Melli Herrera leads midweek Bible study for women

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

First Christian Church of Leisure World teaches from God’s word, the Holy Bible, most often verse by verse. It is a friendly church that welcomes all visitors to join in worship and explore God’s word together “that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine,” Romans 1:12.

Pastor’s Message

Genesis 35:1 reads, “Then God said to Jacob, ‘Arise, go to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.’” AfterthedebacleinShechem, God speaks to Jacob again and instructs him to go to Bethel, the place God had first revealed Himself to Jacob.

Interestingly, had Jacob gone there first, as instructed by God, perhaps the debacle in Shechem would not have happened. But it did, due to Jacob’s weak faith. Jacob still had a faith and trust issue with God, despite hearing directly from God on more than one occasion.

In verse 2, there is a change in Jacob. It says “And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, ‘Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments.’” Something spiritual has taken place in Jacob as he calls for them to “put away” their foreign gods from their homeland, purify themselves and change their garments: in other words, prepare yourselves to go to Bethel. Bethel in Hebrew means “house of God.”

Jacob has made a step forward in his faith and is now preparing his household to do the same.

First, there was a call to get rid all foreign gods, which is the first step of purification, and change their garments. In a spiritual sense this signifies forsaking ungodly habits. This is great instruction for people today. One might ask how do you do that? Well, since Jesus’ death on the cross, it is accomplished by putting faith and trust in Jesus Christ and his death, burial, and resurrection from the dead.

Weekend Services

Sunday services from 9:3010:45 a.m. are traditional services with hymnal music led by Janet Ray and Sherry Parmenter at the piano. Al and Sherry Parmenter will sing a duet this week. Saturday services from 9:30-10:45 a.m. include contemporary songs of worship, led by Gregory Black on guitar and vocal accompaniment.

Midweek Studies

Melli Herrera leads a Women’s Bible Study on Mondays from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Pastor Gary Whitlatch leads the Tuesday Bible study from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Pastor Humes leades the Thursday Bible study from 10:3011:30 a.m.

The Prayer and Bible Study, led by Pastor Humes, is from 4-5 p.m. All Leisure World residents are welcome to attend services and Bible studies.

Scripture of the Week

“For what great nation is there that has god so near to it as is the Lord our God whenever we call on Him,” Deuteronomy 4:7.

First Christian church is located on Northwood Road behind Carport 125.

For more information, call the church at 562-431-8810; calls are answered at the earliest opportunity.