C.O.N.T.A.C.T.

July 16, 2010, 

Dear Friends,

C.O.N.T.A.C.T. is a very simple reminder of upcoming events and a way to share prayer requests.  Be involved in the activities of YOUR church!

NEW WEBSITE!  There are many other announcements that can now be seen on our website.  Go to www.moravianazarene.com and check it out.

PRAYER NEEDS:

• Leon Wilfawn passed away.  Pray for Gwen and their sons.
• Betty Covington’s husband Gerald is in Albia in the hospital. 
• Deb Mickels continues to need our prayers.
• Jimmy Stufflebeam has begun his chemo.
• Susan Welch had the trache removed yesterday.

PLEASE REMEMBER to pray for a young couple from our church, Adam and Tracy Bettis.  Their house burned down yesterday morning.  We will let the church know the best way to help to when we know more.

GOD MET WITH US last Sunday.  For me anyway, it was an unusual service where God would not let me stand there any longer.  I actually debated with God about going down to the cross during the song service, I told Him I would go at prayer time???  God made me know He meant right then.  Are you obedient when God speaks to you?  I had some good conversations with people about church Sunday morning and the evening service.  I feel there are people “HOLDING BACK” because they see others holding back from worshipping, going to the altar, whatever it may be.  If YOU felt led to lift your hands but didn’t, and someone was watching YOU, YOU are their worship leader right then.  Do you understand that?  If God prompts you to go to the altar and you say no, maybe He just prompted someone else and He asked you (a more mature Christian) to lead the way.  When you say no, you may have just held someone else back???

I’m not saying to do anything to try to generate what isn’t there, I’m saying are you obedient if God asks you to do something?  How long can you live in disobedience and stay in right relationship to God?  My wife goes to the altar often.  When we were in college (a Bible college!!) a professor said in a staff meeting that professors should not go to the altar in front of the students????  He said it was a sign of spiritual weakness???  WOW!  Do you want to know my thought on that?  Maybe not, STOP READING NOW.

Some of the best preachers I have ever heard have testified of needing to come before God at times in their lives.  My point is, when we are humbled in the presence of others, they see that it is OK to go to the altar or lift our hands or say amen or whatever it is.  Think about that.  PRAY about that.  A mark of spiritual maturity to me is not that we DON’T go to the altar, you will not find that example in the Bible.  The real sign of growing in grace is RUNNING to the altar when we need help.  I mention that old song once in a while, “I need Him more today, than I did yesterday…”  I heard a preacher say one time, he didn’t want that to be true in his life, he wanted to grow to the point where he was standing on his own???  WRONG PICTURE!

The longer I live, the more I know the truth of how weak I really am.

From Pastor Chapman:

Well, that last part was my thoughts so I will close.  Just keep being faithful.  Don’t listen the lies of the devil.  He is like a roaring lion roaming to and fro across the face of the earth looking for some victim to tear apart.  BUT, greater is He that is IN US!!! Than he that is in the world.

God bless,

Pastor Chapman

I am writing this CONTACT from a motel room in Des Moines.  We have been having great services with good crowds at night.  This Sunday I will share a little bit about the service Tuesday.  I wish everyone who attends a Nazarene church could have heard our speaker!!!

The reality I see is that camp meeting like some of us remember from years ago is a memory and that’s all.  The younger mindset is not into camp meeting.  But it is a vital time if we would avail ourselves to come for even a day or two.  Next year???  Think about taking a day or two off and coming.  You will have a good time and be blessed.

I am excited for the next few Sundays.  Especially August 1.  Do not plan anything that day.  Be in church that day.  You will be glad you came!  That’s all I’m going to say about that for that for now!!!

Also, Sunday night this week will be a different service.  It will be very UNCOMFORTABLE for many people to be in this service.  Will YOU be able to take it?  Come find out.

God bless,

Pastor Chapman