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Announcement: THE SEVEN-FOLD GLORY OF THE CHURCH (Psalm 87)

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:25:11 GMT

The Church is distinctively a New Testament revelation,and the epistles of Paul tell us much about the glories of the Chruch. For example,in Ephesians 5:25-27 we find the expression "a glorious Chruch"; but link this up with Psalm 87:3,and let the "city of God" represent the Church,then read the rest of the psalm and discover the glories of the Church that are mentioned - at least seven. The word "Selah" at the end of verse 3 means, "Pause,and think of that!" So the psalmist is saying, "Glorious things are spoken of the Church.Pause and think of them!"

I. THE CHURCH HAS A SURE FOUNDATION. (V:1)
    A. In the New Testament the Church is pictured as a temple,a building,with Christ as "a chosen and precious stone",and the members of the Church as stones in the building (1Peter 2:6).
        1. The first essential in any building is the foundation.
Our Lord told a parable to illustrate this truth - Matthew 7:24-29. Now read verse 1 of this psalm;compare it with Psalm 24:1,2,and notice the contrast. The foundation of the earth is insecure (like the sea-psalm 24:2);but the foundation of the Church is secure - it is built upon the mountains.
        2. What is the sure foundation upon which the Church is built?
Turn to Matthew 16:13-18 and in particular notice our Lord's words to Peter just after his confession, "You are the Christ,the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). He said, "You are Peter (petros,a piece of rock,'a little rock'),and on this rock (petra,the rock bed itself) I will build my Church;and the gates of Hades will not overcome it" (verse 18). THE ROCK UPON WHICH THE CHURCH IS BUILT IS THE PERSON OF CHRIST HIMSELF. The church is built upon its founder,the divine Son of God - not upon Peter - see 1 Peter 2:4,and look up 1 Corinthians 3:11. "THE CHURCH'S FOUNDATION IS JESUS CHRIST HER LORD."

II. THE CHURCH IS THE SPECIAL OBJECT OF GOD'S LOVE.(V:2)
     A. God loves everybody (Jn.3:16;Rom.5:8), but in a special way He has set His love upon "Zion", His church.
         1. Look up Ephesians 5:25-29.
Isaiah 62:4 contains a strange name with a wonderful meaning: "hephzibah" - "My delight is in her". That exactly expresses His attitude to His Church.
         2. There is a significant contrast in verse 2 between "the gates of Zion" and "the dwellings of Jacob".
Here is a spiritual application of this contrast: the Lord loves us when we are in our "dwellings", but His love is specially upon us when we assemble ourselves together in "Zion" for worship and for service - look up Matthew 18:20;Heb.10:25. Let us who love the Lord and want to please Him be as regular as possible in our attendance at His house (Luke 4:16).

III. THE CHURCH CONSIST OF ALL WHO ARE TRULY BORN AGAIN. (VS:4-6)
     A. The true Church (Ecclesia,called-out assembly) consists of all who have been called out of the nations (Acts 15:14), and have been baptised into the body of Christ by the operation of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor.12:13).
         1. The visible Church has many within it who merely PROFESS but do not POSSESS Christ (2 Tim.3:5).
Within the visible Church is that invisible company who have been truly born again into God's family (Jn.1:12-14), who are described in verses 3-5.
             ... They are gathered out of all nations- verse 4
This is what the Holy Spirit is doing in this dispensation or age of grace. He is gathering out an elect company from all nations, and these by the miracle of the new birth are made one in Christ (Gal.3:28;Eph.2:14,15;Rev.5:9).
             ... All types of people are in the Church- verses 4,5
"this one and that one". How wonderful it is to sit at the Lord's Table and remember that all over the world others gather in a similar way to worship the same Lord,to remember the same death,and to rejoice in the same great salvation.Rich and poor,nobles and common people,who have been proud,rebellious,worldly-all saved by Jesus Christ and brought into His Church!
Have you been born again? Are you a member of the true Church?

Updated Page: Women's Ministry

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:20:54 GMT

Women’s Ministry

Greetings!

I am excited about some events that are headed our way! I have them listed below in date order. Please contact me via email or phone is you are interested in attending any of these Women Events.

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Women's small groups:

Sunday Morning: Room 120
Teacher: Debbie Boesch

Sunday Nights: Room 120
Teacher: Amanda White
Class: Basic Disciplemaking

Women's Events

HEARTS IN HARMONY
women's retreat at the Sturbridge Host Hotel in Sturbridge, MA on April 16-17
Guest Speaker Carol Salee with Amy Hill as the worship leader and vocalist.

Updated Page: YOUTH

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:04:27 GMT

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Wed night youth
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youth leaders
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Sunday morning
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Updated Page: Welcome to Friendship!

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:55:09 GMT

Check out Pastor Don's blog
click on the link to the left.

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The resources area includes Sunday Services
where you can watch or listen to recent worship services.

Blog: Discover Creation at Friendship

pastordon@friendshipbc.com (Don Satterwhite) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:38:39 GMT

We are having a great week with Dave Nutting of Alpha & Omega Institute speaking on creation, science and the Bible. He is speaking to home schoolers right now, over 120 here this morning. Tonight he will be taking us on a tour of the National Parks from a creationist viewpoint. He will also be speaking Tuesday and Wednesday night at 6:30 PM. Come out and bring a friend.

After this seminar we will be working on GPS, "God's Plan for Sharing" which is a way we can reach out to our community for Christ. I will be unfolding this plan on Sunday and asking everyone to get involved. We can make a difference in someone elses life for eternity.
Blessings,
Pastor Don

Blog: Proud of our People

pastordon@friendshipbc.com (Don Satterwhite) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:57:05 GMT

I've got to say that I'm proud of the people of God here at Friendship. The way they have responded to needs of fellow believers in the recent weeks is phenominal. I've especially seen an outpouring of love to families that have lost loved ones and gone through tremendous difficulties. I'm thankful that God has given me the privilege to serve such a commited and caring group of believers.

I am looking for a number of volunteers who will make an additional commitment to reach out to their friends and neighbors. This next month we would like to prayer walk and distribute GPS material to hundreds of homes in the Litchfield/Torrington area. Pastor Duane will be heading up the organization to make sure that the neighborhoods represented by our church members are covered. Please let us know if you are willing to be a part of a distribution team. We are specifically looking at Saturday and Sunday, March 20 & 21 being the main weekend we distribute packets and then following up the next two Saturdays before Easter. We can expect a harvest if we are willing to sow the seed.

This weekend is going to be a great opportunity as well to bring friends and neighbors to the "Discover Creation Seminar". We will be meeting Sunday morning 9 am, 10:30 am and then 1:30 PM. Dr. Dave Nutting will also be speaking Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 PM. I hope you will be here and bring others with you. It's going to be great!

Yours for Kingdom Growth,
Pastor Don

Blog: Weather or Not

pastordon@friendshipbc.com (Don Satterwhite) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:45:40 GMT

One thing for certain is that you never know for certain what the weather is going to be like in the Litchfield Hills. If you watch the weather reports it may do what they say it is going to do or it may not. Perhaps the best way to know what the weather is would be just look outside. Today the weather is constantly changing from snow to sleet and then perhaps to rain and then snow again. One thing for certain is that we can't be certain about the weather. What we can be certain about is the One who is responsible for the weather. We can place our faith and trust in God to lead and guide us in the way we should go. I hope that you are placing your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ who is our anchor through the storms of life.

By the way, at this point, 12 noon on Wednesday February 24, 2010 we are having all scheduled activities at church tonight. If this changes we will put a notice on the web site.

Please be in prayer Jim Hilton and family as they mourn the loss of our dear sister in Christ and most loved Terri Hilton. A celebration of Terri's life will be held Monday, March 1, 2010 at 7:00 PM. The family will receive friends in the sanctuary from 5:30 - 7:00 PM. The "Terri Hilton Memorial Fund" has been established to help defray final expenses. Gifts may be sent to Friendship Baptist Church P.O. Box 1482 Litchfield, CT 06759.

Because He Lives,
Pastor Don

Download: 02/28/10 - A Faithful Servant - Eph 6:21-24

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 22:59:08 GMT

02/28/10 - A Faithful Servant - Eph 6:21-24

Download: 02/28/10 - A Faithful Servant - Eph 6:21-24

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:44:19 GMT

02/28/10 - A Faithful Servant - Eph 6:21-24

Photo Gallery: RA's race

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:07:35 GMT

RA's race