Your wildly multifarious home!
Churchie Feeds
Preschool – July 16th
Worship Video
Check out our ongoing resources for each age group: And don’t forget to follow Kidz Rock on Facebook and Instagram!
The post Preschool – July 16th appeared first on Church of The Rock.
Categories: Churchie Feeds
Elementary – July 16th
Worship Video
Check out our ongoing resources for each age group:
And don’t forget to follow Kidz Rock on Facebook and Instagram!
The post Elementary – July 16th appeared first on Church of The Rock.
Categories: Churchie Feeds
Praise on the Patio – July 13th
Thursday, July 13th – Praise on the Patio
Join us for a some Praise on the Patio. We will also have time for prayer and discussion.
Location: West Parking lot Patio area. Time: 7:30PM-9PM See you there.And don’t forget to follow Engage Young Adults on Facebook and Instagram!
The post Praise on the Patio – July 13th appeared first on Church of The Rock.
Categories: Churchie Feeds
A Prayer for Desperate Times of Betrayal
King David, the “man after God’s own heart,” had a son Absalom who was impossible to manage. He was willful, scheming, and pathologically ambitious (2 Samuel 13–18).
The Scriptures tell us that Absalom nearly succeeded in overthrowing his own father, the legitimate king of Israel. He did this in a stepwise, scheming way. First, as a way to gain notice and show strength, he began traveling about the area in a chariot, with fifty men running before him.
Then he ingratiated himself with the people by intercepting them as they came to seek justice from his father and bestowing favors. Using such manipulations, across four years he gained a substantial following. Then came the day when he triggered the actual overthrow.
It is heart-rending to think of David, the rightful king, fleeing Jerusalem, past the Mount of Olives, and across the Jordan in response to such treachery from his own son.
David’s troops, organized under three commanders, would live in the open air waiting for certain battle. David seemed desperate and even a bit resigned at times. Yet he did manage to say to a supporter, as recorded in 2 Samuel 16:12, “It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.”
What else do we know about David’s response to this desolation? It inspired poetry! Psalm 3 begins with, “A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.”
O Lord, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.” (verses 1,2)
Like David, most Christians have moments when they could write those words. Especially when betrayal is within the family. We are nearly overwhelmed. David continues:
But you are a shield around me, O Lord;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
To the Lord I cry aloud,
and he answers me from his holy hill. (verses 3,4)
The English Standard Version (ESV) translates verse four in the past tense: “I cried aloud.” It is as though David encouraged himself by recalling God’s past deliverances. In our desperate moments we too sometimes need to reinforce our faith by remembering past moments of divine intervention. And another passage of hope:
I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
I will not fear the tens of thousands
drawn up against me on every side. (verses 5,6)
I wake again . . . The psalmist is remembering past daunting moments when, after recalling the faithfulness of the Lord, he could lie down and sleep, waking up refreshed. If God was faithful then, David must have thought, why not now? But then his faith wavers:
Arise, O Lord!
Deliver me, O my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
Break the teeth of the wicked. (verse 7)
It seems like a moment of vacillation. At this point, David may have had a twinge of fear that God was not interested enough: “Arise, O Lord!” We have been there too with such impatient thoughts. After all, war is in the offing!
But then comes a return to confidence:
From the Lord comes deliverance.
May your blessings be upon your people. (verse 8)
Not only does David end with an affirmation of hope, but his focus broadens from a personal entreaty to a concern that God bless all of his people. Whether for David or for us, this is a good way to end any time of entreaty and worship.
Those familiar with the story know that Absalom is defeated and loses his life. This ending is tragic. There are no traces of personal faith in Absalom’s history. In this, the contrast with his father is instructive. That is, though David was not a perfect man, he knew to call on God in the overwhelming situations of life. That’s an important example for us in our desperate moments.
Originally published October 14, 2013; edited July 10, 2023
Categories: Churchie Feeds
High School Ministry – July 10th
This Week!
First, please download Discord for your device! You can do this by downloading the application here.
Second, add yourself to our High School Ministry Discord Server by clicking THIS LINK.
We will keep you informed on what’s coming up AND spontaneous hangouts!
Summer Bible Study!
Monday July 10th @ 7:00pm-9:00pm
Join us in the Youth Room for a chill night of diving into scripture and enjoying FREE snacks! Students completed grade 8 -12 are welcome to attend!
&
Skatepark!
Tuesday July 11th @ 1:00pm-3:00pm
We’re going to the Michael Komenda Skatepark! Meet at the church first. Bring your rollerblades, scooter, skateboard and helmet! You can also use our skateboards. Not sure how to skateboard, we’ll teach you! Please register because space is limited.
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE ONLINE ACTIVITY RELEASE FORM
Escape Room!
Wednesday July 12th @ 7:00pm-9:00pm
Both youth groups come together in the Summer! In teams, complete puzzles and challenges to escape rooms in the church!
Next Week!Basketball
Tuesday July 18th @ 1:00pm-3:00pm
Wear your gym clothes and join us for some good old basketball in the gym. We’ll meet at the Kidz Rock check-in desk before heading to the gym. You may want to bring a water bottle! This event is for students who have completed grade 6-12! Registration opens on Monday, July 17th.
&
No HSM Youth
Wednesday July 19th
This week is a Threshold Jr event only. See you next week!
Follow us on Instagram for event and weather updates all Summer long! @ churchoftherockhsm Join us throughout the week on Discord! Here’s what you need to know:First, please download Discord for your device! You can do this by downloading the application here.
Second, add yourself to our High School Ministry Discord Server by clicking THIS LINK.
We will keep you informed on what’s coming up AND spontaneous hangouts!
The post High School Ministry – July 10th appeared first on Church of The Rock.
Categories: Churchie Feeds
Threshold Jr – July 10th
This Week!
Skatepark!
Tuesday July 11th @ 1pm-3pm
We’re going to the Michael Komenda Skatepark! Meet at the church first. Bring your rollerblades, scooter, skateboard and helmet! You can also use our skateboards. Not sure how to skateboard, we’ll teach you!
Please register because space is limited (10 spots available)!
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE ONLINE SUMMER ACTIVITY RELEASE FORM
&
Escape Room!
Wednesday July 12th @ 7:00pm-9pm
Both youth groups come together in the Summer! In teams, complete puzzles and challenges to escape rooms in the church! There will be prizes to be won!
Next Week!Basketball!
Tuesday July 18th @ 1pm-3pm
Wear your gym clothes and join us for some good ole basketball games in the gym!
Registration opens on Monday, July 17th.
&
Sardines & Ice Cream
Wednesday July 19th @ 7:00pm-9:00pm
This THRESHOLD JR NIGHT is for students completed grade 5 to grade 8! We’ll play the hide & seek game, sardines and snack on ice cream after.
Follow us on Instagram for event and weather updates all Summer long! @threshold_jr Join us throughout the week on Discord!Here’s what you need to know:
First, create a Discord user by downloading the application here.
Second, sign on to our Threshold Jr Discord server by clicking here.
You’ll be up to speed throughout the week!
The post Threshold Jr – July 10th appeared first on Church of The Rock.
Categories: Churchie Feeds
Elementary – July 9th
Worship Video
Check out our ongoing resources for each age group:
And don’t forget to follow Kidz Rock on Facebook and Instagram!
The post Elementary – July 9th appeared first on Church of The Rock.
Categories: Churchie Feeds
Collide – July 9th
Check out our ongoing resources for each age group:
-
-
-
-
And don’t forget to follow Kidz Rock on Facebook and Instagram!
-
-
-
The post Collide – July 9th appeared first on Church of The Rock.
Categories: Churchie Feeds
Preschool – July 9th
Worship Video
Check out our ongoing resources for each age group: And don’t forget to follow Kidz Rock on Facebook and Instagram!
The post Preschool – July 9th appeared first on Church of The Rock.
Categories: Churchie Feeds
High School Ministry – July 4th
This Week!
First, please download Discord for your device! You can do this by downloading the application here.
Second, add yourself to our High School Ministry Discord Server by clicking THIS LINK.
We will keep you informed on what’s coming up AND spontaneous hangouts!
Soccer!
Tuesday July 4th @ 1:00pm-3:00pm
It’s time to kick off Summer with an afternoon of soccer, snacks & faith lessons! We’ll meet at the Kidz Rock check-in desk before heading outside to the west parking lot green space! You may want to bring a water bottle! This event is for students who have completed grade 6-12!
Please register because space is limited (20 spots available)!
&
Leader Hunt @ The Forks!
Wednesday July 5th @ 6:45pm-9:00pm
In groups, find youth leaders hiding around The Forks! Meet at the church for 6:45pm! An online or paper activity release form must be completed by a parent or guardian. This event is for students who have completed grade 6-12!
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE ONLINE ACTIVITY RELEASE FORM
Next Week!Summer Bible Study!
Monday July 10th @ 7:00pm-9:00pm
Join us in the Youth Room for a chill night of diving into scripture and enjoying FREE snacks! Students completed grade 8 -12 are welcome to attend!
&
Skatepark!
Tuesday July 11th @ 1:00pm-3:00pm
We’re going to the Michael Komenda Skatepark! Meet at the church first. Bring your rollerblades, scooter, skateboard and helmet! You can also use our skateboards. Not sure how to skateboard, we’ll teach you! Please register because space is limited. Registration opens on Monday July 10th.
&
Escape Room!
Wednesday July 12th @ 7:00pm-9:00pm
Both youth groups come together in the Summer! In teams, complete puzzles and challenges to escape rooms in the church!
Follow us on Instagram for event and weather updates all Summer long! @ churchoftherockhsm Join us throughout the week on Discord! Here’s what you need to know:First, please download Discord for your device! You can do this by downloading the application here.
Second, add yourself to our High School Ministry Discord Server by clicking THIS LINK.
We will keep you informed on what’s coming up AND spontaneous hangouts!
The post High School Ministry – July 4th appeared first on Church of The Rock.
Categories: Churchie Feeds
Threshold Jr – July 4th
This Week!
Soccer!
Tuesday July 4th @ 1pm-3pm
It’s time to kick off Summer with an afternoon of soccer, snacks & faith lessons! We’ll meet at the Kidz Rock check-in desk before heading outside to the west parking lot green space! You may want to bring a water bottle! This event is for students who have completed grade 6-12!
Please register because space is limited (20 spots available)!
&
Leader Hunt @ The Forks!
Wednesday July 5th @ 6:45pm-9:00pm
In groups, find youth leaders hiding around The Forks! Meet at the church for 6:45pm! An online or paper activity release form must be completed by a parent or guardian. This event is for students completed grade 6-12!
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE ONLINE SUMMER ACTIVITY RELEASE FORM
Next Week!Skatepark!
Tuesday July 11th @ 1pm-3pm
We’re going to the Michael Komenda Skatepark! Meet at the church first. Bring your rollerblades, scooter, skateboard and helmet! You can also use our skateboards. Not sure how to skateboard, we’ll teach you! Please register because space is limited. Registration opens on Monday July 10th.
&
Escape Room!
Wednesday July 12th @ 7:00pm-9:00pm
Both youth groups come together in the Summer! In teams, complete puzzles and challenges to escape rooms in the church!
Follow us on Instagram for event and weather updates all Summer long! @threshold_jr Join us throughout the week on Discord!Here’s what you need to know:
First, create a Discord user by downloading the application here.
Second, sign on to our Threshold Jr Discord server by clicking here.
You’ll be up to speed throughout the week!
The post Threshold Jr – July 4th appeared first on Church of The Rock.
Categories: Churchie Feeds
Eavesdropping on a Conversation with Two Ninety-Seven-Year-Olds
By Robert W. Bastian
As mentioned last week, Jan and I recently visited Mom and Dad at their retirement center in Mississauga, Ontario. Here is the essence of a conversation we had about righteousness and justice, catalyzed by a discussion of current events.
For background, note that for several months Dad (and Mom) have been pondering the passage in Psalm 89 that says of God, in verse 14: “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne …” This pair of words has also come up from time to time during our phone conversations.
Dad said, in essence, that these things are central to God’s nature. They are the base undergirding His very being.
He said that righteousness is non-negotiable. Along with justice, it is an immovable pillar under the deity. Mom has mentioned that people seem to want to run at these pillars to knock them over, but all they do in the end is break themselves.
And Dad added that if righteousness is violated, there has to be a provision for justice. Justice demands satisfaction.
You do no favors to persons,” he said, “who have violated righteousness by saying, ‘never mind.’ This weakens the wrongdoer, and also society.”
Dad is a loving and restorative person, but he was pointing out that love and mercy follow justice. These empathic virtues don’t go first, like a road grader to push aside the application of justice. God’s mercy toward us loses its meaning if it does not follow our understanding that we stand condemned in the judgment dock before God, who lives in a realm of utter holiness.
Current events are rich with food for thought about these two words: righteousness and justice. Readers can make their own application to family, workplace, criminality, courts, corruption, police action, education, and, yes, the church.
Photo credit: Rae Allen (via flickr.com)
My new memoir, FROM KITCHEN CHAIR TO PULPIT: A Memoir of Family, Faith, and Ministry, has just been published. I hope you will click on one of the links that follow to be taken to the page on these sites that enable you to view and potentially purchase the paperback or ebook. My book shows just how extraordinary the pastoral life can be, describing how I prepared for ministry and ministered to three congregations and then, as a bishop, to pastors as a bishop, with the help of my wife, Kathleen, and the support of our children as they grew up from children to adults.
Categories: Churchie Feeds
Elementary – July 2nd
Worship Video
Check out our ongoing resources for each age group:
And don’t forget to follow Kidz Rock on Facebook and Instagram!
The post Elementary – July 2nd appeared first on Church of The Rock.
Categories: Churchie Feeds
Preschool – July 2nd
Worship Video
Check out our ongoing resources for each age group: And don’t forget to follow Kidz Rock on Facebook and Instagram!
The post Preschool – July 2nd appeared first on Church of The Rock.
Categories: Churchie Feeds
Collide – July 2nd
Check out our ongoing resources for each age group:
-
-
-
-
And don’t forget to follow Kidz Rock on Facebook and Instagram!
-
-
-
The post Collide – July 2nd appeared first on Church of The Rock.
Categories: Churchie Feeds
Spike ball Tournament – July 6th
Thursday, July 6th – Spikeball Tournament
Join us for a Spikeball tournament on Thursday, July 6th. It will be great fun and no experience required.
Activity: Spike Ball Location: West Parking lot Time: 7:30PM-9PM See you there.And don’t forget to follow Engage Young Adults on Facebook and Instagram!
The post Spike ball Tournament – July 6th appeared first on Church of The Rock.
Categories: Churchie Feeds
“… And Your Old Men Shall Dream Dreams” –Joel 2:28
By Robert W. Bastian
Allow me to report on a visit Jan and I recently had with our parents, Donald N. Bastian – the founder and main writer of this blog – and Kathleen G. Bastian.
Mom and Dad are doing as well as can be expected at ninety-seven. Though a memory for this or that may occasionally slip, our conversations were amazingly rich – on current events; what is happening at their retirement community; memories of days gone by; and a recent Scripture passage with some exegesis.
A strong segment of our conversation was on the church universal and the Free Methodist Church in particular. Their love for the latter, an earthly manifestation of the Kingdom, burns brightly.
Dad’s energy has flagged but not his motivation. He frequently spins ideas for church growth; how to maximize the effectiveness of the Center for Pastoral Formation at Greenville University; how to let the American church know about the Chair of Wesley Studies at Tyndale University in Toronto; and how to help the local church.
He knows his years of direct influence are past, yet still loves these subjects. On this visit he was dreaming about a ten-year denominational focus on two things to build the local church: preaching and pastoral care.
This is not to leave out the third leg of the pastor’s task that he has also spoken and written about across his years of pastoral vocation: administration.
Preaching
Dad is passionate that each pastor’s sermon be his or her own, not from a book of sermons or borrowed from the Internet – and that it be developed during personal study, prayer, and preparation.
Dad’s strategy was to spend the hours of 8 a.m. to 12 noon in his study at church. He considered this time inviolate. You would never find him out and about during those hours: errands, phone calls, and television were not allowed to intrude. Today, I’m sure he would refuse to let the Internet distract him during those hours.
With this four-hour appointment with Scripture and the Lord every day, he could “guarantee” himself a minimum of twenty hours per week to prepare the Sunday-morning and -evening sermons and Wednesday Bible study.
Pastoral Care
Pastoral care meant afternoon hospital calls and counseling appointments. Evenings, he often visited in people’s homes. What an idea! He understands the difficulty of doing this in current times, but as a family we are sure he would not relent on the importance of visiting his flock. He has said and written many times that “a home-going pastor makes a church-going people.” This was Dad’s formula for notable growth in each of the churches he served.
And so, a suggestion to pastors from a ninety-seven-year-old always-churchman and his wife: a serious decade of focusing not on the latest techniques or novelties but on preaching the Word and caring for God’s people.
My new memoir, FROM KITCHEN CHAIR TO PULPIT: A Memoir of Family, Faith, and Ministry, has just been published. I hope you will click on one of the links that follow to be taken to the page on these sites that enable you to view and potentially purchase the paperback or ebook. My book shows just how extraordinary the pastoral life can be, describing how I prepared for ministry and ministered to three congregations and then, as a bishop, to pastors as a bishop, with the help of my wife, Kathleen, and the support of our children as they grew up from children to adults.
Categories: Churchie Feeds
High School Ministry – June 26th
This Week!
First, please download Discord for your device! You can do this by downloading the application here.
Second, add yourself to our High School Ministry Discord Server by clicking THIS LINK.
We will keep you informed on what’s coming up AND spontaneous hangouts!
No Youth Group!
June 30th
No youth group because we are getting ready for our Summer programming! See you next week!
Next Week!Summer Bible Study!
Monday July 3rd @ 7:00pm-9:00pm
Join us in the Youth Room for a chill night of diving into scripture and enjoying FREE snacks! Students completed grade 8 -12 are welcome to attend!
&
Soccer!
Tuesday July 4th @ 1:00pm-3:00pm
It’s time to kick off Summer with an afternoon of soccer, snacks & faith lessons! We’ll meet at the Kidz Rock check-in desk before heading outside to the west parking lot green space! You may want to bring a water bottle! This event is for students who have completed grade 6-12!
Please register because space is limited (20 spots available)!
&
Leader Hunt @ The Forks!
Wednesday July 5th @ 6:45pm-9:00pm
In groups, find youth leaders hiding around The Forks! Meet at the church for 6:45pm! An online or paper *activity release form must be completed by a parent or guardian. This event is for students who have completed grade 6-12!
*There is one Activity Release Form to cover Tuesday and Wednesday events that require transportation from the church to the event location.
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE ONLINE ACTIVITY RELEASE FORM
Follow us on Instagram for event and weather updates all Summer long! @ churchoftherockhsm Join us throughout the week on Discord! Here’s what you need to know:First, please download Discord for your device! You can do this by downloading the application here.
Second, add yourself to our High School Ministry Discord Server by clicking THIS LINK.
We will keep you informed on what’s coming up AND spontaneous hangouts!
The post High School Ministry – June 26th appeared first on Church of The Rock.
Categories: Churchie Feeds
Threshold Jr – June 26th
This Week!
No Youth Group!
June 28th
No youth group because we are getting ready for our Summer programming! See you next week!
Next Week!Soccer!
Tuesday July 4th @ 1pm-3pm
It’s time to kick off Summer with an afternoon of soccer, snacks & faith lessons! We’ll meet at the Kidz Rock check-in desk before heading outside to the west parking lot green space! You may want to bring a water bottle! This event is for students who have completed grade 6-12!
Please register because space is limited (20 spots available)!
&
Leader Hunt @ The Forks!
Wednesday July 5th @ 6:45pm-9:00pm
In groups, find youth leaders hiding around The Forks! Meet at the church for 6:45pm! An online or paper *activity release form must be completed by a parent or guardian. This event is for students completed grade 6-12!
*There is one Activity Release Form to cover Tuesday and Wednesday events that require transportation from the church to the event location.
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE ONLINE ACTIVITY RELEASE FORM
Follow us on Instagram for event and weather updates all Summer long! @threshold_jr Join us throughout the week on Discord!Here’s what you need to know:
First, create a Discord user by downloading the application here.
Second, sign on to our Threshold Jr Discord server by clicking here.
You’ll be up to speed throughout the week!
The post Threshold Jr – June 26th appeared first on Church of The Rock.
Categories: Churchie Feeds
Elementary – June 25th
Worship Video
Check out our ongoing resources for each age group:
And don’t forget to follow Kidz Rock on Facebook and Instagram!
The post Elementary – June 25th appeared first on Church of The Rock.
Categories: Churchie Feeds
Pages
