February 20, 2010 by Worship Director.

Jim and Dulci Doty arrived in Angola a couple weeks ago, just in time for the Church of God in Angola General Assembly.  One item in the discussion at the General Assembly was to make a new effort in registering the Church of God in Angola with the country’s government in order that we would be officially recognized.  This past week, there was a followup meeting with an individual that is attempting to assist the church in this effort.  It has been a long road to this point.

“We would appreciate your prayers in this effort that God would open the door for the Church of God to be registered in Angola. We are also praying for God’s guidance that our efforts won’t be wasted, but will have a positive outcome.” - Jim & Dulci Doty, Igreja de Deus em Angola, Luanda, Angola

Let’s renew our prayers for Jim and Dulci and their work in Angola, particularly during this time of Lent.  Jim and Dulci daily make sacrifices from their physical, emotional and financial resources to further the message of Christ in not just Angola, but also Brazil.  We are grateful for the opportunity to share in their ministry as partners in prayer.

Learn more about this African country by reading Wikipedia information on Angola

Posted in Mission Minded | No Comments »

February 20, 2010 by Worship Director.

Today’s Scripture:    Hebrews 10:24

And let us consider one another in order to
stir up love and good works.

Read Hebrews Chapter 10

Cheering Each Other On

Encouragement is the energy of the soul. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out…
Life is a team sport and each of us needs a pat on the back from our teammates and our coaches. Great coaches, teachers and leaders encourage and inspire their students to learn, grow and to persevere.

Each day provides countless opportunities to encourage other people and to praise their good works. When we do, we not only spread seeds of possibilities, but we also follow the commandments of God’s word. A lot of people have reached their goals because someone thought they could.

Today, look for the good in others and celebrate the good that you find. Your encouragement may just make a positive change in someone’s life.

Prayer Starter

Father and Giver of good things -
Give me the spirit of encouragement
that I may spur others on to the goal.

- Rev. Barbara McFarlane

Posted in Celebrate Lent | No Comments »

February 19, 2010 by Worship Director.

Today’s Scripture:    2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,he is a new creation;
old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Read 2 Corinthians Chapters 5-7

A New Creature

I remember all those years ago, before I was a “new creation,” - old things held me back.  I pulled and pushed, struggled and strained, trying to live free of old things.  I would sometimes break away, just to have some other earthly thing disappoint or hurt, and down I would go once more.  It was just fruitless.

Now I have a relationship with someone who can keep me from falling, who, through His goodness and love for me, keeps me on an even plain, pushes back old things and shows me new things.  He has made me a new creation.  I will love Him forever.

Prayer Starter

Lord -
Your mercies are new every morning.
Let me walk as Your new creation every day.

- Linda Wilkins

Posted in Celebrate Lent | No Comments »

February 18, 2010 by Worship Director.

Today’s Scripture:    Luke 4:18-19

God’s Spirit is on Me; He’s chosen Me to preach
the Message of Good News to the poor. 
Sent Me to announce pardon to prisoners
and recovery of sight to the blind. 
To set the burdened and battered free, to announce,
“This is God’s year to act!” 

Read Isaiah Chapter 61

God’s Year to Act

And so it began.  Upon emerging from the wilderness, Jesus read these words from the prophecy of Isaiah and set a plan in motion that would change the world in just three short years.   For Him, it would lead to Calvary – for us – eternity.

Prayer Starter

Dear Savior -
How can we begin to imagine Your journey?
Forgive us our forgetfulness and touch our minds
that we might imagine a journey with You.

- Sue Breland

Posted in Celebrate Lent | No Comments »

February 17, 2010 by Worship Director.

Ash Wednesday

Today’s Scripture:  James 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.

Read Mark Chapter 14

Beginning the Journey

Lent is a time for special personal devotions. This devotional guide is produced with the hope that you can find time during these significant days of the church calendar to draw close to God.  Lent is a pilgrimage with Jesus through His suffering, death, and resurrection.  Lent is a time of learning to die to self - to deny ourselves  - and take His cross and follow Him. It is a time of growth in the knowledge of the Lord.

Originally in the first century, Lent was only a period of forty hours, remembering the 40 hours Jesus’ body was in the tomb. While the rituals and dates have changed throughout the years, the significance remains the same. Lent should be a time we draw close to God and remember the extreme sacrifice made for the redemption of sins for all people. Let’s start the journey together, today.

Prayer Starter:

Lord, Abba, Father –
Draw us closer to the place of our salvation.
Draw us nearer to the cross of Calvary.
Thank you for reaching out to us through Your Son.

- Rev. Gilbert Davila

Posted in Celebrate Lent | No Comments »

February 16, 2010 by Worship Director.

• Lent is a time of year when we can better understand the sacrificial redemption that Christ provided to us.
• Lent is a time to read more about the crucifixion and passion of Christ.
• Lent is a time to deepen our love for Him and express our love in worship.
• Lent is a time of self examination, confession, and repentance.
• Lent is a time to renew our hope and confidence in the power that can transform us.
• Lent is a time of building spiritual growth that can help us see our sins and the good qualities we can receive through Christ.

Visit here every day through Easter Sunday.  As you read the devotions, written by those in our fellowship, seek to affirm a spiritual style which brings inspiration, healing, faith, hope, love and practical guidance for daily living.

- Rev. Gilbert Davila, Pastor, Austin First Church of God

Posted in Celebrate Lent | No Comments »

February 15, 2010 by Web Admin.

We celebrate the love that God puts in our heart and find ways to share that love with others. Saturday,February 13th. was a fun time for all who attended our Annual Valentine Party. A walk-on, couples games, give-a-ways,  love-songs sing-a-long, food, and so many goodies allowed us to have a wonderful  and fun time. Please see our calendar on the About Us page to stay in tune with all the fun and exciting things happening at First Church. Come join us anytime.

Posted in Womens Connection | No Comments »

February 15, 2010 by Worship Director.

Lent is the 40 day period (not counting Sundays) before Easter and represents the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness preparing for His ministry to begin. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and continues through Easter Sunday each year.  Christians mark the season by devoting ourselves to prayer, fasting and serving others.

Every day of this season, February 17 through April 4, join us here for scripture, devotional thoughts and prayer starters to help guide you to a more meaningful Easter as we prepare ourselves for our own ministry in the world.

Posted in Celebrate Lent | No Comments »

February 7, 2010 by Worship Director.

The First Church of God Youth group once again hosted its annual Spaghetti Luncheon in conjunction with the Churches’ Business Meeting on January 24, 2010. The menu consisted of several types of spaghetti: lots of meatballs, turkey meat sauce, chicken spaghetti casserole, and meatless spaghetti sauce.  Additionally, we had salad, breads, and many different desserts.

Everyone enjoyed a plentiful and delicious lunch.  Donations in the amount of $75 were sent on to the North American Church of God Ministries in Anderson Indiana for the Haiti Relief Fund.   This was one way for the youth to begin the year mindful of missions, realizing how a small group such as First Church of God SFC can impact the world.

Thanks to all parents, kids, and friends who contributed wholeheartedly to make our spaghetti luncheon such a success! We appreciate very much the opportunity to serve our church family.

Linda Wilkins, Youth Ministry Leader

Posted in Youth and Children's Ministries | No Comments »