Henry Williams

Here's last weekend's sermon in 10 Tweets - Elijah Week 1 - "This is a Test," 1 Kings 17:

1//God goes to work on us before he does a work through us.

2// Will you say what he calls you to say?

3// Speaking the truth isn't about being rude or insensitive.

4// When starting a tough conversation, share your misgivings.

5// Will you trust him when he doesn't meet your needs?

6// Did you marry God for his money?

7// Will you share from your scarcity?

8// Will you trust me now with what you've got?"

9// If you don't trust God now with what you have, you won't trust him when you get more. More by itself never builds trust.

10// Passing the tests is about trusting God. Jesus passes the tests. Then he dies for our failures. You can trust a God like this.

Hi Five Oakers, Here are the items highlighted at our staff lightning round yesterday:

Coffee House pulled in over 100 more people (250 total) than last year. More families than ever. Thank you to Kara Bubar and her team for pulling off a great event. I loved it.

The conference speakers at last weekend's "Connected Families" conference said it was one of the most engaged groups they ever worked with.

We have a Settlers of Catan night on Saturday evening in the Commons. Let me know if you want to come.

Sarah Bowers talked about the amazing time of ministry the Haiti team had ministering to the kids at the orphanage (about 105 kids live there now) and in the surrounding area.

Women's evening BSF kicked off at Five Oaks on Monday with about 130 women and lots of kids in the kids program.

We are publishing Group Life for the Galatians series and things are coming along well for that.

Lots of great connecting in the Commons this last weekend thanks to Nicole Achterling and her team putting on the love them event.

Here's my sermon in 10 Tweets: "Worship One, Two, Three" (Colossians 3:16-17)

1// We all know people who say yes to Jesus and no to the church. We're in conversation with them about it.

2// Many who defend yes to Jesus and no to the church seem to have a one-dimensional view of worship.

3// There is ONE object and author of worship: God. "Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor 10:31)

4// Yes, we should do everything as an act of worship, but Bible calls us to worship in TWO contexts.

5// Worship scattered and worship gathered. God calls us to both.

6// Analogy: If I say all about family but never gather with them, just work "to provide for them," neglecting important responsibility.

7// THREE audiences of worship: God, the Church, The Watching World. Not about me or even all about me and God.

8// Address one another in Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Eph 5:19)

9// I don't know of any context that gathers more interested seekers together every week than in churches across America. Biblical worship considers the seeker.

10// Maybe it's time for a conversation. Listen well and compassionately. Provide a 3-dimensional, biblical perspective.

Blessings, Pastor Henry