Community

Worship in the Park

Sunday, Nov 20th 10:30AM

Horan Park, St. Pete Beach

THANKSGIVING MEAL TO FOLLOW


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12noon Food, fellowship, fun & games!

This is an outreach event intended to reach people who may never come into a church--but will attend an outdoor worship event with food! 

  • A huge Thanksgiving Meal of turkey and all the trimmings, pies, etc. 
  • Plan on playing kickball, volleyball, corn hole, etc.


Bring someone to meet Christ in the gospel!

HURRICANE RELIEF

Thanksgiving Dinner Fundraiser

We have an opportunity to bless those who lost much in Hurricane Ian. Our goal is to provide 80-100 people with a free Thanksgiving meal. Our sister church in Ft. Myers will assemble the people and pick up the meals from the local Bob Evans Restaurant in Ft. Myers. Each meal cost about $150 and will feed 8 people. Please consider giving to help those devastated by the storm. Make checks out to Risen City Presbyterian Church or visit www.risencity.org to give online.

Life after Election Day

How Christians are to live post-election

  Just a few days ago, on November 8, 2022, the American people went to the polls. Some of you may feel disappointed because your candidate wasn't elected. Others of you are elated because your candidate was elected. Regardless of which outcome you experienced, we are obligated by Scripture to support our duly elected officials. The apostle Paul said this in Romans 13:1,

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God" (Ro 13:1). This is why we are to obey those who are the properly elected authority. Paul continues to say that...

"Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain" (Ro 13:2–4). The civil authorities "bear the sword" and have the power to throw you in jail or worst if you lack "good conduct"! Many Christians throughout history have chosen prison or even death for the sake and truth of the gospel.

Historically speaking, Christians have been put into situations where the civil authorities are requiring them to directly contradict what Scripture teaches. The passage that comes to mind is in Acts 4 where Peter and John are strictly charged not to speak of the name of Jesus! It says,

"So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard" (Ac 4:18–20). In this circumstance, the apostles knew they were obligated to obey God rather than man. It is hard to imagine having Peter's courage in the face of the religious authority of that day! How exemplary! The apostles had a duty to first preach the gospel! The Great Commission was given by Jesus to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Mt 28:19–20). This, by the way, is still our duty! We too are obligated to this and therefore it is the main purpose of why we gather together for worship. It is to hear the proclaimed message of the gospel and participate in the means of grace which are the sacraments: baptism and the Lord's supper.

Praise God that the Bible is clear and that this is our most central mission as the Church of Jesus Christ in the world. We are obligated to preach and teach and administer the Sacraments until He returns! Politics change and economies rise and fall, but the Word of the Lord will never change! Amen.

Call to Prayer


Sunday morning's at 8 a.m. in the library.

A measure of the grace of God in our midst is the amount of prayer taking place. Will you come join in to experience this grace together with others. As we fill the prayer room...God will fill our church!

The Sermon this Sunday

PHILIPPIANS

Jesus the Highest Name

  What does it mean that "God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name" (Phil 2:9)? Commentator Don Carson said, "What is meant here is that God assigns Jesus a name that reflects what He has achieved and that acknowledges who He is." Jesus is God who came to us in the flesh. Jesus is sovereign over all creation. Jesus's name has preeminence over all other names. To Carson's point, Jesus's name is such because of what He has achieved for the glory of God and the good of all mankind. And secondly, Jesus's name is the highest name because it reflects who He is. He is the ultimate One who judges the living and the dead. All of history rests on Him. He is the One who was, and is, and is to come! He is the only One who is worthy to open the seal in Revelation. We read John's words as he wept saying,

"And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Re 5:2–5)

In this scene, the conquering King Jesus is seen for who He really is! His name reflects who he is!

Philippians 2:9-11 tells us that God has given Jesus the name that is above every name, "so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

This explains why in Revelation 5:11ff, we see this heavenly scene erupt in joyous unfettered praise by EVERY tongue in heaven and on earth and under the earth! John writes,

"Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, 

      “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 

"And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, 

     “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 

And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped." (Re 5:11–14).

Paul the apostle writing to the church at Philippi knew this heavenly scene well. He longed for it to come during his life on earth. How about you? Do you long to see the exalted One showered in praise like confetti falling on a conquering King in a parade for his honor? Do you long to hear the voices of the myriads of worshipers lifting songs with a loud voice to His name? You will experience this and can experience it at some level even now as we worship Him in Spirit and truth as true worshipers. This is why we are a gathered people. This is why we are gathering this Sunday. Don't miss out!

MOVIE NIGHT

featuring "The Chosen"

Join us for the first season of The Chosen.  

DATES: TODAY Nov 11, 2022, more dates TBA

TIMES: Arrive as early as 6:45pm, movie begins at 7:05pm. Three episodes per night. Discussion between episodes end by 10pm. 

LOCATION: 3110 Grand Ave., Pinellas Park, FL 33782 Clubhouse Movie Theater room.

HINT: This is a good event to invite a friend to! Please RSVP on this LINK.

ROAD TRIP to TRUTH

TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS

Sunday School at 10:30am. 

Take a 2000 year old question, throw in a mix of Gen Z college students, a healthy serving of experts, a dash of animation, and what do you get?

Road Trip to Truth, a series that seeks to teach us that the answers to life's biggest questions are never that far off.

Find answers on the topics of evolution, depression, the reliability of the Bible, the existence of God, the veracity of the Bible, and of course, truth itself.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

WOMEN'S ADULT CLASS 

Again this week the ladies will be watching Nancy Guthrie teach on the Book of Revelation in her series called "BLESSED." Look forward to rich biblical teaching and genuine conversation.

Meets in the Fellowship Hall at 10:30am

See Susan Avato if you have questions. 727 599-4555

SUNDAY SCHOOL


MEN'S ADULT CLASS  will explore the basic theology and overarching story of the Old Testament, and why it is still relevant for Christians today. Kingdom, Covenants & Cannon is an excellent overview of the Bible and its most important themes.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

RISEN KIDS (K-5TH) CHILDREN'S CLASSES meet during sermon each Sunday. Children's classes released after singing.


CHILDREN AFTER CHURCH

Raising up kids to love God and love others just like Jesus loved!

CAC is offered during the 10:30 a.m. Adult/teen Sunday School hour to teach Bible, memory verses, catechisms, and activities with a purpose such as arts/crafts, singing, improv, skits, & story time.


VETERAN'S DAY TODAY!

Pray for all those who serve and have given so much for our freedom.


PRAY FOR:

  • Pray for those devastated by the hurricane. 
  • Pray for pastor Heiko & Kay Burklin. Kay's ALS is progressing, pray for God's merciful healing. You may read about Kay here: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kayburklin
  • Continue to pray for Sonya, Ellen's daughter, more testing for more disease.
  • A NEW YOUTH DIRECTOR to minister to our teens. Pray that God leads the right person to our church. 
  • Pray for THAT ONE FRIEND to trust Christ this new year.
  • So many other prayer needs! Below is a list of people that you may not know but God knows each by name: Pray for Tommy, Catie, Bryce, Austin, Alice, Gonzo, Janet, Vince, Neiko, Katie, John, Honey, Lori, Jesse, Blake, Rick, Evelyn, John, Brittany, Megan, Ellen, Sofia, Billy, Louise, Mike M., Jason, Michele, Tito, Danielle, Aaron, Jane, Darrell, Dave, Marty, Dan, Bob, Cole, Ian, Damin, Jeff, John, Stacie, Ann Marie, Tom, Josh, Marc, Daniel, Max, Jared, Devin, Scott, Mike, Sarah, Mark, Bill, Amanda, Jack, Terri, Josh, Amanda, Bobby, Johnny, Jane, Tim, Lori, Mike, Amy, Anthony, Sam, Taylor, Mikani, Rick, Mike, Sarah, and others who need Jesus and a church like ours. Father, please increase our faith.
  • Pray and Invite someone to Church.
  • Pray for the people floating around without a Christ-centered family! MAYBE YOUR NEIGHBOR IS ONE!
  • The Lord's blessing! Pray for God's mercy in SALVATIONS!
Read the Bible

Click on "Read the Bible" this will take you to "Today's Reading" where you will see D. A. Carson's commentary, then four selections from the Bible. Really solid stuff for you to feed upon!

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