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The Daily Office from the 2019 ACNA Book of Common Prayer Prayer of General Thanksgiving Prayer to Become Like Christ Who I Am in Christ Morning Trinitarian Prayer Liturgy for the Ritual of Morning Coffee Father's Love Letter Names of God Personal & Corporate Pentecost Prayers Prayers & Meditations Online & printable versions

A Study of Hebrews 10-Week Sermon Series Autumn 2015 "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory, and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word." (Hebrews 1:1-3) Hebrews was written so that: We will exalt the Messiah above all things We will grasp the greatness of our salvation We will persevere in times of persecution We will see Jesus as High Priest and Mediator of a New Covenant In particular, Hebrews speaks to: Our fear of death Overcoming temptation The right and wrong place for sex The power of encouragement September 20, 2015 The Radiance of God's Glory (Hebrews 1:1 - 2:4) Pastor Marty O'Rourke September 27, 2015 The Initiator of Our Salvation "Jesus: God, Savior, and Lover of My Soul" (Hebrews 2:5 - 3:6) Rev. Hal Scott October 4, 2015 Our Rest (Hebrews 3:7 - 4:13) Rev. Mark Cartledge October 11, 2015 Our Merciful and Faithful High Priest (Hebrews 4:14 - 5:10) Pastor Marty O'Rourke October 18, 2015 High Priest Forever in the Order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:7 - 8:5) Pastor Marty O'Rourke November 1, 2015 Our Sacrifice - Once for All (Hebrews 9:23 - 10) Pastor Marty O'Rourke November 8, 2015 Jesus: Author and Perfecter of Our Faith (Hebrews 11:1 - 12:2) Pastor Jim Brown November 15, 2015 A Consuming Fire (Hebrews 12:4 - 29) Rev. Mark Cartledge November 22, 2015 The Great Shepherd of the Sheep (Hebrews 13) Pastor Marty O'Rourke

WOMEN'S LUNCHEON AUTUMN 2015 GUEST SPEAKER BETTE LAWRENCE Many times when we see bad things happen to good people, we bemoan our lives and say this shouldn't be. He was a good person, or they are good people, or she was only a teenager. And we secretly question God's plan. Maybe we think how? Why? Yet in the Bible, we read about Stephen, who in Acts is described as "full of grace and power, and was doing great wonders and signs among the people," who was just beginning his ministry. Yet he was violently stoned by his neighbors. Paul, a man complicit in the crime, watched. But we say, well, Stephen knew God, and his vision probably mitigated his horrible death. It probably wasn't so bad. Even John the Baptizer, a cousin of Jesus and a holy man, languished in prison, perhaps hoping for Jesus to rescue him. In times of isolation and waiting, we wonder, like John, what is going on. Did I really hear God? Have I placed my hope in the right person? Is God real? He sent his friends to ask Jesus, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" (Matthew 11:3) Maybe his unspoken question was, "Are you going to get me out? Do you know where I am? Hey Cuz, how can you heal others and not help me????" Jesus tells his disciples: "Tell John what you see and hear: the blind see and the lame walk. Lepers are cleansed; the dead are raised, and the poor have good news preached to them. AND BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO IS NOT OFFENDED BY ME." (Matthew 11:4-6) In other words, John, you are blessed if you are not disappointed in me. (Wow. . It's not just about me.) Isaiah 55:8-9 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways, my ways For as the heavens are higher than the earth So are my ways higher than your ways And my thoughts than your thoughts. When we come to a place like John's, we come to a crossroads. My mother was the youngest of nine living children. Her mother had five others who did not live to adulthood--not unusual for those times. My mother had five brothers--all of whom, as she would say, were cursed with alcoholism. Her response was not to drink, EVER! She prayed. She would make different choices and would save her family from this curse. Yet my brother did not escape. A neighbor of mine confessed to being an unbeliever after his son was born with cerebral palsy. His anger expressed itself in saying, "How could a loving God curse an innocent baby to go through life like that?" All of us come to similar crossroads. Even in secular literature, we see the same principle operating. In Greek drama, Oedipus is prophesized over at birth that he will kill his father and marry his mother. So, he is sent away. Later, unbeknownst to him, he kills who he thinks is a beggar and marries the queen, his mother. So in trying to escape, he fulfills the prophecy. In fantasy, we read about Aurora in Sleeping Beauty , who at birth is given many gifts except for an evil prophecy which foretells her death in the prime of her life when she pricks her finger on a spinning wheel. Unfortunately, getting rid of all the spinning wheels does not protect her from her FATE. Even unbelievers are aware of their inability to escape the human condition. They tried to make sense of it by calling it Fate. We Christians do not have to wonder. We know it as original sin. If that were the full measure of our knowledge, we would be no better than unbelievers. We would be aware of the harshness of life, and our inability to escape from it. So God, in His mercy and great love for all He has made, revealed Himself to us. The law made us aware of our sin; the blood sacrifices made us aware of our continual propensity to sin, and our inability to not sin. We realized our need for a Savior. At this moment in our own lives, we have a choice: Will we be the seed on rocky places with no root that falls away and says, "Live for today, for tomorrow we die," or will we be the seed that seeks God and the richness of His love? So this is the time in which Jesus must enter our lives as a person , not an idea, not a law. However, God has to prepare our hearts. He must get us ready. Jesus, after relating the parable of the seeds to his disciples, explains his reasons for speaking in parables: Though seeing, they do not see; Though hearing, they do not understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: You will be ever hearing but never understanding; You will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people's heart has become calloused; They hardly hear with their ears, And they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears. Understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. (Matthew 13:13-15) So, we are in a state of blindness and deafness, and we are not aware that we are. Like newborn animals, we are born with our eyes shut. Our problem is worse than we know, and it cannot be remedied by any worldly means. For it is a spiritual problem . Proverbs 4:19: "The way of the wicked is like deep darkness. They do not know over which they stumble." Paul writes in Ephesians 5:8, "At one time you were in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord." Today, many of us would equate depression with darkness. Yet this is not a new experience. Even Elijah (1 Kings 19:4-6) experiences the hopelessness that accompanies a great downturn in his life: "I have had enough, Lord, take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." The Lord does not strike him dead or remove His presence from him. He allows him to sleep and sends an angel to feed him. God knows our needs. Perhaps this is an experience we all need so that God can reveal himself to us. Elijah arrived at his crossroad. David expresses his feelings more emotionally: "For the waves of death encompassed me, the torrents of destruction assailed me, the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress, I called upon the Lord; to my God I called. From the temple He heard my voice, and my cry came to His ears." (2Samuel 22:5-7) When my grandparents were dying and my mother was driving from Baltimore up to Cumberland, Maryland every weekend to nurse them, she reached the end of herself and cried out, "Lord if you don't stop this, I'll never go to church again!" Her mother died that night. Later, in telling me this story, she said she was filled with dread. But she knew God had heard her. I believe, when we are honest with God, He acknowledges our heartfelt cry because it is a cry of utter pain and true hopelessness in our own abilities. David says again in Psalm 51, "Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart." So what is this personal truth God wants to impart to us? Jesus tells Nicodemus we must be born again, because without it we cannot see the kingdom of God. Without it, we cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3-8.) The water, we know, is Baptism. So we must know, believe, feel, and experience God's forgiveness. It is a state of being , not only knowing. For ten years I worked with a woman who had been severely abused as a child. She enjoyed coming to therapy; she was a member of a church; she sent her kids to Christian school. Yet she could not experience God's forgivenss because in some way, she would not admit that the person who had abused her was evil in his actions. Conversely, another person who had also been abused very early in her life did admit that what happened to her was evil and was able to process it emotionally, confront those responsible and experience freedom from shame. She believed that God had a purpose for her, and it was not to be cast aside. So, as John (1:5) writes, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." He also states that some people prefer darkness to light becuase their deeds are evil (John 3:19). Then again, (lest we exclude ourselves from this population), Paul says "For at one time, you were all in darkness, but now you are the light of the Lord." So, we need the Baptism of water. Jesus, very emotionally cries out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture (Isaish 58:11) has said, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water!" (John 7:38) So what are these rivers of living water if not continual conviction, confession, forgiveness, and cleansing. We may know they flow out of Jesus, BUT DO THEY FLOW OUT OF YOU AND ME? D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in his book, Studies in The Sermon on the Mount describes the Christian as always a person who walks in the fear of the Lord, always aware of her own limitations. He says there are always two sides to the Gospel: there is the pulling down and the rising up. You remember the words of the ancient Simeon, concerning the infant Jesus as He was presented in the temple: "The child is set for the fall and the rising again of many." The one who is poor in Spirit is the one who is emptying self. Conviction must always precede conversion. (One's attitude toward oneself.) Martyn says Jesus is speaking of humility. This is not a natural state. It comes from a sense of one's own sinfulness. Isaiah 57:15 says, "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite." The way to become poor in Spirit is to look at God. Those who are to be converted, and who wish to be truly happy and blessed, are those who first of all mourn. As I confront God and His holiness, and contemplate the life that I am meant to live, I see myself in utter helplessness and hopelessness. A person who truly faces oneself, and examines onself and his/her life is a person who must of necessity mourn for his/her sins also for the things he/she does. {paraphrased} We need the Holy Spirit. Who is this Holy Spirit? Jesus says, "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit (John 3:8). It sounds like a wild ride to me! What we can't be, if we are to allow the Holy Spirit in us, is controlling or bossy or unforgiving or lazy or self-righteous or stingy or critical. When you give God full reign, He will sprinkle water on you, and you will be clean. "And I will give you a new heart." (He will bind up our broken hearts. He heals us while we seek His face.) And He will put a right Spirit within us. (Ezekiel 36:25-27) He will DO IT. We just need to ask Him for His Spirit, and He will give it to us, and He will enter our hearts and have an intimate meal with each one of us. We don't need to search for a person filled with His Spirit. One of our Messiah family who recently went to be with the Lord said: "I am beyond all limits. God has opened up my eyes to all the limitations I have previously perceived. There is a hidden place in Christ of protection, of provision, of every good and perfect gift from God. We don't have to seek it. It seeks us. We step out on it, and it is there, waiting for us. God's love is eternal, everlasting. Although fear might try to rear its ugly head, God's might overcomes. I would encourage each of you to find a place to look for Him; do not fear Him." Karen Brockman Paul, in Romans 6, writes: "Don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ were baptized into His death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. . . Offer yourself to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, for you are not under the law, but under grace." We can live a victorious life because Jesus lives in us. Our relationships with others must reflect His relationship with us, characterized by forgiveness and change, becoming more like Jesus every day. Bette Lawrence October 10, 2015 All Bible quotations are from the English Standard Version

Names of God PRINTABLE VERSION Names of God Our Father a forgiving God a Master in heaven a refuge for the poor a shelter from the storm an ever present help in trouble commander of the Lord's army eternal King Father to the fatherless God Most High God my stronghold God of glory God of hope God of truth God over the kingdoms of the earth God who gives endurance great and powerful God Holy Father I AM Judge of all the earth living and true God Lord God Almighty Lord my Banner. Lord of heaven and earth Lord our Maker Lord who makes you holy Maker of heaven and earth my Comforter in sorrow my helper my light my refuge in times of trouble my support our leader our refuge and strength Rock of our salvation the Eternal God the exalted God the glorious Father the God who sees me the living Father the one who sustains me the rock in whom I take refuge the true God a fortress of salvation a refuge for His people a sanctuary a source of strength architect and builder Creator of heaven and earth Father God God my Rock God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob God of gods God of love and peace God our Father God the Father God who gives encouragement great and mighty God Holy One I AM WHO I AM King of glory Lord Lord is Peace Lord my Rock Lord of kings Lord our shield Lord will Provide Most High my confidence my hiding place my mighty rock my song only wise God our Mighty One Righteous Father Shepherd the consuming fire the faithful God the Glory of Israel the great King above all gods the Majestic Glory the only God the spring of living water a glorious crown a refuge for the oppressed a shade from the heat a stronghold in times of trouble builder of everything defender of widows Father of compassion God Almighty God my Savior God of all comfort God of grace God of peace God our strength God who avenges me great and awesome God Helper of the fatherless Holy One among you Jealous King of heaven Lord Almighty Lord Most High Lord of all the earth Lord our God Lord who heals you Maker of all things my advocate my help my hope my refuge in the day of disaster my strong deliverer our dwelling place our Redeemer righteous judge Sovereign Lord the everlasting God the gardener (husbandman) the God who saves me the just and mighty One the Majesty in heaven the potter the strength of my heart Names of Jesus a banner for the peoples Anointed One author of their salvation bread of God chief cornerstone Christ of God crown of splendor first over all creation friend of tax collectors God's Son great Shepherd of the sheep head of the body, the church heir of all things Holy One of God born of salvation indescribable gift KING OF KINGS light for revelation to the Gentiles light of the world LORD OF LORDS Lord of the Sabbath Mediator of a new covenant Messiah my intercessor Physician Prince of princes refiner and purifier righteous man ruler of God's creation Shepherd and Overseer of your soul Son of the living God Teacher the Beginning and the End the First and the Last the Head the Living One the most holy the radiance of God's glory . the true light the way wisdom from God Word of God Alpha and Omega author and perfector of our faith blessed and only Ruler bread of life Chief Shepherd consolation of Israel Faithful and True friend of “sinners" God of all the earth great high priest he who searches hearts head of the church His one and only Son holy servant Jesus image of the invisible God Jesus King of the ages light of life Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Lord of peace man of sorrows merciful & faithful high priest morning star our Passover Lamb Prince and Savior Prince of the hosts resurrection and the life Righteous One ruler of the kings of the earth Son of Man Son of the Most High God the Amen the bright Morning Star the gate (door) the last Adam the living Stone the One and Only the rising of the sun, Dayspring the true vine the Word (Logos) witness to the peoples Word of life Ancient of Days author of life Branch of the Lord bridegroom chosen and precious cornerstone covenant for the people first to rise from the dead fragrant sacrifice to God God over all great light head of every man head over every authority Holy and Righteous One hope of Israel Immanuel (God with us) judge of the living and the dead Lamb of God light of men light of the mind Lord of the harvest Master messenger of the covenant my friend our peace Prince of Peace ransom for all men Righteous Judge Rock eternal (rock of ages) Savior of the world Son of the Blessed One sure foundation the atoning sacrifice for our sins the representation of his being the good shepherd the life the Lord our Righteousness the only God our Savior the stone the builders rejected the truth true bread from heaven Wonderful Counselor Names of The Holy Spirit a deposit (earnest) Holy One seal spirit of faith spirit of grace and supplication Spirit of Jesus Christ Spirit of life Spirit of the Sovereign Lord Spirit of wisdom and revelation the same gift another Counselor Holy Spirit Spirit of Christ spirit of fire Spirit of His Son spirit of judgment Spirit of our God Spirit of truth the gift Voice of the Almighty breath of the Almighty Holy Spirit of God Spirit of counsel and of power Spirit of glory Spirit of holiness spirit of justice Spirit of the Lord Spirit of understanding the promised Holy Spirit Voice of the Lord

Join us online at this time of fellowship and encouragement as we learn about the Holy Spirit! When: Thursday evenings for 8-10 weeks, starting May 27 Time: 7 pm to 8 pm Where? Zoom - Meeting ID 850 2341 5629, Passcode 863767 or, click the button below to join the meeting! The Holy Spirit & His Gifts Click here to join the Zoom meeting! Session 1: May 27, 2021 Watch | Listen Session 2: June 3, 2021 Watch | Listen Session 3: June 10, 2021 Watch | Listen Session 4: June 17, 2021 Watch | Listen Session 5: June 23, 2021 Watch | Listen Miss a Class? Click the date below to watch or listen to the recorded Zoom session! Session 6: July 1, 2021 Watch | Listen Session 7: July 8, 2021 Watch | Listen Session 8: July 15 Watch | Listen Session 9: July 22, 2021 Watch | Listen Session 10: July 29, 2021 Watch | Listen Session 11: August 5, 2021 Watch | Listen Session 12: August 12, 2021 Watch | Listen Session 13: August 19, 2021 Watch | Listen Session 14: August 26, 2021 Class Discussion | No Recordings

Advent Sermon Series Advent 2020 Sermon Series November 29 What Is God Like? Pastor Marty O'Rourke Video | Audio | Sermon Slides December 6 How Does God Respond to Our Suffering? Vivian Hayes Video | Audio | Sermon Slides December 13 Dr. Paul Van Valin Where Can I Find Peace on Earth? Video | Audio | Sermon Slides December 20 Pastor Nile Gomez Why Did the Son of God Come Into the World? Video | Audio December 24 Pastor Marty O'Rourke Why Are We Here? Video | Audio

Father's Love Letter MY CHILD… You may not know me, but I know everything about You … Psalm 139:1 I know when you sit down and when you rise up … Psalm 139:2 I am familiar with all your ways … Psalm 139:3 Even the very hairs on your head are numbered … Matthew 10:29-31 For you were made in my image … Genesis 1:27 In me you live and move and have your being … For you are my offspring … Acts 17:28 I chose you when I planned creation … Ephesians 1:11-12 You were not a mistake … Psalm 139:15-16 For all your days are written in my book … Psalm 139:15-16 You are fearfully and wonderfully made … Psalm 139:14 I knit you together in your mother's womb … Psalm 139:13 And brought you forth on the day you were born … Psalm 71:6 And it is my desire to lavish my love on you … Simply because you are my child and I am your Father … 1 John 3:1 I offer you more than your earthly father ever could … Matthew 7:11 For I am the perfect Father … Matthew 5:48 Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand … James 1:17 For I am your provider and I meet all your needs … Matthew 6:31-33 Because I love you with an everlasting love … Jeremiah 31:3 My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore … Psalm 139:17-18 And I rejoice over you with singing … Zephaniah 3:17 Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart … Psalm 37:4 I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine … Ephesians 3:20 For I am your greatest encourager … 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles … 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you … Psalm 34:18 As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart … Isaiah 40:11 One day I will wipe every tear from your eyes and take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth … Revelation 21:3-4 I am your Father and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus … John 17:23 For in Jesus my love for you is revealed … John 17:26 He is the exact representation of my being … Hebrews 1:3 And He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you … Romans 8:31 And to tell you that I am not counting your sins … 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled … 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you … 1 John 4:10 If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me … 1 John 2:23 And nothing will ever separate you from my love again … Romans 8:38-39 Love, Your Dad Excerpts from Father’s Love Letter compiled by Bany Adams © 1999. Visit the interactive website at www.FathersLoveLetter.com. Father's Love Letter MY CHILD… You may not know me, but I know everything about You … Psalm 139:1 I know when you sit down and when you rise up … Psalm 139:2 I am familiar with all your ways … Psalm 139:3 Even the very hairs on your head are numbered … Matthew 10:29-31 For you were made in my image … Genesis 1:27 In me you live and move and have your being … For you are my offspring … Acts 17:28 I chose you when I planned creation … Ephesians 1:11-12 You were not a mistake … Psalm 139:15-16 For all your days are written in my book … Psalm 139:15-16 You are fearfully and wonderfully made … Psalm 139:14 I knit you together in your mother's womb … Psalm 139:13 And brought you forth on the day you were born … Psalm 71:6 And it is my desire to lavish my love on you … Simply because you are my child and I am your Father … 1 John 3:1 I offer you more than your earthly father ever could … Matthew 7:11 For I am the perfect Father … Matthew 5:48 Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand … James 1:17 For I am your provider and I meet all your needs … Matthew 6:31-33 Because I love you with an everlasting love … Jeremiah 31:3 My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore … Psalm 139:17-18 And I rejoice over you with singing … Zephaniah 3:17 Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart … Psalm 37:4 I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine … Ephesians 3:20 For I am your greatest encourager … 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles … 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you … Psalm 34:18 As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart … Isaiah 40:11 One day I will wipe every tear from your eyes and take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth … Revelation 21:3-4 I am your Father and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus … John 17:23 For in Jesus my love for you is revealed … John 17:26 He is the exact representation of my being … Hebrews 1:3 And He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you … Romans 8:31 And to tell you that I am not counting your sins … 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled … 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you … 1 John 4:10 If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me … 1 John 2:23 And nothing will ever separate you from my love again … Romans 8:38-39 Love, Your Dad Excerpts from Father’s Love Letter compiled by Bany Adams © 1999. Visit the interactive website at www.FathersLoveLetter.com. PRINTABLE VERSION

“To everything turn, turn, turn. There is a season, turn, turn, turn. And a time to every purpose under heaven.” The Byrds’ 1965 rendition of the familiar passage in Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that change is constant. Sometimes exciting, sometimes stressful, but never without purpose, the transitions in life can serve to lead us into a deeper, more trusting, relationship with the Lord and a greater awareness of Who He is in us and we are in Him. May 13, 2018 The Transitions of Life Pastor Jim Brown Slideshow Presentation May 20, 2018 Power for Life's Transitions Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation May 27, 2018 Endings Pastor Jim Brown Slideshow Presentation June 3, 2018 Growing Through Transitions Pastor Marty O'Rourke & Pastor John Dooley Slideshow Presentation June 10, 2018 Beginnings Rev. Mark Cartledge Please reload There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Come Worship With Us! Whether you call Messiah your home church or you're a visitor, we believe you will fall in love with the people and their hearts for God. From the minute you arrive, to the second you leave, we want you to feel at home. Our Sunday worship service features praise and worship, Biblical preaching and Holy Communion. Nursery care is available for infants and toddlers, as well as Sunday School for kids K-5. To learn more about what to expect during Sunday service, click here . Our worship services are also livestreamed to our Facebook page, and recordings of past services and sermons are available online. To learn more out our online worship options, click here . Every Monday at 7:00 p.m. Messiah hosts a parish-wide prayer meeting via Zoom, where we gather online to pray for our congregation, community, and country. To join, enter Meeting ID 928 2372 1136 into your Zoom app, or click here to join via your web browser. WHAT TO EXPECT WHO WE ARE FAQ Service Times Sunday Worship: 10:00 a.m. | In-Person & Online Monday Online Prayer Meeting: 7:00 p.m. | via Zoom Meeting ID: 928 2372 1136 Or click here to join. Church of the Messiah 816 Kempsville Road Chesapeake, VA 23320 www.ChurchoftheMessiah.org www.facebook.com/churchofthemessiahchesapeake I'M NEW

Sunday Sermons JUNE 19, 2022 Always Be Prepared to Be Reasonable Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Sunday Sermons JUNE 26, 2022 Can I Really Trust the Bible? Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen Sunday Sermons July 3, 2022 Is God Anti-Gay? Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Special Testimony by Tim Maurer Sunday Sermons July 10, 2022 Is the Church Too Political? Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Sunday Sermons July 17, 2022 How Could a Loving God Allow So Much Suffering? Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen Sunday Sermons July 24, 2022 Does God Hate Women? Vivian Hayes Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Sunday Sermons July 31, 2022 Is There a "GOSPEL" of Biblical Sexuality? Rev. David Martin Watch | Listen Sunday Sermons August 7, 2022 Are Science and Faith Incompatible? Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen Sunday Sermons August 14, 2022 How Can a Loving God Allow People to Go to Hell? Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Sunday Sermons August 21, 2022 Isn't There More Than One Way to God? Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen Sunday Sermons August 28, 2022 Has the Church Become an Un-Safe Place? Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Sunday Sermons September 4, 2022 Who Am I? Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Sunday Sermons September 11, 2022 Where Are We Now? Tim Maurer Watch | Listen Why did Jesus so often respond to a question with a question? I read that “Jesus is almost 40 times more likely to respond to a misstatement, a comment, a question, or a threat from someone by drawing them further into conversation rather than just pouncing with a proclamation.” How different this is than how people relate to one another through social media. I also know that one of the main reasons young people walk away from the faith is that there is no opportunity given them to discuss these tough questions. As our culture continues to move away from Christian values, and the attack on our faith grows more intense, we need to be able to give a reasonable answer for the hope that we have in Christ. — Pastor Marty Please join us beginning June 19 for our summer sermon series, “Tough Questions.” Two goals for this series are: To help us personally answer tough faith questions; To equip us to respond to others, believers and unbelievers, who are asking tough faith questions. Topics will include: Always Be Prepared to Be Reasonable Can I really trust the Bible? Is God anti-gay? Is Christianity misogynistic? How and why should Christians engage with politics? What do Christians believe about sex and human sexuality? How could a loving God allow so much suffering? Are science and faith incompatible? How can a loving God allow people to go to hell? All sermons will be recorded and will be posted online each week.

Resources Scripture, Study & Prayer Resources Sermon Series @ Church of the Messiah Sermon series at Messiah focus on special church seasons or events. Some sermon series are accompanied by classes or lectures that further explore the series topic. Homegroup Studies Our Home Group program offers a variety of studies throughout the year, with members meeting in private homes to study and discuss a given book or topic. Bible Study Tools Scripture look-up, Bible reading plans, commentaries, inspirations and more. Bible Gateway Searchable online Bible in over 150 translations, reading plans, devotionals, apps and more. Lifeway Supplier of Bibles, Bible studies, Christian music, books and literature, gifts and more. Also provides other church and ministry resources. Prayers & Meditations Online and printable versions of prayers and meditations that have been used at Messiah. Scripture Plans Parenting by Design Daily Devotional- 280 Days Experiencing God At Home For Daily Family - 12 Days Daily Office Lectionary Navigators Reading Plan YouVersion Bible App for smartphones, tablets & online Church Resources Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) Our Province within the worldwide Anglican Communion. Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic Our Diocese within the ACNA, covering Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, Delaware, and northeastern North Carolina. Guard Your Heart Training for pastors and Christian leaders to understand the unique temptations leaders and their families face in a culture where temptation, especially sexual, abounds. Messiah Facebook Keep up-to-date with the latest news and events at Church of the Messiah! Online Directory Current members can access our secure online directory! Click here for instructions on setting up an account and accessing the directory. Click the "Online Directory" link above to go directly to the directory! Prayer Request Send a confidential prayer request to our prayer team. Take Them a Meal Online sign-up resource for coordinating and providing meals for individuals and families in need, such as at times of illness, birth recovery, or bereavement. Community & Social Resources Burfoot House : 757-522-7050 Transitional home and comprehensive program designed for homeless single women to achieve self-sufficiency. Caring.com : 800-973-1540 Comprehensive information for senior citizens on topics like financial support and assisted living options that are available in their area. Virginia-specific information available here . Chesapeake Area Shelter Team (C.A.S.T.) Emergency overnight winter shelter program from mid-November through early April. Click here for eligibility and rules. Chesapeake Resource Guide Convenient list of a wide variety of community resources available to citizens of Chesapeake. Community Connections Resource Guide Resource guide for families, caregivers and educators of young children in South Hampton Roads. Crisis Pregnancy Center : 757-499-4444 Christ-centered organization with a calling to reach out to women and families involved in crisis-related pregnancies by offering real help for the present, hope for the future, and healing from the past. Endependence ECI provides an array of independent living services to individuals with disabilities and to the community. Food Pantries Searchable index of local food pantries. FOTE Outreach & Community Services : 757-431-0052 Resources and help for homeless and low-income families and individuals to locate affordable housing, job training, and more, to bring about permanent self-sufficiency. Greater Hampton Roads Diaper Bank: Local partners that provide free diapers. Assistance for the elderly also available. H.E.R. Shelter for Domestic Violence : 757-251-0144 Emergency shelter for domestic violence victims and homeless individuals, as well as their children; counseling, goal coaching, help finding a job, help finding housing and other services; court advocacy; and aftercare. The Planning Council Links for people needing a variety of human services to providers, government agencies, non-profits, corporations, and other organizations, all working to improve quality of life. Regional Housing Crisis Hotline: 757-587-4202 Starting point for anyone experiencing a housing crisis throughout Greater Hampton Roads, including anyone living on the street or in an emergency shelter, or anyone who has received an eviction notice. Resources757 A Directory of resources for residents of greater Hampton Roads, including housing, food, individual and family support, health care, GED and education and much more Virginia 2-1-1 Free information on services in your community and statewide, including basic human needs, health resources, work initiatives, support for children and families, support for elders and special needs, and more. Visit online at www.211virginia.org , or dial 2-1-1 to connect to a trained professional. Virginia Department of Social Services The Department is responsible for administering a variety of programs, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Adoption, Child Care Assistance, Refugee Resettlement Services, and Child and Adult Protective Services.

Saturday, March 23 , 2024 | 5 pm The Passover Seder celebrates God setting Israel free from Egyptian bondage, delivering His people from slavery to freedom. Believers in Y'shua the Messiah participate in Passover because through Him, our lives have passed over from death to life. We have been redeemed by the Passover Lamb, through the Perfect Atonement through His Blood. Each food on the Seder plate symbolizes a part of this redeeming act of God. Each person has a little taste of each food, coming together to participate in what God has done for His people. The Seder gives us the historical Jesus, putting into perspective what He did for us. We participate in the life of Y'shua and celebrate this through the Cup of Redemption, which is a part of the Passover Seder. We become one with Jesus through receiving His Body and Blood, remembering He celebrated this dinner with his disciples the night before He was handed over to suffering and death. Come join this celebration on Saturday, March 23, at 5:00 p.m. Please sign up by Sunday, March 17, so we can plan our seating and supply needs. There are sign-up sheets for both attendance and for helpers and donations. We ask that each family bring the following: Last name A-L: A dessert that will feed 8 people and a v egetable dish or salad for 8.* Last name M-Z: A meat dish that will feed 8 people and a vegetable dish or salad for 8.* A bottle of grape juice for your family. If you're coming solo, just bring double what you would eat yourself. The Seder ceremony takes place before dinner, so please provide a snack beforehand for young children, so they will not become too hungry. *Please, no shellfish, pork, lamb, dairy, or anything with leavening (yeast, baking soda/powder.)