A lot of transformation takes place in a cocoon. The ugly, spikey, slimy, fuzzy caterpillar, who has spent its entire life with the philosophy of eat, drink and be merry, is leaving behind its binge of gluttony, wrapped tightly in a cocoon, sleeping off its hangover. While there, a metamorphosis begins to develop and the caterpillar, by its God-created design, slowly changes into a beautiful butterfly. As it emerges from its chrysalis, there is an obvious transformation in its physical presence. It sprouts wings, antennae, and new legs. There’s quite the physical change, but also a change in lifestyle. No longer confined to crawl upon the ground, the butterfly now is capable of mounting to the sky to soar at heights of up to 11,000 feet.
So, also, the person who comes to know Christ Jesus as Lord is changed from their former sinful self to reflect more the image of Christ in the manner in which they live. The change in the Christian ought to be so obvious that those who are still caterpillars can see the difference. As Peter continues his challenge to his readers to prepare themselves for persecution because of their faith, he wants them to understand an important reason why: they no longer look or act like the world. Those who are still living with a worldview that is ungodly don’t like for the differences to be evident, for it reflects poorly on their lifestyle choices. Rather, the world wants to entice us to join right in with them in their debased lifestyle. They find it hard to understand why we don’t want to partake in the same things they find pleasurable.
This weekend, we’ll be examining 1 Peter 4:1-11 as we listen to Peter’s encouragement to live a life that reflects the glory of Christ rather than the debauchery of this world.
John
All items need to be dropped off at FCC by Sunday, July 25
New Items Needed:
Wide ruled spiral notebooks
Wide ruled composition books
Backpacks
Glue sticks
24 count crayons
Folders
Makers
Colored pencils
Earbuds
Highlighters
Large pink erasers
Gently Used Items Needed:
Children's books
Children's clothes (no adult or baby)
Shoes (ages 5-18)
Despite technology improving communication, true connection is rarer than ever. Everyone is craving true and meaningful relationships. Small Groups provide life-changing community that fosters these relationships, both with God and each other.
As we engage with the Bible, in prayer, and with one another, we see God doing amazing things both in and through us.
Mark Your Calendars
You are invited to join us for a night of great food (BBQ), fellowship, and to hear our vision for small groups as well as to find your place in our vision this fall. We would also love to answer any questions you might have and identify leaders and hosts.
More information coming soon on our website, so stay tuned!
Hi parents! This week's Jesus Storybook Bible reading is week two for July, "How to pray". You can find it on page 222 of your book. Gather the kids around and have fun reading this story.
Keep it simple. Read the story and ask your kids what their favorite part of the story was? Or what picture did you like the most? And then say a short prayer. That's it!
We pray this is a blessing to you and your family.
Last week Jason White led students with a lesson on trusting Jesus to guide our lives utilizing an object lesson from our whitewater trip at CIY. The lesson was as powerful as it was funny, and one I’m certain students will remember. This week we will return to our series on the book of Galatians, Freedom in the Kingdom, with a study on Galatians 5:1-6, as we begin to unpack what our freedom in Christ looks like as we live out our faith.
I’d like to leave you with a Word from Paul, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery… For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” (Galatians 5:1,6)
As Paul transitions to the more practical application portion of his letter to the Galatians, he begins with a firm reminder to turn away from legalism, with its outward, superficial religious practices, and that true religion is expressed in a relationship with God, through Christ, which reveals itself in “faith working through love” (Galatians 1:6).
The lens of love is essential as we move forward in Galatians, and particularly as we begin to survey fruits of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. It can be easy for a person to take these two lists and treat them in a legalistic way of thou shalts and thou shalt nots, but as we will consider in the weeks ahead, it is truly faith working through love that is the heart of each and every one of these practical applications of our Freedom in Christ.
So here is the question: what is your motivation as you walk in Christ? Are you living your life to check every box so that you can stand justified in your own righteousness, or is love for Christ and His children the motivation as the Spirit of God empowers you to live out your faith in love?
It is my hope and prayer that for each and every one of us it would be the latter that marks our lives. Grace and peace to you friends, God bless and keep you in the week ahead.
We Need You
As I Am Music, our student-led worship band and music ministry, has grown so has our need for leaders and teachers. If you are musically gifted and would be willing to spend Tuesday evenings from 6-8:30 PM pouring into our students, I Am Music is looking for you. Even if you could only spare one Tuesday a month, please contact Shaun at shaunratcliff@fccunion.org so we can work together to help our students grow as musicians, Christians, and leaders.
High Hill has set the dates for their summer camps. To register or find out more information click here or go to www.highhillcamp.org/summer-camp/.
Bible Study
Tuesday mornings from 9-11 AM. The Bible is always applicable, so even if you can't make it at the beginning, you are always welcome! The gathering is in the Fellowship Hall downstairs.
Bible Study
Join us Saturday, July 17 @ 7 AM for a men's Bible Study at Red, White, and Brew Coffee Company.
Needs arise more than just on a Sunday morning. If you need prayer at any time, please know you can text ‘prayer2fcc’ to 94000 and a staff member will receive your request any time and be praying for you.
You can also email your request or call the church office to be placed on the prayer list. There is a prayer table in the lobby where you can place a prayer request in the box and we will pray for you!
We are family, and we want to support you in any way we can and prayer is always the first and best place to start. Please feel free to reach out to us at any time.
Join us in the Fellowship Hall downstairs for Celebrate Recovery. We will start with a time of food and fellowship at 6:00 PM. We have childcare starting at 6:30 PM. Please sign your child in at the welcome desk and a team member will assist you in helping them to their class. We want to spread the love of Jesus to everyone in recovery from life's hurts, habits, and hang-ups.
Check out our Facebook page at @FCCUnionCR. If you have any questions, comments, or requests feel free to email us.
Tai Chi Fitness
Tai Chi Fitness Fun for All!
Monday's from 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM, First Christian Church,Union will be a place to participate in a free class for (mostly) senior citizens, but anyone pursuing a healthier life is welcome. Tai Chi fitness is a program developed by Dr. Paul Lam, a Chinese physician living in Australia. It is used worldwide for anyone who wants to improve their physical health and strengthen themselves for fall prevention.
Tai Chi originated in the orient, but the emphasis will be on Christ, beginning and ending each session with prayer. Any reference to any kind of oriental philosophy will be turned toward Christ and His sovereignty.
The medical field and Medicare recognize its effectiveness in improving health and vitality. It is a slow-moving exercise designed to deliberately make a mind/body connection, enabling awareness of our center of gravity, weight distribution and where our balance lies. It is not rigorous, and we don’t get down on the floor. If necessary, this program of Tai Chi can be done by holding onto a chair or even sitting in one. So, if people can get into the building, they can do it! Sessions will be held downstairs in the large, blue room nearest the glass double doors.
Questions? Call the church office, ext 5, or Jenny Hannaford.
Have you ever wanted to do a Bible study with your spouse, kids or maybe a group of friends but you didn’t know where to start? Leading a Bible study can seem like such a big task. Planning what to say and what questions to ask can be one of the reasons people are so hesitant to lead a study. Well, what if we took all the planning and prep work out of it and made it easy for you to do right in your own living room?
As someone who attends First Christian Church you have access to RightNow Media, a website with hundreds of video-driven studies. There are studies on just about every topic you may want; from parenting to having “the talk” with your older kids, marriage, studies on books of the Bible and so much more. There are even cartoons for the kids that teach Biblical principles. And the best part is, it costs you nothing! If you would like to check out this incredible resource you can sign-up here.
