Sunday Service

Worship team for leading us today and when I let the kids know, for those who are in grades one through five, or is it a special service for you downstairs? At a, is a special service force a day. Last week was also unique service and that we took a lot of time just to pray for our annual summer camp, Outreach to the community called Super Summer Slam and today is the answer to Super Summer Slam. It's our praise service. We take time to pray and ask God to be working for the week. And then we like to set aside the Sunday after to really thank him because he does answer prayers and we want everybody in the church to to know and be aware of how God was at work. This past week so we can take time to jointly, praise him for all, he's done. Zoomerang is a special week. How can I describe it? Well a Picture Tells A Thousand Years. So here is a video to give you an idea of what took place this week.

2 minutes.

Bruno Mars.

We really did have a great week and we had 110 kids sign up. We had an average attendance around a hundred. Each day. Never gets Miss different days, but we had a great opportunity. We always start out. The mornings was just an opening time with some songs and then we do a large group game. You saw the kids actually beat the team staff at tug-of-war there in the video, and then the kids just rotate in their teams through all different kinds of activities. So, they have a Bible Lesson. They have time to small group to discuss the things were talking about through the Bible. We have a mission story after lunch every day and of course a different specials with jugglers magicians and birds and all kinds of things. And so it's a great time where the kids come out to have fun for us. We also have a great time having fun to sharing the Lord Christ with them and that Happens to the Bible lessons to Mission story and through the song. So today I want you to hear some of the songs. I want you to pay attention to the lyrics, because the songs go right along with the themes of the things that were teaching. So this time we're going to have to come up, and they're going to lead us in a few of the songs of sorry, Nathan. And the swim at Yes, Nathan and slam it. Encouraged everyone to go ahead and stand up. You guys can get on the stage. There everybody go ahead and stand up and try to follow along with emotions. Just make a little bit more fun here.

Family Guy.

I am his Masterpiece from the top of my head to the tip of my finger.

See, the settings.

Don't matter.

Is Home Depot.

Which one did you want stuffing? All you wanted Rock the Boat.

Everybody wants to rock. The boat will do rock the boat. Next Sunday, Michael eat it.

Rock the Boat. That's actually from a few years ago when we talked about the ark and the flood but we still sing it because the kids love it. Anyway, zoomerang, we had a great week as I said and and the theme this year was really let the kids know that they are created. God is the creator. I don't know how many of you were aware, but still they moved away from the ape to Man model. They now say 8, like creature and somen and apes. Both came from some Missing Link the ape-like creature. So, we took time to let them know. All these different missing links that are even still today being taught in schools and in textbooks that have been disproven for decades shown to be frauds. Actually were scientists did all kinds of manipulations and they said, oh, actually, that was an orangutan bone. But they anyway, we let the kids know the truth because he's pushing these lies because they want Are accidents of Nature. And again, when life is just an accident, then you can easily dismiss life and say people are worthless and discard babies discard old people, what not? But we want the kids to know that they are valuable. They are precious. And so the first verse says that they memorize on Tuesday was God, created Mankind in his own image. The image of God, he created them male and female, he created them and letting you know that they are created. They are just an accident. They were created by God In His Image, which gives them immense, value, immense value. And then the next day we talked about Psalm 139 14 and I praise you because I'm fearfully and wonderfully. Made your works, are wonderful. I know that full well and we took time to actually examine different parts of the body are bones in our eyes and our nose or mouth. Okay, you remember Tom Mucus. Does your nose produce a day? A quart, a quarter mucus a day and, and you might think how irritating that is. It goes down my throat, it's just me up. If I'd actually has a purpose, right? It helps to moisturize the air and warm the air as it goes and helps to capture all the dirt in the dust and the germs. So that our lungs are filled with dirt by this point in our lives, that God created our bodies with all these intricate systems that work and without one of them Life as a human being would not be possible. But we talked about how God made our bodies, and they are fearfully and wonderfully made it again. Fearfully doesn't mean that, oh no, we have to be afraid but awestruck Why just how amazing our bodies are? And let these kids know that you are amazing. And God Made You amazing just the way you are. And again, in our culture they want to cause confusion among the kids and, and make them question. Well, were you really right when you came out of the womb? Will you just end this? Like no, you are just right? God didn't make a mistake, you're perfect just the way you are and to let them know how wonderfully made they are. And then we talked about the next day that, you know what, God puts so much value on you and He would actually send his son. The guy for you, we shared with them how God created Mankind in his own image, so that guy could have a relationship with him and the kids. And we talked about how man chose to disobey God by eating fruit from the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil in the kids. That's a really good question. Well, why did he put the tree there to begin with? It's what we said. Yeah. Why did he do that? And we just gave a simple as stration of Stephen and Megan hear Stephen, how would you feel if you found out that Megan, only married, you because her parents bought her off?

I know it would hurt if you found out that your friend was only a friend because somebody paid them to do so they really didn't want to do it. They were being forced to do it. That ruins a relationship. Doesn't it seem relationships require a choice? Don't they love is a choice. I forgot to force Adam and Eve to be in a relationship with him when he created them, is not a relationship. So we gave them the choice to trust him as their loving creator. The follow him. But they didn't. They broke the relationship. But even though they broke the relationship, even though every single one of us breaks that relationship by doing things contrary to what our creator has made us to be in do. God still loves us and he demonstrated his love for us in this. While we were Sinners, while we were continually breaking the relationship.

He died for us. And he died at our place to take the punishment because the punishment that we earned by our sin by our Disobedience, the Lord is death, separated him from him. But God, loved us and sent his one and only son into the world. Whoever believes in him, will never perish but have everlasting life. There's, there's not a matter of God says, we have to go to church so many times. You have to say this many prayers, are you have to say this specific prayer or you have to do all these good things? And some people think we'll just try to be good and none of us is successful at just being good because we always just do something wrong. It's all God, made it simple. And he said, no, you can't do this, but I can and He sent Jesus Christ to die for our sins and rise again. So whoever simply believes in him can have everlasting life it. So we share that with these kids at that Jesus is the Resurrection Life. The one who believes in him, will net will live even though they died that there is nothing that can separate us from God, that he loves us that much in a course that we talked to him the last day in the world that says, okay, you're in an accident and what's the point of life? Anyway, we'll know, there is a point to life. God created us with great purpose. To glorify him to to have a relationship with him. And he even has a job, yes. Things for us to do, and one of those jobs is to tell other people about Jesus Christ by Grace, we've been saved through faith. This is not from ourselves as a gift to God, not by works so that no one can both for we are God's handiwork created in Christ. Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. He has things for us to do. We're here not an accident but on purpose because our loving Creator says, you're valuable. And I've got a mission for you. And that's what a big part of this past week was, was our church fulfilling a part of the mission that he has for us sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with the kids. And then with the families again, on Friday evening, and we all played a part. That's something that, you know, we wanted to spend more time on Friday, the kids were kind of like tired and worn out so I didn't even get to the 1st Corinthians 12 with them in our Bible time but hopefully they're small groups had time to look at this. But first Corinthians 12 the perfect example is Super Summer. Slam hear even the body is not made up of one part for the many. It supposed to say because I'm not a hand, I don't belong to the body, it would not for that reason, stop being a part of the body and if he hears to say because I'm not and I I don't belong to the body, it would not for that reason, stop being a part of the body. If the whole body were a night where would the sense of hearing be? If there's nobody wearing ear with a sense of smell be? But in fact, I just placed the parts in the body, every one of them just as He wanted them to be. If they were all one part where would the body be as it is? There are many parts but one body and I think Super Summer Slam is a great illustration of that. We have Michelle who was organizing everything and getting leaders. We have the leaders on the team who are watching the schedule and and telling the kids where they need to be have all the helpers that are on the team helping to Corral these kids helping to get shoes on helping to make sure they have their snacks or or whatever else tie, their shoes helping to run the different games with the kids. We have guys who are driving tractors George and Nick out there. We have the ladies who are or helping to make sure the kids are all registered and then been in the snacks together, we have people who donated the snacks for the kids to be able to eat. We have people dropping off meals for the leaders to be able to eat during the day, so that L don't have to that have to worry about in the mornings getting their own bills and things ready to go. We had people who were donating money, they get the bounce houses and there are the Obstacle course, in this life we have people that are donating money to bring in the jugglers and the birds we have people that are helping to set up and tear down every morning, people that helped us with transporting, with trailers, to get everything over there and set it up and tear it down, Friday night, and sticking around here, till 8 and everything put away, it was a whole body effort, wasn't it? and we need every member of the body or it just doesn't work but when every member of the body does its part, Thank God is glorified if people get to see and observe like, wow, look at this group and it, it just works so well and all these different people come together to do this. It's interesting that somebody was talking with a police officer. I think was Justin. Justin Hallman, are you here? You don't know, you're on the soundboard. Just to come on up here real quick. What does that police officer tell you about the the group? And what not? And we're going to have a time here of testimony. People just Sharon different things conversations or things that happened during the week. But even with a police officer Justin, how were we a testimony to them? Oh yeah. Well as we're cleaning up at the end of the week, he just had said, we have soccer games and football games, they go on throughout the weekend. It's always a mess, but when we leave every year, it just spotless. So it's really a testimony of how everybody just cleans up and even said to Justin, why don't you guys come and start showing everybody else? How to do this just to take care of things but that's a testimony, isn't it? Bill? Come on up. I'd appreciate if you come up because there are people at home to can't make it out at some of those people at home. Also, donated food and lunches and snacks and everything else. We want them to be a park here. This is double affirmation. I have a couple volunteer position to Scott Township and I'm in office. And unsolicited not from the police force with someone else in the township ministration. The exact same message that they're amazed. How clean the park is when we're done with it. However, Retreats of property and we are borrowing Township property, right? Again, and heard that we are really appreciated there for what we do and what we put forth in the community, showing how it can be done versus Telugu status. Don't absolutely but, but apart from that, I know, a man that water's not here, Michelle, would you come up and share just one one report Amanda is already off to child. Evangelism Fellowship Camp. See this moves from one to the next. So Michelle, here we go. So, why I have to make I was actually going to actually think all of you guys, it was incredible week. We just had a great week God provided in so many ways. He pretty much covered everybody was saying, so there were so many people that shift in on this just so, you know, for those people that the staff and all of the helpers, I know my daughter was logging six to seven miles during a day walking. So it's a huge, you know, Park and it's a lot of walking and everybody just kept on going. So I really appreciate everything that everybody did. I do, pretty much covered all that and we said she actually was really cool to me to say, is now we're having people that are campers and they're coming back and helping. You know, I had a couple of campers, the older kids are like we can't wait to come back and beat me to staff and Beyond Staffing. I just think that's so cool. The sea that they want to come back. So so thank you. All this church, that incredible and I really appreciate it. One thing that you know, I was think like I do, we do, you know my goodness a week, we have fun. So we really do have a lot of fun, but there is a reason we do this as Pastor. Mike said, he sure the gospel on Thursday. Unfortunately, me and I couldn't be here, but we went back. They had small group time. First of all, I know the oldest group, she had the second oldest, but the oldest group, I had the L tell me that the kids were asking a lot of questions, a lot of theological questions, so we can definitely be praying for these kids. They're thinking and Amanda actually through CEF, she has something called the wordless book and that's what she did. During her small group time after my catch Pastor Mike a chair. She shared this wordless book, which goes through the gospel and then she prayed with them. And then after they prayed, she said, you know is did anybody, you know, after accept Jesus into their heart and she had two girls raised their hand, you know, it ain't she was just so excited and she was able to talk with them a little bit later on one girl. I know I've seen my kids club, so I'm thrilled about that and hopefully we can follow up. We are able to give them some information, some devotional books, and attract. So please be praying for these two girls and it just makes me think even all the things that we went over, it's getting into these kids heads and they're hearing it. And that's what matters is cuz these kids need it. Trust me, there are so many things. These kids are going through and we saw, we saw this week and these kids need Jesus. And that is why we do. That's exactly why we do it and I'm just so happy that we were able to share the gospel with all of the kids, so thank you.

Anyone else have anything they want to share about conversations? They had or different things that they saw her or heard just wanted to report as well. Every year is a big prayer request is whether how many of you saw the weather reports for this past week and all the thunderstorms they were calling for. And, and once again, just like he does during SummerSlam every year, we only had a slight drizzle on Tuesday and boy. Did that feel good? I could take some more of those drizzles, the weather to the kids coming out safety, everything. Any other testimonies, anything else anybody wants to share. Kathy is coming up. Alright. Anyone else? Alright. Dave's going to come out. Good. I'm really thankful. We had a few new volunteers. Like I said we had George and Nick actually on the trains. This year was nice to her and Harold. You're not wearing your yellow shirt. You didn't stick out. All right it was nice to have new guys are driving the trains and it frees me up to go around and then spend some more time with the kids directly and so I really appreciate all the new help and people coming up with Kathy will let you know first and then Dave So I have a couple examples of what Mike was talking about about the church being the body of Christ. And in our Sunday school class this morning, we're talkin about how the church is. Also the fullness of God and how not the Christ is in complete but how the, the people allow him to fill everything and every way because we're here hands and feet on the ground. So I have two examples. One is you guys and what my car, he talked about, I had a conversation with one of them on to Ashley helped and did some of the leading with one of the groups. And she said, so I know we paid $20 a kid. How do you guys pull this off for $20? A kid? And so it was just a great opportunity to be able to share how how things get done. How you're obviously everybody is volunteering their time, people create the games, they they make them, they build them, they paint them, people provide the food. So, all the examples that Mike already gave I was a boy, Share with him and she said that she was, she said we wanted to come for a long time, but logistically hadn't been able to do it, but we're able to come and she said, it's, it was I can tell when I first came that I had found some like-minded people, we didn't have time to get into what that like-mindedness was but I'm I hope to be able to maybe talk to her again in the future. The other example was actually one of the children in our church that I, I know is a Believer and was in our group and we had a kid in our group, that can be difficult with some behavioral things at times. I'm in. So, you know, it's definitely just on the fringes all the time and during one of our activities, we had to pair up, which you do for children is kind of a frightening thing. I had to get in groups of three or four and so earlier that day he also said I don't have any friends, I think it was during when you were talking about friends and he I heard him say I don't have any friends and so during that time, I'm this one kid just proactively said you can be in our group and I thought that that's such a beautiful picture of what Christ does to the outcasts. He says you can come and eat at my table and so I I think that's another way of the church body being the fullness of God. So I for those for me, that would, there were two pictures that were really profound

Yeah, I did that. Go out on Friday. I can't take any credit for the week. I I really appreciate everything that everybody did my children have been a part of this for a long time. It's the first year that I should Nathan got to serve on on as a team member. And one of the things he said he said that I don't never realize how much went into it, but it's great to see him. Serve, my ends have been served in this capacity and it's going to stick with my children. And all these children for many years to come, one of the things with talking with the parents is that they are a lot of these children. Go to different camps. But they said, this is the camp that they always want to go to. It always sticks out. And every year, they really desire to go to this Camp is her favorite one. So, the amount of effort that has gone into this has been such a blessing for all these children and it, and this is reason why you see this growth. Every year is for the effort. That's gone into this and how the Lord has continue to bless this. So, it's just something I wanted to share with everyone here. Thank you, Dave, and I did not want the Tudors own horn, but one of the things that I absolutely loved, one of my favorite parts of the camp was during cleanup, because here we are, we're taking apart the Gaga on and all the different things. And there's literally one of the parents following Dave around as we go, because they've having a great conversation with him and he even said, this is the best conversation, spiritual conversation. I've had. So I forget how long he said, yeah, for a couple years. He's just like, this is the best spiritual conversation I've had. And, and again, they is not serving during the week, but he was there for cleanup, just the time that God wanted him there to meet with that other parents. And in the same thing, I said, I heard Paul sharing this morning about him and Tom, my father-in-law is somewhere around. Here is probably downstairs, sitting on the bench, eating ice cream with another Grant. Your grandfather, one of the kids ball and an opportunity just to say, hey what did you think of what the kids were hearing this weekend. And again, go over the gospel and say hey you know what, the most important thing that we have in this life is to know what's going to happen to me after I die. And to have that assurance that through Jesus Christ, we have eternal life again, those conversations and everything that takes place is such an important part of Super Summer Slam. I know I took the teens out to B&B restaurant for breakfast. All the team staff. Sorry Noah Dietrich. All the team staff that were there to hear the announcement the day before he was with relatives in Long Island. And fortunately didn't get the announcement to afterwards.

With those teams, will you go to B&B restaurant in the number of you guys know Rick, the brother, I believe Bonnie of the BMV. He actually paid for the teens to have breakfast. I went up to the to pay for it and here he paid for it and his grandson was going to camp. And he even talk to me Friday night and just so thankful for all that that we did for the kid and his grandson. He's like, man, let me know the next time you're doing something. So I told him Fall Fest is coming.

But again, it's making those connections in the community and opportunities to share the love of Christ and it impacts people and I just pray that it will continue to impact their lives with more opportunities. I know, there was one family that said, hey what about your kids club in the fall? And I said, I will send you information. And so again, another opportunity to have more of an impact, these kids lives. And that's what we're really hoping and praying for that will have more opportunities with the kids, and with these families. But again, that's just a glimpse God is at work. Jesus said I will build my church and the Gates of Hell will not Prevail against it, and you can look at the news. My cat was talking today than they were even worse. If you do, you can look at the headlines, you can get this courage, grit your teeth. Everything else is going on. Don't even have to go to the the headlines. Just go to the grocery store and buy something and, you know, it can be really discouraging and wonder what in the world is going on. But As Believers, especially, when we see him at work, like during SummerSlam and seeing our whole church family, come together, we should be. So encouraged, God is at work, and we have just seen it this week and we're going to continue to see him at work. And so I like to just take some time. Going to ask Pastor Keith come up, or both go to pray. Just thank him for what he's done this week and then we'll have Micah come up and conclude our service with worship. But let's go ahead. Please join me in prayer. Father again, just thank you. I thank you that you said you're going to build your church but you're not just doing all the work yourself, you are using us, which gives us joy and purpose in this life as pray for each and every member of our family here. That they would know the joy of having been able to serve Jesus in whatever capacity, whether it was through prayer or providing snacks, or Waters, or drinks or helping out in some way or just coming to the ice cream social. When talking with other people, Lord, just thank you for each member of our body, using the gifts and abilities. You've given them their special role. The way you're using us all for your kingdom, Your Glory. Lord continue to pray for those girls that that prayed to receive price for the other kids said that we don't necessarily know where they're at, but they've heard it. We know that your spirit is at work. I pray. Your spirit will continue to draw them to yourself for the parents. The grandparents of came that you would allow the truth of the good news of Jesus Christ to sink into their hearts. That they would know, it's not buy everything they do. But it's through Jesus Christ, death for us is rising again to give us new life that we can have this eternal life. This relationship with you restored. Lord, I pray that you would continue to receive Glory through all that we do in a prison Jesus name.

Father again we want to thank you. We want to continue to remember all that you've done to enable all of these things to happen. That it is through prayer and the answering of those prayers that at this week, was amazing. And that you empowered us to do the work that you've caught us to that. You have prepared, the hearts and minds of the children to hear the gospel to hear the good news about you. And Lord, I pray that you would continue that work in them, that you would massage those truths into their hearts. And if they would continue to grow in their knowledge of you, And their love for you. Where thank you for using us. Just ordinary people being used by you to do extraordinary things, and other thank you for calling us to be a part of the work that that you are doing to reach a lost world. And father, thank you again that that we can experience you and very real and personal ways. As we, as we see the body working out, its gifts. And I know that we are limited in all that we can see. And I know Michelle Express that earlier that that she was able to see that kind of at a higher level looking down on all that was being done and and yet you see everything. And so father, my prayer is that you would have been pleased Through all that has been done this week. And we thank you again for continuing to lead us and guide us and provide for us. I pray all this in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Well like I said Mike is going to conclude our service but our work's not done. We have a couple things coming up we have to walk through the Bible. Remember to continue to talk to people, let him know. Hey, if you ever wondered what is the Bible all about in this, all this stuff in the Old Testament house, that all fit in with Jesus. If you want to know, come out to our church, September 11th, and you'll get a chance to find out. So, make sure your invite people that, and, of course, our Fall Fest Lackawanna State Park, just approved our use of the park for the fall. And so we're making steps to do all that this coming fall. So, keep it good, keep up the good work and let's keep building the kingdom.