The Living Parable of Reconciliation
Most of our lives are scattered with some level of broken relationships. How do you forgive people who mistreat you? How do you deal with a harsh boss? What do you do with a lazy or dishonest employee? Learn how to deal with these issues from one of the smallest books in the New Testament.
Sunday, July 11, Pastor Steve began a verse by verse study of Paul's most personal letter; Philemon. This small letter is an appeal from the Apostle to a slave-master. In line with the character of Christ, Paul tried to persuade Philemon to forgive his runaway slave who robbed from him and his wife.
In this Living Parable of Reconciliation, Paul represents Christ, Philemon represents the Father and Onesimus represents sinful mankind. As Jesus took the Hand of a righteous God and, through His death, burial and resurrection joined it to the hand of humanity, so Paul tried to join the hand of Philemon (the pastor and slave owner) to the hand of the Onesimus (the guilty runaway slave turned Christ-follower).
Learn practical lessons of reconciliation in this powerful 6-7 week study, Sundays at 10 a.m.
Sunday, June 27th - We were blessed with the
ministry of our friend and special speaker
Andra Ingalls
We welcomed Andra Ingalls, her husband Scott and their four children Josh, Nate, Samantha and Abby! The Ingalls served faithfully on our Launch Team helping us get OC3 up and going with their time, effort, finances, skills and encouragement and they are greatly appreciated. Andra Ingalls is a versatile teacher and speaker who ministers to young and old alike. Her love for children and families led her to earn a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Connecticut majoring in Family Studies. It gives her great joy to help people learn how to hear the voice of the Lord and help people find healing from emotional wounds. She has served in a variety of ministry positions including five years as a Director of Children's Ministries and two years as a house church leader alongside her husband, Scott. Andra and Scott have been happily married since 1992.
Andra did a fabulous of job of explaining the scriptures about God's radical loveand forgiveness of His children and how that empowers us to live a life of radical love and forgiveness. (The message is available on CD)
The Fishing Series
In Matthew 4:19, Jesus said "...follow Me and I will make you fishers of men." This is a promise. Those who follow fish for men. Those who do not fish for men are not truly following and are often fighting the pastor and other Christ-followers over petty things.
On Pentecost Sunday (May 23rd), Pastor Steve began a 4-week series teaching from he Word about the importance of partnering with God in this Great Co-Mission.
Along with the Fishing Series, our Ocean's 12Home Group went through this 4-session interactive video series, Share Jesus Without Fear. Less than 10% of Christ-followers lead another soul to faith in Christ in their entire life. The effectiveness of most believers to help anyone else come to know their Savior in a personal way is crippled by fear. The Barber's home was teeming with people who invested 4 Wednesday Nights and just $8 to learn how to share Jesus in a non-confrontational simple way. (In addition, children's ministries were provided in these sessions) See more details below.
Ocean's 12 Home GroupS
(on hiatus till September 15th)
Our home group discussions consist of no more than 12 adults and cover a variety of helpful topics. (Teenagers participate in the discussion as well) Ocean's 12 groups are presently held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8. We journeyed together through our 6 week video series from Max Lucado's book, "Fearless" from April 14th - May 19th. In these discussions, participants learned how to deal with one of our biggest battles: FEAR! Life is filled with them and God can help us to overcome them while still honoring Him.
Kids are important to us so we do provide Nursery and be assured your children are cherished and welcome!
Complimentary coffee and treats will also be available. Some of the advantages of getting together in this home group are...
1. The warm homey atmosphere
2. The open discussion where every one's ideas are valued
3. The fresh insights you gain both from the spiritually mature facilitator and the people involved
4. The freedom to ask questions
5. Meeting new friends on a similar journey to your own
6. FREE Coffee and treats!
Location(E-mail or call Pastor Steve with any questions)
- OCEAN'S 12 GROUPS ARE ON HIATUS TILL SEPTEMBER 15TH
Church Office (401-596-7400)
