SERMON NOTES

The best way to chart a course is to start with a clear understanding of __________ __________ __________. God has been gracious with the __________. God is guiding us into an intersting __________. Our __________ is the instrument Jesus uses to grow His kingdom.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

What are your top five celebrations of 2017? Where in this last year have you seen God provide growth in your waking, worshipping, walking, working and witnessing for Christ? As you consider some of the needs the church could address in this community, where do those needs intersect with your gifts and passion? Why does the reputation of a congregation matter to the kingdom of God? If you were to compose a mission statement for your life for 2018, what would it declare? What would need to change to live more fully into that statement?

Next:
Follow the Owner’s Manual
Luke 3:1-15

SERMON NOTES

The __________ we seek Jesus matters. God often plays new __________ with a familiar __________. Worship is much more than __________ __________ about Jesus. With the star, God opened a door to the previously __________ - __________.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

Where do you like to stargaze? This scripture is a story of three types of royalty: Herod, the Magi, and Jesus. How are they alike? How are they different? Describe a situation where knowing how God has worked in the past has helped you in the present? What do you think kept a lot of Jerusalem’s religious people who were knowledgeable about the Messiah from seeking the Messiah? Who are the unexpected folks that God is using in your life right now to help build and bless your relationship with Jesus?

Next:
State of the Church:
Jesus and Joy
Psalm 145

by Rev. Grant Armstrong 
Luke 2:8-20 
Online Offering - Secure web based giving to First UMC

SERMON NOTES

God’s gift of love is found in His __________. God’s gift of love is found in His __________. God’s gift of love is found in His __________.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

When you were in grade school, you would have been voted “Most likely to __________?” Why? Zechariah praised because God was coming to His people. What would excite you about God coming to visit us here, today? This song celebrates God’s protection from those who would destroy God’s people. How would that protection set people free from fear? God often foreshadows future events through preparations. John’s arrival marked preparations for the Messiah. Based on what God is doing in your life right now, for what might God be preparing you? Who will you commit to pray for this week, so they might know God’s love, grace, and protection?

Next:
Christmas at the Movies:
The Gifts of The Star
Matthew 2:1-12

SERMON NOTES

Our joy increases God’s __________. We celebrate what God has done for __________ and __________. We celebrate that God turns the __________. We rejoice that God keeps His __________.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

What would you be curious to see under a microscope, and why? In your time in worship for you, God or both? Describe how. Mary proclaims that God has been merciful from generation to generation. Give an example of how God has shown mercy in your family before your generation. If God were to flip our position from where we currently are (proud, humble, rich, poor, hungry, filled), where would we find ourselves? What promise of God are you celebrating today? How do you keep that joy with you?

Next:
Christmas at the Movies:
The Love of It’s a Wonderful Life
Luke 1:67-79

SERMON NOTES

“Don’t be __________” is a command. God gives enough ___________ to take the next faithful step. Our __________ and our __________ are both shown through our obedience. “For the __________ of God will never fail.”

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

When do you feel most at peace? The angel offers the words “the Lord is with you” as an assurance. How is that a help to Mary? Mary didn’t learn of all that Jesus would face with that announcement, but some. Where have you experienced God giving you enough information to act, but not all the information at once? How would we live differently if we knew that God’s word will never fail? What is one way you need to accept the peace God has given you to act in faith this week?

Next:
Christmas at the Movies:
The Joy of Elf
Luke 1:46-55

SERMON NOTES

Our hope is based on what God says is __________. Don’t fight a childlike __________ that trusts in a Father’s __________. Christians get to celebrate with hope in __________, and not in __________. Christ’s love makes us desire God’s __________ for our lives.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

During childhood, what gift do you remember wanting most of all? Most religious people of Jesus’ time didn’t understand God as “Father,” but as a distant and powerful law-giver. Do we take the idea of a Father God for granted today? Why or why not? When John says “people who belong to this world,” who do you think that would refer to today? How does the Christmas season reveal and magnify our heart’s desires? What is God purifying in your life right now? Where are you being remade more like Christ today?

Next: 
Christmas at the Movies:
The Peace of Home Alone
Luke 1:26-38

How Great Thou Art - CCLI Song # 14181
© Copyright 1949 and 1953 Stuart Hine Trust CIO Stuart K. Hine Trust (Administration: USA All rights by Capitol CMG Publishing, except print rights for USA, North, Central and South America administered by Hope Publishing. All other non USA Americas rights by the Stuart Hine Trust. Rest of World – Integritymusic.com.)

It Is Well With My Soul - CCLI Song # 25376
© Words: Public Domain | Music: Public Domain

Draw Me Nearer - CCLI Song # 4429971
© Words: Public Domain | Music: 2004 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)

Sweet, Sweet Spirit - CCLI Song # 18204
© 1962. Renewed 1990 Manna Music, Inc. (Admin. by ClearBox Rights, LLC)

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) - CCLI Song # 4768151
© 2006 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Vamos Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

SERMON NOTES

The church __________ away, __________, __________, and the revival spreads when God’s word is __________. It’s God’s __________ that leads to repentance. Christ-followers love __________ more than their own __________. God is calling the church to __________ __________ the light. “I heard the Lord asking, ‘Whom should I send as a __________? Who will __________ for us?’”

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

What is your most comfortable place to rest? Read the passage from Romans 2:1-4. What makes us so blind to our own need to repent? What are some things that the U.S. American church of today seems to value more than saving people? Why is that? The book of Jonah ends with a question. Imagine you were sitting there hearing God ask that question of you? How would you respond to God? God asks in scripture, “Whom should I send?” If you’re honest in your assessment of your faith, can God send you? If not, what would it take for you to be someone God can send to spark revival?

Next:
Mix Tape
Psalm 66

SERMON NOTES

In the pattern of revival shown through Jonah so far,
The church __________ __________
The church is __________
The church __________

Your __________ may be the catalyst that starts a chain reaction. The revival spreads when God’s word is __________. Sometimes the outsiders “__________ __________” more quickly than the insiders do. Transformed __________ put God’s incredible mercy on display.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

Who is a veteran that you’re honoring this Veteran’s Day weekend? Do you think the message of destruction is the whole message God gave Jonah to proclaim? Do you think there was more that Jonah didn’t include? Nineveh is shown taking extreme measures to repent, juxtaposed against Jonah’s own stubborn heart. In what areas do you see the people outside of the church more ready to repent than those within the church? This passage says that God changed His mind. Why would that cause a problem for Jonah? Where do you need to be faithful in sharing God’s word with others?

Next: 
Jonah: Dead Vines and Sour Grapes
Jonah 4

SERMON NOTES

Jonah was a prophet of Israel around __________B.C. __________ __________ from God comes in many different forms. Our rebellious __________ doesn’t just affect us. Revival always begins with __________.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

If you were trying to “get away from it all,” where would you go? Why do you think Jonah believed he could avoid God’s directive? In Jonah’s prayer of reluctant submission from chapter 2, what line most stands out to you and why? In the entire book of Jonah, a large fish is only mentioned three times. Why do you think we tend to focus on the fish instead of the other aspects of this story? Who is your Nineveh? How specifically will you need to repent so you can be obedient in reaching and serving your Nineveh?

Next: 
Jonah: Bad News Evangelist
Jonah 3

SERMON NOTES

The Four Fs of Faith include:
__________ Not __________ Not __________ Not, and __________ Not

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

Describe a time when you have been put on the spot to say something. What kind of things are most likely to cause you to fret? Why do those things trouble you? When do most sense God’s presence? What do you think causes that awareness? How can life’s “messes” help us encounter God and grace? What are you going to do outside of this weekly worship time to be intentional about eternity?

Next:
Jonah: Running from God
Jonah 1 & 2

Sermon Video - Christie & Judy

SERMON NOTES

God will sometimes yoke us to a __________ __________. We are free to __________ or __________ what Jesus has done for us. God’s __________ becomes a disciples only safety net. “So Elisha returned to his oxen and __________ them.”

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

What is the heaviest thing you’ve ever had to pick up and carry? Elijah was directed to Elisha while he was working in the field. What are some other examples of God interrupting people on the job to call them into service? If Jesus called us to “think about what I have done for you,” what would come to mind? Could Elisha have followed Elijah faithfully without destroying his previous source of security? Where is God calling you to make Him your sense of security instead of the things of this world?

Next:

Take Up Your Cross: Witness

Sermon Video - Shelby Davis

SERMON NOTES

Maturity passes up __________ to pass on __________. Maturity renders greater __________ as the walk continues. Maturity has more to do with __________ than __________. “Be an example to all believers
in what you __________, in the way you __________, in your __________, your __________, and your __________.”

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

Who has been your favorite teacher, and why? What are some of the “Old Wives Tales” and “godless ideas” that church people argue about today? Paul described a life of faith as a struggle. Where do you see that remaining true for Christ followers today? Tell of an experience where you witnessed great maturity in a young person. Who is helping you to walk with Christ? Who are you helping to walk with Christ?

Next:

Take Up Your Cross: Work
1 Kings 19:19-21

Sermon Video - Lilli and Katie Interview
Sermon Video - Lilli and Katie Dance

SERMON NOTES

Our worshipping __________ mean something very different today than they did for King David. Worship is absolutely __________, and incredibly __________. “I will not present burnt offerings to the Lord my God that have cost me __________.” Our __________ aren’t overcome through __________ God less.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

Describe a time when you overcame obstacles to get somewhere really important. How does knowing that Jesus has already offered the greatest sacrifice for you impact the way you worship? Do you think God would have accepted David’s offering if he hadn’t invested in it? What are the plagues people still need to overcome in their lives today? What is the sacrifice of praise that God is asking of you today?

Next:

Take Up Your Cross: Walk
1 Timothy 4:6-13

Sermon Video - Richard and Kathy Crum

SERMON NOTES

There’s a point when we must move from __________ to __________. Jesus is still looking for folks who are __________ - __________. Jesus drew the __________, and then He also drew the __________.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

As we celebrate World Communion weekend, what is your most powerful memory of communion? Jesus shares this difficult teaching with the crowd after He fed the multitude. What kinds of responses do you imagine Jesus received? What do you think Jesus means when He talks about those who are “ashamed of [Him] and [His] message?” Jesus does not come across as compassionate when potential followers offered reasons to delay their service with Him. Where do you see Jesus drawing lines like that for His followers today?? What is the specific cross Jesus is calling you to carry right now? What is the specific sacrifice that kills off a part of you that doesn’t honor or trust God?

Next: 
Take Up Your Cross: Worship
2 Samuel 24:18-25