What kinds of things do you usually pray for? What would be on your normal prayer list? We are going to look at a rich prayer from the Apostle Paul that will challenge how and what you pray for. Our prayer is that this prayer transforms your prayer life and becomes part of the way that you pray everyday.

If we are honest, most of us struggle with our prayer lives, yet most of us know prayer is important for a growing relationship with God. How can we learn and grow in our prayer lives? How can we pray out of grace and not guilt? Today, we kick off a new sermon series, entitled "Prayer Awakening." We will look at a famous prayer of blessing from the Old Testament. Our prayer for you is that the Lord uses it to awaken your prayer life so you can know and enjoy God more.

Is it really that important for us to gather together? Why does it matter if we gather with other believers or not? Isn't it enough if I just have a personal relationship with Jesus? Great questions. Today is our last sermon in the "One-Anothering" series, and we will look at one of the best "one-anothering" passages in the Bible: Hebrews 10:19-25. We will look at gathering with one another, as well as spurring and encouraging one another.

How can we as a church make a difference for the kingdom of God? How can you and I as individuals make a difference right where God has placed us? This Sunday is week two of our missions emphasis entitled "Mission Encounter." Join us as we will hear from several local missionaries and organizations concerning how we can make followers of Jesus locally and beyond.

If you are interested in learning more about one of our missionaries or interested in being a part of one of the Mission Encounter opportunities, please contact us and let us know. (We are hearing from NeighborLink Adams County--represented by Zane Martens; Brianna's Hope represented by Davvin Fisher and Renee Captain; Life Together represented by Andy and Abby Lehman)

Do you have a deep desire to make a difference individually and as a church?

Do you realize that God has called you to join Him in His work of making disciples by planting, sowing, and investing in people's lives? How can you and I grow in this?

This Sunday kicks off a two-week emphasis on Missions entitled "Mission Encounter."

Join us as we hear from some of our local missionaries and mission organizations that our church supports. We will learn about their ministry, how we can get involved, and how we can grow in making disciples to the glory of God.

During the sermon, I am interviewing Jeff Horsman from Marion, Indiana concerning the topic of "making disciples." Jeff planted the Rock Church in Portland, and he planted Imago Dei Church in Marion. All of us are called to be a part of making disciples wherever God has placed us. This is part of our Missions Conference entitled Mission Encounter.

One of the greatest privileges we have is carrying one another's burdens, and one of the greatest challenges we have is carrying one another's burdens. How do we carry one another's burdens well? How do we do so in a way that glorifies Jesus? How do we do this without becoming burned out? When we carry one another's burdens well, we are loving one another, and everyone will know that we are Jesus' disciples.

Have you ever struggled to forgive someone? Has anybody ever disappointed you or severely hurt you? If so, this message is for you. Today's message challenges, encourages, and empowers us to forgive one another. Forgiveness is not always easy but it is possible because of the supernatural power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When we forgive one another, we show that we are living out Jesus' command to love one another, and we experience incredible freedom, peace, and joy in Christ.

There are plenty of opportunities for Christians to be divided over minor issues or what the Apostle Paul calls "disputable matters" (Romans 14:1). In this passage, Christians were divided over what to eat or not eat, whether to observe special days like the Sabbath, and drinking wine. Today, we, too, can be divided over minor issues. How do we love each other despite these disagreements? Is it even possible? This passage lays out a beautiful vision of a healthy church family not passing judgment on one another (Romans 14:13) over minor issues and by accepting one another as Christ has accepted us (Romans 15:7). Jesus said that the world will know that we are his disciples if we love one another (see John 13:35).

Jesus gave us an incredible command when He said, "As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34). He also said, "By this everyone will know you are my disciples if you love one another." (John 13:35) What does this look like? How do we apply this on a daily basis? In our first sermon in this series, we look at 1 Peter 4:7-11, which shows that every single one of us are called to be active participants, not spectators, when it comes to loving one another. All of us are called to have and show love, be hospitable, and serve and speak in this calling to "love one another." All of us have God-given spiritual gifts of speaking and serving that we are to use to the glory of God. And all of us are empowered by God's grace to do this.

Take your joy in the Lord seriously. True joy = Jesus being #1 in your life. True joy = humility like Jesus. True joy = present and future.