Cheryl Stewart

Routines can be helpful. I have a morning routine: I get up, shave, wash my face, brush my teeth, get dressed, and then go downstairs to make my oatmeal in the microwave (btw– I am not a fan of oatmeal, but I eat because Ollie tells me it’s good for my health!). But the downside of routines is that we can go through them without thinking about them. I remember when I was on staff at VCG, I was in such a habit of driving to the church that it felt like I was on autopilot. In fact, one day I was running errands in a different direction, only to find I myself headed to the church. I made the correction but a few minutes later, I find myself driving again to the church! Unfortunately, when it comes to celebrating the Lord’s Supper, we can do the same thing. We can go through communion on autopilot without really thinking about why we do it. So why do we celebrate communion? And how should we approach this God-ordained practice? Let talk about it this Saturday afternoon as we hear Part 13 in our series on I Corinthians!

Idols in Disguise Years ago when Ollie and I were single, we went on a summer missions project to Thailand. Most of the Thai people were either Buddhists, animists, or a combination of both. So it was very common to see spirit houses in people’s yards. These structures looked similar to elaborate birdhouses perched on a pole. Each one had a flat area to place flowers and/or fruit as offerings to the spirits in return for either the favor and protection of some or the appeasement of others. In addition, Buddhist temples were also very common. Many of them housed mammoth statues of Buddha where the Thai would do homage and pray to him. I remember thinking how unusual it was to see people worshiping idols. It seemed so strange and foreign. We don’t think idolatry is all that common here in America. But the reality is that idolatry is practiced here just as regularly as in Thailand; it just looks much different. Our idolatry is much more subtle, but just as dangerous. So what does that idolatry look like & what should we do about it? Join us for Part 12 in our series on I Corinthians.

Special Message from guest speaker Dr. David Seiver

Part 11 in our study of I Corinthians. Today we are looking at I Corinthians 9.

I Corinthians 8

I Corinthians 7

A study of I Corinthians 6:12-20

What does the Bible say about Christian lawsuits? I Corinthians 6:1-11

As a pastor I have met believers who have gone through difficult times in situations like dealing with an unfaithful spouse who was also a believer. When I asked them what did their local church do, too often I have heard people respond, "Nothing." So what should a local church do in situations like that? Shouldn't the church stay out of people's personal business? Join us again as we look into this issue as we continue our series "Living out the gospel in the local church"!

Deep down inside we long to know that our lives have counted for something more than just earning a living and accumulating possessions. We long to have an impact for eternity. We long to be a faithful servant who is used by God to touch and transform lives. But what does a faithful servant of God look like? What are some of the characteristics needed to be used by God in significant ways? Join us for our outdoor worship service this Sunday as we discover those characteristics as we continue our series "Living out the gospel in the local church"!