Sunday School is cancelled for tomorrow, January 31, 2010 due to weather, this will give families more time to make it to worship safely in the snow.
We are in the process of uploading Pastor Kinchens sermons and other messages from May of this year until the present and on going. You will find them at Sermons
Keepin’ It REAL:
If you have paid attention lately to any coverage of the presidential race, you know that it has become heated, to say the least. While I have personal political views that range beyond partisan party lines, I am interested in the banter concerning the faith of the two candidates, and their vice presidential running mates. We are told that religion should have no place in the White House, yet each candidate’s faith has been under the microscope and has, at times, been to his or her benefit or detriment, depending on the fearlessly fickle court of public opinion. I am always impressed, regardless of party affiliation, when someone is placed under intense scrutiny and remains consistent about what he or she claims to believe. I watch and wonder, “Could I handle that?” when it comes to my Christian convictions. What would I do knowing that each statement and action regarding my beliefs will be picked apart and analyzed ad nauseam? The conclusions I reach are varied—at times encouraging; at times almost haunting. While I will never have to bear a mantle as publicly trying as a presidential or vice- presidential candidate, Scripture informs me that my faith is to be just as transparent and comes under the same type of scrutiny, albeit on a scale of relative anonymity. People see who I am when I have no idea that they could even care less. Eyes are on me because I claim to be different and people are intrigued by that and want to see if it’s true—whether those people be my children, my wife, my friends, or you in the congregation. That thought doesn’t scare me, but it brings a sober reality to bear: we (yes, people watch you too) have been given the chance to honor God in all that we do and, to that end, we will give account both here and in heaven. Take stock of who you are when you are here at church and weigh it against who you are when you leave. I pray that, as you do, you are encouraged that Jesus will never leave you, nor forsake you and will give you the strength to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father, who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
In Christ,
Alex Kinchen
MASTER’S ON THE WEB:
Check out the updated church website—blogs, updates, event information, and more await as you surf the web at www.masterschurch.com.
ON THE HORIZON . . .
TODAY:
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS, 9:15
SEPTEMBER:
24: AMERICA AT THE CROSSROADS (SERMON 4)
For those adults who have been here for the sermon series by Dr. Charles Stanley, “America at the Crossroads,” you know how awesome it has been. This Wednesday will be the fourth and final sermon in the video series. Plan on being here to consider, from God’s Word, “What Now, America?”. This message is pertinent and timely to our situation as a nation. It is not a political debate, it is a spiritual issue of whether or not we will be sincere and active Christians at an extremely important time in our nation’s history.
26: FIREPROOF, THE MOVIE, OPENING NIGHT
Fireproof, a new movie produced by Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia—the same people who produced Facing the Giants—will open on September 26, nationwide. The movie centers on marriage and Christ in the home. This is a well-acted movie, starring Kurt Cameron, and a professionally finished product, which will speak to Christians and non-Christians alike.
OCTOBER:
2: PAINTING THE SANCTUARY FLOOR
Anyone interested in helping to paint the sanctuary floor, plan on being here, Thursday, October 2 @ 5:30pm. We’ll provide the supplies, you provide the hands to wrap around paint brush and roller handles!
5: HIGH-ATTENDANCE SUNDAY
This is our 4th anniversary since the launch date of Master’s Church! Sign a red church card and bring someone with you on October 5 as we will celebrate a high attendance day. We are praying for at least 200 in both Sunday School and worship service—that’s 200 in EACH! This is well within God’s ability; it is a matter of our determination and participation. That day we will have an awesome time together and learn about important information concerning the future of this church!
26: BRUCE AND LISA WETHEY
Bruce and Lisa Wethey are professional instrumentalists who are accomplished in their careers—Bruce as a Grammy nominated violinist and Lisa as a classical flutist. They have played with other professional artists, performed at the Pentagon, and have several cds to their credit. Most importantly, they love the Lord and see their music as an act of worship. You won’t want to miss this awesome time of fellowship in music together.
30 & 31: BAG STUFFING (30) AND REVERSE TRICK-OR-TREAT (31)
Reverse Trick-or-Treat is here again and we need your help. You can begin to bring in candy to the church office this week . . . it should be safe here until Halloween! Also, plan to help stuff bags with church information, a gospel presentation, and, of course, candy on Thursday, October 30. The bags will then be taken out Friday, October 31. More information will be coming soon!
Here is the 2008 Student Information Sheet for all students 7th-12th grades. Turn this in by Sept. 3rd to be placed in the drawing for some awesome prizes.
Keepin’ It REAL:
Tertullian, an early church leader in the late first and early second centuries, once wrote, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” He recognized a distinct connection between intense persecutions of the church and times of intense growth of the church. While I agree with him in principle—and history certainly upholds his claim—I do not find it a comfortable truth to apply. My life is marked more by a pursuit of the comfortable than by a desire to suffer discomfort, for any cause or reason . . . don’t feel too smug in reading that, your life probably comes close to bearing out the same reality. I take no pride or pleasure in admitting such a thing. I would love to place the blame on society and shrug my responsibility in the matter. Certainly, I should be able to make a case for our culture’s obsession with gaining the “creature comforts” (we call them “necessities”; “creature comforts” sounds . . . well, too excessive). Casting a stone at culture could ease the burden of guilt I bear . . . couldn’t it? Not exactly. The fact is that I have fashioned, with my own humanity, a perspective that seeks to make my life one of greater ease than strain. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not suggesting that Scripture demands a life void of pleasure, leisure, air conditioning, power steering, or cable t.v. (although the cable may be a debatable issue). What I am stating, however, is that when we as Christians apply the truth of Scripture to our daily lives, persecution will come. It will come in different forms and in a variety of circumstances. But it will come. Due to a lack of understanding on the part of a lost world, it will come. Due to the agenda of our enemy, Satan, it will come. Due to the narrow prism of political correctness, it will come. The only question will be how we plan to handle it. Is it a reality that we will shrink from to the point that people wonder if we stand for the claims of the Bible at all, or is it one from which we will draw strength and hope? I know what Scripture says our response can be, for the glory of God, “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to [the religious high council] . . . Nor is there salvation in any other [than Jesus], for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
In Christ,
Alex Kinchen
MASTER’S ON THE WEB:
Check out the updated church website—blogs, updates, event information, and more await as you surf the web at www.masterschurch.com. We have been having some issues with speed of navigation on the website; please bear with us as we address these problems.
TODAY:
CROSSING MEETING (YOUTH CAMP)
Following the morning worship service there will be a meeting for youth and parents concerning Crossings (youth camp @ Cedarmore Baptist Conference Center). Lunch will be provided and important information concerning the trip will be discussed.
ON THE HORIZON . . .
JUNE:
25: NEW WEDNESDAY NIGHT ADULT BIBLE STUDY
Take advantage of this awesome opportunity to consider why you believe what you believe. Choosing You Faith, by Mark Mittleberg, is an examination of why Christianity is the true faith, even with so many religious choices available. This is a great study for Christians as well as lost individuals who sincerely want real answers to faith questions. Cost of the books is $10. See Alex or sign up if you are interested in participating.
29: MARVIN KING PREACHING
Marvin King, Minister of Family Life at Consolidated Baptist Church here in Lexington will be preaching during the morning worship service. Rev. King is a genuine, intelligent man as well as a dynamic speaker, with a passion for God’s Word and His people. Following a successful career in the corporate world, Rev. King is equally successful in ministry here in Lexington. You will not want to miss this blessing.
The REAL M.Y.X.
Well we are only 2 weeks away from leaving for camp. Please begin praying for all the students and adults going this year. Pray for the Crossings staff as well. God is ready to do amazing things in the lives of the ones going. Pray that student’s hearts will be open to transforming truth and they will not come back the same as they went.
Marc McLean
Youth Pastor
You will find posts of our newsletters, youth information, current events and many other activities at this blog. You also might find here on occassion an article that may be of interest to our members and our friends. If you are a visitor we welcome you to our site and would like to know if we can be of any help to you.