Worship
Community
Mission
sartarelli

Summer 2009

Notes from Paul

 

Jesus’ People—June 7

You can tell a lot about someone by what kinds of people are attracted to them. Are they smart people? Beautiful people? Religious people?

I am intrigued by the kinds of people Jesus attracted. Two types in particular—outsiders and children.

By outsiders I mean those who were not part of the religious culture of Jesus’ day. Their lifestyles were often far from moral. Thus they were not part of the “in” crowd religiously. And yet something about Jesus was very compelling to them.

Then there were the children. Far from being intimidated by this spiritual giant, kids were often with Jesus. He spoke a lot about them. Exhorting us to love children and comparing their simplicity to the essential quality for heaven’s entrance requirement.

Now no better form of flattery and worship could we pay to our Lord then to copy his style of attraction.

What would it look like if our summer activities and calendars regularly and often included “outsiders?” What a compliment it would be to Jesus as role model if the irreligious and unchurched regularly wanted to be around us.

As a church, our high calling to be Christ-like is to love on children with all the tenderness and enthusiasm that we can. And we intend to do this all summer. Camp Straight Street and Vacation Bible School are just two ways that we are collectively mimicking our Lord’s commitment to kids. And of course Camp Carl!

 

Wondering—June 14

Wondering aloud about a number of things while Sue & I wait for a friend to come out of surgery. I wonder how many stories of spiritual impact we will hear coming out of Camp Carl this summer which begins this week.

I wonder if you’ve met our Executive Pastor yet? his name is David Fletcher and his wife is Tami. David will play a significant role in leading and direction of ministries. David is a vital partner to me and I am grateful to the Lord for bringing he and Tami to us.

On that note, let me introduce our new children’s director. Her name is Janice Kelley and her husband is Mike. She comes from a very successful kids program in Tampa. Pastor Zac Derr will be our leader of Family Ministries. We are very excited for this new arrangement. 

I wonder what the Lord has in store for us this morning as we exalt his name.

I wonder if we will ever know the effects and ramifications of all the prayers that are prayed for us as we walk thru life.

I guess a hospital waiting area is the place where this comes to mind … and our Chapel worship centers. 

Let’s worship our Lord together with enthusiasm and truth!           

 

A Body The Glorifies Christ—June 21

“In his heart a person plans their course, but the Lord determines his steps”

As I listen to our ministry team present their ’09-’10 goals I am reminded of Solomon’s words.  The plans that we’ve designed are fresh and exciting … for us as a church and our community and world involvement. 

Embrace Tomorrow, worship, community, mission–simplification and exploration are our buzzwords. There are exciting days ahead!

And still we know, God determines our steps. In his sovereignty we rest. In his goodness we trust. In his control we live.

We plan, we organize; God’s will be done. Every couple longing for a child, knows this and lives it. Each employer who desires good for his enterprise appreciates this. God’s sovereign control is what ultimately every physician and patient and nurse live within. This is why we pray. We do our best. We plan ahead. And still we trust.

And so we believe, for our church–that we are being built up into a body that glorifies Christ.

And for our lives–“that all things work together for good, for those that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.” 

And so we plan and we trust.

 

This Summer … A Season of Life—June 28

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

As we enjoy the seasons God gives us and even watch summer speed by (it's already the end of June) wisdom reminds us that all of our days are in God’s hand (Psalm 31:15). And that every matter of life has its unique and appointed time.

Here at The Chapel, it seems that summer is the appointed time for special ministry trips and outreach opportunities. Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Quito, Ecuador… just some of the places that our teenagers will be traveling to and serving in this summer. An appropriately ordained time for special ministry and team building. Check out what they are doing on their blog sight www.zeroautomatic.com.

Not to be outdone, our children’s ministry sees the summer as more than just a time for sunburns and vacations. With Camp Straight Street, VBS and Camp Carl our kids and their friends use the summer as an appointed time to learn about Christ and love on each other.  Again, their website is worth a gander at www.straightstreetkids.org.

So how about you?  What will be the focus of your life and heart this summer? Maybe this will be the time to read that book. Make that date. Learn what’s really going on in your loved ones lives.

Summer’s as good a time as any to grow a deeper more intimate faith.  To learn the real heart of God. May the Lord fill this season of your life with his sovereign good will and tender mercies.

 

True Freedom—July 5

Yesterday we celebrated Independence Day as a nation!  What a great privilege to live in a land that honors freedom.

There is a spiritual liberty that Christ provides for all who embrace his cross and obey his call. “It is for freedom that Christ set you free,” the New Testament reminds us.

As Christ followers we are free from the power of sin. We are free to say “no,” to those alluring and enslaving temptations. We are free to live in the righteousness of Christ and produce the fruits of joy and peace and patience. Free to love others as we should. Free to live selflessly with no agenda but to serve Christ and others. Free to live guiltlessly, having been liberated from the penalty of sin. So freed from ever having to earn God’s favor. All because of Christ.

We have heard that all freedom comes with a cost. The price of our spiritual independence was a steep one. The Lord of Love was crucified horribly that we may live freely.  Thank you Jesus!

Will you freely choose Him today?

So
one solitary figure
shackled to a cross
still today
provides freedom
to any who believe
and choose
his way freely

 

Being Mature in Christ—July 12

“Him we proclaim, warning everyone, teaching everyone in all wisdom that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”

Clear words from the Apostle Paul that remind us of what we are all about.  Every organization must determine what it is that they need to be doing. As the Church we won’t stray far if Paul’s emphasis remains ours.

“Him we proclaim …” Christ we proclaim.  Let there be no mistaking it, Jesus is the content of our message and the great hope for our lives and world. When its all said and done, what we say and do must all point to Christ.

“Everyone.” Three times he repeats that inclusive word. Our ministry is to everyone, because everyone needs Christ and everyone is separated from the God who loves them infinitely.  Everyone that includes … well, you and me … and the guy two rows over from you.

“Maturity.” On the one hand we can’t plot it on a graph (“okay, we’ve arrived, now I’m mature). On the other hand we know where it is that we are heading—Toward Christ-likeness … ”the fruit of the Spirit is love …” And this goal of maturity only comes through regular warnings and loving instruction.

So, welcome to Sunday at The Chapel!  May we hit our mark. May we all say, “Jesus is Lord!”

This morning in Akron we welcome a faithful friend. Welcome Dave and thank you for pointing us to Christ. In Green, Pastor Mike will be reminding us of the greatness of Christ and his rule over history as well as his concern for his church.

As the Lord addresses us this morning may we heed his words, “If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

 

Preparing—July 19

We all know what its like to get performance reviews or report cards. It's a bit nerve wracking.  Whether it’s the supervisor who assesses our job performance of the past six months or the school report card that quantifies our success quite clearly, we all cringe a bit knowing that the review is coming.

Now, it's for our good we are told. It will prepare us for the future and enable us to do better when the pressure is on. Whether we believe that or not is beside the point. Assessments, when given fairly and in a timely manner can be quite beneficial.

And so the Lord Jesus writes out performance reviews for 7 churches. Some good, some not so much … but all with a look to the future, a rather tough future that will call for preparedness in ways like perseverance and humility and truth-seeking and pure worship.

For the next 7 weeks we will be examining the Lord’s words in Revelation 2 and 3 with an eye towards ourselves. Like the historical churches that Jesus addresses, so we also live in perilous times where many are either abandoning their faith or living dangerously because of Christ.

So we will be hearing words of caution and correction on issues like compromise and spiritual coldness as we are called by our Lord to love undyingly, endure patiently, worship purely and trust steadfastly. This report card will be good for all of us as we seek to live as Christ’s people in the coming days of uncertainty and trials.

 

For his Kingdom—July 26

Money and “religion.” We’ve sort of turned them into an oil and water situation.  Unfortunately, heavy guilt or bogus promises have often been added to the mix.

So we respond in unhealthy ways; we cringe, we give out of guilt, we withhold out of anger. 

Or we respond in biblical ways:

  • Out of covenant obligation. We tithe. We give a portion (a tenth?) of an income on a regular basis for the Lord’s ministries in the church.
  • Out of family love. We have sense of belonging, a feeling of family and so we give because we desire to help the family do well by assisting her budget.
  • Out of a generous heart. We not only appreciate how spiritually rich we are in Christ but we also recognize that the Lord has changed our hearts; we have hearts that love others and hands that are wide open for his kingdom.
  • The end of August finishes our budget year so on behalf of the staff and trustees I ask you to consider giving generously that the family budget may finish strong and kingdom work soar.

Thank you in advance.

 

He Knows Where We Dwell—August 2

As Ohioans we live in the “Buckeye State.” Akron of course is the “Rubber City.” My parents came from Rome, known proudly as the “Eternal City.” I have a friend who lives in Las Vegas infamously known as “Sin City.” A name like “Green,” sort of says it all about a city’s beauty.

This morning as we continue our series of “Divine Report Cards” studying the letters to each of the seven churches of Revelation, we will be examining the church in Pergamum. Do you know the nickname that the Lord gave to Pergamum?  “Satan’s City!”  “I know where you dwell,” the Lord tells them, “where Satan’s throne is.”

Yuck!  We will be looking at the spiritually dark details that gained Pergamum such a title and the implications for the Christ followers who lived there.

But now for a moment let’s be encouraged by the Lord’s words, “I know where you dwell.” No matter how dark or dismal, oppressive or discouraging, the Lord knows where you dwell. The believers of Pergamum could reassure themselves that Jesus was intimately aware of their circumstances, that even though they may be in a place where it was very lonely to be a Christ-follower, he knew where they were and was with them there.

Christ knows where you are right now! Think on that a moment. Whatever your address is or personal circumstances are; maybe you’re visiting from out of town or you feel marginalized in one way or another. The Lord knows where you dwell. And more than just being aware of where you are, you can be confident in knowing that the Lord providentially, strategically has you there for his purposes, to bear witness to Christ’s grace, to honor his name, to be a light in dark Pergamum.

As we are here together this morning, we can worship joyously, resting in the fact that the Lord knows where we are.

 

Reminderville—August 9

There’s a town north of here called “Reminderville.” Not sure the origin of the name but I like the sentiment. Reminders—we all need them. Many things, intentional and unintentional can be viewed as important reminders for us.

It’s a very biblical word. Time and again we are reminded as Christ-followers of our calling, our duties, our privileges in the Lord.

And as, even in these days I have been reminded:

  • that many Christians around the world live in fear and are in peril for Jesus’ sake.  We need to support them; we need to pray for them. 
  • that these in the early church, when asked to give financially to the Lord’s work they gave out of “their extreme poverty which welled up in rich generosity.”  So we are urged to give in these tough economic days that the generous spirit of our poor spiritual ancestors envelope our fellowship. 
  • that our opportunities for ministry in Akron and Green are vast.  For 25 years we have been hosting thousands of runners from around the world.  Camaraderie and hospitality speak volumes.  This year we will expand to a day of family festivities for all.  It’s all good!
  • that The Chapel’s future is both here and yet to come.  Faithfulness to Christ and his Word combined with forward thinking as to how we can reach future generations for Christ is our joyous and sober assignment.

 “Now my friends, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.” —1 Corinthians 15:1

 

An Open Hand—August 16

The beauty of an open hand … It communicates openness:

  • kindness toward the other
  • no hint of “all mine"
  • generosity

Abraham had an open hand. God asked for his son, his only son … and generously, without flinching, Abraham offered him up to the Lord.

Ruth had an open hand. She selflessly loved and cared for her widowed mother-in-law, though being a new widow herself.

Barnabas had an open hand. The Lord blessed him with wealth and property and he generously shared it for God’s use in the early church.

Mary had an open hand. The human mother of the Son of God, she released him for the sake of the world.

May our hands be open.  May our lives and character exude with generosity and openness.  May we see the opportunities before us to share and love generously.

May The Chapel continue the legacy of the open hand.

  • It’s our biblical heritage
  • It’s our church heritage

(As Christ followers) We are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share. (1 Timothy 6:18)

 

An Open Hand—August 23

The beauty of an open hand … It communicates openness—

  • kindness toward the other
  • no hint of “all mine”
  • generosity

Abraham had an open hand.

God asked for his son, his only son … and generously, without flinching, Abraham offered him up to the Lord.

Ruth had an open hand. She selflessly loved and cared for her widowed mother-in-law, though being a new widow herself.

Barnabas had an open hand. The Lord blessed him with wealth and property and he generously shared it for God’s use in the early church.

Mary had an open hand. The human mother of the Son of God, she released him for the sake of the world.

May our hands be open. May our lives and character exude with generosity and openness. May we see the opportunities before us to share and love generously. May The Chapel continue the legacy of the open hand.

  • It’s our biblical heritage
  • It’s our church heritage

As Christ-followers, "We are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share." (1 Timothy 6:18)

 

Prayer from Paul—August 30

Our Lord Christ. Our Amen. Our faithful and true witness. Hear our prayer. Fill me with your all encompassing love and sin-shattering grace.

I confess the complacency of my soul and repent of my self-sufficient spirit.

Draw near to me now, arouse my heart with your passions and open my eyes to see what you see. Rescue me from lukewarm indifference and spiritual stagnation.

Through your Spirit and for your glory may my life bring refreshment to the weary soul and healing to the spiritually sick. Amen.

 

Hear Ye, Hear Ye … August 30

School clothes and supplies purchased—check
College students back on campus—check
Workload beginning to pile up—check
The sun is setting earlier and earlier—check

September must be right around the corner. And that is very significant for families, for offices, for schools, for churches.

Are you ready for autumn? Was summer as meaningful as you had hoped?

The prophet in a downer message says, “The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved.” Jeremiah 8:20

Has summer slipped away? We’ve all been prompted spiritually in various ways, have I acted on the Spirit’s promptings? The cold is coming. Now is the time to look to Jesus; to obey him; to fall madly in love with him.

As we prepare for the fall together as a church, may I give a few reminders:

  • Our 25th annual Labor of Love run is set for Monday, September 7. Visit www.the-chapel.org/laboroflove.
  • Start the fall by making prayer a priority. You can join the men of Prayer Partners this Friday morning with our 6:30am kick-off (Green Campus). Also, every Wednesday, you can be a part of a group that meets at 6:45pm to pray at both campuses.

With August, we say goodbye to Divine Report Cards – 7 Church Letters of Revelation. In Green, we’ll study the rest of this final book of the Bible. “The End” will probe the meaning and relevancy of Revelation to today. In Akron, we will study a story of loyal-love; of how God uses the unlikely to accomplish huge things: the Book of Ruth.