Worship

You've all seen him. He stands at the busy intersection holding a sign that says, "Hungry. Will work for food."

Will he? I don't know. I've never asked.

Paul writes, in 2Thessalonians 3:10, "For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: 'If a man will not work, he shall not eat.'”

Is he talking about the guy with the sign? The answer might surprise you.

Come, worship with us and find out.

Coming, this fall, will be more opportunities for you to get involved in a Life Group.

Simply put, a life group is a group of 8-12 people that meet regularly for Bible study, fellowship, and spiritual growth. We have new groups forming for a variety of age groups with a variety of interests.

Join us for our Life Group Dinner, Wednesday, September 12, at 6:30 p.m., to find out more about Life Groups and find the group that is right for you.

Worship

Is there something missing in your prayer life? Something's missing but you just can't put a finger on what it is.

Chances are you are not alone. In addition, chances are your prayers are paralyzed by the same problem many others have.

Doubt.

Ron Martoia…”It's one thing to acknowledge the character of God. It's an entirely different thing to go out on a limb and actually trust it.”

Come worship with us, Sunday, as we look at how to overcome this paralyzing area of our prayer life.

Starbucks Spirituality

Starbucks Spirituality

A new way of reaching out.

by Brett Lawrence

Daniel Hill holds a steady part-time job working one or two shifts a week at Starbucks. It's hardly a career-track position, and it's not that he needs the extra cash or battles a secret caffeine addiction.

It's the people. Purple hair, belly-button rings, tattoos, black-painted fingernails—those people.

Finish this article.

Thy Kingdom Come

Before we can pray, "Lord, Thy Kingdom come," we must be willing to pray, "My Kingdom go."

~Alan Redpath

Destructive Emotions

Author Says Destructive Emotions Prevalent Among Christians

www.crosswalk.com

Christian Newswire reports that psychologist/author Florence MacKenzie believes that anger, guilt, and fear are more prevalent in the Christian community than most people might think.

"Many Christians struggle secretly, fearing disapproval or condemnation from family, friends or church contacts," says MacKenzie. "They try to put on a brave face and not admit they need help."

MacKenzie's new book is called Destructive Emotions: Facing Up to Guilt, Fear and Anger. "These emotions become destructive when they destroy our happiness, impair our usefulness, and damage our ability to cope effectively with life," she says. "It's important to demonstrate how... change can be effected."

Worship

Hard fact of life: There is no perfect gig.

There is no perfect marriage. There is no perfect church. There is no perfect job. There is no perfect......

So, how do we deal with that fact in our everyday lives? Most of the time, we just complain about it.

God, however, has something else in mind. Come worship with us, Sunday, and see what it is.

The Art of Apology

THE ART OF THE APOLOGY

by Carolyn McCulley

"I'm sorry if ..." doesn't cut it.

Finish the article at:

http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0001557.cfm

Two thoughts about complaining...

I personally believe we developed language because of our deep inner need to complain.

~Jane Wagner

If you have time to whine and complain about something then you have the time to do something about it.

~Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book

And one from Scripture...

Philippians 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

Jesus said, "...you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

That promise was not just for a group of people gathered on a hillside a couple of thousand years ago. That promise, along with the mission it sets forth, is for you and me...today.

Come worship with us, Sunday, as we explore what God has in mind for us.

___

Worship: 9:00 and 11:15 a.m.

Sunday School: 10:00 a.m.

Hear past sermons at our website http://www.clarksburgbaptistchurch.com/ in the media section.

Worry

Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ?

Matthew 6:28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Young Adults Aren't Sticking with Church

http://www.crosswalk.com/

USA Today reports that seven in 10 Protestants ages 18 to 30 who went to church regularly in high school said they quit attending by age 23, according to a survey by LifeWay Research.

34% of those who left said they had not returned by age 30. That means about one in four Protestant young people have left the church.

Ed Stetzer, director of LifeWay Research, commented, "This is sobering news that the church needs to change the way it does ministry."

Associate Director Scott MConnell said, "It seems the teen years are like a free trial on a product. By 18, when it's their choice whether to buy in to church life, many don't feel engaged and welcome."

The Tech Effect

Technology is changing the way we preach. Is this a good thing?

A Leadership Interview

Shane Hipps is pastor of Trinity Mennonite Church in Phoenix, Arizona. Prior to pastoral ministry, Shane had a career in advertising.

John Palmieri is a pastor of multi-cultural, multi-site, New Life Community Church in Chicago. Prior to pastoral ministry, he was involved in the food business.

Jarrett Stevens is director of the college and singles ministry, and teacher for 722 at North Point Church in Alpharetta, Georgia. Previously he served as a teaching pastor for Axis at Willow Creek Community Church.

read the interview at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2007/003/1.28.html

Mysterious things can happen when you play a country music song backwards...or so says Rascal Flatts. I've never personally tried it, but they claim it has amazing powers.

What are those mysterious things and how does any of this relate to anything about our faith?

I guess you'll have to come to worship, Sunday, and find out. I hope to see you there.

The Choice to Change

Dr. Paul D. Borden
Executive Minister, Growing Healthy Churches

Life is a continual series of choices. Those who choose wisely usually live better lives than those who choose poorly.

read the article at:

http://www.growinghealthychurches.org/art/art_388.shtml

What is Biblical Giving?

by Fred Smith

A diversity of giving styles are illustrated in Scripture—not just one.

Read the article...

http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2007/001/15.79.html