Here are your Good Shepherd OPC announcements and worship helps for the week of June 9-15, 2014.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

A Call to Prayer (Wednesday, June 10, 2014; 7 pm) – CANCELED FOR VBS

Join us for an hour of prayer this and every Wednesday evening from 7-8 pm. This is a terrific chance to minister to one another in love through prayer. We have changed the format slightly to include more singing. If you have a prayer request, please forward it to Pastor Chris my Wednesday afternoon to be included in the prayer gathering.

The Lord’s Day (June 15, 2014)

Sunday School

This week we continue our adult Sunday School class using a video curriculum. The class is called, “Faith of our Fathers: Why Creeds and Confessions?” taught by Ken Gentry. The video is about 25 minutes long and discussion will follow. A complementary book is Carl Trueman’s, The Creedal Imperative.

There are also two children’s classes; both use the Great Commission Publications curriculum.

Morning Worship

For the summer, we’ll have a series called “Identifying and Responding to False Teachers” based on 2 Peter and Jude, complimentary General Epistles which deal with the issue of false teachers in the church. We’ll begin the series this coming Lord’s Day by looking at Peter’s greeting in 2 Peter 2:1-2, “A Precious Faith.” The Old Testament lesson is Leviticus 6. We’ll sing Give Praise to God by James Boice once more.

Evening Worship

In the evenings, we will continue our series in the Westminster Shorter Catechism. We are at the end of section one of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, questions 1-38, ‘What You are to believe concerning God.’ Q. 38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection? A. At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the Day of Judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity. The title is ‘I Believe in the Resurrection of the Dead’ and the Scripture is 1 Corinthians 15:42-43. Remember that we are spending a few moments confessing our sins as part of our pastoral prayer.

Announcements

Wednesday Prayer at 7 PM, each Wednesday. Please forward any requests so that we might include them in our prayers. CANCELED FOR VBS.

Evening Lord’s Day worship each Sunday evening at 6 PM. If you have a hymn or psalm request, please advance it to me for our hymn sing.

IMPORTANT: From Ananda Pienaar – The Millers could use meals this week and next. Please contact Ananda at 677 1572 to schedule a meal. This coming Sunday is filled. Let’s continue to pray for Stephany in her recovery and help the Millers in this way. Thank you.

In an effort to have good relations between churches and to aid our entrance into the OPC, on June 22, we will have our evening service at Redeemer OPC in Beavercreek. At 5pm we’ll have snacks and finger foods and at 6pm will be the service. Please bring a finger food to share, if you are able.

From the Hopsons: INDEPENDENCE DAY COOKOUT (That’s July 4th). WHERE: The Hopson Estate WHEN: 12:30 till the food and fellowship run out; 1:00 pm, we eat. 2:00- ?   GSOPC Inaugural Bocce tournament (house rules). MENU: Hamburgers & Brats, Pulled Pork, BBQ Beef Brisket!! WHAT TO BRING: Your friendship, your appetite, a side dish, dessert or drink to share, lawn chairs, yard games. Please RSVP so we can plan how much to put into the smoker!

The next fellowship lunch is Sunday, July 6 immediately after morning worship. Our theme is American foods. The first Sunday is a good time to invite a friend and have him or her remain for lunch.

The next Men’s Breakfast is Saturday, June 14 at 8 am at the church. All men are invited and this is a good opportunity to bring a friend. We will continue our manly study with Richard Phillips’ The Masculine Mandate, chapters 4-5. After our study we will clean up the decorations from Vacation Bible School

There is a women’s Bible study each Tuesday at 1 PM. Please contact Ananda, Annie, Sarah or Stephany for details. Currently, they are studying A Woman’s Wisdom, a study in Proverbs.

The church is now receiving nominations for elder and deacon for the class of 2017. Nominees must be members of the church, male, agreeable to be nominated, and meet the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9 (for elders). If you have talked with someone and that one is agreeable, please write their name in an email or on a piece of paper and send it to Pastor Chris. The session will review the list and present it in July. After the list has been determined, there will be a time of instruction and examination.

Upcoming this summer: This summer is shaping up to be a busy one; I hope that you’ll receive the ministry from our guests and help us to promote our events. On July 27, we will have Rev. Danny Olinger, General Secretary of Christian Education and member of the Presbytery of Ohio present the work of Christian Education in Sunday School and preach the morning service. In the evening, New Song from Geneva College will have a hymn and psalm sing. On August 24, we will host Rev. Benson Akello who will preach the morning service.

Here are your Good Shepherd OPC announcements and worship helps for the week of June 2-8, 2014.

Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God. And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered (2 Chronicles 31:20-21).

A Call to Prayer (Wednesday, June 4, 2014; 7 pm)

Join us for an hour of prayer this and every Wednesday evening from 7-8 pm. This is a terrific chance to minister to one another in love through prayer. We are changing the format slightly to include more singing. If you have a prayer request, please forward it to Pastor Chris my Wednesday afternoon to be included in the prayer gathering.

The Lord’s Day (June 8, 2014)

Sunday School

This week we continue our adult Sunday School class using a video curriculum. The class is called, “Faith of our Fathers: Why Creeds and Confessions?” taught by Ken Gentry. The video is about 25 minutes long and discussion will follow. A complementary book is Carl Trueman’s, The Creedal Imperative. Here is a blurb from the video:

In this series, Dr. Gentry explains the point of creeds for those not familiar with their rationale. He also defends their biblical warrant and practical usefulness. This study should prove valuable for both sides of the issue: It should help creedalists understand why the use creeds. It should better instruct anti-creedalists in the position so that they might properly evaluate the evidence.

There are also two children’s classes; both use the Great Commission Publications curriculum.

Morning Worship

As you prepare for worship, please pray for me as I prepare both the liturgy and the sermon. Also, take some time to prepare yourself to receive the Lord’s Supper (if applicable). We finish our study of 1 Peter this week, focusing on 1 Peter 5:12-14, Final Greetings. I like the beginnings and endings of New Testament epistles because of their humanity. It is easy enough to abstract and theologize our New Testament, forgetting that real believers in the first century read these letters for their correction and edification. In our concluding passage, we meet some well-known New Testament figures. The Old Testament lesson is Leviticus 5.

As we move into the summer, we’ll continue our evening service study of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. My prayer is that this is helpful to you, even if you are familiar with the Shorter Catechism. Refresher course may shed new light on old subjects. In the mornings, we’ll move into 2 Peter, which is only three chapters. Most likely, we’ll finish 2 Peter by summer’s end.

Evening Worship

In worship, we will sing Give Praise to God by James Boice and any requests that you might forward to me. Remember that we are spending a few moments confessing our sins as part of our pastoral prayer. We are nearing the end of section one of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, questions 1-39, ‘What You are to believe concerning God.’ Q. 37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death? A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection. The title is ‘Absent from the Body’ and the Scripture is Luke 23:43.

Announcements

Wednesday Prayer at 7 PM, each Wednesday. Please forward any requests so that we might include them in our prayers.

Evening Lord’s Day worship each Sunday evening at 6 PM. If you have a hymn or psalm request, please advance it to me for our hymn sing.

Regarding last week’s presbytery meeting, the presbytery has approved Covenant OPC Mansfield’s call to the Rev. Matthew Judd and disposed of the other items.

The next fellowship lunch is Sunday, July 6 immediately after morning worship. Our theme is American foods. The first Sunday is a good time to invite a friend and have him or her remain for lunch.

Mark your calendars for the upcoming Vacation Bible School on June 9-13. We need help in various areas; please consider how you may help this vital ministry. Registering is easy. Go to www.goodshepherdopc.com and click the Vacation Bible School tab at the top. Follow the instructions.

The next Men’s Breakfast is Saturday, June 14 at 8 am at the church. All men are invited and this is a good opportunity to bring a friend. We will continue our manly study with Richard Phillips’ The Masculine Mandate, chapters 4-5. After our study we will clean up the decorations from Vacation Bible School

There is a women’s Bible study each Tuesday at 1 PM. Please contact Ananda, Annie, Sarah or Stephany for details. Currently, they are studying A Woman’s Wisdom, a study in Proverbs.

The church is now receiving nominations for elder and deacon for the class of 2017. Nominees must be members of the church, male, agreeable to be nominated, and meet the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9 (for elders). If you have talked with someone and that one is agreeable, please write their name in an email or on a piece of paper and send it to Pastor Chris. The session will review the list and present it in July. After the list has been determined, there will be a time of instruction and examination.

Upcoming this summer: This summer is shaping up to be a busy one; I hope that you’ll receive the ministry from our guests and help us to promote our events. On July 27, we will have Rev. Danny Olinger, General Secretary of Christian Education and member of the Presbytery of Ohio present the work of Christian Education in Sunday School and preach the morning service. In the evening, New Song from Geneva College will have a hymn and psalm sing. On August 24, we will host Rev. Benson Akello who will preach the morning service.

Calling all youth ages 9-18! Please register for the Presbytery of Ohio Youth Camp which is July 14-19 at Camp Piedmont in Piedmont, OH. The cost is $200 per camper, but discounts and scholarships are available. The youth are divided into junior and senior youth with separate teaching and activities. Both groups will be taught on Christ building His Church. There are brochures available on the kiosk in the lobby.