"Postures of Prayer: Taking a Posture of Humility While Praying Boldly"

First Covenant Church of Willmar

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"Postures of Prayer: Taking a Posture of Humility While Praying Boldly"

February 18, 2024 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus

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This Sunday marks the first Sunday of Lent. During this season the church proclaims, remembers, and responds in gratitude and faith to Christ’s atoning death. It is a season inviting honest self-reflection and an earnest seeking after God. Over the next 40 days, First Covenant Church will be encouraged to PRAY BOLD; be humble. The Elder Commission is encouraging all of us to take up a 7-point prayer pledge in which we will,

1. Kneel (if you are able) and pray first thing every morning.

2. Write out a list of impossible prayers you are facing and review it daily.

3. Pray over this list daily and even hourly.

4. Be obedient to join God as you witness God’s miracles unfolding around you.

5. Journal and bear witness to God’s work in your daily life as you see miracles happen and become mindful of God’s presence in your life.

6. Promptly admit your wrongdoings and quickly make amends.

7. Deal with your doubts, excuses, and complaints diligently and faithfully, and choose gratitude instead.

This is our 7-point prayer pledge.

This Sunday, we will be unpacking the first point which invites us to consider how our own bodies can help us PRAY BOLD while being humble. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and vessels through which the Almighty God continues to be at work in our world. Join us this Sunday for the first Sunday of Lent.

Triumph & Transformation: Power Struggles; Opposition from Authorities

May 12, 2024 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus

The book of Acts describes how the Holy Spirit worked to transform these early Christians into a movement of God’s people focused on God’s mission, all for God’s glory. Like ripples moving across a pond, the Church began to spread out around the world starting in Jerusalem. It is no surprise that the powers of darkness would seek to extinguish the light of Christ kindled by the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. Opposition to life in the Spirit is experienced within the Christian fellowship as is seen in Acts 5:1-10 and 6:1-7, but the Apostles (led by the Holy Spirit), guide the young Church in righteousness and the Church is strengthened. Opposition will also come from the established religious authorities who see this emerging Gospel of Jesus as a threat that must be eliminated. The early Church is about to face its first real threat as violence against them breaks out and the lordship of Jesus is put to the test. We will be taking a short break from the book of Acts. However, take this next week and review the previous passages of Scripture from Acts 1:1-8:3.

Triumph & Transformation: Opposition Arises

May 5, 2024 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus • Acts 4:36–37, Acts 5, Acts 6:1–7

It is hard to imagine how exciting it must have been for the early church as they responded to the Holy Spirit’s direction and boldly shared the Good News of salvation found in Christ Jesus. However, the message of forgiveness and new life in Jesus Christ wasn’t received as good news by everyone. The religious leaders who had lobbied for Jesus’ execution were desperate to silence the Apostles who preached the triumphant Jesus. It was inevitable that opposition to this new kingdom community would arise. But how would this newborn church fare in the face of conflict, and could they survive attacks on multiple fronts? In preparation for this coming Sunday read Acts 4:36 - 6:7.

"Choosing Gratitude Over Grievance"

March 24, 2024 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus

Our final point to our commitment to "PRAY BOLD . . . be humble" is a commitment to deal with our doubts, excuses, and complaints diligently, and choose gratitude instead. Or another way to say it -- Choosing Gratitude over Grievance. Gratitude invited humility. Being truly thankful opens you up to receive a gift to its fullest measure. It is interesting that nearly half of the Psalms are considered Psalms of Lament. While these poems express deep heartache and grievance, they nearly all end with a sense of gratitude; an acknowledgment that the LORD is God and ultimately there is no better place to be than in His sovereign hands. Likewise, the Apostle Paul encourages the Church in Colossae to be thankful and allow their gratitude to empower their prayers and faithful obedience to Christ Jesus. This Palm Sunday, we celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. We know how Holy Week ends, and we know what awaits Jesus’ Disciples on Resurrection Sunday. Though there is deep sorrow all around us, we have MUCH to be thankful for!