Our annual “Family & Friends Day” is planned for Sunday, April 27. This will be a special opportunity to invite your family, friends, neighbors and coworkers to worship with us. Begin praying and planning for this outreach day.

INVOLVEMENT & SERVICE

Thank you to all who completed the “Involvement & Service” forms. If you have not completed and returned your form, please do it today. We need everyone’s participation as this church family continues to grow.

A HOME FOR THE HOMELESS

We will be opening the church building to South Oakland Shelter (SOS) from June 29 – July 6. We will provide a place to sleep as well as meals for the week for homeless people. Begin praying and planning about your involvement.

SPRING CLEAN DAY

Everyone is invited to join us on Saturday, April 12 at 9:00am and April 19 from 8:00am to noon to clean, repair and brighten our building and grounds. There will be something for everyone do to. If you have any suggestions or questions, please see Kevin D.

MEN’S PRAYER BREAKFAST

All men are encouraged to join us on Saturday, April 12 at 8:00am and join us for prayer and encouragement. Following our gathering we’ll do some work around the church building.

INTERNET ADDICTION HELP

Over the past few Sunday mornings we’ve been discussing SEX/TEXT SCANDAL. There are a number of resources available for sexual addiction and recovery including: “Every Man’s Battle” and Every Young Man’s Battle” by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker. There are also many faith-based websites dedicated to overcoming temptation: www.safefamilies.org : www.everymansbattle.com : www.no-porn.com : www.purelifeministries.com : www.pureintimacy.org

M.D.Y.C. CONCERT

On Sunday, April 13th, the chorus will perform for us after evening worship. We will be feeding about 75 kids and board members in the afternoon. If you would like to contribute toward the cost of the food, please see Terry C. or Karen T.

SECRET SISTER PARTY

The Secret Sister revealing party will be on Sunday, April 20th after evening worship in room 116. Please bring either a dessert or finger food to share. This will be your last opportunity to give a gift to your secret sister.

The AREA-WIDE SINGING is planned for this Saturday, March 8 from 6:00-8:00pm at the Hazel Park Church of Christ.  It will be a great time of praise and fellowship.

The METRO DETROIT LECTURESHIP is next week, beginning on Sunday, March 9 and continues through Friday evening at the Hazel Park Church of Christ.  Speakers include Mack Lyon, Dave Miller, Jim Dearman, Leon Estep, Billy Bland and Jackie Stearsman.  Singing begins at 6:30 and the lectures begin at 7:00pm.  A children’s program is offered each evening.

Download:

- [download#33#nohits]
- [download#34#nohits]

Sermon given by Peter Morphy during Sunday PM worship on February 17, 2008.

Download:

- [download#31#nohits]
- [download#32#nohits]

Sermon given by Peter Morphy during Sunday AM worship on February 17, 2008.

We must be consumed with God’s will with a Holy Zeal.  Some Christians loose their motivation, enthusiasm and fire shortly after their initial commitment.  Zeal must be renewed every day through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Paul told the Roman church, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” (Romans 12:11)

We must be committed to God’s Word with a Holy Hunger.  When your soul is starving for God, you will do anything to be filled with His Word.  Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)  We must not only have an open Bible but an open mind to understand and an open heart to accept God’s will.  “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:2-3)

We must be dedicated to prayer with a Holy Passion.  Prayer releases the almighty power of God to work in our lives.  Without it we are empty, weak, ignorant and vulnerable.  Prayer opens our lives for God to work.  Paul didn’t dare live, act, speak or move without prayer.  He told the church, “Pray continually.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

We must love the Lord God with a Holy Heart.  When several things are competing for our heart the outcome is dangerous.  Both the Old Law and the New Covenant are summed up in “love the Lord with all of your heart.” (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37)  That doesn’t leave room in our heart for worldly, sinful or even selfish and personal interests.

God will do wonderful things today.  He will demonstrate His power.  He will reveal His plan.  Decide that you will open your mind, heart, soul, will to be an active part in God’s supreme work!

The Bible class that I teach is studying the book of Acts.  In the early days the church was led by unschooled and ordinary men who had been trained and mentored by Jesus (Acts 4:13).  Throughout the gospels, these men were filled with pride, selfishness, doubt, and fear.

However, they were transformed.  While they were known to be common men they had uncommon courage after they were empowered by the Holy Spirit in Acts 2.  Through their leadership the church multiplied in numbers and grew in faith, zeal and love for God and one another (Acts 2:42-47 and 4:32-37).

While many of us in the church have knowledge, do we also have courage to act on our convictions?  Listen to Paul’s words, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)  Be men of courage!  Since the primary meaning of the word encourage is “to give courage” it is not surprising that the theme of “encouraging others” is mentioned over 30 times in the New Testament.

Do you need more courage to live, act and speak for the Lord?  If so, you are in good company.  In Acts 4 the young Christians were facing persecution.  They prayed for courage and great boldness (Acts 4:29).  God heard and the Holy Spirit empowered the Christians to speak the Word of God boldly (4:31).  In addition, Paul twice asks the church to pray for him that he would speak the message fearlessly (Ephesians 6:19-20).  If he needed to pray and the fervent prayers of others, so do we.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

The Wright Brothers spent years planning, designing, testing and trying to make their dream become a reality.  Think about how many times they had to go back to the drawing board to redesign and modify their plans.  Their multiple failures were conquered by their persistence to attain their goal.  They wanted to fly … and they did.

The people who do great things have a superlative dream, remarkable optimism and exceptional determination.  Few ever succeed on their first or second attempt.  It is their resolve and tenacity that keeps them dreaming, working and persisting.  Months of work turn into years, even decades, before the dream becomes a reality.

Some have seen dreams realized, while others have yet to be achieved, and still others dreams have yet to be conceived.  It takes prayer, faith, planning and determination to see God’s plan unfold before our eyes.  “Unless the Lord builds the house, the labors work in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)

Like the Wright brothers, we want to fly.  We want to be free to accomplish God’s will and soar above the clouds.  We want bigger faith, stronger resolve, deeper love and greater strength.  We want God’s Spirit to take us places we have never been before.

Thousands of years ago, Isaiah had a dream of flying.  We want to share his vision. “… but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”  (Isaiah 40:31)

We still have a long way to go.  We often return to the drawing board. We are met with times of discouragement and days of defeat, but we will not give up, for we are on our way to the greatest heights. When we fail, we will again return to our Maker and seek His wisdom, counsel and power.  One day our dreams will be realized and we will be victors and conquerors of His glory.

Fasten you seatbelt and “let’s fly!”