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Family

Happy New Year 2013This Sunday we begin our new series “We are Family”.  Have you ever thought of the church that way- as a family?  Sometimes the dysfunction is so high in our personal families it can be difficult to understand why God would say we are “brothers and sisters in Christ”.   Maybe your family was unhealthy or maybe it was “perfect” (that is called denial).  In this series we will explore the “Why”, “What” and “How” of the Church.

This Sunday I want to share with you what I wrote in my prayer journal on January 1st – I want to tell you what I am praying God will do in our Church at the Bay Family this year.  I have been reading through Paul’s prayers for the churches he started and so I made a list of some things I am asking God to give us- to do in us and through us this year.  How about you- what are you praying for this year?  Are you getting specific or just asking God to “bless”?

Hey Church- God has placed us in this place at this time for a reason.  Have you ever considered why you are here or what you are supposed to do with your Church Family?  That is where we are headed in this series – plan to come join us and make 2013 the best year yet!  (By the way- a perfect time to bring a friend)

God… I have a question… ???

I got the call late one night. Ravi had been hit by a car and was in the hospital in Memphis. They did not expect him to live and they asked for our prayers.  Ravi was a 4 year old kid just full on energy.  His mom and dad loved Jesus- how could this happen?  His grandfather had been walking with him down the road and Ravi pulled from his hand and darted in front of a car.  His grandfather was a pastor- he loved Jesus- Why would God allow this?  Ravi was only a kid and yet a few days later he died.

That was my first big “Why” for God.  I was fairly new to the Christian faith and I thought if you followed Jesus He blessed you and took care of you.  In my short time as a Christian- that had been my experience as well.  I never really figured out the “why” and as life moved on I had more and more questions.

My first thought when I questioned God was, “Maybe I am not really a Christian- how could I have so many doubts.”  I also wondered, “Is God mad at me when I ask the question why”?  As I studied my Bible more I discovered there were a lot of men and women of faith that asked God “why”?  King David asked the why question more than anyone- and the Bible says he was a man after God’s own heart.  I have come to discover that God can handle all my “why’s” (and yours as well). In fact, I have also discovered that I must push through for an answer.  Sometimes there is a reason why that is obvious but often I must make the choice (when I don’t understand why) to trust God’s heart when I don’t see His hand.

This Sunday we begin a series entitled, “God, I have a question… “.  We will look to scripture to find answers to life experiences that often doesn’t make sense.  Do you have questions?  Do you have friends that have honest questions as well?  Plan to attend and bring your friends as we take an honest look at real questions. Just to make sure we are addressing the real questions you have- we will give you opportunity to text in follow-up questions live during the service.  Don’t stop with the question- look for an answer- plan to join us for “God, I have a question … This Sunday 9:30 or 11 at Sickles High School..

Easter Plans!

It is time to start planning for Easter, April 24th. Church at the Bay wants to make a huge impact this Easter and we are starting now!  How cool would it be if your friend, neighbor or family member made a life altering decision this Easter at Church at the Bay.  We want to pull out all the stops to help people in Tampa find a real relationship with Jesus Christ this Easter.  We are planning several things to help you invite your friends:

  • Two identical services –  9:30 and 11AM Easter morning
  • Baptism in each service.  (If you are getting Baptized, please invite your friends to come.)  Email Neal@churchatthebay.com for Baptism info.
  • Easter Invite cards (next week). I hope you will use them in creative ways.
  • We are having a raffle (just for the kids attending) to give away 2 huge stuffed bunnies.
  • There will be an Easter Egg Hunt after each service for all children
  • I even heard we may have the Easter Bunny available for the kids at the Easter Egg Hunt

Why all this energy just to get people to attend?  Because we think bigger is better? Nope.  Because we want kids to find Easter Eggs?  Nope.  Because people matter to God and we want to partner with you to create an environment on Easter where many people will take their next step with Jesus Christ.  One last tool the video we closed with Sunday.  Please pass it on to all your friends.  Please post on their Facebook and email them with the link here is the link to post: http://vimeo.com/21813745

 

If  you don’t see a video – click this button.

 

90 Day Journey- Week 2

{If you don’t see a video click here]

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