Living Stones Church Seeking the wholeness of the city for all people 2008-08-18T16:34:07-06:00 admin http://livingstonescrc.com/default.html vanderklay@sbcglobal.net tag:livingstoneschurch,2008:LivingStonesChurch Pivot Copyright (c) 2008, Authors of Living Stones Church Review of Sunday Aug 17 2008-08-18T16:34:00-06:00 2008-08-18T16:34:00-06:00 tag:livingstoneschurch,2008:LivingStonesChurch.70 At our 9:30 Adult Sunday School class where we are studying the book of Revelation we only got through chapter 1 verse 5, 6. We spent a fair amount of time discussing how Jesus is the firstborn of the dead and the hope that this brings us. You can download to listen to an audio recording of the Sunday School here. To see a PDF of the study guide handout click here. At 11:00 we asked 4 questions of the Luke 8 text on rescue: Who needs rescuing? What is the context of our rescuing? What is the pre-condition required for our rescuing? What must we ultimately be rescued from? You can download to listen to an audio recording of the sermon here. You can see a PDF version of the slideshow here. At our 9:30 Adult Sunday School class where we are studying the book of Revelation we only got through chapter 1 verse 5, 6. We spent a fair amount of time discussing how Jesus is the “firstborn of the dead” and the hope that this brings us. You can download to listen to an audio recording of the Sunday School here. To see a PDF of the study guide handout click here.

At 11:00 we asked 4 questions of the Luke 8 text on rescue:
Who needs rescuing?
What is the context of our rescuing?
What is the pre-condition required for our rescuing?
What must we ultimately be rescued from?

You can download to listen to an audio recording of the sermon here. You can see a PDF version of the slideshow here.

]]> admin Preview for Sunday Aug 17 2008-08-15T16:50:00-06:00 2008-08-15T16:50:00-06:00 tag:livingstoneschurch,2008:LivingStonesChurch.69 At 9:30 the Adult Sunday School Class we will continue to explore the book of Revelation. We will look at what it means that Jesus is: the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kingdom of the world. Depending on the time we will also explore what it means that he makes us a kingdom of priests and how to understand the tricky verse 7: Revelation 1:7 (NRSV) Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. At 11:00 we will explore two intertwined stories in which two very desperate people come to Jesus needing rescue. You have undoubtedly heard me say that Jesus has saved the world, is saving the world and will save the world. How does that salvation of the world involve us? Most of us I think would confess that various things in our lives need saving. How does that work?
Revelation 1:7 (NRSV)
Look! He is coming with the clouds;
every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.

At 11:00 we will explore two intertwined stories in which two very desperate people come to Jesus needing rescue. You have undoubtedly heard me say that Jesus has saved the world, is saving the world and will save the world. How does that salvation of the world involve us? Most of us I think would confess that various things in our lives need saving. How does that work? ]]> admin Media from Sunday Aug 10 2008-08-11T18:47:00-06:00 2008-08-11T18:47:00-06:00 tag:livingstoneschurch,2008:LivingStonesChurch.68 At our 9:30 we continued our study of the book of Revelation discussing verse 3 and 4 of chapter 1. Audio MP3, PDF study guide. I also started a file of pdf versions of the study guide handout I give to the class. At 11:00 we compared some of our own assumptions and expectations of how God works in our lives and in this world to save it with the story of Jesus saving the Gerasene demoniac. MP3 audio. At our 9:30 we continued our study of the book of Revelation discussing verse 3 and 4 of chapter 1. Audio MP3, PDF study guide. I also started a file of pdf versions of the study guide handout I give to the class.

At 11:00 we compared some of our own assumptions and expectations of how God works in our lives and in this world to save it with the story of Jesus saving the Gerasene demoniac. MP3 audio.

]]> admin Living Stones is on Facebook 2008-08-08T19:54:00-06:00 2008-08-08T19:54:00-06:00 tag:livingstoneschurch,2008:LivingStonesChurch.67 Facebook is a free social networking site that was started by a college student who wanted to keep up with his friends. Organizations can have pages on the system where others can register themselves as fans of that organization. The site is mostly used by young people but of course anyone is able to create their own account if they have an e-mail address. Click here to find us on facebook. If you are on Facebook stop by and check it out. Click here to find us on facebook. If you are on Facebook stop by and check it out. ]]> admin Upcoming Events 2008-08-08T18:36:00-06:00 2008-08-08T18:36:00-06:00 tag:livingstoneschurch,2008:LivingStonesChurch.66 Here are some upcoming events at church for your calendar: Aug 10: 9:30 Adult Sunday School and Prayer Group. 11:00 Worship Service (You wouldnt think Id need to include this one, but some of you cant seem to remember. :) ) Aug 10: 6:00pm. Prayer for the Renewal of the City Aug 20: 6:00pm at church. Community meeting where we will hear the latest plans of the developer who wants to develop the ball field next to the church. This plan changes again and again and again. The latest plan is for the Longs Drugstore currently by Bel Air just across Freeport to relocate to a brand new, larger facility next door. I dont know how many other stores they are planning to build with it, but a larger Longs Drugs will be the anchor. October 26 at 6:00pm. Ordination service for Eric Dirksen. Eric just arrived in July to serve a two year residency with Sacramento City Life (Marc Holland) with the plan of planting a church in Davis beginning in July of 2010. We hope to have participation from the leaders and members of our sister congregations here in Sacramento.
Aug 10: 9:30 Adult Sunday School and Prayer Group. 11:00 Worship Service (You wouldn’t think I’d need to include this one, but some of you can’t seem to remember. :) )

Aug 10: 6:00pm. Prayer for the Renewal of the City

Aug 20: 6:00pm at church. Community meeting where we will hear the latest plans of the developer who wants to develop the ball field next to the church. This plan changes again and again and again. The latest plan is for the Longs Drugstore currently by Bel Air just across Freeport to relocate to a brand new, larger facility next door. I don’t know how many other stores they are planning to build with it, but a larger Long’s Drugs will be the anchor.

October 26 at 6:00pm. Ordination service for Eric Dirksen. Eric just arrived in July to serve a two year residency with Sacramento City Life (Marc Holland) with the plan of planting a church in Davis beginning in July of 2010. We hope to have participation from the leaders and members of our sister congregations here in Sacramento. ]]> admin Preview for Sunday August 10 2008-08-08T18:05:00-06:00 2008-08-08T18:05:00-06:00 tag:livingstoneschurch,2008:LivingStonesChurch.65 At 9:30 we will continue our study of the book of Revelation. Well begin this week with 1:3 and move forward. At 11:00 well read the second story in Jesus cross-lake expedition. Instead of a storm of wind with evil intent he encounters a storm of a man with evil intent. Heres a teaser: We harbor subtle and often erroneous expectations about God and his restorative work in our lives and in this world: 1. It will be pleasant. 2. It will be welcome. 3. It will be obvious, popular and widely accepted. 4. It will be understandable. Instead we will see some very strange things: 1. Gods work seems wildly inefficient. He crosses the lake to save one pitiful man and not even to take him back over to Gods country at the end. Jesus actions create fear in the hearts of the villagers and they ask him to leave. Was this how his mission trip was supposed to end? 2. Gods mission is a strange combination of ruthlessness and graciousness The man doesnt ask to be saved but Jesus saves him anyway. Jesus shows mercy to demons. The towns pig economy literally goes into the drink. Jesus acquiesces to the request of the fearful townsfolk and heads home. Mission Accomplished. Jesus once again seemingly launches a fully convinced disciple to do Gentile missions while his chosen 12 remain clueless despite an astounding God appearance. 3. Even his results are both miraculous and inscrutable at the same time. Jesus newly minted star witness is sent without the benefit of the discipling, teaching, experience, support, exposure to give a full explanation of what God has done for me. In the end, however, the Luke 4 manifesto once again bears fruit and is proven to be spot-on. Where do you fit into this story? We’ll begin this week with 1:3 and move forward.

At 11:00 we’ll read the second story in Jesus cross-lake expedition. Instead of a storm of wind with evil intent he encounters a storm of a man with evil intent. Here’s a teaser:

We harbor subtle and often erroneous expectations about God and his restorative work in our lives and in this world:

1. It will be pleasant.
2. It will be welcome.
3. It will be obvious, popular and widely accepted.
4. It will be understandable.

Instead we will see some very strange things:

1. God’s work seems wildly inefficient.
He crosses the lake to save one pitiful man and not even to take him back over to “God’s country” at the end. Jesus’ actions create fear in the hearts of the villagers and they ask him to leave. Was this how his mission trip was supposed to end?

2. God’s mission is a strange combination of ruthlessness and graciousness
The man doesn’t ask to be saved but Jesus saves him anyway. Jesus shows mercy to demons. The town’s pig economy literally goes into the drink. Jesus acquiesces to the request of the fearful townsfolk and heads home. “Mission Accomplished”. Jesus once again seemingly launches a fully convinced disciple to do Gentile missions while his chosen 12 remain clueless despite an astounding God appearance.

3. Even his results are both miraculous and inscrutable at the same time.
Jesus’ newly minted star witness is sent without the benefit of the discipling, teaching, experience, support, exposure to give a full explanation of “what God has done for me”. In the end, however, the Luke 4 manifesto once again bears fruit and is proven to be spot-on.

Where do you fit into this story? ]]> admin Pray for the renewal of the city 2008-08-08T16:54:00-06:00 2008-08-08T16:54:00-06:00 tag:livingstoneschurch,2008:LivingStonesChurch.64 This Sunday night (Aug 10) a few of us will gather for an hour or so to pray for the renewal of the city. All are welcome. 6:00pm here at church. admin New Audio from Aug 3 2008-08-06T22:29:00-06:00 2008-08-06T22:29:00-06:00 tag:livingstoneschurch,2008:LivingStonesChurch.63 At 9:30 we began digging into the book of Revelation. We only got as far as the first two verses of the book but we had to take a look at Daniel 2 to understand those. audio mp3 At 11:00 we continued our work in the gospel of Luke. We begin a new set of stories, this time Jesus coaxes his disciples into crossing the late overnight and while he's asleep in the boat they are hit with a terrifying storm. audio mp3 At 9:30 we began digging into the book of Revelation. We only got as far as the first two verses of the book but we had to take a look at Daniel 2 to understand those. audio mp3

At 11:00 we continued our work in the gospel of Luke. We begin a new set of stories, this time Jesus coaxes his disciples into crossing the late overnight and while he's asleep in the boat they are hit with a terrifying storm. audio mp3

]]> admin Audio from Sunday July 27 2008-07-28T19:33:00-06:00 2008-07-28T19:33:00-06:00 tag:livingstoneschurch,2008:LivingStonesChurch.62 At our 9:30 Adult Sunday School class we began our study of the book of Revelation. Click here for an mp3 recording of it. At our 11:00 Worship Service we heard how Jesus relativized "family". Audio mp3 At our 9:30 Adult Sunday School class we began our study of the book of Revelation. Click here for an mp3 recording of it.

At our 11:00 Worship Service we heard how Jesus relativized "family". Audio mp3

]]> admin Revelation: New Adult Sunday School Study 2008-07-22T21:16:00-06:00 2008-07-22T21:16:00-06:00 tag:livingstoneschurch,2008:LivingStonesChurch.61 Our 9:30 Adult Sunday School class will begin a new book of the Bible this coming Sunday, the book of Revelation. Probably no other book in the New Testament raises so much excitement and anxiety. In our class we take things slowly, methodically working through the book. Now would be a good time to get in if you are interested. admin Luke 2008-07-22T21:24:00-06:00 2008-04-02T19:39:00-06:00 tag:livingstoneschurch,2008:LivingStonesChurch.46 March 30: Good tree, good fruit April 6: Two Houses and a Flood April 20: The Faith of the Centurion April 28: Do Not Weep May 4: Doubt May 11: We played the flute June 1: What did Simon See June 8: What a Saved Woman Looks Like June 22: What Grateful Women Look Like June 29: A Sower Sowed His Seed July 6: To You Is Given the Secret... July 13: Soils Interpreted July 20: Be Careful How You Listen
  • March 30: Good tree, good fruit
  • April 6: Two Houses and a Flood
  • April 20: The Faith of the Centurion
  • April 28: Do Not Weep
  • May 4: Doubt
  • May 11: We played the flute
  • June 1: What did Simon See
  • June 8: What a Saved Woman Looks Like
  • June 22: What Grateful Women Look Like
  • June 29: A Sower Sowed His Seed
  • July 6: To You Is Given the Secret...
  • July 13: Soils Interpreted
  • July 20: Be Careful How You Listen
    • ]]>     admin     Holy Week 2008-03-26T19:05:00-06:00 2008-03-26T17:30:00-06:00 tag:livingstoneschurch,2008:LivingStonesChurch.43 Palm Sunday message Easter message
  • Palm Sunday message
  • Easter message
    • ]]>     admin     Luke 2008-03-11T22:39:00-06:00 2007-10-09T21:39:00-06:00 tag:livingstoneschurch,2008:LivingStonesChurch.33 Sept 23: John the Baptist Oct 7: Jesus' Baptism Oct 14: Jesus' Temptation Oct 21: Jesus in Nazareth Oct 28: Reformation Sunday Nov 4: Capernaum, Authority Nov 11: Jesus blesses the sick Nov 18: Detaining Jesus Dec 2: Peter's Call Dec 9: Jesus Touches a Leper Dec 15: Faith that Sees Jesus Dec 23: Peace On Earth: Jesus in Blue and Red Jan 20: Jesus heals withered hand Jan 29: Jesus prays to select 12 Feb 10: Blessed Are You Who Are Poor Feb 17: Woe to You who are rich Feb 24: Do not judge March 2: Love your enemies March 9: The Log and the Speck
  • Sept 23: John the Baptist
  • Oct 7: Jesus' Baptism
  • Oct 14: Jesus' Temptation
  • Oct 21: Jesus in Nazareth
  • Oct 28: Reformation Sunday
  • Nov 4: Capernaum, Authority
  • Nov 11: Jesus blesses the sick
  • Nov 18: Detaining Jesus
  • Dec 2: Peter's Call
  • Dec 9: Jesus Touches a Leper
  • Dec 15: Faith that Sees Jesus
  • Dec 23: Peace On Earth: Jesus in Blue and Red
  • Jan 20: Jesus heals withered hand
  • Jan 29: Jesus prays to select 12
  • Feb 10: Blessed Are You Who Are Poor
  • Feb 17: Woe to You who are rich
  • Feb 24: Do not judge
  • March 2: Love your enemies
  • March 9: The Log and the Speck
    • ]]>     admin     Sin and the People of God 2007-10-09T21:34:00-06:00 2007-06-28T19:14:00-06:00 tag:livingstoneschurch,2008:LivingStonesChurch.29 July 1: God curses the earth. Genesis 3, 11 July 8: God uses our evil: Genesis 50 July 29: Why we make gods: Exodus 32 Aug 5: Giants in the Land: Numbers 13,14 Aug 12: An Object for Destruction: Joshua 6-7 Aug 19: Samson: Judges 13-16  Aug 26: From Bitter to Sweet: Ruth 1-4 Sept 2: Golden Mice and Tumors: 1 Samuel 4-6 Sept 9: Saul and David Sept 16: What About Solomon?
  • July 1: God curses the earth. Genesis 3, 11
  • July 8: God uses our evil: Genesis 50
  • July 29: Why we make gods: Exodus 32
  • Aug 5: Giants in the Land: Numbers 13,14
  • Aug 12: An Object for Destruction: Joshua 6-7
  • Aug 19: Samson: Judges 13-16
  • Aug 26: From Bitter to Sweet: Ruth 1-4
  • Sept 2: Golden Mice and Tumors: 1 Samuel 4-6
  • Sept 9: Saul and David
  • Sept 16: What About Solomon?
    • ]]>     admin     Jeremiah 2007-06-27T22:33:00-06:00 2007-05-17T21:41:00-06:00 tag:livingstoneschurch,2008:LivingStonesChurch.26 Sermon Series on the book of Jeremiah May 13: The Life of a Prophet May 20: God's Dilemma May 27: What is a temple for? June 10: Founding Hell in the Promised Land June 17: The Subversive God June 24: New Branch, New Hearts Sermon Series on the book of Jeremiah

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