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Sabbath: An Invitation to Rest

We live in a world that never stops. Our calendars are filled with demands from school, work, sports, and family. We are addicted to our screens and social media. What little down time we have is often spent worrying about the next big thing on our to do list. Life moves at a hectic pace, 24/7/365 with no end in sight. Many people suffer the tell-tale signs of burnout. Is this how we were meant to live?

God shows us a better way. He invites us to establish a rhythm of work and rest that Scripture calls Sabbath. It isn’t about a new list of legalistic rules to follow, or even a particular day of the week. Rather, it is about trusting God with our time and resources. We were created to rest regularly so that we may remember who God is and what he’s done for us, resist the hectic pace of life that leads to burn out, and revitalize our approach to work and the rest of our weekly schedule.

Join us at First Church during the month of January was we study how to embrace God’s invitation for Sabbath rest.
Reading List:

• The Art of Rest by Adam Mabry
• The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Timothy Keller
• Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller
• 24/6 by Matthew Sleeth, MD

Advent is just around the corner!

This season marks the beginning of the church calendar. It is the time to celebrate the arrival and incarnation of Jesus Christ and look forward to his return in glory. This year, we will once again reflect on the traditional Advent themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.

December 1 – Hope (Advent 1)
December 8 – Peace (Advent 2)
December 15 – Joy (Advent 3)
December 22 – Love (Advent 4)

Join us at First Church of New Knoxville.  We are located at 200 W. Bremen St. in New Knoxville, Ohio.  Our morning worship begins at 9 am and is followed by Sunday school classes for all ages at 10:15 am.

You can listen to our broadcast on T-102 FM each Sunday at 10:15 am on your radio or via the iHeart Radio app.

 

Begins September 22

Sunday Mornings from 10:15 – 11:15 am in the ministry center

Led by Pastor Joel

The most often asked questions during our summer sermon series on Tough Questions came out of the book of Revelation. The books consideration of future events, as well as the unique symbolism and vivid visions, draws the attention of readers and makes it difficult to understand. Popular books and movies dealing with “end-of-the-world” type scenarios, both Christian and secular, also muddy the waters.

After spending a couple weeks this summer preaching on some main themes from the book of Revelation, I decided to offer a twelve-week Bible study during the Sunday School hour. Utilizing a study guide created by renowned Pastor John Stott, we will dive into the book of Revelation in greater detail.

If you are interested in wrestling with more tough questions, curious about the book of Revelation, or want to study God’s Word with other believers, join us on Sunday mornings from 10:15-11:15 in the Ministry Center beginning September 22.

 

This year, OCC is more than a Sunday School project. It’s an all church project!

Watch the video below and see the impact it has when a child receives a box.  Each box includes a 12 lesson discipleship message called The Greatest Journey.

 

 

We are encouraging everyone to fill a shoe box this year and have set a goal of 200 boxes.  You can pack your own box or grab one of the boxes available at the church entrances or in the heritage room.  If you don’t want to pack a box you can also donate items for the packing party on November 10 and let us pack the box for you.

Need Suggestions for items to pack?  Here are lists you can print and take shopping with you.

Shoebox Gift Suggestions Boy/Girl Age 2-4

Shoebox Gift Suggestions Boy/Girl Age 5-9

Shoebox Gift Suggestions Boy/Girl Age 10-14

Call the church office for more information! 419-753-2446

If you’re a radio listener and would like to be connected to a church closer to you that is collecting boxes please email us at firstchurchnk@nktelco.net and we will help you.

Join us at First Church beginning September 8 as we study the book of 1 John and what it means to be Called into Community.

We live in an increasingly disconnected world. Even with smartphones and social media, we feel more separated than ever from the people around us. Our relationships are a mile wide and an inch deep. That is why the message of 1 John is an important now as when it was first written.

This letter, written by the Apostle John, reminds Christians that we have been brought into fellowship with God and each other. Not shallow, disconnected relationships, but real, authentic, life-giving community.

First Church of New Knoxville is located at 200 W. Bremen St. in New Knoxville, Ohio  Our morning service is at 9:00 am and is re-broadcast on T-102 FM at 10:15 am each Sunday.

You can catch up on any of Pastor Joel’s other messages on our website at http://www.firstchurchnk.org

NK Community VBS was June 10-14.

What an amazing week we had!  Here’s a look back at our awesome adventures In The Wild!

NKCommunity VBS 2019 in Review

The Columbus Maennerchor gave a Spring/Summer concert honoring the 50th Anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s Moon Landing.

Founded over 170 years ago by 12 young men, new Americans, the Columbus Männerchor has become the nations largest and longest continually active German singing society and social club.

Their appearance in New Knoxville was part of a yearlong celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Mission and Neil Armstrong’s Walk on the Moon, organized by the 2019 Celebration Committee. For more information about more 2019 activities please visit www.firstonthemoon.org or, on Facebook, First on the Moon.

Summer Series – June 1 – September 4

A few months ago I began asking the church to submit tough questions about the Bible or faith in general. You did not disappoint! Thank you to everyone who submitted questions or topics for the sermon series.

Below you will find a tentative schedule for the summer. I attempted to include everyone’s submission. Some of them were similar enough to combine and form a mini-series, others will be stand alone sermons.

My hope and prayer as we work through these questions is for us as a church to faithfully engage the Scriptures in a way that honors God and each other, and to demonstrate that God is big enough to handle our questions and doubts. Jesus told his disciples that he is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). I believe that if we honestly and earnestly seek the truth, we will always find Jesus in the end.   Pastor Joel

June 9-What is the Trinity?

June 16-Why did Jesus cry when Lazarus died?

June 23-Why is there good and evil?

June 30-What does it mean to be pro-life?

July 7- If God is first in our life then how should our priorities change? (Youth Pastor Tory preaching)

July 14 –Questions from the book of Revelation

July 21- End Times / Second Coming

July 28- Hell and the Devil

August 4- Heaven – Are you ready? (Youth Pastor Tory preaching)

August 11-Violence in the Old Testament

August 18- How do I defend and share my faith?

August 25- What is the Armor of God?

September 4- What are Spiritual Gifts?

Have you ever wondered why we worship?

Christians have been gathering to worship Jesus for nearly 2000 years. Today, Christians all over the world gather in churches, auditoriums, and homes to worship him. Despite differences in culture, style, and preference, you will find the same basic elements in every worship service.

God’s people gather together to praise, read Scripture, pray, administer the sacraments, and to fellowship with each other. It’s just what Christians do. But why? Why these things and not others? And what purpose do they serve at First Church?

From April 28 to May 26, we are going to discuss why we worship. When we examine our assumptions and get to the “why” behind our actions, it will bring a deeper appreciation for what we do on Sunday mornings.

You’re invited to join us at 9 am on Sundays at 200 W. Bremen St. in New Knoxville or listen at 10:15 am on T-102 FM.

We invite you to join us on Easter morning as we celebrate the Risen King!

Our morning worship begins with a 7:00 am SonRise Service in the ministry center behind the church led by our youth.

We continue at 8:00 am with breakfast served in the social room of the church.  Our men’s bible study group hosts a breakfast of eggs, ham and cinnamon rolls!

At 9:00 am join us for our Celebration Worship service as we joyfully worship the Risen King.

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed light lightening stood beside them.  In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground,but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”  He is not here; he as risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”  Luke 24:1-7