rise togetherIn the wrap-up of our fall vision series, we explore the many pieces that make up a healthy church, and how to be effective for the next generations.Ephesians 2:19-22The church that rises ...1. Pursues inclusion and growth. (vs. 19)2. Commits to legacy faith. (vs. 20)3. Gives people opportunity in accord with who they are. (vs. 21)4. Depends on the Holy Spirit. (vs. 22)5. Rises together.

run togetherOn this special day, we celebrate our 150th Anniversary. We are so touched by all the tributes from so many who have been impacted by the ministry of Waterford Community Church through the years. Our Pastor, Brent Wood, gives a special message looking forward to the next 150 years, while honoring what has come before us.Hebrews 12:1-31. Look back.    "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such great cloud witnesses"2. Let go.    "let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles"3. Look ahead.    "let us run with perseverance the race marked for us"4. Look up.    "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of faith"5. Look around.    "let us run ... the race mark out for us"

give togetherThe picture of the church we've built through our Together series is one where believers respond in joy to building community with each other. But a surprising thing happens when we respond to each other in joy: we give to each other not out of compulsion but out of love.Acts 2:42-45 | Acts 4:32-35 | 2 Corinthians 8:1-51. Generosity is using my resources to meet another’s need.2. Generosity lives with a line.3. Generosity costs.4. Generosity requires me to make others more important than myself.5. Generosity gives with no strings attached.6. Generosity reminds me that God is in the business of meeting needs.7. Generosity is not dependent upon resources.8. Generosity is a declaration of trust.9. Generosity is a work of grace.10. Generosity is a better way to live.Ways to be generous A. WordsB. InfluenceC. TimeD. GraceE. PrayerF. FaithG. StuffH. MoneyI. Love

pray together - lay the track downWhat happened to the church that it lost its expectation for God to work through His people? If we believe God answers prayers, we must "lay the track down" for God to come and work, and that happens when a church prays together.acts 12:1-171. Why have we ignored urgency and expectation in prayer?2. What would it look like to be a "House of Prayer"?3. How do we create a culture of prayer?

grow togetherWe are dependent on God to come work in us to grow us into a group of mature believers.Ephesians 4:11-16Six things God uses to grow us1. Teachers and mentors2. Serving3. Relationships / community4. Adversity and “life moments”5. Personal connection with God6. Focused cooperationWhat maturity looks like1. Virtues—who you are, not what you do2. Values—what you make most important3. Viewpoint / thinking—the lens you see life through4. Trust—your level of dependence

serve togetherTo be truly great in God's kingdom, we must give up our rights and serve others on behalf of God. In order to be called a leader, we need to be a servant.Matthew 20:20-281. Servants of God need to have the right motives.2. Servants of God expect difficulty.3. Servants of God put others first.4. Servants of God follow the example of Jesus.Action steps1. Serve whenever you can.2. Serve wherever you can.3. Serve whomever you can.4. Be willing to do whatever it takes. -  Move from “I want” to “I will” - from “we want” to “we will”

come togetherOur potential to reach others for Christ doesn't rest on our abilities as individuals, but in our ability to come together well.Come Together- God wrote the book on teams.- The greatest team concepts are unity and diversity.Unity is more about attitude than agreement.Diversity encourages inclusion and participation.- Teams have far greater potential than individuals.- The church should be the greatest example of a (winning) team.Winning as a Church1. We must stay focused on our ultimate purpose. (Acts 1:8)2. We must depend on Holy Spirit power. (Acts 2:1)3. We must be a tribe of positivity. (Acts 2:42-47)4. We must be about people. (Acts 4:32-35)5. We must resist self-pursuit. (Acts 5:1-11)6. We must see "coming together" as a priority! 

finding hope in a grandmother's lapHopeless does not lead to helpless. We finish our series on Ruth with the most hopeful declaration yet.Ruth 4Living hopefully1. Sometimes you have to wait things out. (3:18)2. Assume that God is up to something bigger. (4:12,16-17)3. Don’t let your past limit your future. Or your faith. (4:14)4. Leverage the relationships God puts in your story. (4:15)5. Refuse to live helplessly!When things feel hopeless, you can choose to live hopeful.

finding hope on the threshing floorThe Book of Ruth revolves around the Hebrew word hesed which can be called mercy. Awareness of God's unfailing hesed love for us gives us hope.Ruth 3:1-181. Hope is redemption.2. Hope is protection.3. Hope is a choice.4. Hope is compassion.

Finding Hope in a Barley FieldWhen we feel hopeless we tend to look for hope (or just give up), but hope can be elusive. Every little step can bring us closer to the truth as we pursue God.Ruth 2If you are looking for some hope...1. Look for grace. (vs. 2)2. Look to glean. (vs. 3)3. Look for “go’s.” (vs. 7,8,21)4. Look to give. (vs. 11,18)5. Look for God. (vs. 20)