11 Oct ‘Joy of the Lord’ | Apollo Beach

 PLEASE CHECK OUR EVENTS PAGE FOR ALL UPCOMING EVENTS!

Check the Events Page for What is happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)

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UPCOMING: – PLEASE SEE EVENTS PAGE: 5K, AND,  ALPHA, AND  LIFE GROUP LEADER TRAINING

LIFE GROUP LEADER TRAINING LINK

Waters Kids Team Night – October 26 for those who serve in Kids and those interested in serving in Kids – Register here: Waters Kids Team Night

🏃‍♀️🏃 WATERS ACADEMY 5K FUNDRAISER! 🎉

Hey everyone! We’re excited to host a 5K Fundraising Event on October 17 to benefit Waters Academy! ❤️

We need your help to make this event a success! We’re currently looking for:

🎁 Raffle Donations
🤝 Event Sponsors
🏃‍♂️ Racers & Walkers

You don’t have to be a runner! Walk, jog, or run — just come out, have some fun, and help support Waters Academy!

⭐ Please register as soon as possible!

Visit waterschurch.org/events to register, sponsor, or get involved.

Please share this post and help us spread the word! 🙌

Location Text Alerts:

PLEASE CHECK YOUR NOTIFICATIONS AND OR YOUR PLANNING CENTER PROFILES FOR NEW MEMBER REQUESTS.  

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NOTE:

Two opportunities to pray: 

Leaders only: Please be available at the end of services 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 or any member of your group who currently serves is available, there is an opportunity to meet for prayer in the conference room off the break room 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 who is not currently serving and would like to be part of the prayer during the service team, please have them take the appropriate steps to become a serve team member.

NORTH ATTLEBORO

Prayer at the Altar – AFTER SERVICES

If possible, please make an effort to be at the altar after this service to pray for others.

Your presence makes a difference—thank you for serving!

Key Verse: Hebrews 11

Fun Icebreaker:

If you were welcoming a new neighbor with a basket of three different items from your home that reflect who you are—no food or Bibles allowed—what would you choose, and why?

The Joy of the Lord Is Our Strength

Main Scripture: Psalm 137:1–4

Key Scripture: Nehemiah 8:10

Icebreaker

What’s something small or unexpected that always brings a smile to your face, no matter what kind of day you’re having?

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us together. As we discuss Your Word, help us recognize anything that may be stealing our joy. Teach us to find our strength in You rather than our circumstances. Open our hearts to receive Your truth and apply it to our daily lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Our joy is not found in circumstances, people, or possessions. True joy comes from the Lord, and we can maintain that joy by keeping our focus on Him.

Have You Lost Your Song?

Psalm 137:1-4

In Psalm 137, God’s people were held captive in Babylon. They had lost their joy and wondered how they could sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land.

Joy is different from happiness. Happiness depends on what happens around us, but the joy of the Lord comes from within and sustains us through life’s difficulties.

There are several things that can steal our joy: sin, spiritual coldness, the cares of this world, disappointed ambitions, hurtful people, and fear.

Q. Which of these do you think most commonly steals people’s joy today, and why?

1. We Can Rejoice in Our God

Isaiah 43:7; Isaiah 43:2

Our God is eternal, all-powerful, merciful, and unchanging. Regardless of what we face, we belong to the Creator of the universe, who promises to be with us through life’s difficulties.

Q. How does remembering who God is help you maintain your joy when circumstances are difficult?

Leader Prompt: Encourage members to share a time when focusing on God’s character rather than their circumstances helped them find peace or renewed strength.

Practical Application: Each morning this week, identify one attribute of God and thank Him for how He has demonstrated it in your life.

2. We Can Rejoice in God’s Word

Psalm 119:105; John 3:16

The Bible is God’s love letter to us. His Word reveals His character, His promises, and His plan for our lives. When we feel discouraged, Scripture can renew our perspective and restore our joy.

Q. When you’re discouraged or overwhelmed, where do you typically turn first for encouragement, and how can God’s Word become your first response?

Leader Prompt: Ask members to share a Scripture that has encouraged them during a difficult season.

Practical Application: Choose one encouraging Scripture this week. Read it each morning and return to it whenever discouragement begins to take hold.

3. We Can Rejoice in the Church

Matthew 16:18; Hebrews 10:24–25

The church is the body of Christ, bringing people from different backgrounds together as one family. Jesus promised to build His church, and we have the privilege of being part of what He is doing.

We must not be spectators but active participants in worship and the life of the church.

Q. How does actively participating in the life of the church strengthen your faith and help you maintain your joy?

Leader Prompt: Encourage members to consider the difference between simply attending church and being actively connected through worship, serving, and relationships.

Practical Application: Take one intentional step this week to encourage, serve, or connect with someone in your church family.

4. We Can Rejoice in Our Salvation

Hebrews 2:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17

Salvation is the greatest miracle we can experience. Through Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven, our lives are transformed, and we become children of God.

Every person who is born again is a miracle and that we should never lose our gratitude for what Christ has done.

Q. How can remembering what Jesus has saved you from and what He has brought you into renew your joy and gratitude?

Leader Prompt: Invite members to reflect on how their lives have changed since coming to Christ. Encourage them to share a part of their testimony.

Practical Application: Spend time this week thanking God specifically for your salvation. Consider sharing your testimony with someone who needs encouragement or hope.

5. We Can Rejoice in Our Eternal Destiny

John 14:2–3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

As believers, we are not simply living for this world. We have an eternal home prepared for us, and Jesus has promised to return.

Our present difficulties are temporary, but our future with Christ is eternal. This truth gives us hope, strength, and a reason to rejoice even in uncertain times.

Q. How should knowing that our future is secure in Christ change the way we respond to fear, disappointment, and uncertainty today?

Leader Prompt: Encourage members to consider an area of life where they have been overly focused on temporary circumstances rather than God’s eternal promises.

Practical Application: When you face a worry this week, pause and remind yourself of God’s eternal promises. Choose to respond with prayer and trust rather than fear.

We cannot always change our circumstances, but we can choose where we place our focus.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that our joy does not depend on our circumstances but comes from You. Forgive us for the times we’ve allowed sin, fear, disappointment, or the cares of this world to take our focus away from You. Restore the joy of our salvation and help us rejoice in who You are, Your Word, Your church, and the eternal hope we have through Jesus Christ. May our lives reflect Your goodness and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.