The fellowship meal is ON for this Sunday! We’ll serve it and some of us will eat it in the community room (the room just to the right of the entrance) and some can eat on the picnic benches just outside the doors.

Evangelism in downtown Aurora is also on for this Friday night. Aaron Brooks and others will be witnessing and handing out tracts in downtown Aurora during a music on the Fox celebration. Please contact Aaron for more information if you are interested in participating.

And the winner is…Amazing Grace, The History and Theology of Calvinism. This will be the topic of study for teaching time beginning September 11, 2011.

As you know the new music ministry guidelines were adopted by the elders at the July elder meeting. Those guidelines are attached for your reference.

You can learn about other decision and discussions from last night’s elder meeting in the attached minutes.

Blessings,
Vaughn

><>><>><> 8/14/11 LORD’S DAY<><<><<><

Teaching Time Reading:
No Teaching Time
Next series, Amazing Grace: The History and Theology of Calvinism, will begin 9/11/11.

Sermon:
Romans 16:1-2 Women in the Church

Questions for Family Devotions (sermon may not address every question)
1. What are the three possible interpretations of the Greek word diakonos?
2. Do you think Phoebe was a deacon in either of the senses above?
3. What important things did Phoebe do in advancing the kingdom of God?
4. What are the feminists views of women in the church?
5. What is the biblical view of women in the meeting of the church?
6. What kinds of work should women do in the church?
7. What is the church’s responsibility toward women and girls?

Hymns:
please see Sheldon’s email for the hymns you might be unfamiliar with
111 Join All the Glorious Names
387 O to Be Like Thee!
347 Be Still, My Soul
241 Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending
623 Gloria Patri

Communion Servers:
Seven, Rutan, Politowicz Cups: Everett & Josiah R.

Accompanist:
Mr. Freitag

><> OTHER NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS <><

Announcements/Prayer Requests:

Announcements:
o Jon Molitor is a candidate for the office of elder…please keep him in your prayers
• Reminder: Elders will be contacting you to set up a pastoral visit
• The baptisms have been reschedule to 9/11/11.

Prayer requests:
• Pray for our missionaries (Webers, Barcelós)
• Please pray for those afflicted with long-term illness
• Pray for the evangelism happening this Friday in downtown Aurora
• Pray to the Lord for the health of these expectant mothers and their unborn babies: Jessica (Sept.), Monica (Jan. 2012)

Available Service Opportunities:
• Always opportunity for setting up before and tearing down after church
• Website manager (WordPress)
• Men’s breakfast coordinator

Upcoming Events:
8/14 – Fellowship meal following service
8/20 – Feed My Starving Children – 9-11 AM
8/24 – Ladies Fellowship at Nicholson home – 7 PM
8/27 – Men’s breakfast at Harner’s in N. Aurora – 6 AM
8/28 – Nursing home visit cancelled for August

We will be moving the location of our worship down the hall for the next 3 or 4 weeks. I visited the school today and everything seems to be in order including very clean and well-stocked restrooms. BTW, a praise report is that my meeting with the principal went very well.

The reason for the temporary relocation is they are waxing the floors in the lobby and cafetorium. Please don’t go into the lobby area or the cafetorium because the wax will still be wet. Parents please help us keep everyone out of the restricted areas. The new room is down the hall to the left of the entrance we used (Room 325). I’ve attached a map so you can see where the room is.

New Hymn

Here’s a hymn to read through and listen to before Sunday so that we can really sing out when we all sing it together.

May the Mind of Christ, My Savior
click the MP3 link and you’ll not only get music but someone singing it as well

><>><>><> 7/24/11 LORD’S DAY<><<><<><

Teaching Time Reading
No Teaching Time

Sermon:
Romans 15:14-21 Paul’s Mission and Yours

Questions for Family Devotions (sermon may not address every question)
1. When and why should we commend others?
2. How can Paul say they are full of goodness and knowledge in light of his earlier teaching on human depravity? 3:10f
3. What is the place of reminder in preaching and teaching?
4. In what sense is every Christian a counselor?
5. What are the qualifications to effectively counsel others? Why are non-Christian psychologists unqualified to help people with soul problems?
6. How would expertise in the book of Romans make someone a better counselor?
7. What was the nature of Paul’s “priesthood”? What was unique about it?
8. Should we expect signs and wonders today? Why or why not?
9. What kind of priestly ministry do you perform?
10. What principles for missions can we glean from Paul’s missionary priorities?

Hymns:
Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens, Adore Him 9
May the Mind of Christ, My Savior 390
More Love to Thee 363
Praise Him! Praise Him! 106
Doxology 625

><> OTHER NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS <><

Announcements:
• Jon Molitor is a candidate for the office of elder…please keep him in your prayers
• Reminder: Elders will be contacting you to set up a pastoral visit
• On 7/24 we will begin meeting in the team room down the hall like we did last summer
• Please get your opinions/suggestions for Fall 2011 teaching time subjects to elders soon
• *We could use a location for baptisms in August (8/14 if possible)

Prayer requests:
• Expecting mothers
• Traveling mercies for those vacationing
• Praise the Lord for a good start to our relationship with the new Harter principal

Available Service Opportunities:
• Always opportunity for setting up before and tearing down after church
• Website manager (WordPress)
• Men’s breakfast coordinator
• Mother/Daughter (Ladies Tea) coordinator

Upcoming Events:
7/24 – Sunrise of Naperville North nursing home visit – 3 PM
7/27 – Ladies’ fellowship at Seven home – 7 PM
8/3 – Wayside chapel service – 7:30 PM
8/4 – Orphan ministry meeting at Molitor home – 7 PM
8/6 – Father/Son Ultimate Frisbee outing – details coming soon
8/10 – Elder meeting at Christensen home – 7 PM

New Hymns

This Sunday we have not one, but two new hymns. Fear not! We’ve sung them here at the Christensen home and even I was able to sing them on the first try. They are great hymns and well worth the effort.

Here are the hymns. Clicking on them will take you to a site that will give you the lyrics and the tunes. I recommend checking them out before Sunday. If you don’t have time before Sunday you might consider reading through the lyrics during the 5-minute quiet time of heart preparation before the service.

Ye Servants of God
More About Jesus

Speaking of the quiet time. We haven’t talked about that much recently. We implemented that five minutes of quiet reflection because we thought it was important for us to prepare our hearts before we come into the Lord’s presence. There are so many things on our minds and going on even on Sunday morning, that it is helpful to just be quiet for five minutes to pray and meditate on the Lord. Please take a moment before Sunday and explain why we have that time to your families.

Fun Service Opportunity

Evangelical Children and Family Agency holds a Foster Family Fun Fair every year for the foster children and parents they work with. The event is held at Arabian Knights Farm in Willowbrook. This year it is on September 17th and they are looking for volunteers to help run the activities and food service. Looks like a fun place and we will be serving foster children and their foster families. Please let me know by July 22 if you are interested.

><>><>><> 7/10/11 LORD’S DAY<><<><<><

Teaching Time Reading
No Teaching Time

Sermon:
Romans 15:1-7 A Welcoming Church

Questions for Family Devotions (sermon may not address every question)
1. Who are the “strong” and the “weak”? v. 1
2. In what sense should the strong bear the weaknesses of the weak?
3. In what sense is it bad to please men? In what sense is it good to please others? v. 2
4. What should we expect to gain from studying the Old Testament? v. 4
5. What do Paul’s prayers teach us about how we should pray? v. 5-6

Hymns:
Ye Servants of God…….17
More About Jesus………389
Day by Day……………56
Trust and Obey………..349
Doxology……………..625

Communion Servers:
Emrick Fowler Gregg Vaughn Cups: Matthew & Ted

Accompanist :
Miss Christensen

><> OTHER NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS <><

Announcements:
• Jon Molitor is a candidate for the office of elder…please keep him in your prayers
• Reminder: Elders will be contacting you to set up a pastoral visit
• On 7/24 we will begin meeting in the team room down the hall like we did last summer

Prayer requests:
• Expecting mothers: Jessica M. (Sept 2011), Monica V. (Jan 2012)
• Pray for Monica and the baby’s health
• Traveling mercies for those vacationing
• Thank the Lord for the freedoms and blessings we enjoy in this country

Available Service Opportunities:
• Always opportunity for setting up before and tearing down after church
• Website manager (WordPress)
• Men’s breakfast coordinator
• Mother/Daughter (Ladies Tea) coordinator

Upcoming Events:
7/10 – Fellowship Meal following service
7/10 – Presentation about Safe Families during fellowship meal
7/12 – Theology Breakfast at Emrick home – 5:30 AM
7/13 – Elder meeting at Molitor home – 7 PM
7/19 – Theology Breakfast at Emrick home – 5:30 AM
7/23 – Men’s Breakfast at Harner’s Bakery Restaurant – 6 AM

Reminder: Elder meeting changed to Tuesday night next week. We’ll meet on 6/7 at 7 PM at the Politowicz home.

Sermon info: We’ve come to Romans 13 in our study through the book of Romans. I preached Romans 13:1-7 back in October of 2010 so we will move on to Romans 13:8-10 for this Sunday. You can get the Romans 13:1-7 message here: http://goo.gl/brg6h

Gospel thought for today:
A message of breathtaking freedom
“The gospel of grace is a message of breathtaking freedom. It must be embraced with faith and thanksgiving. You are thoroughly accepted just as you are.

Jesus Christ is your righteousness and he is never going to change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. When you wake tomorrow, he will still be your righteousness, before you have done anything to enjoy God’s favour. You have to earn nothing.

Your spirit needs to bask in the brilliant sunlight of this reality. You need to know it inwardly and celebrate it on a daily basis.”

— Terry Virgo
God’s Lavish Grace
(Oxford, UK: Monarch Books, 2003), 40
thanks to the Of First Importance blog

><>><>><> 6/5/11 LORD’S DAY<><<><<><

Teaching Time Reading
Read Revelation 21-22

Sermon
Romans 13:8-10 Love Fulfills the Law

Questions for Family Devotions (sermon will not address every question)
1. Is it wrong for Christians to be in debt or lend? Explain your answer.
2. Why is it important for Christians to meet their obligations?
3. Why is love a debt you can never fully repay?
4. To whom do you owe the debt of love?
5. Why does law without love fail?
6. Why is true love impossible without the law?
7. In what sense does love fulfill God’s law?
8. What place does the law have in the life of a New Covenant believer?
9. How do we express love through keeping the 10 Commandments?
10. What are the positive duties of the commandments Paul quotes? v. 9

Hymns
6 Sing Praise to God Who Reigns
58 This is My Fathers World
185 When I Survey the Wondrous
12 Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
623 Gloria Patri

Communion Servers
Seven, Nicholson, Politowicz Cups: Matthew, Ted

Accompanist
Mr. Freitag

><> OTHER NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS <><

Announcements/Prayer Requests

Announcements
• Jon Molitor is a candidate for the office of elder…please keep him in your prayers
• Reminder: Elders will be contacting you to set up a pastoral visit
• Please be in prayer for the Prairie Fest Outreach that God would be pleased to shed the light of His grace through us

Available Service Opportunities
• Always opportunity for setting up before and tearing down after church
• Website manager (WordPress)
• Men’s breakfast coordinator
• Mother/Daughter (Ladies Tea) coordinator
• Coordinator for summer Celebration of New Life

Upcoming Events
6/7 – Elder Meeting at Politowicz home – 7 PM
6/12 – Fellowship Meal
6/12 – Philippians recitation during dessert of fellowship meal
6/17 – Hymn Sing at Harter Middle School – 7 PM
6/18 – Prairie Fest Outreach Event in Oswego – 11 AM to 5 PM
6/22 – Ladies’ Fellowship at Burkhart home – 7 PM
6/25 – Men’s breakfast at Harner’s – 6 AM **Second half of Call to Prayer by JC Ryle

Reminder: Men’s Breakfast is this Saturday and we’ll be discussing A Call to Prayer by JC Ryle.

Quote for your reflection:

Because of the obedience of the last Adam, a human being has already attained the life of the world-to-come, and believers, united to Christ, already participate in its life and have a share in its rights and privileges, without any need to earn them by their own obedience. They live in this world not in order to gain the world-to-come, for they have gained the world-to-come by a free gift of grace and are now called to live godly lives as a consequence.

–from the book Living in God’s Two Kingdom by David VanDrunen, p. 61-62

What a glorious privilege is our in Christ!

><>><>><> 5/29/11 LORD’S DAY<><<><<><

Teaching Time Reading:
Read Revelation 21-22:5

Sermon:
Romans 12:14, 19-21 Genuine Christian Love Pt 5: Love Your Enemies

Questions for Family Devotions (sermon will not address every question)
1. What kinds of persecution do Christians face in the world today?
2. What kinds of persecution do you experience?
3. Why do people want to take revenge?
4. What are some subtle ways Christian people can be guilty of returning evil for evil?
5. Why is it wrong for a Christian to take revenge?
6. Does the principle of not taking revenge apply to governments?
7. How does the principle of not taking revenge apply to parents?
8. Are there some circumstances in which peace may be impossible? v. 18
9. Why should you do good to people who harm you?
10. How can anybody live up this amazing standard of loving enemies?

Hymns:
108 Come, Christians Join to Sing
231 Jesus Shall Reign
201 Amazing Grace
535 A Christian Home
626 Doxology

Communion Servers:
Emrick, Fowler, Gregg Vaughn Cups: Maxwell, Jack

Accompanist:
Burkharts

><> OTHER NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS <><

Announcements/Prayer Requests:

Announcements:
• Jon Molitor is a candidate for the office of elder…please keep him in your prayers
• Reminder: Elders will be contacting you to set up a pastoral visit

Available Service Opportunities:
• Always opportunity for setting up before and tearing down after church
• Website manager (WordPress)
• Men’s breakfast coordinator
• Mother/Daughter (Ladies Tea) coordinator

Upcoming Events:
5/28 – Men’s breakfast at Harner’s Bakery restaurant – 6 AM
5/28 –Discussion of “A Call to Prayer” at men’s breakfast
5/31 – Orphan Ministry Meeting at Molitor home – 7 PM
6/1 – Wayside Chapel Service – 7:30 PM (all men & boys are invited)
6/8 – Elder Meeting – this date may change
6/12 – Fellowship Meal
6/12 – Philippians recitation during dessert of fellowship meal

I have lots for you today (in addition to the regular content of the Weekly).

Elder Candidate
The elders of HOFC would like you to know that Jon Molitor has officially become a candidate for the office of elder. After over a year of training and examination we are confident that Jon has indeed been called to the office. The process of becoming an elder at HOFC involves you as well. Beginning this Sunday, Jon will be listed in the bulletin as an elder candidate for the next three months. During this time we encourage you to ask him any questions you might have and to let the other elders know of any concerns you might have. We would also ask you to pray for him and his family. Assuming nothing of consequence comes to our attention we will have an installation service sometime after the 90 days are up. You can see the language of the by-laws in the attached document.

Elder Meeting Minutes
The minutes from last night’s meeting are attached for your review.

Hospitality
Several important things to remember about hospitality:
• It’s not about the food (serve hot dogs!)
• It’s not about the perfect home or perfect children (eat on a blanket in the back yard!)
• It doesn’t have to be on a certain day to count (have a movie night!)
• It is about the fellowship – this is the unique time where real unity develops (don’t even serve food…just hang out!)
• Men, this is not about your wives…it’s a team effort…she’ll need your help & encouragement

Here is a list of ways that those who practice hospitality will be blessed. The author calls them “hospitalitudes”.

The Hospitalitudes (from an article by Patricia A. Ennis in the Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood)
Happy are those…
• Who practice biblical hospitality, because in so doing, they are demonstrating their love for God (1 John 3:17–18).
• Who “pursue the love of strangers,” for they are choosing to obey their heavenly Father’s command and modeling his character (Rom 12:13b).
• In church leadership who practice hospitality, for they allow others to observe them in their homes where their character is most graphically revealed (1 Tim 3:1–2; Titus 1:5–8).
• Who include people of all cultures on their guests list, for in this manner they are demonstrating the expansive love of their heavenly Father (John 3:16).
• Who develop hospitality management skills, for in this way they are capable of being faithful stewards of all that our LORD has provided for them (1 Cor 4:2).
• Who intentionally extend hospitality to “the others”— singles, widows, the grieving, and those experiencing food insecurity—for they are choosing to live out biblical compassion (James 2:14–16).
• Whose homes are both a place of refuge and a center for evangelism, for they are glorifying their heavenly Father by their actions (1 Pet 2:11–12) and fulfilling his instructions “to do the work of an evangelist” (2 Tim 4:5).
• Who do not become disillusioned in practicing biblical hospitality, for they understand that in due time they will reap if they do not grow weary (Gal 6:9).
• Who acknowledge that they are unable to practice biblical hospitality in their own strength, for by this means they learn that our LORD’s power overcomes
their weaknesses and allows them to become vessels used for his honor and glory (2 Cor 12:9–10; Phil 4:13)!

><>><>><> 5/15/11 LORD’S DAY<><<><<><

Teaching Time Reading
Read Revelation 18:1–19:10

Sermon:
Romans 12:15-18 Genuine Christian Love Pt 4: Pursuing Peace

Questions for Family Devotions (sermon will not address every question)
1. What is the source of sorrow in the world?
2. What is the most sympathetic act in all of history?
3. Why is it sometimes harder to rejoice with those who rejoice than it is to weep with those who weep?
4. What does it mean that we are to be of the same mind?
5. How can intellectual pride destroy the unity of the church?
6. How does Jesus exemplify humble mindedness?
7. What is the cause of conflict?
8. What can you do to pursue peace?
9. What are the promises of forgiveness?
10. Why should you forgive those who wrong you?
11. When should you confront the sins of others?
12. When and how should you seek help from others in resolving conflicts?
13. What is the purpose of church discipline?
14. How can peacemaking principles be applied in relationships with unbelievers?

Hymns:
52 O God, Our Help in Ages Past
211 O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus
89 Our Great Savior
276 Christ is Made the Sure Foundation
623 Gloria Patri

Communion Servers:
Emrick, Fowler, Gregg Vaughn Cups: Spencer, Ethan P

Accompanist:
Burkharts

><> OTHER NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS <><

Announcements/Prayer Requests:

Announcements:
• Jon Molitor is a candidate for the office of elder…please keep him in your prayers
• Reminder: Elders will be contacting you to set up a pastoral visit

Available Service Opportunities:
• Always opportunity for setting up before and tearing down after church
• Website manager (WordPress)
• Men’s breakfast coordinator
• Mother/Daughter (Ladies Tea) coordinator

Upcoming Events:
5/21 – Feed My Starving Children – 9 AM – 11 AM
5/22 – Nursing home visit (see Christensens) – 3 PM – 4 PM
5/24 – Theology breakfast at Emrick home – 5:30 AM
5/25 – Ladies’ fellowship at Emrick home – 7 PM
5/28 – Men’s breakfast at Harner’s Bakery restaurant – 6 AM
5/28 –Discussion of “A Call to Prayer” at men’s breakfast

27 She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” 30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:27–30)

Here is a quote that gives the answer as to what motivates generous Christian living and giving:

“Only a fraction of the present body of professing Christians are solidly appropriating the justifying work of Christ in their lives.… In their day-to-day existence they rely on their sanctification for justification.… Few know enough to start each day with a thoroughgoing stand upon Luther’s platform: you are accepted, looking outward in faith and claiming the wholly alien righteousness of Christ as the only ground for acceptance, relaxing in that quality of trust which will produce increasing sanctification as faith is active in love and gratitude.

In order for a pure and lasting work of spiritual renewal to take place within the church, multitudes within it must be led to build their lives on this foundation. This means that they must be conducted into the light of a full conscious awareness of God’s holiness, the depth of their sin and the sufficiency of the atoning work of Christ for their acceptance with God, not just at the outset of their Christian lives but in every succeeding day.”

— Richard F. Lovelace
Dynamics of Spiritual Life
(Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1979), 101-102

><>><>><> 5/8/11 LORD’S DAY<><<><<><

Teaching Time Reading
We’ll conclude Revelation 15-16 and look at chapter 17 if you would like to read that.

Sermon
Romans 12:13, 15-16 Genuine Christian Love Pt 3: Generosity

Questions for Family Devotions
1. What was the giving in the early church like? v. 13a
2. What kinds of needs should you be seeking to meet in the church family? v. 13a
3. What does “hospitality” mean? v. 13b
4. Why are giving and hospitality important? v. 13
5. Who do you know who excels in hospitality? v. 13b
6. What do you plan to do to “pursue” hospitality? v. 13b
7. Why do some people resist expressing their emotions?
8. What is the source of sorrow in the world?
9. What is the most sympathetic act in all of history?
10. How should our emotional life be Christlike?
11. How can you weep with those who weep?
12. Why is it sometimes harder to rejoice with those who rejoice than it is to weep with those who weep?
13. What does it mean that we are to be of the same mind?
14. How can intellectual pride destroy the unity of the church?
15. How does Jesus exemplify humble-mindedness?

Hymns
72 We Will Glorify
25 Immortal Invisible God Only Wise
461 He Leadeth Me
350 Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
625 Doxology

Communion Servers
Seven, Nicholson, Politowicz Cups: Ethan F., John S.

Accompanist
Miss Christensen

><> OTHER NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS <><

Announcements/Prayer Requests:

Announcements:
• Reminder: Elders will be contacting you to set up a pastoral visit

Available Service Opportunities:
• Always opportunity for setting up before and tearing down after church
• Website manager (WordPress)
• Men’s breakfast coordinator
• Mother/Daughter (Ladies Tea) coordinator

Upcoming Events:
5/8 – Thank the Lord for godly Mothers!
5/10 – Theology breakfast at Emrick home – 5:30 AM
5/11 – Elder meeting at Christensen home – 7 PM
5/21 – Feed My Starving Children – 9 AM – 11 AM
5/22 – Nursing home visit (see Christensens) – 3 PM – 4 PM
5/24 – Theology breakfast at Emrick home – 5:30 AM
5/25 – Ladies’ fellowship at Emrick home – 7 PM
5/28 – Men’s breakfast at Harner’s Bakery restaurant – 6 AM
5/28 –Discussion of “A Call to Prayer” at men’s breakfast

Here is one more post from JC Ryle to give you on the topic of Regeneration:

Summarizing the 6 Marks of Regeneration

I know there is a vast difference in the depth and distinctness of these marks among those who are Regenerate. In some people they are faint, dim, feeble, and hardly to be discerned. You almost need a microscope to make them out. In others they are bold, sharp, clear, plain, and unmistakable, so that he who runs may read them. Some of these marks are more visible in some people, and others are more visible in others. It seldom happens that all are equally manifest in one and the same soul. All this I am quite ready to allow.
But still, after every allowance, here we find boldly painted the six marks of being born of God. Here are certain positive things laid down by John, as parts of the Regenerate man’s character, as plainly and distinctly as the features of a man’s face. Here is an inspired Apostle writing one of the last general Epistles to the Church of Christ, telling us that a man born of God—

• does not commit sin;
• believes that Jesus is the Christ;
• does righteousness;
• loves the brethren;
• overcomes the world;
• and keeps himself.

Reader, if you have NOT these marks…
Awake to a sense of your danger. Arise from your sleep of indifference and unconcern. Know the immense peril of hell and eternal misery in which you stand. Begin to use diligently every means by which God is ordinarily pleased to give grace to men’s hearts, when they have not received it in their youth. Be diligent in hearing the Gospel preached. Be diligent in reading the Bible. Be diligent, above all, in prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
If you take this course, I have every hope for you. None ever sought the Lord Jesus Christ in simplicity and sincerity—and sought in vain.
If, on the contrary, you refuse to take this course, and will continue as you are, I have little hope for you, and many fears. If the Bible be true, you are not yet born again. You will not use the most likely means to obtain this mighty blessing. What can I say but this, “the Lord have mercy upon your soul!”

Reader, if you HAVE these marks I have been speaking of…
Be advised, and strive every year to make them more clear and plain. Let your repentance be a growing habit—your faith an increasing faith—your holiness a progressive holiness—your victory over the world a more decided victory—your love to the brethren a more hearty love—your watchfulness over yourself a more jealous watchfulness. Take this advice, and you will never repent of it. This is the way to be useful and happy in your religion. This is the way to put to silence the opposition of the enemies of truth. Let others, if they will, have Regeneration on their tongues, and nowhere else. Let it be your care to have it shining forth in your life, and to feel it in your heart.
~ J.C. Ryle Regeneration, [Ross-shire, UK: Christian Focus, 2003], 39-42.

This series was published at the JC Ryle Quotes blog.

><>><>><> 10/10/10 LORD’S DAY<><<><<><

Sermon:
Romans 8:23-27 Longing for Glory (Part 2)

Discussion questions for family worship
1. What are the three groans in Romans 8:19-27?
2. How do these three groans relate to the truths in verse 18?
3. How do the first fruits of the indwelling Spirit make us groan all the more?
4. Why do we groan in the present life?
5. How is it that we have already been redeemed and adopted and that we will in the future experience redemption and adoption. v. 15,23
6. What is the place of hope in the Christian life? v. 25-26
7. Why do we need the Holy Spirit’s intercession? v. 26a
8. In what sense does the Spirit groan? v. 26b
9. Why is the Holy Spirit the perfect intercessor? v. 27

Hymns (Home Discipleship Hymnal):
61 Onward, Christian Soldiers
35 Have Thine Own Way Lord
12 Am I a Soldier of the Cross
41 I Need Thee Every Hour
80 Doxology

Communion Servers:
Seven, Nicholson, Politowicz Cups: Matthew E., Ted S.

Accompanist :
Miss Christensen

><> OTHER NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS <><

Announcements/Prayer Requests:

Announcements:

The recital is a week from today. Please plan to have the musicians there by 6:30 PM. The recital will start at 7 PM with the reception to follow. Would you also bring a snack to share for the reception?

Prayer request/Praise reports:

Pray for our missionaries (Kelsey Konrad, Barceló family)
Pray for safe travel for traveling church family members
Pray for Mike McGirk and others work situation
Pray for members of our church family who continue to struggle with chronic health problem
Prayer for health for the church family this winter
Praise God for His faithfulness, grace and mercy which is new every morning

Upcoming Events:
10/10 – Fellowship Meal following service today!
10/10 – Baptisms following fellowship meal – 3:30 PM
10/13 – Elder meeting at Nicholson home – 7:00 PM
10/15 – HOFC Recital at Faith Baptist Church in Batavia – 7:00 PM (participants to arrive at 6:30 PM) – please bring a snack or treat to share for the reception following
10/23 – Men’s breakfast at Harner’s – 6:00 AM

Deadlines…deadlines. There a couple approaching: 1) Recital participation info to Jackie Emrick and; 2) Notes of encouragement to be turned in to Pam (let her know if you need more info). I would appreciate your helping those who are seeking serve the body by organizing these things.

You might notice that the following quote actually answers one of the questions below:

“Set faith at work on Christ for the killing of your sin. His blood is the great sovereign remedy for sin-sick souls. Live in this, and you will die a conqueror; yea, you will, through the good providence of God, live to see your lust dead at your feet.”
- John Owen, Overcoming Sin and Temptation ed. Kelly M. Kapic and Justin Taylor (Wheaton, Ill.; Crossway Books, 2006), 131.

Today we continue the series on the mark’s of regeneration with number six from Bishop Ryle:

6th Mark of Regeneration: Watchful Over Their Soul

A Regenerate man is very careful of his own soul.

He endeavors not only to keep clear of sin—but also to keep clear of everything which may lead to it. He is careful about the company he keeps. He feels that evil communications corrupt the heart, and that evil is far more catching than good, just as disease is more infectious than health. He is careful about the employment of his time—his chief desire about it is to spend it profitably. He is careful about the books he reads—he fears getting his mind poisoned by mischievous writings. He is careful about the friendships he forms—it is not enough for him that people are kind, and amiable, and good-natured—all this is very well—but will they do good to his soul?

He is careful over his own daily habits and behavior—he tries to recollect that his own heart is deceitful, and that the world is full of wickedness, that the devil is always laboring to do him harm, and therefore he would sincerely be always on his guard. He desires to live like a soldier in an enemy’s country, to wear his armor continually, and to be prepared for temptation. He finds by experience that his soul is ever among enemies, and he studies to be a watchful, humble, prayerful man.

Reader, I place this mark also before you. What would the Apostle say of you? Are you born of God?

~ J.C. Ryle, Regeneration, [Ross-shire, UK: Christian Focus, 2003], 38, 39.

One final note. I heard a recommendation recently that I would like to share with you. In order to better worship the Lord in song you might consider spending the 5-10 minutes before worship reading through the hymns we are going to sing that morning. I commend this to you because this Lord’s Day we will be singing one of my favorite hymns. The words of the hymn, A Christian Home, are worth meditating on and by God’s grace that meditation will add richness and depth to our worship together.

><>><>><> 9/26/10 LORD’S DAY<><<><<><

Sermon:
Romans 8:12-17 Two Outcomes of Life in the Spirit

Discussion questions for family worship
1. Why do we have no obligation to the flesh? Do we have any obligation as Christians?
2. How does this passage prove that sanctification is not instantaneous, but progressive?
3. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in your sanctification? Your role?
4. What resources has God given you in the fight against sin?
5. What is the meaning of your spiritual adoption?
6. How does your new status as God’s child differ from your pre-conversion experience?
7. What is the significance of being able to call out to God as Father (Abba)?
8. How does the Holy Spirit bear witness that you are a child of God?
9. What does Paul mean when he says that you are heirs of God?
10. In what sense are you a joint heir with Christ?
11. How is suffering connected with your inheritance?

Hymns (Hymnal for Worship & Celebration):
345 Blessed Assurance
410 My Faith Looks Up to Thee
4 How Great Thou Art
535 A Christian Home
623 Gloria Patri

Communion Servers:
Seven, Nicholson, Politowicz Cups: Jacob & Luke N.

Accompanist :
Miss Christensen

><> OTHER NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS <><

Announcements:

Please be in prayer for:
Our missionaries (David & Elisabet Barceló; Kelsey Konrad)
Kyle Emrick at college & all of our children to be prepared with a solid Christian worldview
Mike McGirk for a job
Prayer for health for the church family this winter
That HOFC might have a powerful witness in the world

Upcoming Events:
9/25 – Hunting and Fishing Day at Silver Springs State Fish and Game Wildlife Area, 13608 Fox Road, Yorkville, IL. This is a FREE event.
9/25 – Men’s breakfast will be at the Hunting and Fishing Days –Pancake breakfast from 7 AM to 10 AM. All family members are welcome!
10/6 – Wayside Chapel Service at 7:30 PM (men and boys of all ages welcome)
10/10 – Fellowship Meal following service
10/13 – Elder meeting at 7:00 PM (location TBD)

Reminder:  For those who signed up we will be serving at FMSC tomorrow at 9 AM.  Reminder 2:  See the prayer requests below (and send me any requests you would like listed…doesn’t have to be for health).

In my preparations for this week’s sermon I came across this poem by Robert M. McCheyne (1813–1843) that I want to share with you (we’ll get back to the marks of regeneration next week):

Jehovah Tsidkenu = Jehovah our Righteousness
(Jer. 23:6)
I once was a stranger to grace and to God,
I knew not my danger, and felt not my load,
Though friends spoke in rapture of Christ on the tree,
Jehovah Tsidkenu was nothing to me.

I oft read with pleasure to soothe or engage,
Isaiah’s wild measure and John’s simple page;
But e’en when they pictured the blood-sprinkled tree,
Jehovah Tsidkenu seemed nothing to me.

Like tears from the daughters of Zion that roll,
I wept when the waters went over his soul,
Yet thought not that my sins had nailed to the tree
Jehovah Tsidkenu— ’t was nothing to me.

When free grace awoke me by light from on high
Then legal fear shook me; I trembled to die;
No refuge, no safety in self could 1 see,—
Jehovah Tsidkenu my Savior must be.

My terrors all vanished before the sweet name,
My guilty fear banished, with boldness I came
To drink at the Fountain, life-giving and free:
Jehovah Tsidkenu is all things to me.

Jehovah Tsidkenu! my treasure and boast;
Jehovah Tsidkenu! I ne’er can be lost:
In thee shall I conquer by flood and by field,
My cable, my anchor, my breastplate and shield!

Even treading the valley, the shadow of death!
This “watchword” shall rally my faltering breath;
For while from life’s fever my God sets me free,
“Jehovah Tsidkenu!” my death-song shall be.

><>><>><> 8/22/10 LORD’S DAY<><<><<><

Sermon:
Romans 7:7-13  Paul’s Defense of the Law

Discussion questions for family worship
1. Why might some think Paul was against God’s Law? v. 7a
2. How does the Law reveal your sinful nature? v. 7b
Why do many who know the Law not experience deep conviction of sin?
3. How does sin use the Law to produce more sin? v. 8
4. Explain the four stages of Paul’s experience as described in verse 9.
5. How does sin deceive you using the Law? v. 11
6. What about God’s Law is holy, righteous and good? v. 12
7. Why isn’t the law responsible for death? v. 13
8. What place does the law have in saving us?
9. What good is the law?

Hymns (Home Discipleship Hymnal):
26           Crown Him with Many Crowns
45           Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun
60           O Worship the King
52           Lord Jesus, I Long to Be Perfectly Whole
80           Doxology

Communion Servers:
Emrick, Fowler, Vejvoda    Cups: Jacob & Luke N.

Accompanist :
Mr. Freitag

><> OTHER NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS <><

Announcements:

Announcements:
No teaching time until the third Sunday in September (9/19).  We will begin with a 3 week seminar about knowing your church.  This will be the first time we’ve had a class like this so it will be appropriate for all members, attenders and new folks.  More details to follow.

Upcoming Events:
8/21 – Feed My Starving Children in Aurora – 9 AM – 11 AM
8/25 – Ladies’ Salad Supper at Emrick home – 7:30 PM
8/28 – No men’s breakfast (moved to 8/7)
9/1 – Wayside Chapel service – 7:30 PM
9/12 – Fellowship Meal following service
9/15 – Elder Meeting at Molitor home – 7 PM
9/17 – Fall Hymn Sing – more info to follow soon