UNCOMMONLY THANKFUL
Thanksgiving Sunday
November 26, 2006

1 It is good to say thank you to the Lord, to sing praises to the God who is above all gods.    Psalms 92:1 (TLB)

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?

11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, their leprosy disappeared. 15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God, I’m healed!” 16 He fell face down on the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Does only this foreigner return to give glory to God?” 19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has made you well.”  Luke 17:11-19 (NLT)

45 “Those who suffer from any contagious skin disease must tear their clothing and allow their hair to hang loose. Then, as they go from place to place, they must cover their mouth and call out, `Unclean! Unclean!’ 46 As long as the disease lasts, they will be ceremonially unclean and must live in isolation outside the camp.   Leviticus 13:45-46 (NLT)

12 In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he fell to the ground, face down in the dust, begging to be healed. “Lord,” he said, “if you want to, you can make me well again.” 13 Jesus reached out and touched the man. “I want to,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. 14 Then Jesus instructed him not to tell anyone what had happened. He said, “Go right to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy, so everyone will have proof of your healing.”   Luke 5:12-14 (NLT)

FOUR BENEFITS OF BEING UNCOMMONLY THANKFUL:

1. SPIRIUTAL HEALING.

19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has made you well.”  Luke 17:19 (NLT)

2. RELATIONAL HEALTH.

46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.  Acts 2:46-47 (NIV)

3. RIGHT PERSPECTIVE.

1 The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;  Psalms 24:1 (NIV)

4. HUMBLE SPIRIT.

15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God, I’m healed!” 16 He fell face down on the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Luke 17:15-16 (NLT)

How Can We Demonstrate Thankfulness?

a. Music.

1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. 2 Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. 3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.   Psalms 33:1-3 (NIV)

b. Prayer.

c. Obedience.

16 Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! 17 Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.  Colossians 3:16-17 (MSG)

d. Testimony.

11 Sing your songs to Zion-dwelling God, tell his stories to everyone you meet:  Psalms 9:11 (MSG)

New Life Community Church in Carlisle, PA has an administrative assistant position available. The person who applies for this position must exhibit a strong work ethic, people skills, organizational skills, flexibility, a sense of calling to this area of ministry and be a member of a Brethren In Christ Church. A basic understanding of QuickBooks and Microsoft Office would be helpful. For more information and a ministry description please call the Church office at 717-240-0060 or e-mail pastorryan@newlifecommunity.us to receive a job description.

Help us keep our web content current! We need volunteer(s) who can help to keep our site updated with the latest news and events. The information would be emailed to you and you simply post the content to our site using our web-based interface. No knowledge of web programming or HTML is needed. Just a quick intro to the web systems should be all. The time committment should be relatively small once you are familiar with the process and user support will be readily available.

If interested please contact Pastor Ryan pastorryan@newlifecommunity.us and let him know.

REMEMBER & CELEBRATE!
Scared Stiff- Week 8
November 19, 2006

The Bible strongly encourages us to REMEMBER what God has done and to CELEBRATE it when we do.

12 Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,  1 Chronicles 16:12 (NIV)

9 “But watch out! Be very careful never to forget what you have seen the LORD do for you. Do not let these things escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.  Deuteronomy 4:9 (NLT)

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.  1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NIV)

A STONE MEMORIAL

19 On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. 20 And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. 21 He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 22 tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ 23 For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. 24 He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God.”  Joshua 4:19-24 (NIV)

The last guy’s night out is scheduled for December 6, starting at 6pm at Friendly’s on the Walnut Bottom Road. Come and receive or give support and encouragement, enjoy the time of fellowship and last, but not least, have a good meal. Sign up at Welcome Central or write it on your connect card and place it in the offering basket.

Class is rescheduled for December 9 from 9am - 1pm at the church office. Anyone interested in taking this class, please mark it on your connect card and place it in the offering baskets.

The Alpha Dinner at Allenberry (5:30 pm, Dec 2) is a great way for friends, co-workers, and family to learn about Alpha. Alpha is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the Christian faith, grow as disciples of Christ, and invite others to hear about the Good News of Christ in a relaxed, friendly setting. Get invitations for yourself or those you would like to invite at Information Central. If you would like to know more about Alpha, contact Bob or Marian Musser (486-7105), Mike Hejmanowski or Lisa Smallwood (249-9797, Apt #407).

SPAIN - The BIC church in Spain is planning a vision retreat. Pray that as these 34 faithful believers gather, God will guide them, and that they will agree whole-heartedly with each other, lover one another, and work together with one heard and purpose (Phil. 2:2 NLT).

FEAR OF GOD
Scared Stiff- Week 7
November 12, 2006

7 Fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline.  Proverbs 1:7 (NLT)

10 Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in understanding.  Proverbs 9:10 (NLT)

31 The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it grew in strength and numbers. The believers were walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.  Acts 9:31 (NLT)

WHAT KIND OF HOUSEHOLD DID YOU GROW UP IN?

Three Aspects of Fearing God

RECOGNITION

26 In the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children shall always have a place of refuge. 27 Reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death.  Proverbs 14:26-27 (AMP)

ACCOUNTABILITY

13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.  Hebrews 4:13 (NIV)

WILLINGNESS

13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man.   Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NIV)

13 The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what he tells you.   Ecclesiastes 12:13 (MSG)

Fear evaporates when we TRUST God!

6 “Let’s go across to see those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the LORD will help us, for nothing can hinder the LORD. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!”  1 Samuel 14:6-15 (NLT)

Five Benefits of a HEALTY fear of God.

1. DIRECTION.

12 Who are those who fear the LORD? He will show them the path they should choose.    Psalms 25:12 (NLT)

2. COMPASSION.

13 The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.  Psalms 103:13 (NLT)

3. BLESSINGS.

4 True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life.  Proverbs 22:4 (NLT)

4. CONTENTMENT.

9 Let the LORD’s people show him reverence, for those who honor him will have all they need. 10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will never lack any good thing.   Psalms 34:9-10 (NLT)

5. MATURITY.

14 The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.    Psalms 25:14 (NIV)

Pastor Ryan has asked that small group members let him know how God has been working in your life this past month. Write him a note or email and let him know specifics like:

Answers for prayer
Release from fear
How God has worked in you
Growth in spiritual disciplines