Friday, July 6, 2012
Home Groups
The Christian faith is about relationships. When a religious leader once asked Jesus what he thought was the most important commandment, Jesus said, "Love God with all your heart, mind, and strength (your whole self) and love your neighbor as yourself. The reason Jesus came was to open a new path to relationship with God. That's primary and most important in the Christian life. But the second is like it and important as well. To love others, we have to know them and their needs. Too often we don't form significant relationships in our busy and individualistic lifestyles.
At King of Kings, our vision is to create small groups that gather weekly so those relationships can be formed. We have one group that meets on Thursdays, and want to start others. If you'd like to be part of a small group that meets for fellowship, Bible study, sharing, and prayer, let me know and we'll find a way for you to do that.
Fr Jon
frjon@comcast.net
941-380-5010
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Let's talk
Checking the stats on this blog, a little over 800 hits have occurred. If you're just checking us out for the first time, give me a chance to chat with you. I'd be happy to answer any questions or if you have needs, perhaps we could help.
We're not a large congregation with lots of programs. We worship on Sunday, and have a small group meeting in a home on Thursday evenings. Our vision is to create a whole network of small groups that together form the fabric of our community.
The Charismatic Episcopal Church incorporates three streams or church "styles" into it's life: the liturgical (creeds, communion every Sunday), the evangelical (the Bible is authoritative, personal relationship with God is important and necessary), and the charismatic (praise music, expression of gifts-- tongues, prophecy, healing, etc). That's quite a combination, and you know what, it works! It's a win-win-win.
Sometimes in a marriage, for example, one spouse was raised in a liturgical style church (Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopal, etc) and the other spouse grew up in a Pentecostal style. What to do? If that's your situation, Perhaps the CEC model would work for you.
If you've made it this far and none of this makes much sense or matters to you, but you're searching for answers to spiritual issues or life problems, we'd love to have an opportunity to meet you where you are, and seek God's solutions with you.
God bless,
Fr Jon +
Saturday, January 21, 2012
It's nice to be known
Large churches have advantages. There are usually lots of programs to choose from if you're interested.
But it's also fairly easy to be just a face in the crowd and not be missed if you don't show up for worship. Some people like the anonymity and like to slip in and out without being detected. But wherever you attend the call of the gospel is to be involved and use your gifts as God inspires you.
For some this works better in a smaller congregation. If that's you, then perhaps King of Kings would be a good fit. We won't embarrass you, but we'll know you're there, and you'll find a warm welcome.
Consider joining in worship with us on Sunday morning or come to our home fellowship onThursday evenings. Call or email for directions,etc.
Blessings,
Fr Jon
Large churches have advantages. There are usually lots of programs to choose from if you're interested.
But it's also fairly easy to be just a face in the crowd and not be missed if you don't show up for worship. Some people like the anonymity and like to slip in and out without being detected. But wherever you attend the call of the gospel is to be involved and use your gifts as God inspires you.
For some this works better in a smaller congregation. If that's you, then perhaps King of Kings would be a good fit. We won't embarrass you, but we'll know you're there, and you'll find a warm welcome.
Consider joining in worship with us on Sunday morning or come to our home fellowship onThursday evenings. Call or email for directions,etc.
Blessings,
Fr Jon
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Home fellowship
Beginning the second Thursday of January, the 12th, at 7 pm, you're invited to a home fellowship. We'll share a light snack, enjoy some conversation, have a Bible study, and conclude our time with prayer. We'll have a formal end time of 9 pm. It's a great way to make new friends, check out the Christian faith, or find a place to grow in a new faith. You don't have to commit to anything other than this evening meeting. Obviously we'd like you to consider worshipping on Sunday morning as well, but that is optional.
If you're interested or have questions, send an email.
Fr Jon
If you're interested or have questions, send an email.
Fr Jon
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The Look on Your Face
The look on your face often gives a hint to how you're feeling, which is related to what's on your mind. In 2 Corinthians, the apostle Paul says the believer is like a mirror, reflecting the glory of God in the face of Jesus. Obviously, a mirror reflects what is in it, so if the believer is going to reflect Jesus, Jesus must be the focus of the mind.
Focusing on Jesus in the midst of all life's challenges and distractions requires intention and practice. Having a time during the day to reset your gaze is important, and then learning to keep Jesus central throughout the day is the goal. When questions, fears, doubts, challenges arise---look to Jesus. Say a prayer. Invite Jesus to be with you. As you do this more consistently, others will notice the change in you. Whether they know it or not, they'll see Jesus reflected in your face (your life). They may even ask you what makes you different, and you'll have a chance to tell them what you're doing, and who's at the center of your life---not you, but Jesus.
P.S. Attending worship service regularly is critical as well. God uses these special gatherings to center you and plant His image more clearly in you. You'll be encouraged to know that you're not alone, and you'll see Jesus reflected in the faces of those who gather with you for the same purpose. We'd love to have you join us for worship at King of Kings this Sunday.
Focusing on Jesus in the midst of all life's challenges and distractions requires intention and practice. Having a time during the day to reset your gaze is important, and then learning to keep Jesus central throughout the day is the goal. When questions, fears, doubts, challenges arise---look to Jesus. Say a prayer. Invite Jesus to be with you. As you do this more consistently, others will notice the change in you. Whether they know it or not, they'll see Jesus reflected in your face (your life). They may even ask you what makes you different, and you'll have a chance to tell them what you're doing, and who's at the center of your life---not you, but Jesus.
P.S. Attending worship service regularly is critical as well. God uses these special gatherings to center you and plant His image more clearly in you. You'll be encouraged to know that you're not alone, and you'll see Jesus reflected in the faces of those who gather with you for the same purpose. We'd love to have you join us for worship at King of Kings this Sunday.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Sermon notes
The season of Lent is dedicated to examining our relationship with God in preparation for the celebration at Easter of the most significant event in history, the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ (Messiah). This Sunday's scriptures, particularly the gospel lesson from Luke, reveal the nature of the Kingdom, the coming of the reign of God in the world.
Jesus is at a point in his three year ministry where the opposition to him is crystalizing. His own people expected the Messiah's coming to be dramatic with a show of power that would quickly change conditions. Jesus uses three images to counter the view.
First, Jesus says the kingdom is like a mustard seed, which though small, grows into a tree (large bush really) where birds come to roost and find shelter. God begins to act in what seems to be small and insignificant ways, but the process will yield ongoing and permanent benefits. Perhaps the use of a bush to represent the kingdom was Jesus' way to emphasize the need to examine carefully how we assess what is important spiritually. What looks big, impressive, permanent, may be a deception.
Trees are a spiritual symbol. In an arid landscape, trees are a sign of life and a water source. Israel, God's people, are sometimes described as a tree or alternatively as a vineyard. In Psalm 1, a righteousness person is a tree planted by a river bank. The apostle Paul reminded Gentile believers that they were like grafts onto an existing vine. Trees can represent kingdoms that are eventually cut down, and those who are a part of it subject to destruction as well. Or individually, we are to be fruitful or become subject to pruning or removal.
The second image Jesus uses is yeast. A little yeast added to dough permeates it and transforms the bread as it bakes. Here Jesus is saying that the kingdom of God will do it's work often in mysterious ways, again what seems insignificant and small transforms all of life. As a spiritual symbol, yeast can be used to represent positive or negative influences. The season of Lent invites us to examine the influences in our life. Are you allowing God to influence and shape you, or are there infectious influences present which will eventually accumulate destructively in your life and destroy it?
The first two images emphasize that God's activity in the world cannot be thwarted or destroyed. However, the third image, a narrow door points to our need to actively enter into God's activity, to allow God's influence to touch and transform us personally, and to engage in God's work. Specifically, the narrow door refers to Jesus himself, the point of entry into a redeemed relationship with God which God has provided. In a pluralistic culture, the narrow door represents the offense of the gospel. Are there many paths to God, or has God given a path that requires a specific response? Jesus says that when the kingdom comes near, we must choose, and specifically, we must choose Jesus. Relationship with God is not automatic, and cannot be pursued at a distance. Jesus tells those who were listening to strive to enter in through the narrow door.
There you have it. God's activity in the world will not be thwarted. God's activity in the world is pervasive. Finally, God's activity in the world, with each personally, with you, demands a response. How are you responding to Jesus? Are you in?
Jesus is at a point in his three year ministry where the opposition to him is crystalizing. His own people expected the Messiah's coming to be dramatic with a show of power that would quickly change conditions. Jesus uses three images to counter the view.
First, Jesus says the kingdom is like a mustard seed, which though small, grows into a tree (large bush really) where birds come to roost and find shelter. God begins to act in what seems to be small and insignificant ways, but the process will yield ongoing and permanent benefits. Perhaps the use of a bush to represent the kingdom was Jesus' way to emphasize the need to examine carefully how we assess what is important spiritually. What looks big, impressive, permanent, may be a deception.
Trees are a spiritual symbol. In an arid landscape, trees are a sign of life and a water source. Israel, God's people, are sometimes described as a tree or alternatively as a vineyard. In Psalm 1, a righteousness person is a tree planted by a river bank. The apostle Paul reminded Gentile believers that they were like grafts onto an existing vine. Trees can represent kingdoms that are eventually cut down, and those who are a part of it subject to destruction as well. Or individually, we are to be fruitful or become subject to pruning or removal.
The second image Jesus uses is yeast. A little yeast added to dough permeates it and transforms the bread as it bakes. Here Jesus is saying that the kingdom of God will do it's work often in mysterious ways, again what seems insignificant and small transforms all of life. As a spiritual symbol, yeast can be used to represent positive or negative influences. The season of Lent invites us to examine the influences in our life. Are you allowing God to influence and shape you, or are there infectious influences present which will eventually accumulate destructively in your life and destroy it?
The first two images emphasize that God's activity in the world cannot be thwarted or destroyed. However, the third image, a narrow door points to our need to actively enter into God's activity, to allow God's influence to touch and transform us personally, and to engage in God's work. Specifically, the narrow door refers to Jesus himself, the point of entry into a redeemed relationship with God which God has provided. In a pluralistic culture, the narrow door represents the offense of the gospel. Are there many paths to God, or has God given a path that requires a specific response? Jesus says that when the kingdom comes near, we must choose, and specifically, we must choose Jesus. Relationship with God is not automatic, and cannot be pursued at a distance. Jesus tells those who were listening to strive to enter in through the narrow door.
There you have it. God's activity in the world will not be thwarted. God's activity in the world is pervasive. Finally, God's activity in the world, with each personally, with you, demands a response. How are you responding to Jesus? Are you in?
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