Resolutions

I'm not big on New Year's Resolutions. Most people I know are able to keep their resolutions for a week or two, but not much longer!

Sunday, Jan. 1, I am going to suggest some New Year's Resolutions we should make - and KEEP - during 2012. They are based on the study we just completed on the Attributes of God. I believe this message will serve as the "so what?" conclusion to that study.

I look forward to seeing you the first Sunday of 2012!

Dec. 25 Schedule

In order for families to enjoy their Christmas morning traditions, we will only be meeting at 11:00 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 25.

Our 11:00 a.m. gathering will include singing the traditional Christmas carols, reading the familiar Christmas story, and taking the Lord's Supper together.

You are welcome to join us!

Our regular Sunday morning schedule will be followed Sunday, Jan. 1:
10:00 a.m. - Small Group Bible Study
11:00 a.m. - Worship Gathering

Knowing God

Beginning Aug. 7 at 11 a.m. at Open Door we will be looking at what the Bible says about knowing God. I encourage you to do your own study of this topic - I believe it will change your life!

Just Keep Praising Him!

In case you're wondering if we're still studying "Praise" on Sunday mornings at Open Door, the answer is "Yes!" The Bible teaches us so much about God - Who He is and what He does - and tells us repeatedly to "Praise Him" - that we may be in this study for several more weeks.

If you need to be reminded of our great God, this study will encourage you. I hope to see you Sunday at 11 a.m. at Open Door Community Church.

Praise Him!

There are over 200 ways to praise God listed in the Bible. The word "praise", depending on which translation you use, is used well over 100 times. This is an important subject! Meet with us Sunday at 11:00 a.m. as we study this topic. Your relationship with God will be strengthened!

What is Jesus Doing Now?

We rejoice in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. We are in awe of His sacrifice for us. But He's still working on our behalf right now! Sunday, May 1, we'll answer the question, "What is Jesus Doing Now?" You'll be encouraged!

And, as a public service announcement, Mothers' Day is May 8.

Can God Use Your Donkey?

Sunday, April 10, at 11 a.m. at Open Door, we will be looking at what happened on Palm Sunday. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey. I wonder about the owner of that donkey - did he have any idea Who was going to ride that donkey?

Which leads to this question: Can God use YOUR donkey? I know, you may not have a donkey - but you have SOMETHING God can use. Let's think about that together Sunday.

The Less Traveled Path

Approximately 1900 years before Robert Frost wrote about the less traveled road, Jesus talked about a narrow path that few people walked.

Often Christians are called "narrow minded" - Sunday, March 13, we're going to look at Matt. 7:13,14, and see what Jesus said about the less traveled path, and how "narrow minded" His followers are. See you at 11:00 a.m. at Open Door!

How Can I Live This Way?

As I've been studying the Sermon on the Mount in preparation for our current series (Sunday mornings at 11:00 at Open Door Community Church), I'm constantly challenged by the level to which Christ is calling us. One of the sermons in this study was entitled, "A Whole 'Nother Level", and that could be the title of this entire study! The almost involuntary cry from anyone who seriously studies these teachings of Jesus is "How can I live this way?"

Jesus gives us the answer in Matt. 7:7-11, and we'll be studying it Sunday, Feb. 27, at Open Door. You're invited to meet with us at 11:00 a.m.!

Can I Judge a Bar-B-Q Competition?

I'm sure we've all heard "but you're judging, and the Bible says 'judge not'." Yes, the Bible does say that. But does that mean that you can't judge whether a singer on American Idol has talent? Does it mean that you can't judge which bar-b-q tastes best to you? Obviously we need to understand what Jesus meant by what He said - and that's what we're studying Sunday, Feb. 20, at 11:00 a.m. I'd love to see you then!

Two "Biggies": Money and Worry

I think it's always been true, but it's been especially true these past couple of years, that one of our biggest challenges is financial stability. Jesus deals with the believer's relationship to money in Matt. 6. We've all heard "you can't serve God and Mammon", but what does that mean? We'll look at it Sunday, Jan. 30, at 11 a.m.

The following week, as we continue our study of Matt. 6, we'll see what Jesus teaches about worry. Don't worry, we'll find some good answers! :)

There's A Wrong Way to Pray??

Yes, there's a wrong way to pray! As we continue our study of the Sermon on the Mount, we come to Jesus' teaching about prayer. He tells us how NOT to pray, and then He gives us a "model prayer". We'll be looking at this January 16 and 23. Please consider this your invitation to meet with us at Open Door at 11:00 each Sunday morning for "real, practical, church."