19 Mar What Happened in Thessalonica | Part 1 “I’m In” | All Locations

Announcements:

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Go to your email, add no-reply@churchcenter.com to your contacts (PLEASE ASK ME IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND) THANKS!

no-reply@churchcenter.com to your email contacts so that you do not miss an email from Planning Center and have your members add it as well.  This will ensure you do not miss a member request or any emails that come from the Planning Center site.

NEW ENGLAND LOCATIONS:

SUMMER INSIDE IS THIS COMING FRIDAY, MARCH 24 AND WE ARE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO SERVE AT THIS EVENT.  PLEASE REGISTER AT LINK BELOW TO SERVE:

SUMMER INSIDE SERVE TEAM REG

(NEW**) FOSTER FOWARD EASTER BACK PACKS – One of our Action Groups is putting together back packs for  children ages  0-12 for easter.  We need Easter Candy and small stuffed toys!  WE already have Jesus Coloring books and small toys.  IF YOU AND YOUR GROUP CAN DONATE EASTER CANDY AND SMALL STUFFED TOYS – PLEASE DROP IN GIVING BOX AT YOUR LOCATION NO LATER THAN MARCH 19!  THANKS!

(NEW**) ENGAGE – L&G LOST TREASURE ESCAPE ROOM!  APRIL 14! We have a fun night planned for you!  Please read the descritpion on the registration for details!  Engage is a free event for anyone 36 and over!  Bring a friend along too!  REGISTER USING LINK BELOW!

ENGAGE L&G LOST TREASURE ESCAPE ROOM REGISTRATION

ALL LOCATIONS

Epic Egg Drop – April 8, 2023!!  You can now register to SERVE at NA’s Epic Egg Drop.  THIS IS TO SERVE ONLY, A SEPARATE REGISTATION IS AVAILABLE TO SIGN UP YOUR CHILDREN FOR THE EVENT.

NA EPIC EGG DROP SERVE TEAM SIGN UP

APOLLO BEACH SERVE TEAM SIGN UP

LIFE GROUP LEADER MEETING: MARCH 21 from 6-8:30.  Please register yourself, your apprentice and your children.  Food and child care provided.  NE AND APOLLO BEACH WILL ZOOM IN TOGETHER.

LIFE GROUP LEADER MEETING REG FOR NEW ENGLAND

LIEFE GROUP LEADER MEETING REG FOR APOLLO BEACH

All announcements and the Waters Event Calendar can be found at:  waterschurch.org/events

(*NEW SEASON STARTING) Alpha:
  ◦    Alpha spring series kicks off Thursday, April 27!  Alpha at Waters is a 9 week series of conversations for people seeking to learn more about God, those on the fence about faith, or questioning what religion has to do with it all.  The purpose is to meet people where they are in a non-threatening environment while enjoying a meal and guided conversation.  Please invite your non-believing friends, co-workers and family members!  Sign up today @ waterschurch.org/alpha (https://waterschurch.org/alpha)

Location Text Alerts:

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Key Verse: Thessalonians 1

Testimonies 2023: God is showing up and healing people.  God healed a woman’s hip and she no longer needs hip replacement. A man was healed from cancer. God is moving at Waters church. People are stepping up to serve! The church has 361 Salvations and 50 Baptisms at all locations so far this year. God is moving!

Ice Breaker:  Share a testimony of how God has moved in your life this past month? What testimony can you share about the monthly fasting? 

1 Thessalonians 1

Thessalonica was a very pagan city. The homes in this city had no windows, because of the crime rate. Sexual immorality flooded this city. It was a hostile, hateful city.

( Leaders you can recap the story for those who are unfamiliar or need a refresh )

Acts 17:1-13

Acts 18:6-8 (ESV)

At this point, Paul was tired of preaching and teaching the truth. He was kicked out of 4 cities. But God showed up when he was about to give up.

Q. What is a recent situation you have had to push through even when you felt like giving up?

Acts 18:9-10 (ESV)

1 Thessalonians 3:6–7 (ESV)

Paul is saying to the Thessalonians he did not expect this. He did not expect that they would have so much faith/concern for him.  That is a testimony of the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Having FAITH in a HOSTILE world:

(3 things)

1. I am IN the CHURCH.

1 Thessalonians 1:1 (ESV)

The CHURCH (ekklesia) is an ASSEMBLY of people GOD has CALLED out of this WORLD to CHANGE the world.

If you are not plugged into a church, you’re on your own. The body of believers is the family of God. Be “in” the church.

Q: In the past month how have you made life group a priority and church a priority for you and your family?

(Make a plan to hold one another accountable as a group).

Spiritual consumerism has got to go, and it doesn’t help you. The book of Thessalonians was the first book of the NT written.  These are the first words that the Holy Spirit has written to people. It was to the church. FIrst things first you are part of the family. God requires us to assemble.

Matthew 16:18 (ESV)

1 Timothy 3:14–15 (ESV)

Q. How have you been strengthened by your church family in a recent situation (ie maybe your small group, church members praying for you and helped you get through a challenging time. A time these past few weeks you could “feel” the prayers while in your circumstance).

2. I am IN GOD.

1 Thessalonians 1:1 (ESV)

Colossians 3:1–4 (ESV)

Ephesians 3:8–10 (ESV)

Your life is not defined by who you are, but what you’re in. The community, the family, the church and the God that you’re “in”.  You are saturated in God.

Q: In the last few weeks, what are some ways that you have been intentional about what you are “in” and surrounded by? 

3. I am IN GOD because I am IN CHRIST. 

1 Thessalonians 1:1 (ESV) To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

Grace – is the GOODNESS of God to people who DON’T DESERVE it.

Peace (shalom) – SOUNDNESS in BODY, in MIND, right RELATIONSHIP with people and God.

Challenge: Claim and believe in the authority of Jesus over your life this week. Prayer for  grace and peace over your family, loved ones and situations in your life.