“The Reason Why”

Sermon, 1.25.2009
“The Reason Why”
Rev. Steve Constable
Titus 2:11-15

God’s desire to be a part of our lives and to offer us his grace is what sets us apart.  Contrary to the billboard that says “Don’t make me come down there. — God,” he has already come down here.  In an unfathomable act of grace, God reached out to us via his son.  This grace is important for three reasons:

1. Grace has broken through the dark clouds of our lives.  A key word in this passage is “appeared.”  It’s an epiphany: the revealing of something previously invisible.  At a time of his choosing, whenever seemed right to him, he appeared to us.  Grace breaks through all the circumstances that are in the way, and the sheer power of total, undeserved forgiveness is what we are left to bask in.  Do you know that grace?  It should not just be something that happened in the past.  It should be something that is continually happening to us.
2. Grace teaches us a new way to live.  We’re living in a new landscape, unfettered by the constraints of the old covenant.  We have no idea of what being “godly” is, or any idea of how to do it.  So truly living in the way that God desires us to live is by being dependent on grace.  Again, it’s about being constantly restored and forgiven.  When we are given this grace, this stream of living water, then it should flow from us in turn.
3. Grace encourages us about our reward.  Our reward is Jesus himself.  There’s an old Jesuit prayer that suggests that we should never seek a reward for serving.  But contrary to this idea, our passage in Titus makes it clear that what we hope for and what God has promised will be ours.  He will redeem us and purify us.  We should be hanging around the mixing bowl of grace, just waiting to lick the beater blades and lick the bowl clean.

So how do we apply this?  How do we show God’s grace to others?  By showing them good things, and by encouraging them.  Be patient: God knows what you need, and he will give it to you at the right time.  At the hour of his choosing.  Be full of hope.  Although we always seem to have such big worries, we need to realize: this is not the first time this has happened.  He will provide.

This week at FSC, 1.28.09

Hey FSC,

Here are your announcements for the week…

1. Meals for the Worthingtons
Anne and Phillip Worthington are expecting their first baby any day now! Jennifer Walker will be coordinating meals for them to be delivered during the first few weeks they are home with their new baby. If you are interested in providing a meal, please contact Jennifer at 804-516-8278 or jennifer.p.walker [at] gmail.com. Meals will most likely start in early February.

2. Mercy/Justice Meeting THIS SUNDAY 2/1/09
There will be a meeting at 2:45 PM on Sunday (2/1/09) for anyone who is interested in participating in the mercy and justice ministry at FSC. We will talk about our current commitments and also plan for expanding our involvement in mercy and justice around Richmond. Please contact Erik (erik [at] franklinstreet.net) if you have questions or want more information.

3. Mid-month Prayer Wednesday 2/11/09
All are invited to take part in FSC’s mid-month prayer on Wednesday February 11. We will meet at Erik’s office (1205 W. Main Street Suite 211) at 6:30am. Prayer should last until around 8am.

Have a great rest of the week!

-Val

–

Valerie Catrow
FSC Administrator
val [at] franklinstreet.net

This week at FSC, 1.20.09.

FSC,

Here are your announcements for this week…

1. January 25 - Vespers
Beginning this month, we will be gathering on the last Sunday of the month for FSC Vespers - an evening for friendship, prayer, and worship. After church on Sunday January 25th, please plan on staying for a potluck dinner and a time of prayer together. We’ll divide up the meal as follows:
Last names A-F — Main dish
Last names G-N — Side dish
Last names O-T — Dessert
Last names U-Z — Drinks

2. Mercy Fund
As this coming Sunday (the 25th) is the last Sunday of the month, we will be collecting for our mercy fund. The mercy fund is kept separate from our general budget and is used to provide financial support to members of our congregation and community when in need. Please be prayerful about contributing to this fund.

3. Central Virginia Food Bank Collection
For the next two weeks, we will be taking collections for the Central Virginia Food Bank. Please bring canned and/or dry goods to church with you! Some possible items include pasta, peanut butter, and canned meats.

4. Meals for the Worthingtons
Anne and Phillip Worthington are expecting a baby on January 28th! Jennifer Walker will be coordinating meals to be delivered to their home once the baby comes. If you are interested in helping, please contact Jennifer at 804-516-8278 or jennifer.p.walker [at] gmail.com. This is a wonderful opportunity to be of support to them as they adjust to having the baby at home, so please consider helping out.

5. Women’s Getaway
There is a women’s getaway scheduled for the first weekend in March. Stay tuned for updates and more information!

Have a wonderful week!

-Val

–

Valerie Catrow
Administrator
Franklin Street Community

“Nehemiah’s Calling”

Sermon, 1.18.2009.
“Nehemiah’s Calling”
Rev. Erik Bonkovsky
Nehemiah 1:8-11

What are the characteristics of Nehemiah’s calling?  Nehemiah’s calling:

1. Is dependent on his circumstances.

   Nehemiah is among the Jews that have been scattered away from their homeland.  What skills does he have; what is he able to do for Israel?  His role as an Israelite is to return to Jerusalem and pour himself into the efforts to rebuild the city.

2. Is revealed through prayer.

   It becomes very apparent to Nehemiah what it is that he needs to do, and in this case he didn’t see a vision or have a prophetic dream.  His calling is revealed to him through prayer, as a product of weeping and fasting and praying for days.  He tunes himself into God completely, and not to outside distractions.

3. Reshaped his life and his priorities.

   Nehemiah holds the position of cupbearer to the king of Persia, a high position within the king’s court.  He has rank, esteem, and a future there, and yet he drops it at a moment’s notice to devote his life to restoring Jerusalem.  When God calls us to a task, do we give up money, status, comfort, etc. to follow it?

4. Has God’s glory as its primary purpose.

   The essence of what Nehemiah is saying is very sincere, and it’s easy to tell from his prayer that he wants only to glorify God.  This is further exhibited by the fact that following this calling doesn’t really benefit Nehemiah.  It’s going to be hard, and it’s going to involve years of labor and frustration and dealing with hard-headed people.  So it’s only for the glory of God that he embarks on this journey.  Nothing else is to be gained!

Whenever we read the Old Testament, we have to resist the temptation to apply it directly to us.  We have to look at it through the lens of Christ.  And Jesus’ life also fulfills these four points about Nehemiah’s calling, as summed up in the verse Luke 22:42: Not my will, but yours, be done.  While Nehemiah’s mission ultimately fails as Israel turns its back on God if he turns his back for a moment, the enduring message is that Christ has not failed.

Nehemiah’s whole purpose, then, is to the point us to Christ and the message of his calling and sacrifice.  Good works are not a measuring stick or an impossible standard that we have to live up to.  We have been called out of a life of bondage, and we don’t have to jump through hoops for our parents, our spouse, or friends, etc.  If we truly believe that we are saved, we will stop acting like slaves, and the grace that we become sure of will lead us to good works as well.

This week at FSC, 1.13.09.

Hey FSC,

Lots of exciting things going on…

1. Mid-month prayer — TOMORROW January 14
All are invited to take part in FSC’s mid-month prayer on Wednesday, January 14th (that’s tomorrow!) from 6:30am to 8am at Erik’s office (1205 W. Main Street, Suite 211). Please think about coming out to spend time in prayer for FSC and our city.

2. Loaves & Fishes — January 18
Our chance to serve at Loaves & Fishes for the month is Sunday, January 18th. We will be meeting at the Conrad Center (1400 Oliver Hill Way) at 11am to prepare and serve a meal to those who need it. Clean up is usually complete by 2pm. If you’re interested in taking part, please contact Kira at kmdisse [at] gmail.com.

3. FSC Vespers — starting January 25
Beginning this month, we will be gathering on the last Sunday of the month for FSC Vespers–an evening time for friendship, prayer, worship. After church on Sunday, January 25th, please plan on staying for a potluck dinner and a time of prayer together. We’ll divide up the meal as follows:

Last names A-F please bring a main dish
Last names G-N please bring a side dish
Last names O-T please bring a dessert
Last names U-Z please bring drinks*

*Those of you not following into this part of the alphabet are also welcome to bring drinks should you have the desire, as our distribution of U-Z names might be a bit low.

4. Prayer & Fasting for RVA
Please join us and 10 other churches for a month of prayer and fasting for our city. Contact Erik (erik [at] franklinstreet.net) for more on this if you have questions.

5.  Central Virginia Food Bank
For the next three weeks, we will be taking collections for the Central Virginia Food Bank. Please bring canned and dry goods to church with you! They are always in need of things like peanut butter, canned meat, and pasta.

6. Volunteer Rotation
The volunteer rotation for our Sunday services for January-March is posted on the FSC website here. You can also just visit the site (franklinstreet.net) and click on the volunteer rotation tab. Keep in mind that as things come up, certain volunteers might be switched around, so be sure to keep checking the web site for the most up-to-date information. If you have questions about the rotation (or would like to volunteer for a position) please let me know!

Have a great week!

-Val

Valerie Catrow
FSC Administrator
valerie.catrow [at] gmail.com  | val [at] franklinstreet.net