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For Such A Time As This
28 October 2008
One week from today millions of us will be exercising one of our privileges and gifts as citizens of United States of America. We will vote! Two things before you vote on Tuesday, November 4.
FIRST, I hope you will worship on All Saints Sunday, November 2. The story for our sanctuary services is from the book of Esther. It is well worth your time to read and reflect upon the book of Esther. God is not mentioned by name in Esther but we find him nonetheless. In Esther 3:8 we read; “Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, ‘There is a certain people scattered and separated among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king’s laws, so that it is not appropriate for the king to tolerate them.’”
Will Wilimon often refers to Christ followers as RESIDENT ALIENS. Just like Esther, Mordecai and fellow Jews who were aliens in what is now Iran, we also as followers of Jesus Christ understand that our primary citizenship is in the Kingdom of God. We are resident aliens who know that regardless of our earthly citizenship our primary allegiance is to the Lord God. As a matter of fact, maybe one of the best contributions we can make to American politics may be our wariness of power. Jesus was tempted by the devil to seize power – but Jesus resisted (Matthew 4:8). Throughout history, when the Church has been persecuted, we have thrived; when we have been installed in the corridors of power, corruption has crept in. At the same time, since we know of Christ followers in other parts of the world where faith cannot be expressed openly, where a conversation that dared criticize the government would be met with persecution, we shout HALLELUJAH that we are free to worship, gather around the word and vote our conscience.
SECONDLY, I want to encourage you to consider fasting on Monday before you exercise the privilege and responsibility to vote on Tuesday. In Esther 4:15 we read; “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat or drink for three days, night or day. After that I will go to the King, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.”
Esther insisted that the people fast and pray before she risked her life in civil disobedience. I doubt that any of us are being asked to disobey the law on Tuesday BUT I still think that we need humble ourselves, pray and fast as we call upon the Lord God to work in our nation. Esther and Mordecai understood that they should do NOTHING until they called upon God for divine guidance.
And regardless of who is elected as President of the most powerful nation on earth, we know the truth that Gideon declares; “Only the Lord can be king!” (Judges 8:23)
Blessings on your worship, prayers and fasting!
- Orphans
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Sponsoring a child through Central provides education, school uniforms, supplies and food for orphans and semi-orphans in our sister congregations of Kibena and Matingajola in Southern Tanzania.
Each week people meet together for a meal, a talk on topics such as "Who is Jesus?", "Why Did Jesus Die?", "How Can I be Sure of My Faith?", and "Does God Still Heal Today?" , followed by small group interaction. There is an optional one-day retreat, which focuses on the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
The goal of Financial Peace University is not just information—we're looking for transformation. More than one million familieshave attended FPU with amazing results. On average, they pay off $5,300 in debt and save $2,700 in just 90 days.
This Week @ Central
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21 May
MOPS
06:00 PM to 09:00 PM -
21 May
The Hope Connection
06:30 PM to 09:00 PM -
21 May
Revelation Class
07:00 PM to 08:30 PM -
22 May
Moms In Touch - VandenBerge & Salk Middle Schools
08:15 AM to 09:15 AM -
22 May
Staff Prayers
09:00 AM to 09:15 AM -
22 May
Men's and Women's Coffee Hour
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM -
22 May
Staff Meeting
01:30 PM to 03:00 PM -
22 May
Prayer Worship
06:30 PM to 07:00 PM -
22 May
The Lord's Prayer Class
07:15 PM to 08:30 PM -
23 May
Women's Bible Study at Panera
06:45 AM to 07:45 AM -
23 May
College and Career Moms in Touch
08:00 AM to 09:00 AM -
23 May
Fresh Food Distribution
08:30 AM to 10:00 AM -
23 May
Central Assembly Group
08:30 AM to 11:30 AM -
23 May
Staff Prayers
09:00 AM to 09:15 AM -
23 May
Fresh Faith
09:00 AM to 10:00 AM -
23 May
Little Lambs Chapel Time
09:30 AM to 10:00 AM -
23 May
The Lord's Prayer Class
11:00 AM to 12:30 PM -
23 May
Weight Watchers Meeting
12:00 PM to 02:00 PM -
23 May
echo Studios (Art & Music)
03:30 PM to 05:30 PM -
23 May
echo Leader Party at Braley's
06:30 PM to 08:00 PM
21 May - 22 May
22 May - 22 May
22 May - 23 May
23 May - 23 May
23 May - 23 May