Join us Sunday at 9:30am, as we "land the plane" in our series in the book of Haggai. Haggai was one of the few prophets who saw immediate and tangible results for his prophetic ministry. God's people accepted his criticism and responded by putting all of their time, talent and treasure into rebuilding the temple of the Lord. The temple was completed within 4 years.
Today's church can easily get distracted in the area of kingdom priorities. The task laid upon all Christians is to be engaged in the building of the true and spiritual church: by prayer (Eph. 6:18-20), by witness (I Peter 3:15), by life (Phil. 2:14-16; Matt. 5:16), by labor (I Cor. 15:58) and by financial support (Phil. 4:15-19). Take time to read these verses and then join us on Sunday as we gather together and "Worship God Passionately." After the service, "Connect with One Another Authentically", in our Adult Discipleship class. This class meets at 11:00am and is currently studying the last days of Jesus' time here on earth. Learn more about Jesus, His love for you, and His call on our lives to follow Him. Where's Calvary Parkside?: Join us this summer for a virtual all-church road trip. How? It's simple. Take your Calvary Parkside t-shirt with you on vacation. Then email your photo to doug@thecalvary.org. It's that easy! Need a Calvary Parkside t-shirt? Stop by the Next Step Table this Sunday and pick one up and let's continue to "Make Jesus non-ignorable in Beaverton and to the ends of the earth." Calvary Parkside Deacons: Do you easily spot practical needs and then take the initiative to meet them efficiently? Are you drawn with compassion to care for and serve those in our church family who are widows, homebound, or just need someone to visit and pray with them. Do others see in you a spirit of humility, gentleness and a willingness to be flexible? Consider becoming a Calvary Parkside Deacon. This role is open to both men and women who are current members of our church. For more information, contact Doug Boyd or Larry Annes. Note: Should you have any physical needs such as: benevolence, moving heavy items, transportation needs, etc., please reach out to Greg and Jonella Malinowski, who serve as our Lead Deacons. See you Sunday! Doug Join us Sunday at 9:30am, we as continue our series in the book of Haggai. As the people of God once again got back to work on rebuilding the temple, God suddenly calls a time-out and halts the work in order to correct a theological error. The people had begun to feel that because they were working on something holy (rebuilding the temple) it made them holy and entitled to God's blessing. Enter Haggai with a message from God concerning this theological misunderstanding. This Sunday, we will see how this same misunderstanding can affect us, and how the gospel liberates us from the traps of legalism and works-based righteousness, moving us forward in grace-fueled obedience to God's purposes.
After the service, "Connect with One Another Authentically", in our Adult Discipleship class. This class meets at 11:00am and is currently studying the last days of Jesus' time here on earth. Learn more about Jesus, His love for you, and His call on our lives to follow Him. Where's Calvary Parkside?: Join us this summer for a virtual all-church road trip. How? It's simple. Take your Calvary Parkside t-shirt with you on vacation. Then email us a picture of you wearing your Calvary Parkside t-shirt as you enjoy God's creation. It's that easy! Join my family and I, and let's see how many states, or even countries, Calvary Parkside can visit this summer! Need a Calvary Parkside t-shirt? Stop by the Next Step Table this Sunday and pick one up. Calvary Parkside Deacons: Do you easily spot practical needs and then take the initiative to meet them efficiently? Are you drawn with compassion to care for and serve those in our church family who are widows, homebound, or just need someone to visit and pray with them. Do others see in you a spirit of humility, gentleness and a willingness to be flexible? Consider becoming a Calvary Parkside Deacon. This role is open to both men and women who are current members of our church. For more information, contact Doug Boyd or Larry Annes. Making Jesus non-ignorable Doug Last week we began a mini-series in the short prophetic book of Haggai. In week two, we are going to look at the second message of the prophet Haggai as he encourages both the people and leaders in the rebuilding of the temple. Haggai's message to us is relevant in the sense that the times are discouraging and in the face of opposition how do you move forward in doing God's Kingdom work.
The people of Haggai's time were looking to the past and the past glory and were wondering if there was any point for the present work, or for that matter, any hope for the future. The leaders, both political and religious, were dealing with opposition that came from within by way of discouragement and leaving the work of rebuilding undone. Then their enemies were putting pressure on them and preventing them from the work that God called them to. Haggai reminds the people and the leaders that it is not in the buildings or land or armies that we find our worth and our strength, but it is in the presence of God. The temple reminds the people that God is with them. This true for us today because in the presence of His one and only son Jesus Christ we have access to God. Join us this Sunday at 9:30am, as we explore the Prophet Haggai's message for God's people. After the service, "Connect with One Another Authentically", in our Adult Discipleship Class. This class meets at 11:00am and is currently studying final days of Jesus' time on earth. Learn more about Jesus, his love for you, and his call on our lives to follow him. See you Sunday. Doug This Sunday, we begin a short mini-series unpacking the second shortest book in the Old Testament, the book of Haggai. Years after Solomon's temple and the city of Jerusalem had been destroyed, the Persians conquered the Babylonians, allowing the Jews to return home from captivity. They began rebuilding God's temple, as He commanded them to, but life got hard and they slowly abandoned the work, turning instead to their own houses. Enter Haggai, sent by God to help the people refocus. Haggai preached about the priority and importance of Kingdom Perspective.
With this first week, we will look at Haggai 1, as we learn about the danger of kingdom (mission) drift. What do we do when we experience kingdom drift in our own lives? Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Jesus came to remind us that he has rescued us, not for our own comfort and pleasure as we pursue self; but rather for doing the work of building God's kingdom. Take time to read Haggai 1, and then join us on Sunday at 9:30am as we worship God passionately. After our service, there will be two opportunities to take a next step with Jesus. See below for more details: 1. Adult Discipleship Class. 11:00am Current Study: The Final Days of Jesus. Learn more about Jesus, his love for you, and his call on our lives to follow him.. 2. Calvary Parkside Membership Class: 11:00am. At Calvary Parkside, we believe that church membership should be meaningful. Therefore, we believe in partnering together for growth, prayer and accountability. Join us and learn more about what it means to be a member of Calvary Parkside. Attached is this week's prayer list. See you Sunday. Doug STOP READING! Find your Bible, turn to Luke 5, and read verses 1-11. Now you can continue reading. Think for a moment about this scene. Ask yourself, "What is Jesus really doing?" Is there more to this story than Jesus teaching the crowd, providing Peter, James and John, with a dinner-table worthy fishing story, and asking them to be his first disciples? In the word(s) of Pastor Avery from Common Ground..."Pondering"... As we conclude our series, Encounters with Jesus, I would like us to consider our own experiences with Jesus. Just like with the story from Luke 5, it's important for us to recognize that Jesus has this great habit of not just meeting us when we are in a "happy place" or, feeling especially "holy" or spiritual. Jesus equally meets us in moments of weakness, confusion, doubt, pain and loss. He encounters us where we are, he uses what we have, and through us, he communicates something of himself and his kingdom to the people around us. My hope is that through this series you have been reminded that wherever you are, however you may feel, that Christ is still using you for His purpose. Join us on Sunday, at 9:30am, as we are given the opportunity, through one final encounter, to see and experience the heart of God. A heart that cares. A heart that provides relief from pain and fear. A heart that heals. A heart that forgives. "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so." Last minute invite: Tomorrow (Saturday) at 7:30pm, the Rose City Flute Choir, (of which our very own Kathy Collins is a member), will be performing here at Calvary Parkside. They performed for us during Christmas, and even played for one of our Sunday services. I'm excited to hear what they have in-store for us this time! Connecting with one another authentically is one of the core values of Calvary Parkside, and one of the best ways to connect with others is through our Sunday Adult Discipleship class. This class meets every Sunday at 11:00am. Consider joining others at Calvary Parkside as they study the last days of Jesus, as recorded in the book of John. Calvary Parkside Membership Class: Sunday May 7th @ 11:00am. Sign-up using the Connect Card or stop by the Next Step Table. Attached is this week's prayer list. See you Sunday. Doug In Matthew 16, after hearing the difficult news of Jesus' shocking agenda, the disciples began to wonder what the future held. They expected Jesus, as the Messiah, to gather a following, overthrow Rome, and return Israel to its glory days. But Jesus predicted a completely different path to glory. The path He followed led to suffering and death. To encourage the disciples, he decided to give three of them a close encounter with the supernatural, a behind-the-scenes glimpse of God's heavenly plan. You can find this encounter in Matthew 17:1-13. The impact of this encounter on their lives would last for decades. Thirty years after this experience Peter wrote these words in 2 Peter 1:16-18:
"For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.' We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when were with him on the sacred mountain." Like Peter, John also referenced this encounter when he wrote some sixty years later: "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14 Join us on Sunday, at 9:30am, as we take time to be reminded of who Jesus is, how much he loves us, and his incredible plan for our lives. We will also hear from two Calvary Parkside family members, as they share how an encounter with Jesus changed their lives. You won't want to miss this Sunday...(great music, God's Word, personal testimonies, fellowship, etc)...be sure to join us, it's gonna be awesome! Connecting with one another authentically is one of the core values of Calvary Parkside, and one of the best ways to connect with others is through our Sunday Adult Discipleship class. This class meets every Sunday at 11:00am. Consider joining others at Calvary Parkside as they study the last days of Jesus, as recorded in the book of John. Calvary Parkside Membership Class: Sunday May 7th @ 11:00am. Sign-up using the Connect Card or stop by the Next Step Table. See you Sunday. Doug Have you ever experienced a Sunday morning when worship felt lifeless, empty, routine, "same-old-same-old", "heard it all before", dare I say, even boring? Here's the question I would like to have you think about between now and Sunday. How does someone reignite a burning desire in their heart for worshiping Jesus?
This idea of "hearts on fire for Jesus" is not just Christianese. It's biblical. Join us on Sunday at 9:30am, as we continue our series, Encounters with Jesus. This week, we will dive into Luke 24, which recounts one of the most powerful post-resurrection moments. It was on the road to Emmaus, where two despondent disciples are transformed by an encounter with the risen Christ. Near the end of the story, after Jesus disappeared from their sight, the two disciples talked about what they learned and how it affected them. They asked each other, "Were our hearts not burning within us while he (Jesus) talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?". What set their hearts ablaze was an interpretation of Scripture that put Jesus front and center. If our Sunday worship experience is going to set our hearts on fire, it must put Jesus front and center, through the Scriptures. Protestant Reformer, Thomas Cramer, in his short manifesto on worship claimed that the purpose of worship, centered on Christ and filled with the Scriptures, was to cause worshipers to "be the more inflamed with the love of God.". In short, Cramer believed that making much of Jesus through our worship was a key ingredient for igniting hearts that were passionate for following and proclaiming the message of Jesus. I believe the same is still true today. Connecting with one another authentically is one of the core values of Calvary Parkside, and one of the best ways to connect with others is through our Sunday Adult Discipleship class. This class meets every Sunday at 11:00am. This Sunday is a perfect time to join this class, as they will begin a study in the book of John, focusing on the last days of Jesus. I hope you will consider checking out this opportunity to further your relationships at Parkside. See you Sunday. Doug "The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances." Robert Flatt
Information alone rarely changes lives. But when someone encounters the Truth (think Jesus), their future is changed for good. Sure, people's lives get changed for all sorts of different reasons, but the transformation that we see in the disciple's lives is irrefutable evidence that they believed they had encountered the living Christ. Take time to read John 20:19-20, and learn what transformed these men, from confused doubters, into radical and fearless, willing to give their lives in the name of Jesus Christ disciples. This encounter with the living Christ completely transformed them from men who were hiding behind "doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders" into an unstoppable team. History and tradition show us that the disciples were tortured, exiled, and killed because they wouldn't keep quiet about their encounter with the resurrected Jesus. Join us tomorrow at 9:30am for Easter at Calvary Parkside and allow an encounter with the resurrected Jesus to transform your life! Don't forget to bring a friend! See you Sunday. Doug For most Christians today, Good Friday and the cross is viewed as symbolic of some sort of victory, but it was devastating in the moment. The significance of Christ's death was the shedding of innocent blood--the perfect and final sacrifice for our sins. In contrast, the significance of the resurrection is best explained by Peter's words in I Peter 1:3-7:
Praise be the the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Yes, Jesus had to die...but Sunday is coming! Where would we be without the cross of Friday and the empty tomb of Sunday?! As you enter Good Friday, pray this prayer... "Jesus, touch me with the Truth of today. Quiet my heart that I may ponder what You did on the cross. Amen" Also take time today to read the account of the crucifixion of Jesus found in Luke 23 or John 19. As you read, it will become clear what it took to make the ransom for our sins. And this is just the physical part of it. We can't imagine what it meant for Jesus to have the Father's back turned on him. When you come to a point like this, recognizing the extreme price that was paid for our salvation, obedience and gratitude become the only option. I want to encourage to do two things in response to Good Friday. 1). Commit to living a life of obedience, through the power of the Holy Spirit and 2). Thank Him. Thank Him for enduring the scourging. Thank Him for taking your place on the cross. Thank Him for paying the complete price for your sins--past, present and future. Thank Him for dying that day, that you might live forever and remember...JESUS PAID IT ALL! Join us tomorrow at 7:00pm in the Worship Center for our Good Friday service (in-person only). The night will consist of singing, scripture reading, and prayer for our hearts to be receptive to the message of Easter; for our friends and neighbors who need to hear the gospel message; and that we would commit to make Jesus non-ignorable in Beaverton. The evening will conclude with the Lord's Supper. See you tomorrow night, Pastor Doug |
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