Welcome to Church!
We're so glad to have you with us as we begin this new year. I want to make sure you know how grateful we are to have you worship with us. It's a blessing to worship, pray, and serve alongside friends and neighbors.
If you have attended church before, you know every church is unique. Some of the things that we hope you will appreciate about us is that we prioritize the Scriptures in understanding all things about God and faith, we are committed to being a blessing to everyone in our community, and God guides and empowers us in our daily lives through the Holy Spirit. We believe these are essential to our calling to be the church here in Rock Hall.
Today we continue a study of the book of Acts, picking up as the Apostles are on trial for preaching on the Temple mount. We are showing up in a high stress moment, but one that God and the apostles are fully prepared.
After the service, there will be a church meeting, but before that starts, take a few minutes to engage friends and neighbors in conversation, or spend some time in prayer. We hope you find our church and church family is not just a place of worship but a community of support and love.
Thank you for being a part of our family today. My prayer is that our time together in worship would be a source of inspiration, reflection, and connection in your relationship with Jesus. If you have any questions or want to discuss your faith journey, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly. My office telephone is 410-639-2144, or just use the question cards in each pew.
Richest Blessings!
Pastor Gary Priddy
Order of Worship:
Welcome Prayer of Adoration
Opening Worship
Prayers of the People
Message
Suffering Fools
Acts 5:33-42
Pastor Gary Priddy
Prayer of Confession
Covenant Renewal Service
Holy Communion
Next Steps
Find practical ways you can take a first “next step” in your faith journey on our website.
Just go to nextsteps.yourrhc.com.
Closing Worship Benediction
Life is much more than an accident. Wherever I go, I believe God needs me there. Wherever I am, I trust God has put me there. He has a purpose for me being there -
Christ, alive in me, wants to do something through me, no matter where I am.
I believe this and go in His grace and His love and His power.
If you would like someone to pray with you, please come and meet one of our ministry leaders at the end of the service.
Songs for Worship
Blessed Assurance
Always
Great is our God
Take My Life and Let It Be
Message Text
Suffering Fools
Acts 5:33-42
This week's message delved into the various sources of suffering in life, such as self-infliction, suffering due to others' actions (intentional or unintentional), natural or environmental causes, illness, watching loved ones suffer, preventing harm to others, and discipline. The focus shifted to the suffering endured for the mission of God, highlighting the Apostles' trial before the Sanhedrin in Acts and their unwavering dedication to preaching the Gospel despite persecution and beatings.
Pastor Gary emphasized that the Apostles were ordinary individuals transformed by their commitment to following Jesus. Their suffering was endured joyfully as part of God's mission. He encouraged the congregation to consider how their own hardships might have meaning and significance in the broader context of serving God and His mission. The sermon urged individuals to embrace faithfulness even in difficulties, as this aligns with the work of God and ultimately builds up the church.
We concluded with a challenge to consider how we might be called to serve God's purposes, even in areas that might seem uncomfortable or challenging. Let's get close to Jesus and develop a willing heart, ready to follow where God leads and be part of His work in building up His church.
Take it Home:
Discuss Gamaliel's advice to the Sanhedrin regarding the apostles' actions (Acts 5:34-39). How can his counsel be applied to discerning the initiatives we undertake in our personal lives or ministry?
In light of the Sanhedrin's decision to punish the apostles despite Gamaliel's wise advice, how do we see human complexity challenging our faith today, and how can we maintain resilience in the face of it? (Acts 5:40-42)
The sermon recounts the couple's ministry to women in strip clubs. What does this narrative teach us about God's work being present in unconventional places, and how can we apply this readiness of heart to our own outreach efforts? (Matthew 5:14-16)
Share a time when you experienced joy in suffering for the name of Christ, as the apostles did. How does this align with the idea that true transformation comes from being with Jesus? (1 Peter 4:12-14)
Reflecting on the sermon's discussion of the different sources of suffering, how can we, as a faith community, better support one another through these various trials? (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
The sermon mentions the idea of being an 'unstoppable fool' for Christ. What does it mean to you to be a 'fool for Christ,' and how does this concept challenge the way the world typically views wisdom and strength? (1 Corinthians 4:10)
Consider the sermon's exploration of the apostles' boldness and the role of the Holy Spirit. How can we cultivate a similar boldness in our own lives to share the gospel and serve our communities? (Acts 4:29-31)
Discuss how the apostles' example of endurance in the face of persecution can encourage us in our current trials. What steps can we take to ensure we remain steadfast in our faith and mission? (Hebrews 12:1-3)
Covenant Renewal Prayer:
My righteous God, for the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ, see me now as I fall down before You. Forgive my unfaithfulness when I have not done your will. You promise mercy if I turn to You with my whole heart.
God requires that you rid yourself of every idol in your life.
From the bottom of my heart, I here and now renounce every idol in my life, covenanting with You that I will not commit any known sin. By turning against Your will I have turned my love toward the world. In Your power I will watch for any temptation that will lead me away from You.
Through Jesus Christ, God offers to be your God again, if you allow Him to be.
Before all heaven and earth, I here and now acknowledge You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as my Lord and God. I vow to give all of myself, body and soul, to be Your servant and to serve You in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life.
Jesus Christ is the only way and means to God. God has given us Jesus
as the way and means to salvation.
Jesus, I here and now accept You as the only new and living Way. I join myself in covenant with You. I come to You hungry, sinful, miserable, blind, and naked, unworthy even to wash the feet of Your servants. With all my power, I accept You as my Lord and Head. I renounce my own unworthiness, and vow that You are the Lord, my righteousness. I renounce my own wisdom and take You for my only guide. I renounce my own will and take Your will as my law.
Christ has told you that you must suffer with him.
Jesus, I here and now make this covenant with You and accept whatever comes in life. Through Your grace I promise that neither life nor death will separate me from You.
God has given holy laws as the rule of your life.
I here and now willingly take on Your yoke and burden. All Your laws are holy, just, and good. I accept them as the rule for my words, thoughts, and actions, promising I will strive to order my whole life around your direction. I will not allow myself to neglect anything I know to be my duty.
The Almighty God searches and knows you, even the thoughts of your heart.
O God, You know that we have made this covenant today in sincerity, without deceit or reluctance. If You find anything false in us, guide us and help us to set it right. And now, glory be to You, God the Father. From this day forward, I shall look upon You as my God and Father. Glory be to You, God the Son. You have loved me and washed me from my sins in Your own blood. From this day forward, I shall look upon You as my Savior and Redeemer. Glory be to You, O God the Holy Spirit. By Your almighty power, You have turned my heart from sin to God. From this day forward I shall look upon You as my Comforter and Guide. O mighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you have now become my Covenant Friend. And I, through Your infinite grace, have become Your covenant servant. You are mine and I am Yours. So be it. May this covenant that I have made here on earth be ratified in heaven. Amen.
This Week's Announcements:
SIGN UP NOW to join us for a daily Wake-Up Call.
Wake-Up Call provides a daily encouragement to shake off the slumber of our busy lives and turn our eyes toward Jesus. Each morning our community gathers around a Scripture, a reflection, a prayer, and a few short questions, inviting us to reorient our lives around the love of Jesus who transforms our hearts, homes, churches, and cities.
Click HERE to sign up.
Meet with Pastor Gary Do you have a question or issue you need to discuss? Pastor Gary is available for pastoral counseling with individuals and couples To schedule, just Click “Meet with Pastor Gary” on our website
Prayer Request Policy Change In order to maintain a more current prayer list, we provide a copy of this past week’s prayer requests. Submit prayer requests using the prayer request cards in the pews or the digital prayer request form on our website: pray.yourrhc.com Please make sure you have permission to share other’s information.
Current Prayer Requests
Our children and youth ministries
Caregivers and first responders
People of Ukraine
Our nation’s leaders
Healing of our nation
Israel and the Middle East
People battling addictions
Single parents and their kids
Pastor Gary and family
Dickie & Bettie Porter
Frank & Mariann Dulin
Elmer Gustafson
Marge Kelley
Rick Reedy
Sandy Scanlan
Pastor Kenny Hickman
Pastor Bill Carroll
Rosemary Elburn
Cricket Hayes (PG’s Mom)
Kat Fithian
Jean Spence
Patricia Brown
Pastor David Kelley
Piper Foley
Emma Eller
Deen Wood
Active Military & their families including:
Trevion Hopkins
Kyle Schauber
Brock Willey
Makenzie Williams
Steve McCarthy
Tristan Hague
Dakota Collison
Geoffrey Andersen
John Pettit
Jonathan Conner
Dante Spagnolo
Homebound:
Phyllis Dierker
Jackie Price Williams
Edna Cox
This week's prayer focus:
Join us in focused and specific prayer for our church, our community, and our world. Be prepared to see God do great things as we collectively turn to Him in prayer.
Sunday - Our Mission: God, give each of us a deep passion for the work of Christ. Luke 4:18-19
Monday - Our Church: God, develop spiritual growth & maturity in Your church. Hebrews 5:12-14
Tuesday - Our Leadership: God, help our pastor proclaim Your Word boldly. 2 Timothy 4:2
Wednesday - Families: God, help couples be faithful to the marriage promises they made to You and to each other. Hebrews 13:4
Thursday - Our Community: God, we thank you for those who serve in our community. 1 John 3:16
Friday - Children/Youth: God, help young people commit themselves to a life of purity of mind and body. Psalm 119:9-11
Saturday - Adults: God, help adults find and fulfill Your purpose for their lives. Jeremiah 29:11-14
This week’s events:
Sunday
8:30 am- Bible Studies @WC Hall
10:00 am - Weekend Worship @WC
11:15 am - Merger Information Meeting @WC
Monday
6:30 pm - Women’s Bible Study Small Group @The Robbin’s
Tuesday
7:00 pm - Bible Study Small Group @RHMC Hall
Wednesday
Day of Prayer - Sanctuaries are open all day for prayer.
4:00 pm - Rock Solid Kids after School @RHMC Hall
6:00 pm - Family Dinner @RHMC Hall
6:30 pm - Youth Group @RHMC Hall
Thursday
7:00 pm - Worship Team Practice @RHMC
Sunday
9:30 am - Weekend Worship @WC
11:00am - Weekend Worship @RHMC
Sunday, January 16th
6:00 pm - Charge Conference @RHMC Hall
Sunday, January 28th
Vote to approve merger of Wesley Chapel and Rock Hall Church
WCMC - Wesley Chapel Methodist Church
RHMC - Rock Hall Methodist Church
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