News
- Mission Pledge: Our goal is that every member would make a pledge and reach our 2026 mission budget of $315,000. So far, we have 59 pledges totaling $101,240. The pledge deadline is November 30.
- Wednesday Prayer Meeting, 7:30-8:30pm (Zoom: 233 085 786; PW 007276). Contact P. Larry ([email protected]) for info.
- Child Dedication Sun., Oct. 26. Please register by Oct. 19 with the church office.
- Make a Connection
- Thursday Bible Studies
- Open to all, studying the book of Job, 6:00-8:00pm at Marcus & Corina’s. Contact Marcus Bejot [email protected] for info.
- Crossroads (Young Adults) Thursday Bible Study at 7pm in CO204. Contact P. Steve ([email protected]) for info.
- Young Families Fellowship meets this Friday, Oct. 17, 7-9pm in CO206 for Bible Study. Contact P. Steve ([email protected]) for info.
- Patchwork Sisters’ Annual Fleece Blanket Fellowship on Sat., Oct. 18, 10:00am-1:00pm in the Fellowship Hall. Please see Pam Bakas or Janet Chen for information.
- Crossroads (Young Adult) Hike at Goldmine/Dynamite Trail in the San Tan Mountain Regional Park on Sat., Oct 25. (Take note: this is updated.) You can meet at the trailhead at 9am or at Wayne’s house at 8:30am to carpool. Contact P Steve ([email protected]) for info.
- Thursday Bible Studies
- Next Generation Ministry
- Children’s Ministry’s Lunch & Learn is Sun., Oct., 26, 1-2pm in CO-203. Esther Goh speaks on How to Lead Children’s Worship. All teachers, parents and potential teachers can join. Register here. Contact [email protected] for info.
- Harvest Festival is Fri., Oct. 31, 6-8pm at the church. We welcome the congregation to join us to celebrate. For info or if you want to serve, contact [email protected].
- Urbana 25 is a missions conference geared for college and young adults. It will be Dec. 28-31 at the Phoenix Convention Center downtown. Register here. Deadline is Oct. 26. Contact P. Chris ([email protected]) for more information.
GROW (Sundays 11:15am-12:25pm) September -November
Youth – Bible Studies for Life (Youth Center) Various teachers
College & 12th Grade – New City Catechism (D-203) P. Chris
Gospel Project – From Captivity to Restoration (B-110) Nathan Palmer
Book of Genesis (CO-206) Marcus Bejot & P. Larry
Behold and Believe (B207) Patchwork Sisters
WORD: Dead Asleep
Steve Houston • Acts 20:17 – 21:15
When we are unable to convince others regarding the Lord’s will, it’s best to take our hands off the control panel and entrust them for God to handle.
- Being Dead Set on a Plan Despite Differing Positions (20:22-25; 21:4; 21:8-11)
- Paul made known his urgent plan to go to Jerusalem.
- He wanted to hand over alms from Gentiles on Pentecost.
- He heard from the Spirit about dangers ahead. That emboldened him!
- Believers tried to persuade Paul to not go to Jerusalem.
- They heard from the Spirit about dangers ahead. That alarmed them!
- They felt that Paul’s trip to Jerusalem would risk his safety and ministry.
- What the Spirit communicates is consistent. What we do with it may differ.
- Discretion steers us between yielding deference & unbending determination.
- Paul made known his urgent plan to go to Jerusalem.
- Being Dead Set on a Choice Despite Difficult Partings (20:36-38; 21:5-6; 21:12-15)
- Believers escorted Paul as far as they could for final farewells.
- The rush of their tears for Paul showed their affection for him.
- The release of their grip on Paul showed their respect for him.
- Paul proceeded to Jerusalem unwavering and unafraid.
- He had prepared believers for life after his absence.
- He was prepared for imprisonment and even death.
- Goodbyes can close a chapter but paths that diverge may yet converge.
- “Let the will of the Lord be done” (21:14) admits we can’t control others.
- Believers escorted Paul as far as they could for final farewells.
PRAY:
In a report by the NGO Intersociety, from July 2009-Sept. 2025, 19,100 churches in Nigeria have been destroyed, looted, or violently closed, an average of 1,200/year, more than 3/day. The persecution of Christians has led to at least 15 million being displaced, forced to flee their ancestral homes and churches due to massacres. In the report is the existence of jihadist camps, where at least 850 Christians are being tortured or killed if their families don’t pay a ransom. There have been systematic kidnappings of Christian children in eastern Nigeria who are sent to Islamic orphanages in the north for forced conversion to Islam.
English Worship Service
| Praise | Duane |
| Prayer | P. Chris |
| Welcome/Announcements | P. Chris |
| Message | P. Steve |
| Benediction | P. Steve |