A book title caught my attention this past week -- "Stop Dating the Church". The book description said, "Many peopleput in their hour or two on the weekend and take the rest of the week off, neglecting the church and her needs. Its not a serious relationship. Some shop around, looking for a church that suits their lifestyle. Its dating, with no assurances, no obligations."

Welcome to church today! I'm so glad you are here to give our praise and thanks to God for the grace He has given us! What are the marks of a church member? What moves someone from occasionally attending a church service to being a biblical church member? We'll talk about the first one today I'd love to have you join me this Tuesday evening at 6:30pm for time of prayer and devotion led by our Elders. Things happen in prayer that would not happen when you pray! Come pray for our church - our nation - our city that we would see God do a mighty Gospel work!

In many ways church member today sounds antiquated. For many churches membership has gone the same way as suits, pipe organs, and ushers that resembled undertakers! It represents organized religion. Or does it? Today we start a new series redefining what it means to be a church member. Membership is very little about having your name on a roll, and much more about your relationship with Jesus, the Bible, and His church. Today is the Rookie Lunch! If you are new to BCC in recent months, I would love to invite you to join me after the worship service today for a free lunch where I will talk about our church and how you can be a part of it! Also, I Am A Church Member small groups start this week! Want to join one? Come talk to me!

In business a common tool is called Cost Benefit Analysis. It is a process where a given situation or business related actions are summed and then the costs associated are subtracted.

Welcome to church! I am glad you are with us this September Sunday! If you are newer to Berkley Community Church, I would like to invite you to our next Rookie Lunch on October 1st in the fellowship hall immediately following the morning worship service. This casual lunch (kids too of course!) will take less than an hour and will give you an opportunity to hear from various key ministry leaders and learn how you can plug in to BCC! Also starting in October are new church-wide small groups! Do you want to build some closer friendships and study the Bible deeper? This is a great way to do that! Sign up for small groups is next Sunday! Today we are in Mark 8 and a bunch of random stories that are in reality, one story!

A powerful king sits on his throne, judging the people. Guards attend him, and commoners wait in long lines for an audience. Suddenly, the doors of the throne room burst open. Heads turn, and everyone gasps. There stand two little boys. One is clean, but one is covered in mud and crying. With brazen boldness the clean boy tugs the other down the red carpet toward the throne. The guards pull their swords, waiting for a nod from the king to get rid of the intrusion. But the king holds up a hand, and his face softens into a smile.

Day 1 of the school year.

Back to school is only a little more than two weeks away! (Hang in there parents, you can make it!) For some of our kids it will be a new chapter of life as they enter school for the first time... or maybe high school... college. Whether they are learning what sound "P" makes or what you can do with atomic "P" (Phosphorus), pray for all the kids of BCC! In Mark 6, the disciples enter a new chapter as well. It is day 1 of the rest of their lives! No longer are they just watching Jesus teach and heal -- it is their turn!

Our relationship with Jesus is a journey. Sometimes things seem foggy and unclear, other times God reveals His love and truth to you through Scripture and you can feel your faith grow! I read once, "God often does not show us the entire staircase, but He is faithful to show us the next step in order to climb it." In Mark 5, we meet three people who take leaps of faith and Jesus meets them with a miracle. This step of faith costs them more than they thought, but what they receive more than they could imagine. Today is a special day as we celebrate with those getting baptized! Baptism is an act of worship that Christians do after trusting in Jesus as Savior. It is a picture of the salvation they have received. After concluding in the Sanctuary today, please quickly pick up your children and join us outside in front of the church for the baptisms!

One evening the disciples are crossing the Sea of Galilee when they came upon a great storm. The disciples wake up Jesus and say, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" A single sentence, only nine words, yet it assumes so much of Jesus. It presumes Jesus is unaware; uncaring, limited in his power, not able to carry his mission to fulfillment. There is so much for us to gain today in this account from Mark 4.