Monday, September 29, 2014

First Congregational Church of North Collins, Sunday, September 28, 2014

First Congregational Church of North Collins
Conservative Congregational Christian Conference
337-9811 Church Office / 337-4303 Parsonage
Pastor / Teacher Derek S. Yoder
Sunday, September 28, 2014   
Sunday School 9:30 am           Family Worship Service 10:45 am
Wait in Prayer                  Worship in Reverence                  Depart to Serve



Prelude
Welcome and Announcements

Choral Introit …………………………………… Lord, Speak to Me That I May Speak
*Call to Worship ………………………………………………………… Psalm 41:1-13
*Hymn of Adoration & Praise #699 ……………………………… Like a River Glorious
*Invocation

 Worship Through Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs
*Hymn of the Month #506……………………… As When the Hebrew Prophet Raised
*Hymn #177 …………………………………… O Could I Speak the Matchless Worth

Scripture Lessons
Old Testament……………………………  Nehemiah 11:1-36 (Pew Bible pg 768-770)
New Testament ……………………………………  Mark 6:45-56 (Pew Bible pg 1563)
Memory Verse ………………………………..……  2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (see insert)

Fellowship of Welcome

Sermon Text …………………………………………………  Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
Sermon ………………………………………………………………  Derek Yoder
Back to the Garden?
Wisdom doesn’t respond to real life by avoiding it,
nor by seeking to control it.
  It presses on with faith (and Jesus) into the future.

*Hymn of Faith #591 ………………..…………………..……………… Jesus Calls Us

Prayer Requests and Testimonies
Pastoral Prayer
Tithes and Offerings
Offertory
*Doxology …………………………………… Praise God from Whom All Blessing Flow

*Benediction                                                           
*Congregation invited to stand
  
Get the most out of the service by asking about our special listening devices. Pick up one in the back or see an usher for help. If yours isn’t working properly, don’t be bashful about raising your hand to ask for assistance.

  
Announcements
Join us TONIGHT at the First Church of Evans for a special “Christ in the Feast of Tabernacles” presentation sponsored by Jews for Jesus.  The 6:30 pm program is meant to enrich our understanding of the gospel by exploring its Jewish roots.  There is no cost to attend, but a freewill offering will be taken up.

Next Sunday, we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper.  If you would like to participate but are unable to be here, see Derek or one of the Elders to arrange another time.  Don’t be shy about taking full advantage of this important gesture of unity with Christ and his body.  We are NOT planning to have a fellowship meal following the service.

Evelyn Falk will celebrate her 103rd birthday on Tuesday!  Don’t forget to sign the card in the back or offer her other gestures of our love.

This afternoon at 2:00 pm, Derek will offer a brief prayer of dedication for bricks along the memorial walkway at Schoolhouse #8.  All are welcome to attend.

Calendar
Wednesday, October 1st
Choir practice at the church at 6:00 pm.

Join us at the church for Bible study and prayer at 7:00 pm.  We’re making our way through the great themes of Genesis.  We’re in Chapter 2 and studying the significance of God’s garden of delights (Eden).  It’s a great time to join us!

Sunday, October 5th 
3DYouth Group meets at First Church of Evans at 6:00 pm for life lessons from Mark followed by football camp and refreshments.  Don’t forget, the 2014 Chili Bowl with MPB is right around the corner on October 19th!

Sunday, October 12th 
Join us at the Doles’ for our 3rd Sunday Night Out of the season.  Plan to gather around 4:00 pm.  Hot dogs will be provided.  Attention discussion group members:  If yo’ve been reading Powlison’s Speaking Truth in Love, plan to meet at 3:00 to discuss Part 1 (pp.1-98).

Sunday, November 2nd
Plan now to join Jim Raub and our friends from area churches at 6:30 pm as we host our annual fall Singspiration, a seasonal favorite for many.


Sermon Notes
BACK TO THE GARDEN?  Wisdom doesn’t respond to real life by avoidance, nor by seeking control.  It presses on with faith and Jesus to the future.

1.    Utopian dreamers have always been looking for a world that’s simpler and kinder than the one we’ve go.  Joni Mitchell’s Woodstock isn’t a “Christian” song, but it expresses this same longing in biblical language.  What does she mean by “going back to the garden”?

2.   DO YOU REMEMBER?  How would you summarize Solomon’s introductory poem in Eccl 1:3-11?

3.    DO YOU REMEMBER?  How would you summarize the next section (Eccl 1:12=18)?

4.    What does Solomon mean by the “pleasure test”?  When he mentions wine, is talking about drunkenness?  If not, what is he talking about?

5.    Derek suggests that the “pleasure test” isn’t so much an expression of fatalism (“Let’s eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”) as it is avoidance.  What does he mean?

6.    It’s true that we sometimes respond to the frustrations of life by avoiding them.  Can you think of some examples?

7.    Beginning in Eccl 2:4ff., Solomon describes his ambitious building project.  What’s he up to?

8.    In our passage this morning, Solomon lays out two prospective paths of wisdom.  What are they?  Why does he eventually reject both?


9.    So, what does wisdom look like in a world like ours?

Friday, September 19, 2014

First Congregational Church of North Collins, Sunday, September 21, 2014

First Congregational Church of North Collins
Conservative Congregational Christian Conference
10385 Main Street, North Collins, New York 14111
337-9811 Church Office / 337-4303 Parsonage
Pastor / Teacher Derek S. Yoder
Sunday, September 21, 2014    
Sunday School 9:30 am        Family Worship Service 10:45 am
   Wait in Prayer                  Worship in Reverence             Depart to Serve


Prelude
Welcome and Announcements

Choral Introit ……………………………………… Lord, Speak to Me That I May Speak
*Call to Worship ………………………………………………………………………………  Psalm 40:1-17
*Hymn of Adoration & Praise #53 ………  Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
*Invocation

Worship Through Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs

Choral Anthem
*Hymn of the Month #506 …...…  As When the Hebrew Prophet Raised
*Hymn #634 ……………………………………………………………………  Sweet Hour of Prayer


Scripture Lessons
Old Testament ……………………………………… Nehemiah 10:1-39 (Pew Bible p. 766-768)
New Testament ……………………………………………  Mark 6:30-44 (Pew Bible p. 1562-1563)
Memory Verse……………………………………………………… 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (see insert)

Fellowship of Welcome

Message
Sermon Text ………………………………………………………………………………… Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
Sermon …………………………………............……..……………………………………………………………… Derek Yoder


*Hymn of Faith #705 ……………..……………………… I Know Whom I Have Believed

Prayer Requests and Testimonies
Pastoral Prayer
Collection of Offerings
Offertory
*Doxology ………………………………………… Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow


*Benediction
Postlude                                                                *Congregation invited to stand

Calendar

Wednesday, September 24th
Choir practice at 6:00 pm.

Join us for Bible study and prayer at the church at 7:00 pm.  We’re making our way through the great themes of Genesis.  We’re in Chapter 2 and studying the significance of the God’s garden of delights (Eden).  It’s a great time to join us!

Sunday, September 28th
Join the First Church of Evans for a special “Christ in the Feast of Tabernacles” presentation sponsored by Jews for Jesus.  The 6:30 pm program is meant to enrich our understanding of the gospel by exploring its Jewish roots.  There is no cost to attend, but a freewill offering will be taken up.  See the insert and poster in the foyer for details.

Sunday, October 5th
3DYouth Group meets at First Church at 6:00 pm for life lessons from Mark followed by football camp and refreshments.  Don’t forget – the 2014 Chili Bowl with MPB is coming up on October 19th!

Sunday, November 2nd
Plan now to join Jim Raub and our friends from area churches at 6:30 pm as we host our annual fall Singspiration, a seasonal favorite for many.


Get the most out of the service by asking about our special listening devices.  Pick up one in the back or see an usher for help.  If yours isn’t working properly, don’t be bashful about raising your hand to ask for assistance.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sermon Outline:
Eccl 1:12-18
The Crooked Tree of Wisdom - the pursuit of wisdom in a fallen world can be frustrating, but it's the narrow path Jesus traveled - and he bids us follow.

1.  The wonders of creation have much to tell about the Creator.  But Solomon observes in Eccl 1:2-11 that they also have a thing or two to say about us.  What are some?

2.  Solomon makes several important observations in Eccl 1:12-18.  What't the 1st?

3.  But isn't biblical wisdom a good thing?  How can it lead to grief and heartache?

4.  What does Solomon mean when he says that some things can't be straightened out?  What's he talking about?  What are some examples?

5.  Is it true that with enough money and information and time, there's nothing humans can't do?  Why or why not?

6.  The 3rd important point in our passage has to do with Solomon's method.  When he says in v 17 that he's applying himself to know wisdom and folly, what does he mean?  In what sense does he want to know folly?

7.  The crooked tree of wisdom is a place of discerning between good and evil, so as to obey God.  Adam was there (Gen 2:9).  So was David (2 Sam 14:17) and Solomon (1 Kings 3:9).  What was Jesus' crooked tree?

In a sense, we too stand before the tree of decision.  Eccl is meant to help us grow in wisdom so we can make godly choices and follow the only one who can make every crooked line straight again - our Lord Jesus!


Monday, September 15, 2014

First Congregational Church of North Collins, September 14, 2014

First Congregational Church of North Collins
Conservative Congregational Christian Conference
10385 Main Street, North Collins, New York 14111
337-9811 Church Office / 337-4303 Parsonage
Pastor / Teacher Derek S. Yoder
Sunday, September 14, 2014    
Sunday School 9:30 am        Family Worship Service 10:45 am
   Wait in Prayer                  Worship in Reverence             Depart to Serve



Prelude
Welcome and Announcements

Choral Introit …………………………………………………………………… Spirit of the Living God
*Call to Worship …………………………………………………………  Psalter Reading 39:1-13
*Hymn of Adoration & Praise #164 ………………  O For A Thousand Tongues
*Invocation

Worship Through Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs
Choral Anthem
*Chorus #102 …………………………………………………………………………  Don’t You Know
*Chorus #250 …………………………………………………………………………  Thou Art Worthy
*Chorus #64……………………………………………………………………………………  Seek Ye First

Scripture Lessons
Old Testament ………………………………… Nehemiah 9:22-38 (Pew Bible p. 764-766)
New Testament ……………………………………  Mark 6:14-29 (Pew Bible p. 1561-1562)
Memory Verse…………………………………………………… 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (see insert)

Fellowship of Welcome

Message
Sermon Text .....................................................Ecclesiastes 1:1-11; 2:24-26
Sermon ………………………………………..……………………………………………………………… Derek Yoder


*Hymn of Faith #100 ……………………………………………..……………………… Holy, Holy, Holy

Prayer Requests and Testimonies
Pastoral Prayer
Collection of Offerings
Offertory
*Doxology ………………………………………… Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow


*Benediction
Postlude                                                                *Congregation invited to stand
Announcements

3DYouth meets here TONIGHT at 6:00 pm for life lessons from Mark followed by games with sidewalk chalk and refreshments.

The church’s financial statements for July and August 2014 are posted for review in the office over the copy machine.

Calendar

Wednesday, September 17th
Choir practice at 6:00 pm.

Join us for Bible study and prayer at the church at 7:00 pm.  We’re making our way through the great themes of Genesis.  We’re in Chapter 2 and studying the significance of the 7th day (Sabbath) in redemptive history.

Sunday, September 28th
Join the First Church of Evans for a special “Christ in the Feast of Tabernacles” presentation sponsored by Jews for Jesus.  The 6:30 pm program is meant to enrich our understanding of the gospel by exploring its Jewish roots.  There is no cost to attend, but a freewill offering will be taken up.  See the insert and poster in the foyer for details.

Sunday, November 2nd
Plan now to join Jim Raub and our friends from area churches at 6:30 pm as we host our annual fall Singspiration, a seasonal favorite for many.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sermon Notes
Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, 2:24-26

TOIL IN THE SOIL – Work under the sun may be fleeting and frustrating, but it’s good.  God’s people take joy in their work – and in the enduring, satisfying works of God.

1.        It’s not enough to study only the themes and outlines and characters of the Bible.  Why not?  Why must serious students of the Bible eventually wrestle with the inspired text itself?

2.        Eccl is arranged around four poems.  See, e.g. 1:3-11; 3:1-9; 7:1-14; and 10:1-20.  According to Eccl 1:3, what’s the first poem about?

3.       DO YOU REMEMBER?  Why is human work so significant and so full of heartache?

4.       What are the things like “under the sun”?  Why all the references to nature’s rhythms?  Why all the compass points?  What’s Solomon trying to tell us?

5.       In verse 8, Solomon emphasizes the fact that these observations about life and nature produce weariness.  Why do they?  Can you relate?

6.       Think about the shortness of life with respect to footprints.  What does this suggest about our “legacies”?

7.       Solomon prescribes strong medicine for his readers.  Lest we respond with fear or despair, there are three things wisdom keeps in mind.  What’s the 1st thing?

8.       What’s a 2nd thing wisdom keeps in mind?


9.       Faced with the biblical reality that our toil in the soil, like our lives, is fleeting and oftentimes frustrating, what’s a 3rd thing wisdom keeps in mind?

Friday, September 5, 2014

First Congregational Church of North Collins, Sunday, September 7, 2014

First Congregational Church of North Collins
Conservative Congregational Christian Conference
10385 Main Street, North Collins, New York 14111
337-9811 Church Office / 337-4303 Parsonage
Pastor / Teacher Derek S. Yoder
Sunday, September 7, 2014    
Sunday School 9:30 am        Family Worship Service 10:45 am
   Wait in Prayer                  Worship in Reverence             Depart to Serve



Prelude
Welcome and Announcements

Choral Introit ………………………………………………… Spirit of the Living God
*Call to Worship …………………………………  Psalter Reading 37:1-9, p. 797f.
*Hymn of Adoration & Praise #101 ………………  Come, Thou Almighty King
*Invocation

Worship Through Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs
Choral Anthem
*Chorus #161 ………………………………………………………  Unto Thee, O Lord
*Chorus #53 ……………………………………………………………………  My Peace
*Chorus #27……………………………………………………………  Glorify Thy Name

Scripture Lessons
Old Testament ………………………………… Nehemiah 9:1-21 (Pew Bible p. 763-764)
New Testament ……………………………………  Mark 6:1-13 (Pew Bible p. 1560-1561)
Memory Verse ……………………………………………… 2 Corinthians 5:17-20(see insert)

Fellowship of Welcome

Message
Children’s Sermon ………………..……………………………………………… Derek Yoder
“Living for Eternity … Starting Today!”

*Hymn of Faith #537 ............................................................................. Take Time To Be Holy

Prayer Requests and Testimonies
Pastoral Prayer
Collection of Offerings – On Communion Sundays, our 2nd offering helps support the benevolent ministries of the Diaconate
Offertory
*Doxology ………………………………………… Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

Celebration of the Lord’s Supper

*Closing Hymn #359 …………………………………………………… Blest Be the Tie That Binds

*Benediction
Postlude                                                                *Congregation invited to stand

Announcements

Welcome Back!  After the slower pace of summer, let’s get back into the routine of the new academic year.  May God enrich our teachers and their students, our 3D youth and their leaders, young and old – all who are resolved to press on with the Lord.  May 2014/2015 be a year of blessing and growth!
   
Calendar

Tuesday, September 9th
Full Board meets at 7:00 pm at the church, preceded by Elders’ meeting at 6:00.  Elders, come prepared to discuss Chapter 4 in Swetland (“Suicide” Is It Unforgivable?”) and the review questions that follow.

Wednesday, September 10th
Choir practice at 6:00 pm.

Join us for Bible study and prayer at the church at 7:00 pm.  We’re making our way through the great themes of Genesis.  We’re in Chapter 2 and studying the significance of the 7th day (Sabbath) in redemptive history.

Sunday, September 14th
It’s time for 3DYouth Group to begin again!  We start a new season here at 6:00 pm for life lessons from Mark followed by games with sidewalk chalk and refreshments.

We hope you can join us for a fellowship meal
 downstairs after today’s service.