Lent_2024
"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!
"Admitting and Amending"
March 17, 2024 • 1 Peter 4:7–11
This Sunday we are privileged to have Thor Anderson from Lake Beauty Bible Camp present with us as he shares about the upcoming summer camping season. Thor will also be continuing in our Lenten sermon series as together we explore the sixth prayer principle; Admitting when I am wrong and quickly making amends. In preparation for this Sunday, read 1 Peter 4: 7 - 11
"Testify to God’s Working in My Life"
March 10, 2024 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus • Psalm 71
When we pray boldly, it is because God has filled us with faith to be able to do so. Faith prays with assurance when God has made the outcomes known, and faith prays with submission where God has kept the outcome hidden. When we pray, we must remember that prayer is a dialogue. The Holy Spirit will speak and reveal God’s will in our lives -- if we are paying attention. Praying boldly while living humbly means we commit to keeping our eyes open to see how God is working in and around us. Ultimately, this is what Christian testimony is all about -- bearing witness to what God has done and is doing in and through you. A major step in unleashing a life of bold prayer is to learn how to pay attention to the movement of God. In preparation for this Sunday, read Psalm 71
"Praying in Faith-- Moving Toward God’s Miracles Every Day"
March 3, 2024 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus • James 2:14–16, James 5:13–18
This past Sunday many came forward to humbly present impossible prayers before the LORD, laying our prayers at the foot of the cross. These prayers express our heart’s desire for God to work miracles on our behalf. We believe that what is impossible for us as human beings is possible for God. To "PRAY BOLD, be humble" requires faithfulness; we are invited to faithfully walk in God’s will as we take measurable steps toward God’s miracles every day. According to the Apostle James, bold prayer will take one of two forms; confident assurance or humble submission. Both require faith, both are rooted in the belief that God is able to work the impossible -- both invite you to trust your Savior and LORD. In preparation for this Sunday, read James 2:14-16; 5:13-18.
"Prioritizing Prayer in Your Life -- Mission: Impossible Prayers"
February 25, 2024 • Pastor Rocky Hovda • John 5:1–10
"There is a powerful story of the IMPOSSIBLE in the book of Mark. A father who has nearly given up hope on finding a solution to his IMPOSSIBLE, learns a powerful lesson! Your mission, should you chose to accept it, is to not miss the church service this Sunday morning at 10:15 a.m., as we explore Part 2 of our Lenten Prayer Adventure. What are your IMPOSSIBLE prayers? See you Sunday!
"Postures of Prayer: Taking a Posture of Humility While Praying Boldly"
February 18, 2024 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus
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.