Involvement at Church

[Penn]

Faith...

Originally posted by Sharon
Some do it because of those reasons and others do it simply by faith.

I got what you said, Sharon, but let's look at it another way: If I did not have faith in Jesus Christ, there would be no reason to ask Him into my life, would there?

I have faith in Him, because just a few short years ago, at my church in Lusby, I sat through a sermon, and for the first time in many, many years, I felt a stirring.

The pastor was saying "God doesn't move away from you; it is you who has moved away from Him".

The most wonderful part about it is: " You simply have to ask Him back into your life, and he's waiting for you, all this time". Cool!

She (the Pastor) ended the sermon with the passage from John 3 :16, "For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son......"

Before I knew it, tears were streaming down my cheeks, and I felt I'd made it back home again. How do you describe the feeling?

I don't know, it just felt I'd been gone so long, and suddenly, I felt at home again.

 

[Sharon]

Re: Faith...

Originally posted by penncam
but let's look at it another way: If I did not have faith in Jesus Christ, there would be no reason to ask Him into my life, would there?

This is where different religions confuse the matters. Can you have faith that Jesus exists w/o asking him into your life?
Yes

On the other hand if you didn't have the faith why bother with the question.

 

[Penn]

Re: Re: Faith...

Originally posted by cariblue
This is a popular line used by the self righteous. I've heard it a hundred times.

Oh, I don't doubt you for one minute, just as there are some people who will surely use the church as a crutch.

They'll go to church every Sunday, confess their sins, and go out Monday thru Saturday, and do it all over again.

Who are they foolin'? Jesus Christ? I don't think so.

See, as far as I can see, those are the folks that are only going for false reasons. These are people who show up so as to be seen by the rest of the congregation, and go home feeling refreshed.

They go home and don't think about what it was they heard or learned last Sunday - for the rest of the week.

That's another reason for Fellowship. Going to meetings at the Church to - meet with others! Spreading the Word to others you meet at the store in the laundromat, if you use one..

As Sharon said, if you think Gods' gonna forgive you everytime you blow it, you're only kidding yourself.

According to scripture, God will forgive your sins, but there is a point, where if you don't turn a way from what you know to be wrong, you're going to have to pay a price.

And He's the one who'll let you know.

 

[Kain99]

Re: Re: Faith...

Originally posted by Sharon
This is where different religions confuse the matters. Can you have faith that Jesus exists w/o asking him into your life?
Yes

Interesting philosophy. Can you belive that Jesus is real and defer any relationship with him. Absolutely

I belive that Muslims are real and want nothing to do with them.

Is it enough to say, yep! he was a real dude but skip the have anything to do with him part? I don't think so.

I could be wrong... But I don't know of any religions that teach this.

 

[Penn]

This is interesting....

A few weeks back, I made reference to a presentation in our Sunday School by one of our Lay Pastors:

She told us in this country, there are roughly 65 to 70% of the population that do not know, or even want to know Jesus Christ . I remember being amazed seeing that high of a figure.

If you look at the poll at the begining of this thread, you'll see the number of participants in it -- who don't attend church at all, or do not attend regularly, or only go for "special occasions", etc.:

They total up to about 68%.

I guess we're a pretty good representation of society.

Whoa! It just changed: it's about 71% now!!

 

[Kain99]

Christians in The United States

The problem with Statistics is, they change depending on where you look.

1. USA 224,457,000 85%

More Stats

 

[Flo]

My family worships in the Episcopalian and Methodist faiths. I haven't been to church in a while, and wish to attend regularly again. There is really no excuse that I haven't been back to church regularly. I was christened and baptised in the Episcopal faith, and I taught Sunday School when I was a teen. When I lived in Temple Hills, I joined the Methodist faith, and the choir there. I still believe and have faith in God, so I feel that is the most important, but I would really like to attend church regularly again.

I live close to Trinity Episcopal, and could actually walk, and I have had some interest in attending Mt. Zion Methodist on Route 5. Does anyone here attend Trinity or Mt. Zion?

 

[Penn]

Originally posted by Flo
I live close to Trinity Episcopal, and could actually walk, and I have had some interest in attending Mt. Zion Methodist on Route 5. Does anyone here attend Trinity or Mt. Zion?

Hey lady, while I have no experience with either of those churches, I can recommend St. Pauls UMC in Lusby on H.G. Truman Rd. and Cove Pt. Rd.

Great church with a great message, plus we need help in our choir, both alto and sopranos!

The early service at 8:15 is geared towards the youth, the 9:45 is kinda mixed, and the 11:00 service is the "traditional" one that I attend and sing in the choir myself.

They have daycare for all three services if you got youngins', etc.

If you're interested, check out their website at StPaul-Lusby.com

 

[SxyPrincess]

Re: Re: Re: Faith...

Originally posted by cariblue
I think it's a "guilt tool" to get you to come back and donate what's left of your life savings.

I can't believe I just quoted myself.

Do you feel like a tool?

 

[Flo]

Originally posted by penncam
Hey lady, while I have no experience with either of those churches, I can recommend St. Pauls UMC in Lusby on H.G. Truman Rd. and Cove Pt. Rd.

Great church with a great message, plus we need help in our choir, both alto and sopranos!

The early service at 8:15 is geared towards the youth, the 9:45 is kinda mixed, and the 11:00 service is the "traditional" one that I attend and sing in the choir myself.

They have daycare for all three services if you got youngins', etc.

If you're interested, check out their website at StPaul-Lusby.com

Sounds like a great church Penn. I may check out Mt. Zion this Sunday, and if I am in the Lusby area, promise to attend your church, which would probably be the 11 a.m. service. Would like to find something closer though.

I haven't sung in so long, hope I can get my vocal chords going. Probably more Alto now. The choir I belonged to at the Methodist Church in Temple Hills use to have Gilbert and Sullivan Dinner Theater's, and I was in one of the play's. I use to enjoy that so much, and the people were so nice and down-to-earth.

 

[Jayne]

Only when someone dies (funeral).

I attend church only when someone I loved or knew dies. That's only out of respect for the person and not the church or religion.

 

[itsbob]

I attend church only when someone I loved or knew dies. That's only out of respect for the person and not the church or religion.

Way to be on top of things and current there Jayne!!

 

[Marie]

I was interested to find out what the general level of church attendance and involvement was among the members of this board. Please let me know by the poll and any comments you may have.

Some information on my part: I'm Baptist, and attend regularly Sunday AM & PM, as well as programs on Wednesday night. I'm an ordained deacon, licensed minister, and sunday school teacher. I would be interested to hear your comments or questions.

I go to church every Sunday morning for a regular service 10-11:45 providing I am in town or not ill. I go, because I love hearing the word preached right from scripture, and worshiping God as were commanded to.
We have no evening service so I am currently attending another church for a study on Sunday evenings. I typically go on Saturday afternoons to the Mission and catch a sermon as well.

We have no Wed night service.

I try to spend some time in the word every morning as well as every evening but if I am at Bible study on Thursday evening I typically miss my evening time in the word.

Because I am a dirty rotten sinner saved by Grace and trying to keep my thoughts focused on God and not the world, I emmerse my self in Sermons, hymns, study and the fellowship of other believers.

I am not currently a member of any church body, as before I make that covenant or committment I want to make sure. I am however a member of the global church body as I have been saved baptised and belonged to a congregation as a child for many years but because its been 25 + years of non attendance there I am no longer on there rolls.

The church I am attending now I think very highly of, and it may be an option in the future if I stay in the area. Its not man centered, and you get quality expository preaching. It dosent stoop to the worlds standards to try to be revelant, Its not seeker senestive, although all are welcome. The services are for worshiping God and edification of the saints. No Drums, guitars and mindless praise music but hymns that have some theology behind them that remind you why your there. I am so thankfull to have found them and hope they never change!
Its so refreshing to have a church that your proud to bring people to and that you can feel confident that they will here the word of GOD!

 

[toppick08]

You know us faithful Methodist only show up for Easter and Christmas services.................

 

[libby]

I go to Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation, and at least three times during the week.
Gotta love being in the Presence of the Lord!!

 

[godsbutterfly]

I go every Sunday unless I am ill or out of town. I teach Sunday School for ages 3 thru 5. I also go when we have Special Services and when we have dinners and other events. I like to fellowship with other Christians, meet the new people who come to the church and try to make them feel welcome and to get refreshed - especially when I've had a week like this past one!

 

[toppick08]

I go every Sunday unless I am ill or out of town. I teach Sunday School for ages 3 thru 5. I also go when we have Special Services and when we have dinners and other events. I like to fellowship with other Christians, meet the new people who come to the church and try to make them feel welcome and to get refreshed - especially when I've had a week like this past one!

You know I'm just jivin'....

 

[toppick08]

I go to Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation, and at least three times during the week.
Gotta love being in the Presence of the Lord!!

I was welcomed very well at yesterday's funeral of Mr. Francis X. Wood, my friend....

 

[godsbutterfly]

You know I'm just jivin'....

I know, You're really an right?

 

[toppick08]

I know, You're really an right?