Look Up From Your Phone

The full video from Sunday's sermon: The Better Part

"Communion" by Third Day

The video I shared on Sunday in preparation for Communion:

The Solid Rock

This is the song I used during the sermon yesterday.  Take time and worship today!

Proof of Your Love

Sunday as we practiced loving our enemies by praying for them, I played this song.  The words are impactful, take a listen:

Resources from March 17th Sermon

It's not about where you've been, but where your brokenness brings you to...




Here's another song, just a reminder! You are loved, you are valuable!

Resources from March 10 - Love Others

Here are some resources I used in my sermon today:

Article about loving everyone and not putting conditionals on your love: I'm a Christian, Unless You're Gay.

Song used in sermon: "Proof of Your Love":

Live Like That

This is the video I used in the sermon yesterday, this is our prayer as the people of God. 

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

Sunday March 25, 2012

Hello! I hope that you are enjoying the beauty of this week.  Go outside and soak up some vitamin D!

On Sunday I will be preaching about how God speaks to us through prayer.  During this time called Focus 40 -  we are spending the days before Easter focusing on the things of God.  In order to do this we must listen for God speaking to us.  Sit down, quite yourself and listen for God's voice - God is speaking!

God doesn't speak to each of us the same way, but in ways that are unique to us and the relationship that we have with our Creator!

I look forward to seeing you Sunday as we explore our prayer life and begin to understand the reality of God speaking to His people. 

Remember that you are loved!
~ Pastor Shannon

The Hound of Heaven

In my sermon on March 4, 2012, I referenced a poem by Francis Thompson called "The Hound of Heaven."  You can check it out here:

The Hound of Heaven - poem

The Hound of Heaven - read by Richard Burton

Spiritual Gifts Resources

The tests are long, but they are definitely worth the time investment. Take one or two tests and then explore your results. 

Be sure to answer the questions honestly, in taking the spiritual gifts inventory you are not trying to please anyone and there are no right or wrong answers. Just think about yourself and answer honestly for the most accurate results.  All spiritual gifts are important and necessary in the life of the church!

Online Spiritual gifts inventory: http://www.kodachrome.org/spiritgift/
or http://www.churchgrowth.org/cgi-cg/gifts.cgi?intro=1
or http://buildingchurch.net/g2s-i.htm
or http://elmertowns.com/spiritual_gifts_test/

Spiritual Gifts definitions: http://buildingchurch.net/g2s-d.htm

Once you have discovered your Spiritual Gifts, please feel free to come and have a visit with Pastor Shannon to ask questions, talk over your results and/or get you plugged in to a ministry at Harvest Point Church. 



 

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.

Dive by Steven Curtis Chapman

This is a powerful song about taking a risk and diving in. Let it give you energy and enthusiasm for what God has planned for you! Listen to it and dance around the room! Let it get you excited for the work of God.

This was part of my sermon from Feb. 13, 2011.

Sunday January 23, 2011

Hello! I hope that you are having a wonderful day. How is your 2011 starting out? As we walk through our series "Starting the Year Off Right: How to Make 2011 Your Best Year Yet!" I hope that you are getting some good ideas of how you can make this your best year yet and how we as a congregation can make 2011 our best year.

Last week I spoke on the Value of Time - using the time God has given you for God's purposes. We sure waste a lot of time don't we? We read Psalm 90:1-12 and talked about the contrast between a God who is without time and those of us who are tethered to it. How do you spend your time? Is it worth it?

This week we are going to discuss a similar topic - Right Priorities. Our priorities determine how we spend our time so they are very closely tied. We have to make sure that we live with right priorities so that we use our time wisely for God. I will preaching from Haggai 1:1-15. Haggai is only two chapters, go ahead and read the whole book!

Remember that if you miss a Sunday you can listen to the sermons here. I'm looking forward to seeing you this week!
~Pastor Shannon

Sermon January 9, 2011

This past week we dealt with New Year's resolutions - the Spiritual kind. Many of us don't take the time to think about our spiritual selves when we make resolutions. Have you made a decision about what your 2011 spiritual resolution will be?

Remember as you strive to keep your resolution the 4 steps:
1) Set goals (and make sure they are manageable)
2) Keep your eye on the goal (keep it in front of you)
3) Tell a family member or friend (enlist support!)
4) Expect bumps in the road (and don't let them get you down)

As we continue in our New Years series "How to Start the Year off Right: Making 2011 our Best Year Yet" I will be preaching from Philippians, in preparation you can read Philippians 3:12-4:1. This week we will talk about forgiving the past and looking towards the future.

I'll see you Sunday!
Pastor Shannon

God Pie - Tithe

Sunday November 21

Hello! I hope that you are having a wonderful week. Last week we talked about stewardship as freedom, giving to God our time and talents and freeing our church and ourselves up for the ministry that God has for us. I talked about finding out what spiritual gifts God has given you, if you would like to take an online quiz here are a few options:

Spiritual Gifts Inventory

Spiritual Gifts Analysis

This week we are going to focus on stewardship in tithe and resources. How can we use our resources as thanksgiving to a God who has given us everything?

The holiday season is now upon us. This week we celebrate Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for? Count your blessings and be reminded that God, who loves you, has given you so much.

~ Pastor Shannon

Sermon October 10, 2010

This Sunday is a special day: 10-10-10. How fun! I hope that you are doing well this morning. Today is the first sunshine I've seen in a few days and it is beautiful.

This week I will be preaching from 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11. How can we help others to see what God has in store for them? What does our attitude and action have to do with the plan of salvation?

Want 5 minutes of worship right now? Check out this great song by the Dave Crowder Band, "O Praise Him!":

Resource from May 30, 2010