Dover Assembly of God
8.23.2020 | Heaven - Week 1
Locations & Times
Dover Assembly of God
4790 Carlisle Rd, Dover, PA 17315, USA
Sunday 10:30 AM
Welcome!
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August 23, 2020
Welcome to Dover Assembly!
We are so glad you have chosen to attend Dover Assembly this morning. It is not by accident that you are here. We believe that God has allowed you to be here so that you might receive all that He has for you. We pray you are blessed as you allow the Lord to work in your life.
THIS WEEK
Sunday
9:00 am ~ Coffee & Donut Fellowship Time
9:30 am ~ Sunday School
10:30 am ~ Worship Service
10:30 am ~ R.O.C.K. Children’s Ministry
1:00 pm ~ Spanish Service
Wednesday
6:30 pm ~ FAMILY NIGHT SERVICES
UPCOMING EVENTS
Women of Purpose Conference
As we know, this year there will not be a conference at the Hershey Lodge in November due to the Lodge not hosting large crowds this year. The District WOP committee is working on a possible online event that we can watch from the comfort of our own church sanctuary (social distancing offered). More information will be provided by Sept. 1 from the District office Stay tuned. . .
WOP Fall Bible Study
There has been no interest from anyone in a Fall Bible Study. We understand with the uncertainty of Covid 19, that it is impacting gatherings. Therefore, we will see you in the Spring for Bible Study
Women's Paint Day
Is scheduled for September 12, 9:00 am. If it is a date that you cannot attend and you have paid, we will refund those who have already paid. Sign up is in the upper foyer.
WOP Care Packages For Our Shut-Ins
You will see there are some gift bags on the platform today and will be there for the next week or two. We would like to bless our shut-ins and are asking for any donations you could provide. In each bag we would like to have: (we would like 6 of every item) Thank you to those who have donated! We are stil in need of the following: Anna
~ 3 boxes of tea bags
~ 6 Chapstick (or some type of lip balm)
~ Bottle of clear or light colored nail polish
~ non-scented or lightly scented hand lotion
~ sugar free mints
~ ankle socks
~ small flashlight
Promotion Sunday
September begins our new Sunday School year. It’s the time of year where we “promote” those in our elementary classes to the next classroom grade level. Cora Miller will be joining Emerge Youth beginning September 6.
BODY NEWS
Jeremy Wise
If you would like to write to Jeremy, see Pastor Jeff for his current address. I know he would appreciate any letters from his church family.
Post-Abortion Recovery Group
Human Life services is beginning a new ministry designed to help women who have experienced an abortion. Please see the insert for more details.
Township Meeting Update
Continue to pray about this current situation. We have no firm answers to what appears to be the confiscation of our property. God is able to intervene and work all things out for His glory!
Our Graduates
As we all know, because of the coronavirus, HS and College Graduations either took place in odd ways, have not taken place yet, or may not take place. However, we don't want to forget about our 2020 Graduates! In the Spring of 2020, the following ladies graduated and we have provided them with a Devotional and Gift Card from Dover Assembly of God Church. Even though we could not celebrate as we usually do, here is some information about them, including their address in case you would like to send them a card.
Madisyn McKenna Bender
Graduate of Millersville University with a Degree in Early and Elementary Education. Madisyn works full-time as a teacher at Sunshine Corners Pre-School in Lancaster, PA.
Kyra Kaufmann
Graduate of Red Land High School. Kyra is working with animals which is something she is passionate about at FT at Dover Animal Clinic
Rea Fearson
Graduated from Cairn University with an MBA & BS in Accounting and a minor in Biblical Studies. Rea is employed by Equitable Holdings in Bala Cynwynd, PA
*Please contact the church for addresses and contact information for our graduates.
PRAYER NEEDS
~ Gladys J.
~ Beulah S.
~ Olga K.
~ Marian T.
~ Rose K.
~ Naomi G. (hip replacement)
~ Betty N.
~ Cindy D. (Angel’s mom)
Welcome to Dover Assembly!
We are so glad you have chosen to attend Dover Assembly this morning. It is not by accident that you are here. We believe that God has allowed you to be here so that you might receive all that He has for you. We pray you are blessed as you allow the Lord to work in your life.
THIS WEEK
Sunday
9:00 am ~ Coffee & Donut Fellowship Time
9:30 am ~ Sunday School
10:30 am ~ Worship Service
10:30 am ~ R.O.C.K. Children’s Ministry
1:00 pm ~ Spanish Service
Wednesday
6:30 pm ~ FAMILY NIGHT SERVICES
UPCOMING EVENTS
Women of Purpose Conference
As we know, this year there will not be a conference at the Hershey Lodge in November due to the Lodge not hosting large crowds this year. The District WOP committee is working on a possible online event that we can watch from the comfort of our own church sanctuary (social distancing offered). More information will be provided by Sept. 1 from the District office Stay tuned. . .
WOP Fall Bible Study
There has been no interest from anyone in a Fall Bible Study. We understand with the uncertainty of Covid 19, that it is impacting gatherings. Therefore, we will see you in the Spring for Bible Study
Women's Paint Day
Is scheduled for September 12, 9:00 am. If it is a date that you cannot attend and you have paid, we will refund those who have already paid. Sign up is in the upper foyer.
WOP Care Packages For Our Shut-Ins
You will see there are some gift bags on the platform today and will be there for the next week or two. We would like to bless our shut-ins and are asking for any donations you could provide. In each bag we would like to have: (we would like 6 of every item) Thank you to those who have donated! We are stil in need of the following: Anna
~ 3 boxes of tea bags
~ 6 Chapstick (or some type of lip balm)
~ Bottle of clear or light colored nail polish
~ non-scented or lightly scented hand lotion
~ sugar free mints
~ ankle socks
~ small flashlight
Promotion Sunday
September begins our new Sunday School year. It’s the time of year where we “promote” those in our elementary classes to the next classroom grade level. Cora Miller will be joining Emerge Youth beginning September 6.
BODY NEWS
Jeremy Wise
If you would like to write to Jeremy, see Pastor Jeff for his current address. I know he would appreciate any letters from his church family.
Post-Abortion Recovery Group
Human Life services is beginning a new ministry designed to help women who have experienced an abortion. Please see the insert for more details.
Township Meeting Update
Continue to pray about this current situation. We have no firm answers to what appears to be the confiscation of our property. God is able to intervene and work all things out for His glory!
Our Graduates
As we all know, because of the coronavirus, HS and College Graduations either took place in odd ways, have not taken place yet, or may not take place. However, we don't want to forget about our 2020 Graduates! In the Spring of 2020, the following ladies graduated and we have provided them with a Devotional and Gift Card from Dover Assembly of God Church. Even though we could not celebrate as we usually do, here is some information about them, including their address in case you would like to send them a card.
Madisyn McKenna Bender
Graduate of Millersville University with a Degree in Early and Elementary Education. Madisyn works full-time as a teacher at Sunshine Corners Pre-School in Lancaster, PA.
Kyra Kaufmann
Graduate of Red Land High School. Kyra is working with animals which is something she is passionate about at FT at Dover Animal Clinic
Rea Fearson
Graduated from Cairn University with an MBA & BS in Accounting and a minor in Biblical Studies. Rea is employed by Equitable Holdings in Bala Cynwynd, PA
*Please contact the church for addresses and contact information for our graduates.
PRAYER NEEDS
~ Gladys J.
~ Beulah S.
~ Olga K.
~ Marian T.
~ Rose K.
~ Naomi G. (hip replacement)
~ Betty N.
~ Cindy D. (Angel’s mom)
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https://doverassembly.com/appOnline Giving
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https://doverassembly.com/give
Week 1 - August 23, 2020 - Pastor Jeff Bender
Heaven is a true place. It is mentioned over 600 times in the Bible and many more references using other words and titles.
If God chose to mention it so many times, it is something that we should know about...at least as much as God’s word tells us about it.
Sometimes the only time we hear about heaven is at funerals, but the person who needs to hear it won’t.
Heaven not only helps us prepare for eternity, it helps us to live better now.
If God chose to mention it so many times, it is something that we should know about...at least as much as God’s word tells us about it.
Sometimes the only time we hear about heaven is at funerals, but the person who needs to hear it won’t.
Heaven not only helps us prepare for eternity, it helps us to live better now.
C.S. Lewis said “If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were those who thought most of the next.”
The first thing we should realize is that this isn’t our permanent home.
Where you live now, where you work now and even where you go to church now is only temporary. We need to understand that anything we do here should be done with the focus on one day being in heaven.
Where you live now, where you work now and even where you go to church now is only temporary. We need to understand that anything we do here should be done with the focus on one day being in heaven.
Our anticipation of heaven and the excitement it should bring, should give us the power to live godly and purposeful lives now.
Nobody wants to die, but we have to know that life is 100% fatal and we need to prepare for it now. Statistics tell us that all over the world, 180 people die every minute, 11,000 every hour, 250,000 every day.
How often do we go about our daily lives and not once think about heaven?
Nobody wants to die, but we have to know that life is 100% fatal and we need to prepare for it now. Statistics tell us that all over the world, 180 people die every minute, 11,000 every hour, 250,000 every day.
How often do we go about our daily lives and not once think about heaven?
A Pew research poll said that 72% of Americans believe in heaven, 58% believe in hell. Religious people had a better showing: 82% believe in heaven. Non-religious people (among them are atheists and agnostics)-37% believe in heaven.
Even people who don’t believe in God believe in heaven. But belief in heaven doesn’t mean we are headed there.
The reason I believe for so much attention on heaven in the Bible is that we need to keep our priorities right. When Christians don’t have their mind on heaven, we tend to become indulgent, self-centered and weak.
Even people who don’t believe in God believe in heaven. But belief in heaven doesn’t mean we are headed there.
The reason I believe for so much attention on heaven in the Bible is that we need to keep our priorities right. When Christians don’t have their mind on heaven, we tend to become indulgent, self-centered and weak.
It appeared that the Colossians had their minds focused ONLY on things we have here.
It doesn’t say not to think about them, but to not only think about them.
It doesn’t say not to think about them, but to not only think about them.
I believe that is why many atheists believe in a heaven. People who believe there is nothing after death live in a world of despair.
Imagine that all that we experience in this life. Heartache, loss, illness. Even the good things that eventually pass, if that is all we have to look forward to, how depressing is that?
Imagine that all that we experience in this life. Heartache, loss, illness. Even the good things that eventually pass, if that is all we have to look forward to, how depressing is that?
So let’s look at heaven (or should I say heavens) for a moment.
The Bible tells us of 3 distinct heavens.
THE FIRST HEAVEN
This is the clouds and sky and the oxygen that we see.
The Bible tells us of 3 distinct heavens.
THE FIRST HEAVEN
This is the clouds and sky and the oxygen that we see.
This is the only known planet to have an atmosphere or heaven that has the vital resources we need to live.
Nitrogen and Oxygen make life possible. The atmosphere screens out harmful rays of the sun.
God designed this planet specifically for life.
Nitrogen and Oxygen make life possible. The atmosphere screens out harmful rays of the sun.
God designed this planet specifically for life.
THE SECOND HEAVEN
This is the universe in which we live.
This is the universe in which we live.
And finally...
THE THIRD HEAVEN
This is the heaven we are talking about . . .
THE THIRD HEAVEN
This is the heaven we are talking about . . .
The highest heaven, the heavens that is beyond our visibility.
This is where God lives and this is where believers will live, too.
We also have to know that heaven is a literal and physical place.
It’s not just a state of mind, or a feeling of euphoria. We are not disembodied spirits or ghosts or even angels.
It is a definite location.
This is where God lives and this is where believers will live, too.
We also have to know that heaven is a literal and physical place.
It’s not just a state of mind, or a feeling of euphoria. We are not disembodied spirits or ghosts or even angels.
It is a definite location.
The Bible refers to heaven in different terms.
COUNTRY
This would seem to indicate a very large area.
COUNTRY
This would seem to indicate a very large area.
CITY
City would seem to indicate buildings, streets, homes, activities.
City would seem to indicate buildings, streets, homes, activities.
Where exactly is heaven?
We don’t have GPS coordinates and probably can’t see it in a telescope.
But as most of us think, heaven is up!
We don’t have GPS coordinates and probably can’t see it in a telescope.
But as most of us think, heaven is up!
So we know it’s up, but up from where? Up is a relative term when looking at the universe. Up from the US is different than up from China.
So does the Bible get more specific? Yes and no.
When Satan was kicked out of heaven, God addressed him. I’m looking at the NASB because it is the most accurate word for word and other translations don’t seem so specific.
So does the Bible get more specific? Yes and no.
When Satan was kicked out of heaven, God addressed him. I’m looking at the NASB because it is the most accurate word for word and other translations don’t seem so specific.
So no matter where you are north is always north. So we can assume that heaven is somewhere in the northern universe.
That’s about as close as we can estimate.
The point is, heaven isn’t some ethereal place in our minds, something we made up or something we hope is true.
It is a tangible place, a place with a somewhat verifiable location and a place where the Bible says that believers will go when this life is over.
That’s about as close as we can estimate.
The point is, heaven isn’t some ethereal place in our minds, something we made up or something we hope is true.
It is a tangible place, a place with a somewhat verifiable location and a place where the Bible says that believers will go when this life is over.
We may think that heaven is a place that we can’t really know anything about.
But when we quote this, we sometimes miss the next verse.
But when we quote this, we sometimes miss the next verse.
As we continue this study next week, the word of God which was written by the Spirit of God will show us all that God wants us to know about heaven.
Is it everything? No, but it’s all that God needs us to know in anticipation...
Is it everything? No, but it’s all that God needs us to know in anticipation...
Thank you for joining us!
If you haven't already, be sure to check out our website and follow us on social media @doverassembly! Have a great week!
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