“Transitions” Sunday Service (9:30AM in A/C Gym & 10:00AM LiveStream)

You are invited to experience, view or listen to our Sunday morning sermon in one of 5 ways.
1) Participate in our onsite worship service in the Air Conditioned Gym which begins at 9:30AM, SUNDAY at 3757 Mill Street.
2) Watch live on the church Facebook page at 10:0AM, SUNDAY by going to: facebook.com/srcmarion  Please “like” our Facebook page for future notifications.
3) Watch the same recording later on Facebook at a time more convenient for you: facebook.com/srcmarion
4) Watch the same recording later on our newly created YouTube channel. Just type in “Second Reformed Church of Marion” when you go to: youtube.com  Or you can click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo3ZNP8OgRarSQXfqzGcn-Q
5) Listen to the audio recording and see sermon outline on our church website: sermons.srcmarion.org

Title: Transitions

Text: Hebrews 11:31-12:2

Theme: Keep Looking to Jesus, the Pioneer & Perfecter of Our Faith

I. Providence

A. Growing, maturing __________s’ lives are often hard; by God’s design

B. Race…set before us = the Christian life.

II. Patience/_____________

A. Simplifying our life:  let us lay aside every weight & sin which clings…

B. Identify:  since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…

C. Our great Example, Surety & Sponsor:  looking to Jesus…

Questions for Study

Often possessions we buy to enrich our lives bring with them a lifestyle & maintenance we didn’t plan on.  To rightly use the possession we enter the lifestyle that goes with it, complicating our lives further.  What is one weight, one spiritual hindrance, one life simplification you could, with the Lord’s help, lay aside?  How will you keep from backfilling the freeing vacancy?

Are there any sins/sin habits that we allow to own us, our thinking & energy?  Are we at least fighting back against them, inwardly condemning them as wrong, offensive to God?  Are we praying for Him to deliver us?

II Timothy 2:4, while written especially for church leaders, furnishes every believer a motivation to simplify.  What is that motive?

How has the Covid 19 crisis and rulers’ responses made this harder?  Easier?

One simple way to set a day’s tone & trajectory of looking unto Jesus is to greet Him & talk to Him even before we get out of bed, then seek Him in His Word before we begin our day’s work.  What are some prompts we can build into a day to remind us to keep looking up to Him?

How can our church’s leaders help SRC to live out our text?  How can we help them help SRC to live out our text?

“The Lord Bless You” Sunday Service (9:30AM in A/C Gym & 10:00AM LiveStream)

You are invited to experience, view or listen to our Sunday morning sermon in one of 5 ways.
1) Participate in our onsite worship service in the Air Conditioned Gym which begins at 9:30AM, SUNDAY at 3757 Mill Street.
2) Watch live on the church Facebook page at 10:0AM, SUNDAY by going to: facebook.com/srcmarion  Please “like” our Facebook page for future notifications.
3) Watch the same recording later on Facebook at a time more convenient for you: facebook.com/srcmarion
4) Watch the same recording later on our newly created YouTube channel. Just type in “Second Reformed Church of Marion” when you go to: youtube.com  Or you can click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo3ZNP8OgRarSQXfqzGcn-Q
5) Listen to the audio recording and see sermon outline on our church website: sermons.srcmarion.org

 

THE LORD BLESS YOU

I. Introduction

A. “God Bless You” Cliché

B. Flower City Work Camp to Flower City Outreach

II. Purpose- We can experience the genuine blessing of the Lord when parting company by practicing the 3 C’s.

A. CELEBRATION

  • “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 118:1)
  • T-shirt Memories
  • Significant Stats

B. COUNSEL

  • “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:30-31)
  • “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-27)
  • Gentle Exhortations Rooted in Themes of Ministry

C. COMFORT

  • Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11)
  • And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:18-21)
  • Reassurance of Love for You

III. Conclusion

A. Summary

B. Application

  • Specific Prayer Requests
  • 1) FCWC to flourish in post-Covid world
  • 2) Deepen & broaden FCO church support base
  • 3) New ministries so “that the city might see Jesus”
  • Commissioning Prayer by SRC Elders
  • “The Blessing” Song
  • The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26 ESV)
  • Cake Reception

“The Song of Serenity” Sunday Service (9:30AM in A/C Gym & 10:00AM LiveStream)

You are invited to experience, view or listen to our Sunday morning sermon in one of 5 ways.
1) Participate in our onsite worship service in the Air Conditioned Gym which begins at 9:30AM, SUNDAY at 3757 Mill Street.
2) Watch live on the church Facebook page at 10:0AM, SUNDAY by going to: facebook.com/srcmarion  Please “like” our Facebook page for future notifications.
3) Watch the same recording later on Facebook at a time more convenient for you: facebook.com/srcmarion
4) Watch the same recording later on our newly created YouTube channel. Just type in “Second Reformed Church of Marion” when you go to: youtube.com  Or you can click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo3ZNP8OgRarSQXfqzGcn-Q
5) Listen to the audio recording and see sermon outline on our church website: sermons.srcmarion.org
Title: The Song of Serenity

Text: Luke 23:44-49

Theme: Having accomplished the work the Father gave Him, Jesus has closure; He goes home; He enters into His rest.

I. His 7th Word is a Word to His ____________.

A. It’s a quoted prayer from Psalm 31.

B. It’s also a kind of bedtime prayer.

II. His 7th Word is a Word for ____________.

A. It sets an example for Christians.

B. Believers already now taste eternal life.

Questions for Study

Deuteronomy 28:15ff describes God’s curses upon those who reject & rebel against Him.  VV. 25-35 especially depict un-rest, blighted efforts, fruitlessness, lack of closure.  How do we see these dark activities going on in our social & cultural events today, including the effects of the Covid Virus?

How is Jesus’ prayer here a statement of His Faith?

What gives a dying believer similar confidence?

If you were to die today, do you know for certain where you’ll be?

Some say Christians can’t know with certainty where we’ll be when we die; that we can only hope.  God & His Word remind us we can know:  See Jesus’ earlier Word from the Cross, to the dying, repentant criminal, Luke 23:39-43.  See also I John 5:12-13.

How is Jesus’ 7th Word related to His saying in John 12:24?  Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

“Jesus’ Power Helps Us Be Good Friends” Sunday (9:30AM in A/C Gym & 10:00AM LiveStream)

You are invited to experience, view or listen to our Sunday morning sermon in one of 5 ways.
1) Participate in our onsite worship service in the Air Conditioned Gym which begins at 9:30AM, SUNDAY at 3757 Mill Street.
2) Watch live on the church Facebook page at 10:0AM, SUNDAY by going to: facebook.com/srcmarion  Please “like” our Facebook page for future notifications.
3) Watch the same recording later on Facebook at a time more convenient for you: facebook.com/srcmarion
4) Watch the same recording later on our newly created YouTube channel. Just type in “Second Reformed Church of Marion” when you go to: youtube.com  Or you can click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo3ZNP8OgRarSQXfqzGcn-Q
5) Listen to the audio recording and see sermon outline on our church website: sermons.srcmarion.org
Title: Jesus’ Power Helps Us Be Good Friends

Text: Acts 2:42-47

Theme: Jesus’ power creates & cultivates Body Life, the Fellowship of Brotherly Love.

I. Common ____________ in Christ.

A. We have the same birthday as our risen Lord & so share in His new life.

B. It’s power that is ours in Christ as well.

II. Common ____________in Christ.

A. The newborn believers dedicated themselves to the Apostles’ teaching.

B. Contrast:  Biblical truth unifies, false teaching disrupts, fellowship.

III. Common ____________of Christ.

A. The breaking of bread & the prayers sum up other aspects of worship.

B. So is worshipful prayer, both private & corporate.

IV. Common ____________in Christ.

A. Together, learning of-, confessing-, worshipping through Christ fostered hands-on, Christ like compassion, vv. 44-46.

B. A witness of Christ in word, belongingness & charity drew others to Him

Sermon Based Discussion Questions:

How important is Christian fellowship to your walk with the Lord?  Were you ever away from Christian community for a time?  If so, did that make a difference in your spiritual life?  If so, what was different?

The VBS authors chose the phrase “Good Friends” as a means for explaining Christian fellowship & brotherly love to children, churched & unchurched.  How is that accurate?  How is it insufficient?

Word study:  koinwnia /koinonia, the original word rendered “fellowship” in our text, is rendered in other ways in Scripture.  Review the following texts which contain the original word in noun or verb form.  Is there a common element in the way they render the word?  Romans 12:13; 15:26-27; I Corinthians 10:16; II Cor. 9:13; Philemon 6; I John 1:3.

What is toxic to Christian fellowship?  See Romans 14:1-15:7; 16:17-18. Ephesians 4:25-31; II Timothy 3:1-5; 4:9-10.

What qualities & actions foster it?  See:  Ephesians 4:1-16; Philippians 2:1-5.  How, by grace, can we incorporate more of these things in our own life?

“America’s Greatest Need” Sunday Service (9:30AM Onsite & 10:00AM LiveStream)

You are invited to experience, view or listen to our Sunday morning sermon in one of 5 ways.
1) Participate in our onsite worship service which begins at 9:30AM, SUNDAY at 3757 Mill Street.
2) Watch live on the church Facebook page at 10:0AM, SUNDAY by going to: facebook.com/srcmarion  Please “like” our Facebook page for future notifications.
3) Watch the same recording later on Facebook at a time more convenient for you: facebook.com/srcmarion
4) Watch the same recording later on our newly created YouTube channel. Just type in “Second Reformed Church of Marion” when you go to: youtube.com  Or you can click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo3ZNP8OgRarSQXfqzGcn-Q
5) Listen to the audio recording and see sermon outline on our church website: sermons.srcmarion.org

AMERICA’S GREATEST NEED

I. Introduction

A. “One Nation Under God” Video (Galatians 5:13)

B. Cycle of Men & Nations (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

C. Curse of Fatherlessness (Malachi 4:5-6)

D. “Act Like Men” (I Corinthians 16:13)

E. “I Sought for a Man” (Ezekiel 22:23-31)

II. Purpose- We can properly exercise our freedom and help restore a Christian culture in America by cultivating the 4 Attributes of godly manhood (and womanhood).

A. Attribute 1- KING

  • Nathan & David (II Samuel 12:1-14)
  • Righteous Man (Proverbs 4:18, 20:7, 28:1)
  • Do you ever exercise a righteous boldness?
  • Abuses: MilkToast Abdicator or IronFisted Tyrant

B. Attribute 2- WARRIOR

  • Paul to Timothy (I Timothy 6:11-12)
  • Shammah (II Samuel 23:8, 11-12)
  • Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20)
  • Do you ever fight for a noble cause?
  • Abuses: Passive Wimp or Savage Destroyer

C. Attribute 3- LOVER

  • Major Sullivan Ballou
  • Love Like Christ (Ephesians 5:25-33)
  • Would those closest to you say that you love them well?
  • Abuses: Cold Heart or Harsh Critic

D. Attribute 4- FRIEND

  • Laying Down Life (John 15:13)
  • A Friend Loves & Sharpens (Proverbs 17:17; 27:17)
  • Who are your close friends (if any)?
  • Abuses: Disconnected Loner or User Loser

III. Conclusion

A. Summary

B. Application

  • America The Beautiful- “thy liberty in law.”
  • Questions & Closing Prayer

(The Quest for Authentic Manhood by Dr. Robert Lewis)

SERMON BASED QUESTIONS

  • Do you think we are a nation under God?
  • Where is America in the cycle of nations?
  • Give an example of the curse of fatherlessness.
  • What is meant by the term “act like men?”
  • Give an example of a man “building up the wall and standing in the breach before God for the land?”
  • What is the “King” attribute of godly manhood?
  • What is the “Warrior” attribute of godly manhood?
  • What is the “Lover” attribute of godly manhood?
  • What is the “Friend” attribute of godly manhood?
  • Please give an example of a man who displays one or more of these qualities.
  • What kind of man do you see in the mirror?
  • Would your spouse, children, parents, or close friends say that you are godly king, warrior, lover and friend?
  • Which of these 4 attributes is your strength?
  • Which of these 4 attributes is your weakness?
  • What can you do to strengthen these attributes in your personal life?
  • Which Scripture spoke to you the most and why?
  • What is your biggest “take away” from sermon

“Jesus’ Power Lets Us Live Forever” Sunday Service (9:30AM Onsite & 10:00AM LiveStream)

Title: Jesus’ Power Lets Us Live Forever

Text: I Corinthians 15:3-7, 12-19

I. In the beginning, humanity believed ____________
(Genesis 3:1-5)

A. This led to their/our _______________________

B. To restore our relationship with God, Jesus died and was raised from the dead- Minimal Facts:

C. Jesus died by crucifixion

D. Very soon afterwards, his followers had real experiences that they thought were actual appearances of the risen Jesus

E. The disciples’ lives were transformed as a result, even to the point of being willing to die specifically for their faith in the resurrection message

F. These things were taught very early, soon after the crucifixion

G. Jesus’ unbelieving brother James became a Christian due to his own experience that he thought was the resurrected Christ

H. The Christian persecutor Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus) also became a believer after a similar experience.

II. Eternal Life- when?

A. In the ______________________
(John 10:10; John 17:3-4)

B. In the ______________________
(I Thessalonians 4:13-18)

III. Conclusion: It’s Your Move

A. Do you believe that there should be a consequence if someone does something immoral?

B. Have you ever done something immoral? If so, your fate is described in Revelation 20: 11-15

C. There is hope!

1) Ephesians 2:8-9

2) John 3:16 ( repentance- Luke 13:1-5)

Questions for Further Thought/study:

  • What is holding you back from sharing your beliefs with others? What can you do to overcome this?
  • Why do believe what you believe? Because it makes you comfortable or happy, or because it is true?
  • How prepared are you for the spiritual battles and answering questions about the Christian worldview that test your faith? To strengthen your it, check out rzim.org, crossexamined.org, coldcasechristianity.com, and oneminuteapologist.com

Rocky Railway ONLINE VBS (10AM, Wednesday, July 1)

Rocky Railway ONLINE VBS (10AM, Wednesdays, July 1-29)

Climb aboard for mountains of fun at Rocky Railway! On this faith-filled adventure kids discover that trusting Jesus pulls them through life’s ups and downs. SRC will be broadcasting an ONLINE Version of VBS at 10:00AM on the five Wednesdays during the month July. Our publisher is graciously allowing us a 30 day window to broadcast an online VBS using some of their resources. We are weaving together an Opening, Skit, Song, Memory Verse, Bible Story, KidVid and Closing.

July 1- Jesus’ Power Helps Us Do Hard Things (Mike Sicienski)
July 8- Jesus’ Power Gives Us Hope (Audrey Phelps)
July 15- Jesus’ Power Helps Us Be Bold (Laura DeYoung)
July 22- Jesus’ Power Lets Us Live Forever (Sue Hyland)
July 29- Jesus’ Power Helps Us Be Good Friends (Cara VanderBrook)

You are invited to view our online VBS is one of 3 ways:
1) Facebook “Premiere”– Watch our premiere on the church Facebook page at 10:00AM Wednesdays by going to: facebook.com/srcmarion  Please “like” our Facebook page for future notifications.
2) Facebook– Watch the same recording later on Facebook at a time more convenient for you: facebook.com/srcmarion
3) YouTube– Watch the same recording on our newly created YouTube channel. Just type in “Second Reformed Church of Marion” when you go to: youtube.com  Or you can click on this direct link: youtube.com/channel/UCo3ZNP8OgRarSQXfqzGcn-Q

Daily scripture and memory verse coloring sheets will be available on the church website at: www.srcmarion.org

Deborah Hill, Cara VanderBrook and Mike McOrmond are serving as Directors. Mike Sicienski is heading up our team of teachers to deliver five lessons. David and Denise Skidmore will be recording, editing and publishing our videos.

VBS is for kids young and old so ask your siblings, parents and grandparents to join in the fun! For more info, you can e-mail the church office: 2ndreformedoffice@rochester.rr.com

Rocky Railway ONLINE VBS (10AM, Wednesdays, July 1-29)

ROCKY  RAILWAY- Climb aboard for mountains of fun at Rocky Railway! On this faith-filled adventure kids discover that trusting Jesus pulls them through life’s ups and downs. SRC will be broadcasting an ONLINE Version of VBS at 10:00AM on the Wednesdays during the month July. Our publisher is graciously allowing us a 30 day window to broadcast an online VBS using some of their resources. We will be weaving together an Opening, Song, Bible Story, KidVid and Closing.

  • July 1- Jesus’ Power Helps Us Do Hard Things
  • July 8- Jesus’ Power Gives Us Hope
  • July 15- Jesus’ Power Helps Us Be Bold
  • July 22- Jesus’ Power Lets Us Live Forever
  • July 29- Jesus’ Power Helps Us Be Good Friends

To make it easy for your families you can view skits, lessons, music videos, sing songs and print out coloring sheets for each lesson of the week. Visit our church online at facebook.com/srcmarion

Daily scripture and memory verse coloring sheets will be available on the church website at www.srcmarion.org

At Rocky Railway VBS, you discover Jesus’ power can pull you through life’s ups and downs. With Bible-learning experiences you will discover how to see evidence of God in your everyday life! VBS is for kids young and old so ask your siblings, parents and grandparents to join in the fun!  For more info, E-mail: 2ndreformedoffice@rochester.rr.com.

Mike McOrmond, Deborah Hill and Cara Vanderbrook are serving as Directors. Mike Sicienski is heading up a team of teachers to deliver our five lessons. David Skidmore will be recording, editing and publishing our videos. We will share more details as we get closer to July 1.

“Jesus’ Power Helps Us Be Bold” Sunday Service (9:30AM Onsite & 10:00AM LiveStream)

LIVE SERVICE – We have re-opened at 25% occupancy (85 total in Sanctuary and Balcony), with hand hygiene, social distancing and face coverings.To maintain proper distancing every other pew is closed off. Hand sanitizer is by the entrances, and we have masks if you need one. We will be singing inside, but our fellowshiping will need to be outside. No attendance pads will be passed, and offerings can be placed directly into boxes in the back of the sanctuary. To avoid the need to touch hymnals or pew Bibles, we’ll be projecting the songs and Scriptures on the screen. There will be no Children’s Church, Youth Sunday School or staffed Nursery for now. The Adult General Sunday School class will meet in person after the service (contact Pastor Don) as well as via Zoom for those not able/desiring to attend in person.The Ladies Sunday School class will continue to meet only via Zoom at 11:30AM (contact Judy Rachow). If you have health concerns, are over 65, or just have doubts about attending at this time, PLEASE KNOW that you are loved and we support your decision to be cautious and not attend in person. The order of service will be a bit different to accommodate live streaming on Facebook.
LIVE STREAM – The congregational prayer, sermon, closing song and benediction will be live streamed on Facebook but starting at a new time of approximately 10:00AM.  Music is currently restricted by copyright, but we’re working on a licensing solution.

Title: Jesus’ Power Helps Us Be Bold

Text: Acts 4:5-31

Theme: Jesus’ Power Helps Us Be Bold

I. Christ’s _________________

A. Peter & John had been with Jesus, v. 13.

B. Other components convict us of the rightness of Christ’s cause

II. The Spirit’s _______________

A. Peter & John’s preoccupation with Christ’s glory is Spirit worked.

B. Seek the filling of the Holy Spirit

Questions for Study

What are some synonyms for boldness, bold?  What are some antonyms?

In what ways were Peter & John bold in Acts 3, Acts 4?

How is their boldness a strong contrast with their behavior between Passover night and Pentecost Day?  See Matthew 26:55-56, 69-75; John 20:19, 26.

What changed to make such a difference?

How does Jesus’ power fortify our spirits to make us bold, confident?

Some fortifying actions to consider:  I Samuel 17:43-47; 23:16-17; Isaiah 41:10; Jeremiah 9:9:23-24; Luke 10:38-42; John 13:19-20;15:18-25; Acts 4:13; Acts 11:27.

How does having Scriptural warrant for what we must do foster boldness?  Put another way, how does knowing we are on the Lord’s errand encourage our confidence to speak or act?

When does boldness become presumption?  What is the difference between boldness & brazenness?

Can one be meek and bold at the same time?  Moses was the meekest of men (Numbers 12:3); was he also bold?  How?

Mike McOrmond to Lead Flower City Outreach (FCO)

Flower City Outreach (FCO) is excited to announce that Mike McOrmond will become the organization’s Executive Director starting on August 1st, 2020. Mike had previously founded Flower City Work Camp (FCWC) in 1985 while the Director of Youth Ministries at Browncroft Community Church and led it for a few years before moving on to other ministry opportunities. McOrmond later rejoined the organization as a charter member of the board of directors for Flower City Outreach when it was incorporated in 2015. For the past two years he has served as the board chairman, before being selected to serve in the paid professional role of Executive Director.

“I appreciate the opportunity to return to a ministry that, by God’s grace, has endured so many years. It is a true joy to see how others have shared the vision and contributed to the flourishing of FCWC,” shared Mike McOrmond. “I hope to build greater unity and cooperative ministry among churches in the greater Rochester area and to facilitate launching new ministries beyond FCWC so ‘that the city might see Jesus.’”

Read the full story here: www.flowercityworkcamp.org/mike-mcormond-to-lead-flower-city-outreach