07 Sep “Goodbye Yesterday” | All Locations
Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)
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New England Leaders:
You and your members are invited to help us clean out an area on September 6 to make room for our Academy!
Click the link below to register so we know how many people are coming. We will be providing the coffee and a continental breakfast!
Thanks in advance!
LADIES:
Cheryl would love your input! Please take a moment to fill out this short questionnaire about topics you’d like to see at upcoming women’s gatherings. Be sure to also share the link with your Life Group members so they can add their input too.
Women’s Ministry Questionnaire
NEW ENGLAND LOCATIONS
You can still order Waters Academy Swag, just click the link below! All proceeds go to Waters Academy!
Waters Academy Patio Party Swag Order Form
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WATERS ACADEMY GOLF TOURNAMENT – TEE OFF FOR OUR NEXT GENERATION OF CHRIST FOLLOWERS!
We’re still collecting raffle items for the Waters Academy Golf Event and need about 20 more. Would you or your group donate a themed basket, a service (haircut, lawn care, photography, etc.), or even an unused gift card we can add to a basket?
Email Mary Ann at maparsons@waterschurch.org with the subject line “WA Golf Event.”
Thank you for helping us bless our school!
Register below to Play or Sponsor this event! participating/donating/sponsoring/volunteering are live!
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AMAZIN’ G’RACE EVENT OCTOBER 11!
Join us for AMAZIN’ G’RACE on October 11—an exciting competition based on the show The Amazing Race. Gather your team of four and take on a series of physical and mental challenges designed to test your teamwork, creativity, and determination. The winning team will take home a $500 cash prize ($125 per person). It’s just $10 per person to enter, and the starting location will be revealed at the event. Sign up now and get ready to race with purpose! REGISTER HERE
If you prefer to serve at this event instead of competing, REGISTER HERE
ALL LOCATIONS
WATERS UNIVERSITY:
We’re looking to grow healthy Christians at Waters Church…spiritually, physically, mentally, financially and relationally — that is the mission of Waters University. The Fall semester is about to begin with ReEngage and Financial Peace University (classes start the week of September 8), Celebrate Recovery (ongoing) and Alpha (classes start on October 6). Go to https://watersu.org/ or click the link below now for more information on classes and to register.
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ALPHA MEAL PREP – SEE NEW DATES FOR FALL – GO TO WATERSCHURCH.ORG/EVENTS FOR THE SCHEDULE
ALL LOCATIONS – MEALS FOR ALPHA CLASS
Reminders:
✳ Please regularly check your Planning Center profiles for requests to join your life groups, remove members from the list that no longer attend, or add members not listed. Please ensure that you have added no-reply@churchcenter.com to your email contacts so that you do not miss an email from Planning Center and encourage your members to do so as well. This will ensure you do not miss a member request or any emails that come from the Planning Center site. Thank you!
Waters Class Schedule:
- 1st Sunday: Discover Waters – after 1st service
- 2nd Sunday: NO CLASSES
- 3rd Sunday: Connect Class – after 1st service
- 4th Sunday: Baptism Class – after 1st service
Waters Help: Need marriage and family care or have a group member in need of marriage and family care? Click here: help resources page or visit waterschurch.org/help
Location Text Alerts:
| North Attleboro | Text “subscribe” to 508 695-1300 | |
| Norwood | Text “subscribe” to 781 762-3357 | |
| Apollo Beach | Text “subscribe” to 813 642-6979 | |
| Woonsocket | Text “subscribe” to 833 241-4837 | |
| Southcoast | Text “subscribe” to 508 809-3490 | |
Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)
PLEASE CHECK YOUR NOTIFICATIONS AND OR YOUR PLANNING CENTER PROFILES FOR NEW MEMBER REQUESTS.
NOTE:
Two opporuntities to pray:
Leaders only: Please be available at the end of service to pray for those who come forward. If you are not actively serving during the service you are attending, make it a priority to head to the front when the invitation is given. Your presence matters!
North Attleboro Leaders and members: If you are available, or any member of your group who currently serves is available, there is an opportunity to meet for prayer in the conference room off of the break room area during the second and third services. Please see Doug and Joanie White or Felix Shyllon if you would like to be a part of that ministry.
Please Note: if you have a member that is not serving currently and would like to be a part of the prayer during service team, please have them take the appropriate steps to become a serve team member.
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**Please read all scripture in the ESV, unless otherwise noted.**
Key Verse:
Ice Breaker
Q. If you could erase one fashion trend from your past, what would it be?
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Opening Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace that covers every failure, regret, and sin in our past. As we open our hearts today, speak truth and freedom over our lives. Help us to release the weight of what was, so we can walk fully in the abundant life You’ve promised. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Far too many people are living under the weight of past failures and mistakes, held back from the abundant life Jesus promised in John 10:10.
Often, to take a step forward, the first step you need to take is to ensure that you don’t take a step backward.
Four Truth-Freening Pillars To Help You Live an Abundant Life:
- BREAK FREE From What Held You, Jesus Has The Final Word.
1 Kings 19:19-21
God chose Elisha, a farmer, to succeed the great prophet Elijah.
Elisha burned what was tying him to the past, and that day, Elisha the farmer became a prophet.
The popular mantra today is: “Every setback became fuel for the strength I have now.”
And while there’s some truth to that, it often masks a deeper reality.
King David clearly captures the reality in Psalm 38:4.
Not every setback makes you stronger. It’s not just strength we need — we need a Savior to lift the weight we can’t carry.
Q. What is something from your past that you’ve tried to “power through” on your own—but now realize you need Jesus to help you truly break free from?
Practical Application:
Identify one area in your life where you’re still carrying a weight from the past. This week, surrender it to Jesus in prayer and ask Him to help you let go and walk in His freedom.
2. REGRET Is A LESSON, Not A LIFE Sentence.
You are not over your past if it is still impacting your present.
Luke 22:61-62; Matthew 27:3-4
Two men — Peter and Judas — both failed Jesus. Both felt sorrow.
But their endings were utterly different.
2 Corinthians 7:10
It’s not just about feeling bad — it’s about where you take your sorrow. Peter took it to Jesus. Judas didn’t.
Worldly sorrow is being sad that you got caught.
Godly sorrow accepts responsibility and leads to real change.
Q. When you experience regret, are you more likely to hide it, try to fix it yourself, or bring it to Jesus? Why do you think that is?
Practical Application:
This week, reflect on any regret that may still be affecting your present. Ask God to reveal whether it’s worldly sorrow or godly sorrow—and take a step toward repentance by confessing it, owning it, and choosing a new course of action. (Leader: Ask if anyone is willing to share something specific.)
3. No SIN Is GREATER Than God’s BOUNDLESS GRACE.
Your biggest sins are not too big for God’s grace.
Hebrews 12:15 (ESV); Romans 5:20-21 (NLT)
A person misses out on God’s grace when they hide their sin instead of confessing it. While trying to cover it up, they often rely on good works to earn God’s approval. But in trying to balance the scales through effort, they actually block themselves from receiving the very grace God freely offers.
Q. Why do you think it’s sometimes easier to try to earn God’s approval than to receive His grace?
Practical Application:
This week, ask God to show you if there’s any area of hidden sin or self-reliance in your life. Instead of trying to fix it on your own, confess it and receive His grace — trusting that no sin is greater than His boundless mercy.
4. IN CHRIST, Your Past Is REDEEMED, Your Future Is MADE NEW.
You can have a fresh start!
2 Corinthians 5:17
By the power of Jesus Christ, you can become a new creation.
Joel 2:25
God can restore whatever you have lost in your life.
“Equally important, regret is valuable. It clarifies. It instructs. Done right, it needn’t drag us down; it can lift us up. By making us human, regret makes us better.” – Daniel Pink.
This quote echoes a Biblical truth: Regret does not have to be a life sentence; it can be a classroom.
Psalm 32:5
If you confess your sin to God, not only would you feel a sense of forgiveness, but He would cleanse you, and you would become a new creation in Christ.
Q. How has God used past regrets in your life to teach you, change you, or lead you into something new?
Practical Application:
Spend time this week reflecting on one past regret. Confess it fully to God (Psalm 32:5), then thank Him for redeeming your past and giving you a new future in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17, Joel 2:25). Let that truth shape how you move forward.
Sermon in a Declaration:
IN CHRIST, I Am Not CHAINED To My PAST, My REGRET Is Not My PRISON, My SIN is Covered By HIS GRACE, And My FUTURE Is Made Brand New! OR MARKED FOR PURPOSE
Key Takeaways:
What are 3 key takeaways you recieved from this message?
Closing Prayer:
Lord, thank You that in Christ, our past no longer defines us. Thank You for the gift of repentance, the covering of grace, and the power to begin again. Help us not to miss out on Your grace by hiding or striving, but to live freely and fully in the redemption You provide. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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