Church guide

Follow along on-line with this Summer's messages from Romans 12 - https://www.fertilecofc.com/sermon

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power… Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then… Ephesians 6 Paul penned his letter to the church at Ephesus while in Rome under Roman confinement. Around the empire, people and nations feared the Roman armies due to them being highly disciplined, expertly trained, organized to operate like a well-oiled fighting machine. Those reading these words were very familiar with the armor as soldiers would be very visible on almost a daily basis. Before Paul starts his list of armor, he first gives the reason for wearing it- “stand firm” Meaning- “to stand against an enemy, as opposed to running away.” To a Roman soldier cowardice was an offense punishable by death- running away was not an option. We may think of the phrase to, “stand firm,” as merely a defensive position; Yet, the Roman army’s stance was a strategic position to prepare them for counterattack. Each individual solider united their skills and gear together as a unified formation to offset the enemies advance. One such maneuver was the “tortoise” formation. The Soldiers used their shields in a tighten stance and interlocked them together. This formation (like a TURTLE) protected the entire squad from arrows and allowed them to move forward at the same time. There are reports that even chariots could not smash through and when marching units created a wedge, they could crack open enemy lines. The whole point of this ability to “Stand Firm” in a united front is only possible if each soldier is wearing all his armor. On Saturday- July 29th is the VBS Kids Conference here at FCoC. This year we will be leading God’s kids in the “Armor of God” and I personally can think of no better way for us to reveal the power of the Gospel then demonstrating this “tortoise” formation… Interlocking our “Shields of Faith” in a unified manner that will advance God’s Kingdom. What a great opportunity we have to show our children what being part of the “Army of God” is all about! There are many “Shield Spots” available – Contact Rebecca May [email protected] or Church Office [email protected] to find a strategic position. NO SHIELD is Too Small- NO SHIELD is Insignificant… All are needed in this United Front to “Stand Firm”. Youth Registration: https://www.fertilecofc.com/join-us

A very special birthday we able able to celebrate this past Sunday. This past week Viola celebrated her 105th birthday! Happy birthday, Viola!

Bowling, pizza, and great times! Church bowling party 2019 was a great time!

Special Offering This Sunday - Envelopes will be in the Bulletins

The Congregation is being Challenged to Participate for at least ONE HOUR in Being “Devoted to Prayer”. The Building will be Open with Prayer Stations at various locations to Guide individuals in their commitment. Take Home "Prayer Guides" are provided for those who desire to pray at home. JANUARY 26-27TH Saturday - Sunday https://www.fertilecofc.com/join-us

Join us for our 30 minute Service

SANCTIFICATION:Jesus calls us to Abide in His Purpose, do the Will of the Father in Heaven

Pillar of PURITY https://www.fertilecofc.com/sermon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq_dBjK1YLg

Our very own Viola. We love you lady!

This study is being extended till September- we will be unfolding a study on Idolatry. We will be opening up different types of idols in our own lives. This will be an elective bible study that takes place at 9 A.M. This series was out together by Kyle Idleman and really gets you thinking about different aspects in your own life. God is moving in huge ways! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKWly-eIe2c

Join us for Sunday Worship as we share together messages this SUMMER - IN THE PSALMS.

Here are a few quick equations that will help us all choose the Greatness of Grace. #1- Grace is greater than Repayment. Repayment is this idea that you have to make it right by God. The problem is that’s not forgiveness- that’s not Grace.. that’s justice. When we want repayment- when you’re hurt so badly that there’s nothing that can be said and there’s nothing that can be done to make it right… Nothing will make it right- that’s when grace comes in. In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant the master canceled the debt. He didn’t just extend the note or make it interest only- he erased it completely. That’s what God has done for us and it was not earned. Trust may need to be earned, but grace is not earned. When you decide that giving grace is dependent on the person who hurt you making things right, then you need to find a new word, because that’s not grace. 2nd- Grace is greater than Revenge. “I’m going to hurt the person the way that I’ve been hurt,” and that’s what a lot of us do. Someone has referred to this as “sitting in God’s chair.” You don’t know their story- you don’t know how they’ve been hurt- you don’t know what God is doing in their life or how He’s going to redeem and work things for them. So when you decide you’re going to take things into your own hands, you’re playing God. Romans 12:19 tells, “Don’t take revenge, but leave room for God’s wrath.” You need to release the right to retaliate. In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant the master let him go. Release the person who has sinned against you. Letting them go.. completely “letting go” seem so, so unfair because they don’t deserve it. Grace doesn’t mean that you won’t feel pain anymore. In many ways grace means that you’re choosing to live with the pain and consequences of another person’s affliction. They may attempt to make things right, and that might make you feel better; But ultimately, when you’re really hurt, there’s nothing they can say or do that takes the pain of sin away. It just hurts. I know we can all think of another story where someone took on your pain and your suffering and said, “I’ll take the consequences of your sin upon myself”? 3rd- Grace is greater than Resentment. Resentment says, “I’m going to quietly become more and more angry,” which is how a lot of us handle hurt. We hold onto bitterness as a lot of little things build up and we nurse the offense and relive the pain. We have this playback button in our head where we constantly push play, and we just remember how we’ve been taken advantage of … how we’ve been disrespected … how we’ve been mistreated and we quietly become angrier and angrier. Do you know who ultimately pays for one choosing resentment? You do. Someone defined resentment as “drinking a bottle of poison and waiting for the other person to die.” It’s not very effective. In the Parable the servant is forgiven a hundred and fifty million bucks, and then refuses to forgive twenty dollars. But do you know who paid for that, in the end? He did. That’s how it works. You can punish your offender by saying, “well they deserve it.” You can lock them up and put them in prison and you can make them pay for it, but guess who ultimately pays that bill? You do. You’re the one who pays for it. GRACE IS GREATER… Spend some time with the Lord contemplating the GREATER GRACE God has shown you… before you find yourself in the prison of Repayment, Revenge and Resentment. I love the words of the Matthew West song “Forgiveness” where he says, “The prisoner that it really frees is you.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zys4fh6IPr4 - adapted from Kyle Idleman's message "Grace is Greater than your Wounds"

Follow along on-line with this Summer's messages from Romans 12 - https://www.fertilecofc.com/sermon

SANCTIFICATION:Jesus calls us to Abide in His Purpose, do the Will of the Father in Heaven

Pillar of PURITY https://www.fertilecofc.com/sermon

Join us for Sunday Worship as we share together messages this SUMMER - IN THE PSALMS.

https://www.fertilecofc.com/sermon

FCoC's Mission Statement: To Glorify God by Making More and Better Disciples of Jesus Christ. http://fertilechurch.sermon.net/main/main/21092214

1 TIMOTHY 6:17-19 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. http://fertilechurch.sermon.net/main/main/21058052

WHEN YOUR SHIP IS SINKING... http://fertilechurch.sermon.net/main/main/20925505