This Sunday: A New Sermon Series- A Single New Humanity
Sunday, March 21st Pastor Bryon begins a NEW 8-week expository series through the book of Ephesians. Caught between their old and new way of life, these believers receive instructions about their identity in Christ and the ethics of Christian living.
“There are two main themes represented within the book: 1. Christ has reconciled all creation to himself and to God, and 2. Christ has united people from all nations to himself and to one another in his church. These great deeds were accomplished through the powerful, sovereign, and great working of the triune God-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and are recognized and received by faith alone through his grace. In light of these great truths, Christians are to lead lives that are a fitting tribute of gratitude to their great Lord.” – ESV Study Bible (Introduction to Ephesians)
Easter 2010
Wed. 9:00am
I am getting pumped for Easter this year. I have been praying big prayers asking God to save people at our Easter services. Would you join me in prayer? Pray specifically for a couple things: 1. That Jesus would be given supreme glory through all that happens on Easter. 2. That our church would be given divine boldness and effectiveness to invite new friends, family, neighbors, etc. to experience our Easter services. 3. Finally, that the Holy Spirit would be active in encouraging, guiding, convicting and ultimately saving tons of people on Easter Sunday! PRAY WITH ME CHURCH!
-Pastor Bryon
Our God is Faithful
Monday 7:30am
Yesterday was a great day at Kingsway! What a vibe of faith, thankfulness, family and mission we experienced. So many great things took place, but here a couple that stick out to me.
First, we celebrated all that God had done in the previous year at Kingsway. 2009 was a year of transition for us, as we sent our our senior pastor of 10 years to revitalize a dying church on the Jersey shore. Through that transition, God was faithful and we experienced stability, numerical growth and financial provision above what I could have ever ask for. Our God is faithful.
Second, you had the opportunity to get a “first look” at the concepts we and our architects are working with to renovate our current facility. I love times when we can to dream and ask God to lead us into the future. I was very encouraged by all the people who spoke to me sharing their thoughts, ideas and questions.
The theme of yesterday for me: Our God is Faithful!
-Pastor Bryon
Tell Your Story
Tell Your Story – We Need YOUR Help!
This Sunday, February 28, 2010 is Celebrate Life Sunday. Why do we call this annual service a celebration? Because we want to celebrate God’s grace and goodness to each of us and to Kingsway over the last year. But, we can’t do it without you! You have stories about God’s faithfulness in your life; stories that will honor the Lord and encourage another. Will you tell us your story? Email info@kingswayag.com to share a testimony or simply a word of thanks about something God has done or is doing in your life.
I look forward to hearing your story! Blessings, Pastor Arlena
Membership Follow-Up
Monday 9:05am
Yesterday was a great day at Kingsway. The band was solid, the choir Life Group ministered in both services and Pastor Arlena brought the second message from the series, “The Bride.” Following the 11 was the membership class. I taught for about 3 hours on the topics of: the church, doctrine, core values and working through the membership covenant. We take membership very serious at Kingsway.
We had a great time of teaching, discussion and getting to know new people. Thanks to all who helped organize and a special thanks to all those who came out because of your interest in membership.
Pastor Bryon
Missions Trip Anyone?
Missions Trip Anyone?
I know it’s hard to think about the summer and fall when there is two feet of snow on the ground but a couple of weeks ago we announced our 2010 missions trip locations: Point Pleasant (May 27-30), El Salvador (July 17-24) and Rwanda (Nov. 12-22). If you’ve never taken a missions trip before, I encourage you to consider taking one this year. I promise, your life will never be the same! Still not sure? Here are a few steps to help you make your decision:
1) Pray. You’ll need to know if God is leading you to go and where He wants you to go.
2) Assess – Talk to your family, friends, and spiritual leaders to help you assess whether a missions trip is right for you at this time.
3) Ask – Information about each missions trip is located on the Missons page of this web site or at the Welcome Center. Feel free to email missions@kingswayag.com if you have questions.
4) Apply – Every team member must apply in order to go. You can download an application from this web site (on the Missions page) or pick one up at the Welcome Center.
So, let me ask the question again – missions trip anyone?
Blessings, Pastor Arlena
Mid-Term Check-up
Mid-Term Check-up
No, there isn’t going to be an exam for those who are in a life group (WHEW!) Just wanted to check-up on the Kingsway family to see if you ARE in a life group. It’s not too late! We’re halfway through the semester but there are still four solid weeks left. Lots and lots of opportunities to grow closer to God and one another! And, it will give you a great jump on the Spring semester which will begin April 11, 2010. If you want to see list of the life groups that are currently meeting, click here.
Blessings, Pastor Arlena
Man Up
Thurs 8:00am
Just wanted to say how pumped I am about my Man Up Life Group. We have a solid group of dudes coming out and last night we got into a great discussion about the nature of God and salvation. The guys in the group come from all different spiritual backgrounds and have a wide variety of career experience. I find the group highly encouraging and motivating. I leave each week wanting to know Jesus more, learn my Bible more throughly and love and nurture my wife and children more and more like a real man should.
The Plug: If you are a guy, 18+ married or trying to track her down this group is for you. Wed. night 7:30-8:30pm, my office.
Have a good one.
Pastor Bryon
Suffering with Hope
Sunday 11:15pm
As I was reading tonight and reflecting on the message today I wanted to share this text in Romans 5.3-5.
“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” ESV
We as believers do experience suffering. But we suffer with great hope as “we wait patiently for full adoption as sons” (Romans 8.23). This adoption is the end result of our great salvation. This text actually calls us to rejoice in our sufferings. One of the reasons we can rejoice is that we know there is purpose in suffering. It is clear that suffering, here in this life, produces transformation in us. Suffering brings about endurance, character and hope, making us more like Christ.
Some thoughts on suffering.
Friday 11:00am
Recently I have been asked several questions about why suffering exists in our world. It seems like people are asking these questions related to the earthquakes in Haiti and those dealing with personal tragedy. Why does God allow earthquakes, hurricanes, cancer and terrorist attacks? Why does God allow people and believers to suffer?
These are good questions and should be asked. We must have a solid theology of suffering based on scripture because we all will encounter suffering at some point in life. If we don’t understand what the Bible says, then the tendency is to blame God and walk away.
Romans 8.20-23a “Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. (See Genesis 3) But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering.” NLT
This text clearly states that all creation (the physical world) is currently under the curse of sin and longing to be freed from death and decay. At the time of the fall God cursed the ground and it was at that moment that natural disasters became a reality. It was not God’s original plan for his creation to war against itself, but that is the case because of the real effects of sin and the fall.
We, too, are still subject to the effects of sin and suffering, yet we have a great hope. Our hope is in Him, that we will one day be given “full rights as his adopted children” (Rom. 3.23b) Our bodies will be made new, free from the effects of sin, deat,h and the curse: free from disease and sickness, cancer and decay. We look forward to the “new heavens and the new earth” (Revelation 21.1-5a), a place without natural disaster, where we will live forever with glorified bodies having full rights as His children.
Our hope is in Christ! In this world there will be suffering, but we look to a time when all sin, suffering and tragedy is eradicated completely, what a day that will be!
Pastor Bryon
Big Weekend Coming!
Thurs. 8:47am
We have a great weekend coming up at Kingsway!
Sunday is the launch of our Winter Life Groups, which we invest a ton of time and energy into, helping people connect with each other and we want it to be a catalyst for personal spiritual growth.
Also this Sunday, we have guest worship leader Nicholas Petersen coming to lead with our band. Nicholas hails from Chicago and is a singer, song writer and designer with a huge passion for Jesus and great music.
Finally, I kick off our new sermon series entitled, “Missio Dei.” Charles Spurgeon said it all with this quote, “Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.” The mission of God, His coming for us and the part we each play is the thrust of this series. Genesis 3.15b, “he shall bruise your head,” has been labeled the “protoevangelium”; the first announcement of the intent of God to rescue His people in scripture. Our God is a missionary God, coming to save us, as one of us!
Come join us!
Pastor Bryon
LIFT – Leadership Community
Monday 11:40am
Last night was the 1st meeting of the new LIFT community. If you don’t know, LIFT is the new leaders community of Kingsway. It is the place where people come to be trained to enter into leadership/ministry at the church.
I was pumped up to see over 50 people come to be trained as leaders. I believe as our church continues to grow and expand so to must our leadership base grow.
I also want to thank @scotthodge for inspiring me to begin to gather leaders at our church, he is the man.
Thanks to all who took the time to come and learn more about the mission, vision and strategy of Kingsway.
Pastor Bryon
Fasting Day 3
Wed. 8:47am
This morning marks the beginning of day 3 in the fast. I just wanted to encourage you a little today. You should be through the majority of the headaches caused by lack of caffeine, carbs and sugar. Be encouraged, you made it through the worst!
Now is the time to begin to focus your heart and mind on the things of the Lord. Increase your time with Him throughout the day. Spend the time in Bible reading, prayer and quiet meditation/ listening for His voice. He will speak to you!
Most importantly focus your hungry pains toward Him and say, Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life! (John 6.35f) You alone satisfy my life and soul. This much, O God I love you and need you!
Remember to pay close attention to the things that arise in you through the fast. Durning the fast if you are prone to act out in anger or with pride or are experiencing painful thoughts take note. Journal those things and begin to ask the Holy Spirit to deal with them in you. Richard Foster says of fasting, “More than any other discipline, fasting reveals the things that control us.”
Allow God to use this time to make you more like Him
Keep after it, you can do it! There is no failing in fasting, do your best!
Happy Fasting.
Pastor Bryon
2010 Check-up
Here are a couple Sunday afternoon thoughts for you:
The 6 points from our New Year’s Check-Up:
1. Read your Bible everyday.
-New Living Translation for novice or beginning readers
-English Standard Version Study Bible for intermediates and advanced
-Pick up a Journey bookmark and read through the Bible with us.
-www.youversion.com Download reading guide to your iPhone or Blackberry.
2. Pray everyday. Don’t just go to God with a “to-do” list, worship and listen also.
-Pick a time and place daily to do S.O.A.P.
-(scripture reading, observation, application and prayer)
3. Confess sins everyday. We should be quick to confess sins before God.
-James 5.16; 1 John 1.9
4. Have no enemies. Be quick to forgive.
-Matthew 6.14-15
5. Give of yourself.
-Take control of your time and calendar.
-If you don’t control your calendar, it will control you.
-We must live in such a way that we have margin left to love and serve our families and serve in our local church.
-Assess what talents you have to contribute to your church and the kingdom of God.
6. Give of your resources.
-Do you have a financial plan for 2010? Does it included specific goals about giving.
-If last year you gave 5%, this year plan to give 6% or 7%. If you gave 8% last year, make a plan to give a true tithe, 10% back to God.
-This will take a plan, discipline and sacrifice, but it is well worth it.
Happy New Year my Kingsway peeps!
Pastor Bryon
Church Wide Fast
This Sunday we will begin a 2 week series of messages around the topic of prayer and fasting. It is my desire to see our local church posture ourselves in this manner as we begin a new year and new decade. We must always remain dependent on Jesus for He is the head of our church.
The dates of the church wide fast are Monday, Jan. 4th until Wednesday, Jan. 13th. That evening (Wed. Jan. 13th) we will gather (7:30pm in sanctuary) for a final prayer service to complete our fasting together. Following that prayer meeting we will go to a diner and break fast together.
Happy Fasting!
Pastor Bryon
Combined Communion Service- Tomorrow
Sunday, Dec. 27th at 10:00am is our combined communion service. The service will include worship, the receiving of the years final giving (tithe, offerings, Advent Conspiracy and missions), teaching focused around the Lord’s atoning death and communion. Our children’s ministries will be in swing ages 0-5 years old. KidMo will not be meeting.
Come join us this Sunday!
Christmas Eve Service @ 6pm.
Join us Christmas Eve as we celebrate the advent of our Savior. The service is a little dressier than normal featuring live music, vocal performances, worship and a short word of devotion from Pastor Bryon. There will be a mixture of modern and classic Christmas music and the service will be candlelit. The night begins at 6:00pm and will be approximately 75 minutes in length.
Snow Storm Update
The 9:ooam service is CANCELED tomorrow.
The 11:00am service is CANCELED tomorrow.
All services and activites for Sunday, Dec. 20th have been canceled. Please help to spread the word. Have a great day tomorrow together with friends and family. Remember that although our building is closed tomorrow, our church can still worship and celebrate Immanuel (‘God is with us’) with great warmth and passion.
This time of year we look to a our God and Savior who came as a baby boy, born of a virgin, who was called Jesus, “for He will save his people from their sins!” Matthew 1.21
My prayer for you tomorrow is that you will worship Christ fully with the full weight of this Advent season in mind.
Merry Christmas to all! Enjoy your time with family, friends and the white stuff!!!
Pastor Bryon
Advent Conspiracy – Week 4
Tis the season…
Shop till you drop…
Have a holly-jolly Christmas… What does it all mean?
Advent Conspiracy is a new message series focused on worshipping Christ fully during this season of advent. The story of advent tells of Immanuel coming into human history, revealing something about the divine to us; coming to a people with great need for Him. Sadly, in the hustle and bustle of the season, the mystery of the incarnation escapes us. Many wonder, tis the season of what?
Join us this Sunday, Dec. 20th, for the final week in this series.
Thanksgiving Service
Join us on Tuesday night, Nov. 24th, 7pm for our annual thanksgiving service. The night will be focused on giving God thanks for His grace, salvation and provision in our lives. We will experience worship, hear testimonies, the choir will minister and Pastor Bryon will bring a message entitled, “A Theology of Thanksgiving”.
Love & Marriage Week 3
Join us this Sunday, November 15th at the 9 or 11.
This is the third week of our series on love and marriage. Last week we explored the idea from Ephesians 5.33 that wives are commanded to respect their husbands. Respect is like oxygen to a man in a relationship, he needs to be respected as the warrior and the worker in the relationship. When he feels respect from his wife, he is a happy man.
This week we will explore the first part of that verse, “each man must love his wife as he loves himself.” As a man breathes respect, so a women breathes love. She desires to be loved, nurtured and cared for. Ladies you want your man to hear this message!
See you Sunday.
Meet & Chat
This Sunday, Nov. 8th @ 6:30-8pm.
If you are new to the church in the last several months you and your entire family are invited to come and hang with the Pastors, Ministry Directors and Deacons of the church. We will have time to talk, eat a little and answer any questions you may have. We would love to have you stop in.
Trunk or Treat is ON!
Trunk or Treat is happening today rain or shine. The fun starts at 5pm! Come Join Us!
