FPSP: The Messenger - May 27, 2011 - The Power of Sacrifice

This Monday is the time our country officially pauses to remember all US military personnel who have perished in the line of duty. On the one hand, this is a very sad moment for our nation, especially for the families of those who we have lost. On the other hand, this is a very proud moment for our country, including those who lost loved ones, because it reminds us that great causes may demand great sacrifice, and those who we choose to honor were willing and able to pay that price for us.

This Sunday's Bible reading from Acts, chapter 7, describes another courageous person who is quite worthy of our honor. His name was Stephen, and he has long been recognized as the first Christian “martyr.” He was asked to tell the truth about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and he did so with great courage before a hostile crowd. That crowd simply couldn't stand the conviction of his words, so they chose to kill him. Yet those words have been preserved in our holy Bible for centuries. They might have killed the messenger, but the message will be ours forever.

But what inspires a man like Stephen to pay the ultimate price for his convictions? Scripture says he had a vision—a strong, compelling vision—of the risen Christ “standing at the right hand of God.” While focused on that vision, the great pain that he experienced and the vicious anger of the crowds just seemed to fade away, so that Stephen could end this mortal journey with a peaceful, loving prayer.

The story of Stephen's sacrifice and the sacrifice of others whom you might choose to recall this weekend provide each of us a chance to think about our values and the principles we hold dear. We are fortunate to live in a time when relatively few of us are asked to pay the ultimate price for political or religious freedom, but each of us is asked to sacrifice at some level for the good of others—especially for those we love. What sort of vision might move you to take a new, bold step of faith and love for them?

This coming month is choir tour for SonLight Singers. Over Memorial Day weekend we will be taking our upcoming musical, “Yes, I Believe” on the road! Please see the schedule of our tour below. We are asking for people to become prayer partners for one of the choir members. Would you consider volunteering? If so, just e-mail Emily and she will assign a specific member of the tour and give you a short bio and prayer requests from that person. Tour has changed lives in the past and we want that to happen again this year! The full schedule is on the website.

JUNE 5- SUNDAY- 5:00 P.M. “YES, I BELIEVE” HERE AT OUR OWN CHURCH! PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND!!

HOT DOGS!
Come and get your HOT DOGS! Sunday-June 12, right after church

The Family Camp Committee is having a HOT DOG sale! Come on down to the MacCormick Room and join us! A HOT DOG Lunch is $6.00 and includes a HOT DOG with all the toppings you’d like, fruit, chips and a drink (soda or coffee). Extra HOT DOGS are $2.00 each.

Sun, May 29
SonLight Choir Tour
8:30 am - Adult Sunday School
9:30 am - Worship

Mon, May 30
Office Closed - Alarm Alert!
SonLight Choir Tour
5:00 pm - Sonlight Singers Potluck

Wed, Jun 1
Tech Week for Sonlight Singers
7:00 am - Bible Study at Carrow's
4:00 pm - Parent Hangout
4:00 pm - Angel Choir
4:00 pm - Angel and Cherubs Storytime
4:00 pm - GG Devotional/Homework Hangout
4:30 pm - Cherub Choir
5:00 pm - Gospel Gang Choir
5:45 pm - Dinner for King's Chorus and SonLight Singers
6:15 pm - King's Chorus Choir
6:15 pm - High School Fellowship
7:00 pm - Prayer Group
7:00 pm - AHEPA
7:15 pm - Junior High Fellowship
7:15 pm - SonLight Singers Choir

Thu, Jun 2
Tech Week for Sonlight Singers
9:30 am - Deacon's Meeting
7:30 pm - Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Sun, Jun 5
8:30 am - Adult Sunday School
9:30 am - Worship
5:00 pm - SonLight Singers Musical

Erik Larson is the interim editor of the Messenger.
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