Concord Church, Statesville NC

Calling out Evil for what it is.
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Why true prayer isn't about us

Too Salty by Concord Church, Statesville NC

You are tiny, but that's a good thing.

August 28 2022 at Concord Presbyterian. Scripture Reading is Ruth 3:1-18
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Music and lyrics used by permission from
CCLI License # CSPL086812
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What we are called to do is be. Our whole being should be saturated with the presence of God. People who choose to be around us become familiar with this. They will not have unrealistic expectations of us, since we do not pretend to be anything we are not. We are simply ourselves, distinct individuals who have an awareness of the reality of God. This doesn’t need to be self-conscious or distancing in any way. We only need to be sensitive to how we relate to the other person.
- Do you avoid bring God to all of the areas of your life because your are worried about it being awkward?
Songs used with Permission from bensounds.com

Reflection on Proverbs 17:17; 18:20-24
Songs used with Permission from bensounds.com

You are not meant to do everything. There are times when you are given load which is too heavy for any person to carry. How do we learn to
- Where do you experience dividing walls in your life?
- Does our need to define and characterize everything prevent us from seeing God at work?
Songs used with Permission from bensounds.com

A hospital exists for the benefit of its patients. It is nonsense to complain having patients admitted interrupts the smooth running of the hospital. The Church exists for the benefit of its non-members, to be salt for the earth, not for the sake of creating more salt. Often times, Church is designed to by user-friendly only to the already initiated. Jesus said, “I didn’t come just to call those who are already here, but those who know they are in need.”
- Which parts of “Church” might be off-putting to the casual, unchurched observer?
- Is you life in church more about creating salt or welcoming new flavors?
Songs used with Permission from:
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We are ‘peculiar’. We have chosen not to go with the majority. We pray and reflect on the life of Christ: most people don’t do this. We worship and receive God’s gifts in the sacraments: most people don’t do this. We shall be in a minority: we shall be odd. There is no danger in that, as long as we don’t start to like being odd too much. This love of oddness is what drives us to create division in which each is sure of his own chosenness and pours scorn on others. – from Kate Tristram in Celtic Daily Readings by the Northumberland Community
- Have you ever thought of being a committed Christian as something odd? - How does our love of being unique a problem?
Songs used with Permission from bensounds.com