North Main Street Church of God
Joyful Thanksgiving
1201 North Main Street Ext. Butler, PA 16001 11/26/2023
Locations & Times
North Main Street Church of God
1201 N Main St Ext, Butler, PA 16001, USA
Sunday 10:30 AM
Sunday Morning
Join us on Sunday Mornings online where you can Check-in/Connect, Give, and Watch along with us.
https://northmaincog.org/online/Know Christ intimately,
Grow in Christ continually, and
Go for Christ daily
Check-in Here
Thanks for joining us! If it's your first time here we'd love to connect with you! Fill out the form below. <br> For our regular attenders, please check in with your name and email, if you need to update information
https://northmaincog.org/online-connection-form/Joining us online?
Thank you for joining us today! Please check in here:
https://northmaincog.org/online-connection-form/
Newcomers to North Main
If you are a newcomer, we’re so glad you’ve joined us! If you’re here in person, make sure to stop by the Welcome Center where we have a gift bag for you with some information about us and some delicious homemade chocolate chip COOKIES. <br> For those online please visit the website below and make sure to click the COMMUNICATION CARD button and fill that out so we can send you a free gift!
https://northmaincog.org/onlineChurch Mobile App
Did you know North Main has a church mobile app? Access videos anytime from your device and never miss a sermon. Securely and easily give your tithes, offerings, and donations. Instantly register for upcoming events, and stay in the know of what's happening. Contact Us at any time with a simple message. Find others in the North Main directory. To download go to:
https://northmaincog.org/app/Bible Reading Plan
Join us in 2023 as we read through the Bible in a year and highlight evidence of “KINDNESS” throughout our daily Scripture readings. Reading Guides and GREEN highlighters, the color that represents KINDNESS, are available at the Welcome Center. You can also access the resources digitally on NORTHMAINCOG.ORG/BIBLE
https://northmaincog.org/bible/
Events
For more information about events at North Main such as our upcoming softball games, women’s hikes, classes, and groups, please make sure to stop by the Welcome Center or visit our website at
https://northmaincog.org/eventsPOINTSETTIAS
Poinsettia orders for our Christmas Eve services are due by NEXT SUNDAY, December 3rd. Make sure to submit your form online or pick up one at the Welcome Center with exact payment.
https://northmaincog.org/poinsettias/TOY SHOPPE
We are collecting items for The Lighthouse Foundation’s Toy Shoppe! This program hosts a shopping experience for local families in need. Stop by the Welcome Center to pick out a tag and bring your NEW unwrapped gift donations back to North Main by Sunday December 10th.
https://northmaincog.org/events/toy-shoppe/CONNECTION LUNCHEON
Join us NEXT WEEK for our Connection Luncheon! Make sure to invite your friends because anyone new to North Main eats for free! Cost: $6/adult $4/child and a max of $20/household. ON THE MENU: Ham, Potatoes Gratin, Green Beans, Dinner Rolls, Christmas Cookies
https://northmaincog.org/event/19289221-2023-12-03-connection-luncheon/We will be celebrating communion together this morning during worship. The ushers will distribute the elements at that time, but for those who need a gluten-free or sealed option, those are available at the Welcome Center right outside of the doors you came in today.
Give
We thank you for your faithful gifts. You can give online and, of course, on Sundays by using the secure drop boxes located outside the doors of the Sanctuary. THANK YOU FOR YOUR FAITHFULNESS.
https://northmaincog.org/give/
(Colossians 1:3-14)
Yearly Theme: “Kindness is… Appreciative”
Series Title: “Thankful Kindness”
November 26th, 2023
For some, joy doesn’t come easy; expressions of joy even less. But for the believer in Christ, joy is non-negotiable. So why is that? Well, joy is non-negotiable for the believer for the sheer fact that it is rooted, not in life’s circumstances, but in the promises of GOD.
As we explore another one of the Apostle Paul’s letters in the New Testament this morning, we find – yet again – Him praying for knowledge and spiritual wisdom, but this time, for the Church at Colossae, he also prays that they will be filled with joy, always thanking the Father in Heaven.
Let’s take a closer look:
"The best argument for Christianity is Christians: Their joy, their certainty, their completeness. But the strongest argument AGAINST Christianity is also Christians--when they are somber and joyless, when they are self-righteous and smug in complacent consecration when they are narrow and repressive, then Christianity dies a thousand deaths.”[1]
Here’s the point…
Key Point: “We can express thanksgiving to GOD with joy knowing that our living for Him is not in vain.”
So, what does Paul pray for the Colossian Church? He prays for…
[1] Chuck Colson, The Body, pp. 320-321.
Colossians 1:9b (NLT), We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will…
Colossians 1:9c (NLT), …to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Colossians 1:11a (NLT), We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.
Colossians 1:11b-14 (NLT), May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. 13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
For Paul, speaking about and praying for the joy-filling of believers in the early church was more than just a nice gesture or cliché, it was rooted in a deep sense of awe as rooted in a relationship with the Almighty GOD through Christ Jesus. It’s this type of expressive joy that causes the believer to remember the inheritance that comes with surrendering his/her life to Christ. It’s this kind of purposeful joy that keeps a person walking in the light of life which is Christ. And, it’s this manner of joy that rejoices in the fact that GOD has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, Jesus, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
Key Point: “We can express thanksgiving to GOD with joy knowing that our living for Him is not in vain.”
give thanks, to whom you should give thanks, and for what reasons should you give thanks?
What do you notice about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in What actions are they doing, how are they relating to us, and what does it say about them?
Paul sees “hope” as a concrete, objective inheritance secured for us in the future. What is the nature of our “hope” and “inheritance”? How might that help you endure the hardships of this life?
Think about who has been an Epaphras in your life, and who you might be an Epaphras for. Who are people in your life who need to believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ or need help in maturing in their faith? How can you pray for them? How can you intentionally love them and seek to share the gospel with them or help them grow as a disciple?
How does the knowledge of God lead to living a fruitful
life pleasing to Him? How can you encourage those closest to you in the mundane “daily-ness” of the Christian walk?
Can you recall any times or examples when you saw God’s power at work in you or in someone around you? What are other examples from Scripture where God’s power can be seen?
In this passage what do you see about God’s works or actions on your behalf, God’s desires for you, and how you might respond?
What are some of the attributes and actions of God you see in this passage? How might those lead you to worship and prayer?
Past Sermons
To view past sermons, please visit our website below.
https://northmaincog.org/media-resources/sermons/Contact Us
If you would like to update your information or have a prayer request, please fill out the link below.
https://northmaincog.org/media-resources/contact-us/North Main Street Church of God
1201 North Main Street Ext.Butler, PA 16001 (724) 285-4214 info@northmaincog.org
http://www.northmaincog.org/Give
We thank you for your faithful gifts. You can give online at NORTHMAINCOG.ORG/GIVE, text "give" to (724) 313-2211, and, of course, on Sundays by using the secure drop boxes located outside the doors of the Sanctuary. THANK YOU FOR YOUR FAITHFULNESS.
https://www.northmaincog.org/giveMonday - Thursday
9:00am - 4:00pm