Sunday September 28, 2014

Greetings! What an exciting week this is! We have been working towards a building for 13 years and this week we will get to see that vision moving forward in a real way. Myler, our hired design build company, will be sharing with us the drawings for our very own building! Please come and plan to stay afterwards for a luncheon and a special presentation by Myler. 

This week we will conclude our vision series, where we have been talking about how to move forward as God is leading. We want to move forward, but are we afraid? Check out Deuteronomy 1:6-8 and 19-33 in preparation. 

Know that you are loved~

Pastor Shannon

Sunday September 21, 2014

Hello! This week we officially enter "fall." What a blessing to be able to experience the changing seasons. 

We are in the midst of a vision series, talking about how to move forward as God is leading. We are dealing with the "how" question. How do we implement this vision? With the Acts 2 church as our example we look at how to move forward within the vision God has laid out for Harvest Point Church. Implementing the vision takes total commitment in three areas: prayer, service and giving. This week we will focus on giving. Where and how can you give to enable the vision? Join us as we worship together.

This week we also have the privilege of dedicating a child to God - pray with us as we dedicate Milo New.  

Blessings for your week~

Pastor Shannon

Sunday September 14, 2014

Hello! How are you enjoying this beautiful summer weather in September? There have been some very nice days! 

We have been discussing Vision for the last month, we are dealing with the "how" question. How do we implement this vision? With the Acts 2 church as our example we look at how to move forward with our vision. Implementing the vision takes total commitment in three areas: prayer, service and giving. This week we will focus on service. Join us as we worship together. 

I am praying for each one of you! 

Pastor Shannon

Sunday December 15, 2013

Greetings! I hope that this finds you well as we move towards the last few weeks of 2013!

This coming Sunday we will continue with the gifts of Christmas by discussing Hope! Hope (along with joy, peace and love) is a gift of the advent season as we await the telling of the coming of the Christ Child.  Advent is a time of expectation and waiting - an exciting time of year when we celebrate the gift of Emmanuel - God with us.  Join us Sunday as we celebrate once again.

Plan to stay after church on Sunday as we discuss our Next Steps.  We have a wonderful piece of land, but what now!? How do we move on from here?

I am praying for each one of you,
Pastor Shannon

Sunday October 6, 2013

Greetings, happy fall! I hope that you are enjoying this delightful weather. 

This fall we are zeroing in on the man who is Jesus.  Jesus is our reason for existing as a church, as a body...and we need to know him.  If we don't know Jesus we can't love him, and if we don't' love him we won't serve him. 

This Sunday, I will preach from Matthew 18:21-35 about forgiveness. Do you allow God to forgive you? How are you at forgiving others? What is the purpose of forgiveness? Read this scripture from Luke and if you'd like to read more check out Luke 7:36-50 as well.

Keep in mind that we will have a community meeting immediately following church this week to discuss our Next Step process, the loan process and a few others things.  Please plan to stay. 

Blessings,
Pastor Shannon

Sunday September 29, 2013

Hello! I hope that you are well today and enjoying the start of fall. 

On Sunday I will preach from John 8:1-11.  Jesus taught in so many ways: in how he lived, by what he preached and even sometimes just by asking simple questions that make us consider our actions. Are we too quick to condemn others? How does Jesus respond to the person caught in sin? What is Jesus teaching us in this passage? 

This Wednesday the Elders and the Next Step Team are meeting to discuss options as we move forward.  Please be in prayer for us as we continue with this process. 

You are loved!
Pastor Shannon

Sunday September 15, 2013

Good afternoon! I hope that you are doing well, how is God blessing you this week?

Much of Jesus' ministry was teaching.  He taught us so many things that we see throughout the Bible.  On Sunday, I will preach from Matthew 5:38-48 (you can also look at Luke 6:27-36 if you would like). The scripture is concerning Jesus' teaching on retaliation and love for enemies.  How are we to respond? What is our responsibility as Christians? What does this scripture mean for us? What does it say about who Jesus is?

Come ready to worship!

This week, please be in prayer for the church as we move forward in the loan process.  Pray for God's will to be done.

Blessings,
Pastor Shannon

Sunday August 4, 2013

This week, Brett and I are on vacation, but we will be back Sunday and are looking forward to an exciting day!  This coming Sunday we will finalize Luau details and also we will vote on our new property! Are you ready to step forward into God's plan for our church? I know I am, and I am so excited to be taking this journey with you!

On August 4th, I am preaching from Matthew 9 and 10. I am going to be talking about the call of Jesus on the lives of the disciples.  We will discuss the instructions that he gave them and we will learn about the process of outreach.  Come as we prepare for our Luau, the biggest outreach event of our year.  It's coming soon, on Saturday August 10th! Are you ready to meet with the people?

I love you and I am praying for you while I am gone,
Pastor Shannon

Sermon July 21, 2013

Greetings! I pray that you are well this week. 

We have been talking about discipleship, this month with a special focus on external discipleship as we head toward the Luau - our largest outreach event of the year.  A few questions I've been asked regarding my faith life:  why become a Christian before you're on your death bed? Is there any reason to follow Christ besides to get into heaven? If we believe the only point of Christianity is getting a place in heaven, why do we disciple others? I want to address these questions, so come Sunday as we hash this out.  Read 2 Corinthians 4 in preparation.

We had an exciting meeting this morning!  If you want information regarding our future place of worship please contact me. 

I am praying for each one of you!
Pastor Shannon

Sunday July 14, 2013

Hello! This week I will be preaching from Genesis 1:26-27.  How can these verses be a basis for evangelism or outward discipleship? Come and find out!

Also, plan to stay after the service for an exciting announcement regarding our future place of worship!

Sunday February 3, 2013

Hello! I hope you are safe and warm after that rain/ice storm we had! Please remember that our Annual Community Meeting is this Wednesday at 6pm.  It'll be an exciting meeting - we're going to hear an update from the Next Step Team!

This week I will be preaching from Acts 3:1-10 - read the story before you come.  We will be talking about how to live in expectation of what God can (and will) do. 

This week is also Super Bowl Sunday, be sure to wear your favorite team's jersey...you know Viola and I are delighted that our team is in the Super Bowl this year and we'll be sporting 49ers gear!

I am praying for you~
Pastor Shannon

Sunday December 9, 2012

Last Wednesday the Elders and Next Step Team met with our consultant, Charles, and had some good discussion about moving forward.  We are so excited for where God is leading us!  Continue to pray for wisdom and open doors. 

This week we are continuing our Advent series. This is a wonderful time of year where we celebrate the coming of our Lord! This year I am focusing on Isaiah 9:6: For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Last week we talked about Mighty God, this week we will focus on Wonderful Counselor.  Come and hear about the different aspects of our Lord!

I hope that you will join us during the Advent season this year.  Know that you are loved.

~Pastor Shannon

Sunday October 7, 2012

Hello! This Sunday Brian Smith will be with us and will be preaching on some of the challenges that face the church and on the importance of connectivity, togetherness and community. 

I will be gone from October 5th to October 12th on a pastoral retreat.  I am taking some personal time, some time for prayer and some time for study.  This week is meant to renew and refresh me as we move through this exciting time as a church.  Please be in prayer for me as I am gone.

Blessings~
Pastor Shannon

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Greetings! Well it is certainly starting to act and feel like fall...the rain is steady and pumpkin spice lattes are back. What are you looking forward to this fall?

This Sunday I am going to be preaching about a very common problem we have a Christians - through hard times in our life, through trials and darkness - often God is our last resort for help rather than our first choice.  Why is that? Come as we discuss this and read Hebrews 4: 14-16 in preparation. 

This week and next week the Elders and the Next Step team are meeting to discuss land and to discuss our future, please be in prayer for them as they meet together and discuss. 

We have a lot of exciting things coming this fall, how can you help?
~Pastor Shannon

Sunday July 22, 2012

Good morning! I hope you are enjoying this sunny Monday morning.  I apologize for not posting last week.  The sermon for July 15th was from Romans 12:1-2.  I preached about Next Step Stewardship: Holistic Stewardship.  Stewardship isn't just about our time, talents or tithe...stewardship is about everything we have, everything we are.  I encouraged the congregation "do not withhold anything from God." You can check it on here on our website.

This week I will be concluding our Next Step Stewardship series.  This Sunday will be a celebration, it is All-Tithe-Sunday.  If all of Harvest Point Church brings their tithe into the storehouse, what can we do for God? I want to challenge you to bring your full tithe in this week, and we will see the potential Harvest Point Church has for kingdom work.

Remember: The Luau is coming soon - how can you help?

Sermon July 8, 2012

Hello! What are you doing to celebrate the 4th this year?

On Sunday I will continue the Next Step Stewardship series.  I will be preaching on our time and talents.  What has God given us? What are we giving God? Is it enough? Stewardship means a lot more than money, come Sunday as we talk about it. 

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

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 17, 2012

We have voted and it is official - we are going to be looking at options to move out of the plaza! Be in prayer about the location God has in mind for us. How can we best serve Lordstown? You can listen to the Visioning sermon from June 10, 2012 on our website.

This Sunday is Father's Day - a special time where we can celebrate the men in our lives.  

I hope that you are having a great week! See you Sunday~
Pastor Shannon