Not long after the church got going all those centuries ago, two things really BIG happened—the day of Pentecost, where many people came together as One in the Holy Spirit. And….people began struggling with human challenges in being one—in keeping that Spirit alive and not dividing the body of Christ. We hope that you’ll join us today as we struggle with this age-old problem of Christians, and look at hope in the love that Jesus Christ showed us how to keep first and foremost in our lives—so that the World would know that God loved them. Continue reading →
Something BIG is at work among Christians, often despite ourselves. Somehow we keep being called and drawn together even when we think we'd prefer not to be around ‘those’ people, even around other Christians, but ones we may not really like.
Perhaps some of it is in Jesus prayer for his disciples to be one that he prayed all those years ago, with a special part that especially carries forward even to where we are today. Our scripture today is from John 17:20-26, and our team member Daren Huber asks us to consider special places that help us feel closer to God and to each other. Where might that be for you? Continue reading →
Did you ever see a sign looming before you, and just knew: It’s time to turn around and go a different way? Sooner or later, most all of us have that experience. The Apostle Paul had a powerful sign, and because of it changed plans quickly for a trip to Macedonia.
This week’s worship looks at such moments, the game changers. Our message, brought to us by Rev. Charles Webb, comes from Acts 16:1-15, the story of Paul and his meeting up with Lydia, maker of purple cloth. We invite you to weave this in with your own story.
We hope that you will join us with this inspiring message, song, and prayer.
Our worship is 28 minutes long, and as we do each week, our closing moments together include a time of communion (breaking of the bread). We invite you to participate if you would like with some type of actual bread and drink you supply, or these elements held in your mind. You may also meditate as we tell of Jesus' invitation to "do this in remembrance of me." All are welcome at our table.
(Scroll down for an Order of Worship)
We hope that as you join us for worship you will feel a blessing from being part. Please tell friends, family, and others you know about our online church that is here with doors that are always open, walls as wide as the world, and always room at the table.
ORDER OF WORSHIP:
1. Opening music, “My Hope is Built”
2. Welcome: Deb Phelps (with Psalm 67:1-5)
3. Opening hymn: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
4. Elder’s Prayer with Lord's Prayer: Susan McNeely
5. Scripture: Acts 16:1-15 (NRSV), Deb Phelps
6. Hymn: “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”
7. Message: “Turning Point,” Charles Webb
8. Hymn: “Down to the River to Pray”
9. Communion: Bob Shaw
10. Hymn: “One Bread, One Body”
11. Sending out
If you would like to chat with one of our pastors, including talking more about belief in God, becoming a Christian or following Christ, or living as a disciple of Christ, please email us at pastor@disciplesnet.org, or contact us using the contact information on our website, www.disciplesnet.org, or our Facebook page, DisciplesNet Church.
Invitation to Giving:
DisciplesNet Church is a not-for-profit church that exists to cross barriers and boundaries to share the Good News of God's redeeming love. We rely on the gifts of our online viewers as we continue to grow and extend our nets around the world.
We have a giving page on our website, disciplesnet.org. And emailing address is: giving@disciplesnet.org
God bless you, and thank you for joining us!
Video editing by Deb Phelps, Russ Smith, Susan McNeely
For more videos like this one, please visit our DisciplesNet website at disciplesnet.org.
Our contact information is disciplesnet.org
Opening photo: By Imre Solt - Dubai construction update Part 4 Page 15 at Post 289, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2787018
“Oh, no, God,” said the disciple Peter, as the disciples were getting their organization together. “I’ve never touched anything unclean like that, and am not going to start now. What? You’ve got to be kidding?” A bit of a paraphrase, perhaps, but this is the scripture from Acts 11 that we’ll be looking at today in worship. This is a special worship for us, number 300, but in every worship we always hope to be about celebrating God and the blessing we have in coming together in Christ to be in community this day. We hope that you will join us with an inspiring message, song, prayer.
Sometimes when things in the world aren’t right, it’s hard to wait. It can be hard to even hope for a better day, to a day more like God’s kingdom, to the realm of God. Yet, that is just what the disciples of Christ are called to do. In our worship this week, we’ll be looking at how to do that, through worship, prayer, and songs lifted together to God. We sure hope that you will join us, and that you will be blessed in this short time of worshipping God together. Continue reading →
When leaders repeat something over and over to their followers, the followers best listen. In the case of the bewildered disciples following Jesus’ death and resurrection, the word was repeated to all generations: “Peace be with you.” Today we look at this word in the context of Jesus day, as well a global focus on its meaning to us today.
Our worship today comes from the Gospel of John, chapter 20:19-31. We’re honored to have as special guest preacher the Reverend Richard Spleth. Rev. Spleth is the Regional Minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indiana, USA, where DisciplesNet has our hub. Though his authority and agency Rev. Spleth helped DisciplesNet launch as a new church in 2010. We give thanks for his leadership to churches in Indiana as well as the world, and his continuing support of our ministry, so to you as part of our congregation. Continue reading →
The Bible’s printed words are all about the same size, whether talking about who begat whom, Jesus’ innermost words to his disciples, or the drama of Jesus' last days on earth—the passion story of Christ. Yet this Sunday is Easter Sunday, and in it Pastor Charles Webb helps us to bring the message to life, listening behind the scenes --eavesdropping on the story. And in this, being more fully aware of what this Easter message means in our own lives. Combined with special singing, scripture, prayer—we hope that you will be blessed by being with us in our church without walls this Easter Sunday week. Continue reading →
Did Jesus know at the first of the week as he entered Jerusalem that by the time it all ended, he would be put to death on a cross? Did he know the shouts of Hosanna! that rang in his ears would be replaced by shouts of Crucify him! just days later? Did he intentionally choose to ride on a donkey, to make a statement about leadership?
We can't know what was on Jesus' mind. But if you join us in worship, we will look at the significance of what we've come to call Palm Sunday--in four words. Rev. Bob Shaw brings these speaking from Luke 19. Continue reading →
A special letter came from someone in prison, and in it, a treasure that would last through eternity. This letter-- to Christians in Philippi-- held the innermost thoughts of the Apostle Paul as he is nearing his own death, and speaks of what really matters in this world. Paul’s words ring clear for us today, too-and are at the core of our worship this week. Continue reading →
"Oh, brother!" he may have thought, as he neared home from his work in the fields and found a party going on. He may have wanted to do anything BUT celebrate the return of his troublesome brother. Our worship today looks at the well-known story of the prodigal son---but takes a back door approach on what it might have been like to be his older brother- with a lesson for all of us about relationships, redemption, and following the ways of Christ. Continue reading →
