Light in the Darkness
The Word Became Flesh
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through
him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that
which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his
name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
John 1: 1 - 13
A Thought From the Pastor
I am truly excited to return to the Gospels. Our church family will be growing together in the Gospels, which literally means to proclaim the “good news” of Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection. We will be studying the parables of Matthew in our Wednesday night men’s Bible Study, our women will be studying the “Living Gospel“ or the book of Acts. Addtionally, our mission partner, giveRecovery, will be studying the four written gospels in their weekly Bible Study. Finally, we will be doing a sermon series on the Gospel of John each Sunday.
The gospel of John does not begin with the infant story of Jesus. It begins in the eternity past in which Jesus was the exact expression of God’s heart, character and power. We also see two beautiful concepts linked together in the first chapter of John; Life and Light. John delivers a staggering message of defeat to the evil one……Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.
We had a chance this week to work with a beautiful group of youth from the Rochester Church of Christ. They went into our community and reflected light in so many ways. I was reminded of how serving others is a pure reflection of Jesus. Being light in our community is not an abstract concept, but a daily lifestyle. Let’s choose to be light by serving, being generous, and showing up for people in need. Let’s be light with words of encouragement, speaking truth and sharing the love of Christ with others. Let’s be light by extending forgiveness, exhibiting humility and living moral lives.
Finally, remember you don’t have to generate your own light. We just have to step into God’s light and reflect Christ to this world. When you step into the light and reflect love, kindness, gentleness, patience self control you are defeating evil with good. Friends, let’s be light this week!
Prayerful Planning
- We will be having our Sunday Celebration after church today. We will be celebrating our baptisms that took place at our Homecoming Service last Sunday. Congratulations to Amanda Hillabrandt, Cynthia Renkiewicz, and Vince Ryan. Finally, we will be celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and sobriety milestones and our ministries as well.
Plans and Events at PCOC
- 7/19 - Celebration Sunday will take place after service today.
- 7/19 - Our food pantry is open today from 12:30 - 1:30 pm at PCoC.
- 7/20 - Community Lunch @ 11:30 - 12:30 @ PCoC.
- 7/22 - Women’s and Men’s Bible Studies @ 6:30 pm @ PCoC.
- 7/23 - Church Prayer Group @ 10:30 am @ PCoC.
- 7/26 - Pastor Rob Burkee - “The Word and Recovery”
Purpose For This Week
- Pray that we would seek the Gospel in our lives.
- Pray that we would share the Gospel with our words and actions
Praise Reports & Prayer Requests
- Praise God for all the community service that the Rochester Youth Group was able to accomplish during their week in Petoskey.
- Praise God for the continued ministry of giveRecovery. Praise God for lives of recovery in Christ and the impact that this ministry has in our church and the Petoskey community. Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!
- Please pray for Ruthie Eby and her continued health problems. Please pray that they can determine causes and that Ruthie will return to her previous health. Please cover the Eby family during this time as well.
- Please pray for Edmond Ames as he will be released from jail on July 21st and that all the transitions that need to take place will go smoothly.
- Please continue to pray for additional ministries that PCoC has the opportunity to particpate with in the future.