How to Walk Into Church (By Thomas Hill)

When we understand what the church is and what happens when it gathers, it impacts the way we walk into the gathering. Tony Payne explains: “We’re walking into a gathering that God himself has called together, as part of his majestic plan to save and gather his people around the Lord Jesus Christ. We’re walking into an outpost or foretaste of the great spiritual, heavenly assembly of the people of God.”[1] How we walk into church, then, matters.

Paul also taught the same thing. He urged the Ephesian believers to approach the church’s gatherings with purpose: “Look carefully then how you walk …  be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Eph 5:15–21). The Lord desires his people’s Spirit-filled participation!

Let’s take a few moments to reflect on how we walk into the church’s gatherings each Sunday.

Before You Walk Into Church

• Decide to go—prepare on Saturday to worship on Sunday.

• Pray for those who will come and what we will do together on Sunday. Pray for fellow members by name. Pray for guests who will join us.

• Prepare for what we will do together. Read the sermon text several times (Sermon schedule). Learn the songs we will sing (Spotify link).

• Arrive early.

• Pray about where to sit. How does your seat selection facilitate worship and loving one another?

After You Walk Into Church

• Care for guests by making sure they have anything needed, such as a bible or an info guide.

• Assist with nuts and bolts. If something needs to be done, take the initiative to help.

• Pray, sing, and enthusiastically. Own prayers personally by agreeing with a hearty “AMEN!.”

• Listen to the sermon attentively. Have your Bible open and heart engaged. Make sure your phone is not a distraction.

• Consider your life. How will you think, believe, and act in light of the sermon?

When Church Finishes but Doesn’t

• Linger in conversation for 10-15 minutes after the service.

• Greet guests first. Introduce yourself to someone you don’t recognize.

• Trigger spiritually helpful conversations by bouncing off the sermon: "That was really interesting what the pastor said about _____. What did you think?"

• Ask others how they came to salvation in Christ: “Phil, I don’t think I remember how you came to follow Christ. How did it happen with you?

• Ask others how you can pray for them & pray for them at that time.

How to Walk Out of Church

• Go to lunch with others.

• Apply the sermon to your life.

• Remain connected to the church during the week.

• Plan to invite non-believers next Sunday.

• Check in on anyone you noticed was absent.

BIG PLANS THIS SUNDAY

This Sunday, May 18, we will meet as usual at 10:30 am for gathered worship. In addition to singing, praying, and preaching, we plan to baptize Diane Robinson. After the service, we will move into the fellowship hall for a covered-dish lunch. Please bring a dish or two to share (the church will not provide meat, so please bring main dishes, too). Toward the end of the meal, after everyone is served, we will observe the Supper by partaking of the bread and cup. The church will provide elements. Following the meal, we will begin the members meeting. Please prioritize this gathering by keeping your calendar clear until after 3:00 pm on Sunday.

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

[1] Adapted from Tony Payne, How to Walk Into Church (Mathias Media: 2015).

Making the Supper a Meal (By Thomas Hill)

On Sunday, May 18, following gathered worship we will continue congregating after the service for our quarterly covered dish lunch and members meeting. As a special addition, we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper as a church family during lunch in the fellowship hall. This is a change of routine for us, so I want to prepare us all adequately.

Background

Several weeks ago, when I was preaching about the Lord’s Supper, I noted that the early church at times incorporated the Lord’s Supper into a larger church meal, similar to how Jesus instituted the Supper over a meal in the upper room. Several references hint at eating the Supper as a church meal (See Acts 2:42, 46; 1 Cor 11:17-34; and Jude 12). At least one reference makes no mention of an accompanying meal (Acts 20:7). Either way, there is no clear, positive command, one way or the other. Since we routinely eat the Supper without a meal, I think it would be beneficial for us, on occasion, to incorporate the Supper into an all-church meal.

Planning

Here is the plan for Sunday, May 18, and how you can prepare. We will gather as normal at 10:30 for gathered worship. In addition to singing, praying, and preaching, we expect to baptize Diane Robinson that morning. After the service we will move into the fellowship hall for the covered-dish lunch. Please bring a dish or two to share (the church will not provide meat, so please bring main dishes, too). Toward the end of the meal, after everyone is served, we will observe the Supper by partaking of the bread and cup. Elements will be provided by the church and set out on each table. Following the meal we will begin the members meeting.

Preparing

Here are several things you can do to prepare for the day. First, prepare your heart to eat the supper by dwelling on Christ, confessing sins, and reconciling with others. Second, prioritize this gathering by keeping your calendar clear until after 3:00 pm that Sunday afternoon. Third, have fun planning the dishes you bring.  Got a scrumptious recipe or new venture you’d like for others to try?  Here is a great opportunity.

Benefits

I foresee several benefits of incorporating the Lord’s Supper as a church-wide meal. First, it will serve as a noticeable cue that we eat as the assembled church, not merely as individual believers. Second, changing up the routine gives us the opportunity to experience the Supper in a fresh way. Third, moving the Supper to accompany the members meeting is a reminder of the importance of this meeting. Let’s pray and prepare!

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

A Special Day

Lord’s Supper & Members Meeting this Sunday

We should always prioritize gathering with the church each Lord's Day. But the days we celebrate the Lord's Supper and have our quarterly members meeting, like this coming Sunday, should have a particular priority.

Our faith grows as we eat the supper, obeying Jesus's command to remember him in this way. As we eat, we testify to our incorporation into the Lord’s church (“The bread that we break is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” 1 Cor 10:16). What a privilege to gather and eat!

Congregationalism is a conviction that comes with certain obligations. Under the Lord, each Crestview member not only shares a common faith and doctrine but is also tasked with the responsibility to hear the updates from your leaders and participate in decision-making. Remember, the local church is the sum of its members. Unless providentially hindered, I hope we will all display the biblical conviction of living congregationalism this Sunday by being present.

Adjustment to our Saturday Service Day Efforts

The time has come to adjust to our Saturday service days. We are not making immediate plans to organize a Crestview-specific service team each Saturday. In its place, we will encourage volunteering with Samaritan’s Purse. Many want to continue serving with storm cleanup. Samaritan's Purse intends to continue operating out of Oak Hill Church until at least March 11. They have a good list of homes, tools, and staff to assess needs. Training begins daily at 7:30 am and 12:30 pm, including Saturdays. Let’s continue to pull together Crestview folks and use this avenue to serve neighbors and share the gospel on Saturdays (or other days).

Of course, if a specific home needs help, we can always organize a Crestview-specific effort through our deacons.

Roof Work Starting Soon

Weather permitting, and Lord willing, we hope to start roofing work next week!

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

Christmas Happenings

Christmas Happenings

• Caroling & Chili Supper: Sunday, Dec 11, 4:00 PM

Cook your best pot of chili and meet at the fellowship hall this Sunday at 4:00 PM. Groups will go caroling to senior members of our church, including those who are homebound. Afterwards we will enjoy chili together. As always, a select cohort of culinary judges will award the best chili(s).

•  Kids Christmas Party: Wednesday, Dec 14, 6:30 PM

•  Student Christmas Party: Wednesday, Dec 14, 6:30 PM

•  Legacy Plus Christmas Luncheon, Dec 20, 12:00 PM

Retirees, please join us and bring a friend for a Christmas theme luncheon. All food will be provided: ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potato pie.

• Candlelight Service: Saturday, Dec 24, 5:00 PM

Join us for a casual evening of family-friendly Christmas hymns and Scripture reading. This is a wonderful gospel opportunity for family, friends, and neighbors. The service will be about 45-minutes in length.

•  Christmas Day Gathered Worship: Sunday, Dec 25, 10:30 AM

Plan to gather with the church on the Lord’s Day for a service that will focus on the incarnation of the Lord Jesus. There will be no coffee corner, equipping courses, or nursery.

•  New Years Day Gathered Worship: Sunday, Jan 1, 10:30 AM

Plan to gather with the church on the Lord’s Day for a service that will focus on the glory of the Lord Jesus. This is an ideal way to bring in 2023. There will be no coffee corner, equipping courses, or nursery.

International Missions Offering: Week of Prayer

Each day this week we are praying for International Missions. Through the International Mission Board, our fellowship of churches have sent over 3,650 missionaries serving in 116 countries. They serve in many of Earth's hardest, darkest, least-reached places. As you pray this week, please consider how the Lord is inspiring you to support this work. Sunday, December 18, will be our giving emphasis day.

Members Meeting Update

Praise the Lord for the wonderful members meeting this past Sunday. You heard important updates and made significant decisions. I highlight several here. We received two new members, both recently baptized, Cooper McLean and Addy Butler! The church affirmed new deacons: Doug Lawrence, Clay McLean, Reese Simmons, and Grayson Webb. We also affirmed the proposed 2023 Church Ministry Budget. Praise the Lord!

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

International Missions Offering

International Missions Offering

A ministry endeavor worth noting in the New Testament is the collection of funds from predominantly Gentile congregations by Paul to support the largely Jewish churches in Jerusalem. This cooperative offering is mentioned in Acts, Romans, and 1 & 2 Corinthians. In fact, the occasion when the authorities arrested Paul in Acts 24 was the delivery of these funds to Jerusalem. This offering is an example of churches working jointly to fund God-honoring ministry.

In this same spirit, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions is a joint effort of Great Commission Baptist Churches to provide funding to spread the gospel of the grace of God to all peoples around the world. Through the International Mission Board, our churches have sent over 3,650 missionaries serving in 116 countries. Over 90% of these missionary teams actively engage at least 1 of over 7,000 unreached people groups. These are OUR missionaries! They serve in many of Earth's hardest, darkest, least-reached places.

Please prayerfully consider how the Spirit of the Lord is stirring you to make a generous contribution to this year's offering for International Missions. As you do so, know that our church is one of the thousands of sister churches working together in this God-honoring ministry. This Sunday, December 4, we will begin our week of prayer for International Missions. Sunday, December 18, will be our giving day emphasis.

Members Meeting this Sunday

This Sunday, following gathered worship, will be our quarterly members meeting. In this meeting, you will hear essential updates on the church, add and remove members, and make several decisions. One decision will be to affirm the men whom the elders and deacons recommend serving as deacons: Doug Lawrence, Reese Simmons, Grayson Webb, and Clay McLean (Reaffirmation). Another decision will be the affirmation of the proposed 2023 Ministry Budget prepared by the elders, finance team, and staff: Proposed 2023 Ministry Budget

Welcome Alexis Lawrence

I am happy to announce that Alexis Lawrence has begun working in the office as our new ministry assistant. Over the next month, she will be transitioning into Gayle Kelley's role. Gayle will be retiring at the end of the year. Please, take the opportunity to thank Gayle for her service and welcome Alexis to our staff.

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

What is Advent?

What is Advent?

Though not something we have routinely highlighted with Crestview, it is a rich idea that we will be emphasizing this year. Advent is a season of waiting, designed to cultivate our awareness of God's actions in the past, present, and future. We remember Israel's waiting for the Messiah, giving thanks for Christ's incarnation, and anticipating his second coming. Across church history, churches have marked the four Sundays preceding Christmas with this focus. Starting on November 28, we will be highlighting Advent each Sunday in gathered worship with special readings, prayers, songs, and (yes!) candles. This will culminate with special Christmas services on Christmas Eve (5:00 PM) and Sunday, December 26. Pray for the Lord to strengthen his church. Pray for the gospel to be clearly proclaimed from Hebrews over these weeks.

The Advent season is ideal for inviting friends, family, neighbors, and your "ones" to Crestview on Sundays. Unique invite cards will be available to use. Also, keep an eye out for a social media blitz and share posts widely with your friends.

Members Meeting Updates

This past Sunday, the church received Josh and Hayley Roberts into membership. They are the proud parents of Jude and Asher. Let's continue to warmly welcome the Roberts into the Crestview family.

The church affirmed Lee Ramseur, Rocky Stubbs, and Mike McGhin deacons. What a blessing these brothers and their wives are to us all! We will set these brothers apart to this service in our worship gathering in the next several weeks.

The 2022 Church Ministry Budget was approved. I am grateful for the work your staff, finance team, and elders put into its development, as well as your affirmation to support this ministry plan. Let's continue to honor the Lord not only in our giving but also in our entire lives.

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

Reasons to Attend this Sunday

“And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples…” Acts 6:2

REASONS TO ATTEND THIS SUNDAY

There are many reasons you should be present this Sunday, but I want to encourage you with three. First, it is the Lord’s Day, and He is worthy of all worship and devotion. Your church needs your voice, service, hospitality, gifts, and involvement.  Second, we will be eating the Lord’s Supper together. Every believer who is physically able to do so should make attendance at the Lord’s table a priority. Let’s not take this lightly. Eating together as one assembly nurtures the church and is a way you continue to identify as a follower of Jesus and member of his church.

MEMBERS MEETING

The third reason to be present this Sunday is our quarterly members meeting immediately following gathered worship. When significant decisions were needed in the churches of the New Testament, the entire church was gathered to make them. Due to covid we had to postpone the February meeting, so this is our first one in six months. You will receive important updates on the life of the church, hear recommendations from the elders on several important decisions, receive new members, see others out of membership, and learn about plans to add additional seating in the worship center. If you are not present, you will miss something and we will miss you. We will move through the content as quick as reasonably possible so expect the meeting to take 30-45 minutes.

Thank you for planning ahead and being present this Sunday!

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas