & review of our vision for Children’s Ministry. Please contact Pastor Nate if you have any questions or for more information.

Be Encouraged

Is it possible to do good things outwardly without any recognition of Jesus inwardly? Can a church do marvelous things, but have little loyalty to her King? Can someone excel in love and faithful service and yet compromise God’s Word?

Ask the church at Thyatira.

From the outside, this church had a lot going for it! They were active. They were loving. They were constantly serving. Jesus commends them for these things (in addition to their sterling faith and enduring patience). But their visible activity didn’t match their invisible motives. In the case of the church at Thyatira, looks were incredibly deceiving.

The name of the city clues us into the condition of this particular church. Thyatira means “citadel of garbage.” From the outside, this place looked like a palace, but inside was nothing but filth. How? Why? What could this church have done that would cause Jesus to look at it with anger and severe judgement (Revelation 2:18)? Tolerance. But…can tolerance really be that bad? 

Ask the church at Thyatira.

It was this church that tolerated a self-proclaimed prophetess to teach and seduce their own people to commit serious sins. This church allowed a false teacher access to its own members to get them to stumble and fall. And it was this church that received stern words from Jesus to bring them to repentance and to a renewed desire to hold fast to His Word.

Today, we find ourselves in a culture that champions tolerance of immorality as a virtue. Will you permit all sorts of immorality to continue in your heart? Will you remain silent when God’s people are being lead astray? Or will you hold to what the Bible says is true, no matter the cost?

God is calling us to courageous loyalty to Jesus. As you take a stand for what is true…in love…remember the words of Jesus: “But hold fast what you have till I come.” (Revelation 2:15)

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