This Sunday's Theme:

"Sardis: A Wake Up Call!"

Revelation 3:1-6

In-person and Live Stream to Facebook and YouTube at 10:30 AM

Good afternoon church!

Today is Ascension Day and we celebrate Jesus’ return to his home – heaven. But this is not a day of sadness! It is a day of Joy! Jesus has gone to prepare a place for you and me. Jesus has redeemed you from your sins and from the grave; and Jesus will be with you always! How can we be sure of that? Because Jesus had told his disciples that he would be sending his Holy Spirit so that we would never, ever be alone. Ten days from today, we will be celebrating Pentecost – the gift of the Holy Spirit.

I invite you to pray with me and the New Covenant prayer team, that God would send his Holy Spirit upon us to empower us to witness to Jesus’ death and resurrection!  How did Jesus change your life? What circumstance did God use? Whom have you told? Did you ever talk with your children or grandchildren about it? Is it too late? Will you pray for the Holy Spirit to encourage us to speak about Jesus?

This week we move onto Sardis, the 5^th city in “The Seven Churches.” In Revelation, we hear that Sardis was a Christian community, but that they had fallen asleep. They were dead – without life.

Under the quarterback, “Scramblin’ Fran Tarkenton”, I grew up watching the Minnesota Vikings play in four Super Bowls. They lost every time. You might say that we had some life in the team, back in the day. But we have not even been close to a Super Bowl in recent years. Are the Minnesota Vikings dead? You get my point?

The church in Sardis, was alive, but really, it was dead – fallen asleep. Have we ever felt that way about our faith? Perhaps it’s not as important to us as it once was?

Join us this Sunday as we look at Sardis in Revelation 3: 1-6 to see how Jesus wants us to wake up!

I hope you have had a fantastic Ascension Day! “Rejoice, again I say rejoice!” Hope to see you this Sunday.

Pastor Steve

• Goldie and family as she will undergo a double heart catheterization next Tuesday.
• For Paul and Andy (neighbors of Riley and Kathy), and Andy’s friend who are struggling with alcoholism. Prayers for strength and support for Andy and his friend who are beginning recovery.
• Prayers for healing for Pat Musgrove’s sister in law Gloria Nelson, who is undergoing heart surgery today.
• Prayers for comfort and peace for Youvonne, friend of Kathy Power, who is entering hospice care.
• Hayden, son of Shane and Michelle Grabenstein, battling severe headaches and migraines. He was previously hospitalized, and they are looking for answers.
• That the Holy Spirit would come and fill us and our church with its Pentecost power, love and grace.
• Prayers for effective treatment and healing for Ruby, the 21 month old daughter of Rhett and Rachel (friend of Jennifer Coughenour) who has been diagnosed with a very serious, rare illness, and is going through treatments at Phoenix children’s Hospital.
• Prayers for Ruby's father Rhett (listed above). Rhett is also struggling with health issues-we pray for a diagnosis and treatment.
• Prayers for strength and successful treatment for Christia, friend of Katie Mayer, who is about to undergo treatment for breast cancer for the second time.
• Prayers for comfort for the family of Dean and Lisa Durkee, as they mourn the recent loss of his cousin's son.
• We pray for the safety of Pam and Bob Rognlien, and missionaries overseas.
• Prayers for comfort for Nancy and Jake following recent news regarding her pregnancy.
• Prayers for successful treatment and healing for Henry L'Esperance, Lynn's L'Esperance's dad, as he begins six months of chemotherapy for recently diagnosed cancer.
• Prayers for Denny, friend of Rod and Dorothy, who was diagnosed with bladder and kidnery cancer.
• We pray for a friend of Benjamin Walker's grandmother, Pat, who has cancer.
• We pray for Vanessa and Gus Ayala and their children, as they mourn the loss of their son, Noah.
• We pray for Mike Darkoch, for treatment and healing.
• Prayers for Keenan, Charlie Brichta's uncle, who was diagnosed with lung cancer. Prayers for strength and resilience as he undergoes treatment, and that his body would be fully restored.
• Prayers for healing and hope for Roxana Mullenhoff, friend of Dave and Debby Andrews, who has not yet found relief from headaches since suffering a head injury over a year ago.
• Prayers for healing for Will Wartenburg who is undergoing treatment following a cancer diagnosis.
• Prayers for Sandee that she is able to experience healing for her depression as well as other health struggles. Prayers that she would find a renewed sense of purpose.
• Prayers for all young parents, for patience, peace, and overflowing love in their homes.
• Prayers for Uncle Ronnie's health and safety and for his family, that they may all feel strengthened and experience God's peace during this difficult time.
• Prayers for healing for Troy's brother in Colorado who suffers from Parkinson's.
• Prayers for Carol McNulty, Aurien Preiss' mom, as she continues with therapy.
• Prayers for Bonnie Straley’s brothers, Len and Larry and also his wife, Ann, for healing; and also Daphne and Cassidy for God’s guidance.
• Kent, a friend of Jeff Clarke and Debbie Campouris, is in need of continued prayers as he navigates his diagnosis.