Sunday July 20, 2014

Greetings! We are in the midst of our series about Biblical hero's. We all have people in the Bible that we relate to more. What Biblical character is a hero or an example for you? Which Biblical person do you relate to the most? Our preachers will be sharing with you about a Biblical character who has shaped their life!

This Sunday we will hear from Chris Goodwin, an amazing man of God from Western PA.  Join us as Brother Chris shares about his Biblical hero: John the Baptist.

This week is the North East Ohio camp meeting (July 19-27). Be sure to check out the schedule of events and get involved: NEO Camp Meeting. Come over for services every evening, you will be blessed!

Sunday July 13, 2014

Greetings! We are in the midst of our series about Biblical hero's. We all have people in the Bible that we relate to more. What Biblical character is a hero or an example for you? Which Biblical person do you relate to the most? Our preachers will be sharing with you about a Biblical character who has shaped their life!

On Sunday we get to hear from PA State Pastor, Rebecca New-Edson! She is a fantastic preacher and you will not want to miss her story as she shares about the woman at the well: John 4:1-42. How has this woman influenced Pastor Rebecca? Come and find out!

This week starts the North East Ohio camp meeting (July 19-27).  Be sure to check out the schedule of events and get involved: NEO Camp Meeting.

Sunday July 28, 2013

Hello! I hope that you are keeping cool in this weather, it's warm but beautiful!  Brett and I will be leaving at the end of the week for vacation.  Elder Ken Evans is on call in case of an emergency. 

On Sunday we have a special treat! Missionary Dan Kihm will be with us. For the last 8 years, Dan has been a senior Pastor in Anderson, IN.  He and his wife Christy are leaving soon as missionaries to the Netherlands.  He will share first about his coming ministry in the Netherlands and he will also preach about external discipleship, following the same series that we have been in the last few weeks.  I hope you will come and hear from this man of God!

This Saturday Berlin Center Camp Meeting starts!  There are a lot of great opportunities for children, youth and adults! Check it out here: Berlin Center Camp Meeting.

Blessings~
Pastor Shannon

Global Gathering 2013 #2

Hello!

After the last part of the week I am so excited to share a few things with you.  The Global Gathering was such a wonderful week of fellowship, worship and the joining together of the people of God.  You still have the opportunity to experience the services: Global Gathering Services.

As I noted earlier: along with our sister churches (Pastor David Aukerman  from Mt. Haley Church of God and Pastor Jonathan Frymire from Orchard View Church of God) I got to meet our delegate Sudipta Nanda at the Global Gathering.  Sudipta is such a lovely man, he is sincere and fun!  I was delighted to meet him and listen as he shared about his ministry.  Read David's reaction to the connection: David on Sudipta and connectivity. 

During the week the offerings from every service went towards Water4 (go to their website to check it out).  We gathered $106,000 and an anonymous donor pledged to give $4 for every $1 donated.  Therefore the Church of God will send over $500,000 to build wells for clean water!  We also packed over 260,000 meals.  The experience was truly a time where I saw the people of God at work.  But it can't stop in Anderson! We've got to continue the mission to help meet people's needs (both physical and spiritual).  And so I bring the challenge back to you, what can we do? How can we continue to stand together and share God with the world?

After the Global Gathering, ministers and delegates from Church of God churches gathered for our annual GA (General Assembly).  At this year's session we welcomed a new General Director, Rev. Jim Lyon.  Please be in prayer for Rev. Lyon as he begins the responsibility of leading the Church of God into the future. 

If you have more questions, I'd love to tell you more! I come back to you excited and ready for the ministry we can do at Harvest Point Church. 

~Pastor Shannon

Global Gathering 2013

Hello!

What a wonderful week it has been so far here in Anderson.  I have greatly enjoyed being able to relax and enjoy the worship, the sermons, the connections and just the whole Gathering in general. 

The preaching has been wonderful and inspirational.  I have heard the hearts of ministers from all around the globe who have put their hope in God.  They have spoken about Christ - the head of the church, they have encouraged us as the body of Christ to stand together, they have spoken honestly and shared their stories.  It has been wonderful to hear from these men and women of God.

The worship has been uplifting and emotional.  I have learned new songs, sung the hymns of the church and listened as saints (in other languages) sang out the praises of God. 

I have had the opportunity to meet with the delegate that we sponsored from India, Sudipta Nanda, and hear about his ministry. I have had conversations with many pastors, missionaries and others who are doing the work of God all around the world. 

This has been a great week so far and there is more still to come!  If you want to participate by watching online go here: Global Gathering.

Thinking of you,
Pastor Shannon

Sunday June 30, 2013

Hello! I hope this finds you all well, it's finally (officially according to the calendar) summer! I'm so excited for the things we have planned this summer, I hope you'll get involved. 

This coming Sunday I will finish preaching from our series THIS OR THAT: Allowing God to Transform. I will conclude the series with the difference between Allowing life to happen and Choosing to live purposefully.  Are we in charge of our own lives? Yes, we choose to let life pass or make choices...what would God have for us in this?

This week Brett and I are in Anderson, IN like every June.  However, this year instead of a regular North American Convention, the Church of God is putting on a Global Gathering!  So far it's been an exciting time and there are a lot of ways for you to be involved:

1) You can go to the Church of God website and get information: CHOG website (You can watch the services there too!)
2) You can come Sunday night (June 23) and experience a worship service with a live feed from Anderson at 7:30pm at our church. 
3) You can keep up with this blog through the week, I will post about the experience and what I'm learning!

Blessings to you,
Pastor Shannon

Sunday June 23, 2013

Happy Father's Day to all you men out there who have supported us, loved us and helped us with our journey!

This coming Sunday Susan Tatarka will continue preaching from our series THIS OR THAT: Allowing God to Transform. She will discuss with you the difference between Going to Church and Being the Church.  Is there a difference? Is the church a place or a people? Come and find out!

This week Brett and I will go to Anderson, IN like every June.  However, this year instead of a regular North American Convention, the Church of God is putting on a Global Gathering!  It's going to be an exciting time and there are a lot of ways for you to be involved:

1) You can go to the Church of God website and get information: CHOG website (You can watch the services there too!)
2) You can come Sunday night (June 23) and experience a worship service with a live feed from Anderson at 7:30pm at our church. 
3) You can keep up with this blog through the week, I will post about the experience and what I'm learning!

I am praying for each one of you, you are loved!
Pastor Shannon

Sunday July 29, 2012

Hello! I hope that you are enjoying this beautiful week.  The sun is great, the breeze is nice.  There is so much for which to be thankful. 

This Sunday in preparation for our Luau event, I will be preaching on Evangelism...but more specifically on listening for the Spirit's voice as we witness to those around us.  Are you in tune with the Holy Spirit? 

This week you also have a great opportunity to hear Jeanette Flynn up at Berlin Center camp meeting.  She is a straightforward preacher and will be preaching every night at 7pm.  I hope to see you there!

Remember that I am praying for you!
~Pastor Shannon

NAC Wednesday June 27

Wednesday started like Tuesday in General Assembly meetings.  In the final session of the GA this year we voted on some bylaws, heard from a lot of affiliated agencies (including the four Church of God schools of higher education).  It's exciting to see what the church is doing across the country. 

After GA, I went straight over to the Church of God ministries and was involved in a meeting that lasted until dinner. 

I had dinner with three of my seminary friends who are now in ministry (a great time of conversation) and then we went to the evening service. 

The evening service on Wednesday night was wonderful - it was a heritage service that moved through the history of the Church of God.  There were several speakers who talked about how they got where they are, and the people along their path (we all have someone, or some people, who have helped us to get where we are in our faith).

There was also a short sermon by D.S. Warner (well someone playing D.S Warner),  some videos about the Chog heritage, we sang heritage hymns, contemporary hymns, the choir did an awesome gospel song and we even heard a Christian rap. The service was a very cool mixture of old and new, heritage and contemporary, young leaders and old leaders.  I was so glad to be a part. You can check it out here: Heritage Service

This week has been so great, so tiring, so refreshing, a little emotionally overwhelming but overall fantastic.  It's so important to be connected to the church at large, what a great week it has been. 

I look forward to being back at Harvest Point, however, and this Sunday we will start our Next Step Stewardship series as we move towards what God is doing at our church. 

Blessings~
Pastor Shannon

NAC Monday June 25 and Tuesday June 26

Monday and Tuesday at NAC:

As you can tell, I did not have time to write yesterday and here I am at midnight writing for two days when GA starts at 8 in the morning!  Though NAC is fantastic it is also so busy and tiring! 

Monday was a day filled with excitement. 

Monday morning Brett led a conference called “You can’t be a Christian and vote for…” He had two people (on very different sides of the political table) come and present on Health Care, Foreign Policy and Economics from their side.  Brett then gave a short lecture about the dangers of Civil Religion – the key point being that we are Christians first and Americans (or whatever country we are from) second.  Our allegiance has to always first be to God!  There was some good discussion and we ended with an even clearer picture that there are good, Godly people on both sides of the political spectrum. 

We went straight from Brett’s conference to the Anderson University School of Theology luncheon.  My family was there to support me (12 of us total!) as I was awarded the 2012 Distinguished Young Alumni Award.  I feel very blessed to receive such an honor.

We left the luncheon and went directly into my conference “The Christian Response to Immigration.”  At that conference we dealt with two case studies about illegal immigrants and had some discussion about the Christian’s response to immigration, immigration law, and the closing of the US borders.  The discussion (with many of the 50+ people contributing) was a little more feisty than Brett’s, but very good. 

The point of our conferences is to foster understanding and have healthy dialogue as the church about potentially polarizing issues.  We enjoy being a part of Christian dialogue at the national level. 

Last night’s sermon was preached by Diana Swoope from the Arlington Church of God in Akron.  She is a powerful and dynamic preacher and called the church to allow the Holy Spirit to move us and guide us. 

Today, I spent most of the day in the General Assembly (GA) of the Church of God where we conduct business.  When I return I will be giving the church a report about what is going on in the Church of God, for now I will simply say what a blessing it is to get to spend time with others leaders from around the country…and the world.  It reminds me that we at Harvest Point are part of something so much larger than ourselves. 

 

Tonight, Bill Neece preached a very Billy Graham style sermon on the Great Commandment – go into all the world.  He called the church to actively participate in the work of God for the sake of the lost.  Tonight was also the service where the Chog commissions its new missionaries.  I am pleased to say that two of the couples being commissioned tonight were in school with us at Anderson.  The tithe/support we send to the Chog National offices helps with these ministries and more. 

I have had many opportunities to connect with other leaders in the church at large, what a wonderful opportunity! I hope that you are all well, I am praying for you.  It’s not too late – join us tomorrow night at 7pm for the service: http://www.chog.org/node/171

NAC Sunday June 24

Sunday at NAC:

I heard two wonderful sermons today. 

This morning Ann Smith (a mighty woman of God), preached about hope.  It was a lovely sermon that touched me deeply even in the simplicity of the message.  We all have this hope deep within us, but it has been dirtied by the world and our hurts and just life, but God can come and clean it with his grace.  “In Christ alone, my hope is found…”

This evening, Hector Gonzalez preached about our relationship with God – “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” It is time to refresh our relationship with God, to make it vigorous again, to receive power to be bold! It was an empowering sermon about the importance of our relationship with God. 

What a blessing to be able to hear the Word of God!  Please be in prayer for Brett and I, our conferences are tomorrow!

~Pastor Shannon

Sunday July 1, 2012

Dear friends,

Hello! I come to you today from the North American Convention of the Church of God.  So far the time has been wonderful (services, conferences and connecting with other pastors).  I hope that you are well! If you would like to get involved go here: Church of God NAC.  Also, please be in prayer for Brett and I as we lead conferences tomorrow (Monday June 25). 

In light of our new direction as a church, in looking for a permanent place, this July I will be focusing on the stewardship of our resources (Next Step Stewardship!).  This Sunday, I will introduce the series and talk about out tithes and offerings.  This is an exciting time in the life of our church and it is important to know how God can lead us in our giving. 

You are loved!
Pastor Shannon

NAC Saturday June 23

I am blogging from the Church of God's North American Convention this week.  Today was a good day! I went to a conference by Church Builders Plus (taught by Charles Shumate) and learned about Capital Fund Campaign's and the importance of vision for the church in forward movement.  It was very helpful information.  Hopefully in the next few months we will be working with Church Builders Plus as we move forward!

The service tonight was a great service of worship.  Sam and Vera’s granddaughter, Erin (Moss) Taylor, preached a beautiful sermon about the breath of God.  Breathe deep the breath of God for renewal, for strength, for comfort...

I am meeting up with a lot of other pastor’s, with colleagues from seminary, and of course many friends here. 

Pray for Brett and I as we lead conferences Monday.  I am praying for all of you and remember that you can watch the services online! CHOG NAC

Blessings~
Pastor Shannon

Sunday June 24, 2012

Greetings! I hope that you are well.  This Sunday Pastor Ray Cowie will be bringing the message.  I am praying for you as I head to the Church of God North American Convention!

~Pastor Shannon

If you would like to watch the services go here: Church of God NAC. Also, please be in prayer for Brett and I as we lead conferences this week (Monday June 25). 

North American Convention

This past week Brett and I were at the North American Convention of the Church of God. What an amazing week it was! The sermons were fantastic, the worship was powerful, the experience was great!

Do you want to hear some of the services from last week? You can go here: sermons, and check them out.

If you have the time, I encourage you to get to Anderson next year. The experience is worth the 5 hour drive, I promise you! If you want information, just let me know.

For more information on the Church of God, Anderson, IN please go to our national website.

Sermon June 27, 2010

Good afternoon! This week Brett and I will be going to North American Convention - the annual convention of the Church of God. Want to check out the services or find out what's going on there? Go here: North American Convention. There are links to conferences, services and other things. The sermons are definitely worth checking out!


This week Pastor Susan will be getting us into our series on Risk and Sacrifice by preaching about having big faith from Matthew 17:20. Have a wonderful week and I will see you on the fourth of July.

~Pastor Shannon

Sermon June 28, 2009

Hello! This week I will be travelling for Anderson Camp Meeting (North American Convention). On Sunday Pastor Susan will be preaching from Ephesians 5:8-14 on being Children of Light.

Please check out the sermons from camp meeting here: North American Convention You can listen to them very soon after the service because of the wonder that is the internet. The speakers this year are Andy Stephenson, Bob Moss, Milfred Minatrea, Milton Grunnum, and Don Riley.

See you next week~
Pastor Shannon