Choosing Your King

I spent a good part of my day yesterday celebrating our country's independence and the freedom with which God has blessed us. Despite the extreme heat, celebrations rang out from the Canfield 4th of July parade to backyard cookouts all over the Mahoning Valley. For it was during the summer of 1776 that a group of colonists declared independence from Great Britain and King George III. Among other things, these colonies were ready for new leadership.

As you know, we've been teaching through the book of 1 Samuel this summer - and one of the primary themes of the book is the need for good and godly leadership in the nation of Israel. We have come to the point in our story where Samuel is on back half of his career, placing Israel at yet another leadership crossroads. We will see that the solution they propose is quite revealing; they ask Samuel to appoint them a king. What will this process of leadership selection reveal about God's people? What will it reveal about us? These are the questions we will seek to answer this Sunday.

Until then, why don't you take a look at 1 Samuel 7, which will lay a good foundation for our study of chapter 8 on Sunday morning.  Stay cool and I'll see you then!

Chris


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Looking for a Leader

If you joined us for worship last Sunday, you'll remember that we examined the sad and dark state of God's people in the book of Judges.  Israel's apathy ultimately led to a destructive cycle of sin and disobedience to God's good word.  The final verse of Judges states, "In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes."

It is at this critical time in the life of God's people that we pick up our study this week in the book of 1 Samuel.  Will God provide the leader that Israel so desperately needs?  What is to become of the covenant that God made with Abraham so many years before?  What applications from 1 Samuel can be made in our lives and in the life of our church?  We will be looking at these and other questions throughout the summer as we study this remarkable book together.

Feel free to read through chapter one to get a head start on what we'll be learning this Sunday.  The first chapter of 1 Samuel really sets the tone for the book, so I encourage you to join us at Old North this Sunday at 9:30am or 11:00am - and every week this summer, as we grow together in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.

See you then!

Chris


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Breaking the Cycle of Sin

I've been looking for a couple of good jokes about apathy. I've checked the internet and I've asked some friends but there's not much out there. There's certainly good reason for that- because the truth is; apathy is no joke.


That's the convicting subject three of us will tackle together on Sunday from Judges 1-2. Marty, Chris and I will be teaching from that passage as we prepare for the summer series from I Samuel: "Looking for a Leader."

This is the Sunday that we'll honor our graduates in each service also. Pray for each grad when you receive their party invitations. Join with their families on Sunday as we trust the Lord to lead them in the next chapters of their lives and make each week a priority as we study God's Word together as a church.

"What's the difference between ignorance and apathy," someone asked.   "I don't know and I don't care," was the response. I hope that doesn't describe you!

I'll see you Sunday,

Brent


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People of the Book, Part 2

As we prepare to wrap up the final weeks of our fiscal year, we get to remind ourselves of some of the good things that the Lord has done through Old North's ministry in the last twelve months.

I mentioned last week that our budget is posted and this Sunday you can talk to some members of our Finance Committee at 10:30 AM in the Great Room.  You'll notice that our Missions Budget is increasing to $250,000 this year (more than 15% over last year's missions and outreach budget) and several other areas of ministry are prioritized as we anticipate your continued faithfulness and generosity.

Our 40 days of Bible reading is in full swing as we continue our Sunday Series, "People of the Book."  This week we are going to ask and answer some major questions about God and life based on the passages you've been reading.  Just in case you misplaced your bookmark here they are:

- David and Goliath: I Samuel 16-17
- Solomon's Wisdom I Kings 3; 8:1-9; 9
- Elijah and the Prophets of Baal I Kings 18
- The Siege of Jerusalem and Judah is Exiled II Kings 25
- Daniel in Babylon  Daniel 2-3
- Rebuilding the Temple Ezra 3
- Isaiah's prophecy of the Coming Messiah Isaiah 9,53,61

Some of you have been giving bookmarks to friends and neighbors, so keep up the good work!  Invite them to come on Sunday, and you'll also get to meet one of our international missionaries, Russ Dean who is stopping in for the weekend as well as Sally Dubinsky whom we love to see more often.

I'll see you Sunday,

Brent


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Preparing to Die

Sunday begins what is often called the "Passion Week." It begins with the commemoration of what happened as Christ entered the City of Jerusalem on March 30, 33, AD and ends with His death on the cross. It is a holy, important time for us as Christians.


This week, in addition to recalling his Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, we are going to look carefully at what He accomplished by paying the penalty for our sin. Many people view the cross as a time of discouragement or destruction instead of the culmination of God's redemptive plan.


That said, please pray that people will hear and respond to the Gospel this Sunday. Pray for me as I put the final touches on teaching scripture from Luke 19-24 too, and look forward to being together with your church family in the ten days ahead.


We will celebrate communion on Good Friday here at 7:00 PM, and please remember that there will be three identical services on Easter Sunday- 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 AM.


May you be blessed greatly because of Jesus.  I'll see you Sunday!


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