Welcome in the precious name of Jesus!

“Questions!”

Our Gospel reading today raises the question of who Jesus is and the difference He makes in our lives.  Watch and listen to Pastor Bruce’s message entitled, “Questions!” An important take-away is knowing that faith is a gift from God, not something we conjure up on our own. The only qualification necessary for believing is to know we are inadequate and not qualified. Jesus is our all sufficient Savior! If you struggle to believe, pray that God would open the eyes of your heart and help you to believe.

Ascension Praise Band is helping us with music again today. Thank you Ascension!  Pastor Bruce has also added a selection where he leads us in singing.

NOTE ON OFFERINGS:  Our volunteers will deposit your checks twice a month.  They are not able to do so every week.  Please know that your check will be deposited when they are able to come in, count the offering and go to the bank.  Thank you for your continued tithes and offerings. Thank you for your continued prayers for our congregation, God’s people around the world, and our world!

Pray for Walt’s mother, Shirley.  Also pray for Suma’s mother, Vasanthi Mulifil and Suma’s brother, Alwyn who is caring for their mother in India.  Remember Mike M. in your prayers.  His surgery for knee replacement has been cancelled again.

Continue to call and connect with each other.  Continue to pray for each other.

May God grant you encouragement, hope and joy through our worship together!

Pastor Bruce



Song – “As We Gather”

lead by Ascension’s Praise Band

The Gospel of Matthew 16:13-20

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elija, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah! for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father in heaven.  And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.  I give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Then He sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone what He was the Messiah.

Questions!

Who is Jesus to you?

What difference has He made in your life?

APOSTLES’ CREED (lead by Deanna)

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,  Creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven,  and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.  Amen.

Pastoral Prayer, the Lord’s Prayer and Benediction