20 May 2018 - ENCS

A new series titled “Being Church”, Pastor Josh did undertake

Relationships and community, all humans endeavour to make

Josh said that in order for people to make a quality connection

They look for availability, affirmation, acceptance, and affection

Community was mentioned seventy times in the Old Testament

But only twice in the New, as ‘church” was much more frequent

Church comes from Greek words meaning “called out people”

People called to assemble, not just the place under a steeple

We are all living stones in a spiritual house, per First Peter two

Knowing that whatever we suffer, Jesus already lived through

When we read the Bible, we need our Lord God to bring it alive

By praying for guidance, we glean wisdom and therefore thrive

“I will build my church, said Jesus in Matthew sixteen eighteen

And “the gates of hell cannot prevail” it is subsequently seen

God accepts us as we are but He continues to with us work

Becoming who we can be is an objective we should not shirk

God builds his house with dressed stones, per First Kings six

Serving to remind us that each has different flaws He can fix

In the same way, we each have unique talents and abilities

With a place in His house, the opportunity we should seize

Relationships come from trust, love, dialogue, and forgiveness

Trust takes time to build but only with God do we not guess

With love we show grace and dialogue leads to discipleship

We should be quick to forgive, a sign of good stewardship

The church establishes community with a common mission

Into a royal priesthood and a holy nation without condition

This allows us to bless others and proclaim His goodness

Helping all of our interactions with others to be a success

Per Ephesians four, the whole body is joined, growing in love

Like interdependent ligaments and bones, as Paul did speak of

Pastor said that as long as we focus on God, we should know

Being around those who differ from us actually helps us to grow

13 May 2018 - ENCS

Pastor Joey spoke on “Wonder Women” this Mother’s Day

He first highlighted what Proverbs one fourteen does say

Her own house, the wise woman builds with her own hand

The foolish one tears hers down, we read and understand

He spoke about Zechariah and wife Elizabeth, per Luke one

They were righteous despite what the Herodians had done

But despite praying and walking blamelessly in God’s sight

Elizabeth was barren, so their future did not look so bright

Once entering the temple, to Zechariah an angel did appear

The angel’s first words to the pious priest were “do not fear”

He told Zechariah the couple’s prayers would be answered

They would have a son because their pleas had been heard

In order for Zechariah to have the promised gladness and joy

He must name his son John and give no alcohol to the boy

This was because into John the Holy Spirit would instead fill

So he could turn many to God, according to God’s divine will

Zechariah unfortunately doubted the message that God sent

So until his son's birth his vocal cords were completely silent

This reminds us that our words carry a huge amount of clout

It is better to be quiet than to God’s promises verbally doubt

Eight days after the boy was born, he was duly circumcised

Their family wanted to name him Zechariah, it is surmised

But Elizabeth intervened in order to protect the boy’s destiny

Naming him John, which Zechariah supported for all to see

Remember that with the world, God’s ways don't always align

But if we incubate them, His plans will inevitably turn out fine

Be like Elizabeth and do not be afraid to apt objections raise

Then, like Zechariah, we can speak and to God send praise

It is interesting that Elizabeth had more faith than Zechariah

She was the hero, saving her husband from being a pariah

So on this second Sunday in May, all mothers we celebrate

Thanking them for prayers and support which never abate