All are Welcome

Jan. 26, 2015 Monday Message:

“Our ancestors worshiped on this (Samarian) mountain, but the Jews claim we must worship in Jerusalem.” John 4:20

Jerusalem was the capitol of southern Israel, while Samaria was the headquarters for northern Israel. At one point, they had all been Jews, brothers and sisters. But Samaria was invaded from the north, and some Samaritans had inter-married with the conquerors. Even so, they’re probably all still cousins!

So in God’s eyes, just how different are the Samaritans from the Jews, and does that difference matter? Jesus set the record straight that day. Jesus said that the day is coming when all believers will worship in Spirit and in Truth, for God is spirit. And worshiping God is always better than failing to worship God, regardless of where you are. Surprisingly, the woman at the well, in spite of her past, was still seeking the Lord, and Jesus offered her Living Water, so she would never thirst again.

That’s how Jesus did it. While the path to salvation was first shown through the Hebrew people, they are called to be a light to the world, sharing God’s Good News with all. Jesus didn’t exclude the woman at the well because she looked, spoke, acted or dressed differently. He forgave her past sins. In fact, Jesus stepped far away from tradition to make sure the woman and the people of Samaria were included.

ALL are welcome at church – that’s the way Jesus did it.

See you on Sunday!

Norton Lawellin

Special note: This Sunday, Feb. 1, we’ll be combining our worship service with Victory Christian Church, 3500 E. Lake Street, Minneapolis, 55406. So our service will be in their building that week. It willl be a great day – we always go “all out” when worshiping with our Christian brothers and sisters. Mark your calendars and call your friends!

I Have Overcome the World!

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Jan. 19, 2015 Monday Message:

Bad news won’t bother (believers;) they have decided to trust the Lord. Ps. 112:7 CEV

Jesus said that some tribulation, some trouble, will fall into our lives. That is the way of our fallen world. So knowing that a few things will go wrong, how should we react?

We are armed with certain truths:

1. God is still on the throne, and he will use even the bad things for good, to strengthen us, to make us better.

2. Jesus came to redeem us, completed the task, and left us with his legacy of grace, love and forgiveness.

All things considered, when we’re a part of God’s family, we’re in a pretty good place.

Worry won’t fix anything; it will only add to our anxiety. And with the faith we profess in Jesus, we need to trust Him with everything. Jesus tells us to “Take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b NIV

Blessings - see you at church!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. every Sunday in North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This Sunday we’ll open up Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas continue their mission trip. See you there!

Special note: On Feb. 1, we’ll be combining our worship service with Victory Christian Church, 3500 E. Lake Street, Minneapolis, 55406. So our service will be in their building that week. It’ll be a great day – we always go “all out” when worshiping with our Christian brothers and sisters. Mark your calendars!

In His Image

Jan. 12, 2015 Monday Message:

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, to be like us.” Gen. 1:26 NLT

Our God is a creator, with the unique power to make something out of nothing. He created the heavens and the earth, the plants and the animals, and finally, mankind.

If you follow God’s trend, it’s always towards increase, not decrease. God creates more and more, which always looks better and better to us.

You don’t read in the Bible that one of God’s creations was a bad idea, so He zapped it off the planet. God’s ideas are always good ideas, and our God of abundance shares with us, human beings made in His image.

This coming Sunday, many churches will be celebrating Sanctity of Life, where we honor all the lives our God has created. It’s a good day to thank your creator for creating YOU!

Blessings - see you at church!

Norton Lawellin

This Sunday, Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) is having a big worship celebration. All the people blessed through Christmas in the City are invited, as well as those who sponsored them. We’re giving rides – let us know! It’s also Sanctity of Life Sunday, and Christian songwriter Bruce Underhill will honor us with an original composition. Dan Pilla is speaking. It should be an awesome day! We gather at 10 a.m. in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis.

Special note: On Feb. 1, we’ll be combining our worship service with Victory Christian Church, 3500 E. Lake Street, Minneapolis, 55406. So our service will be in their building that week. It’ll be a great day – we always go “all out” when worshiping with our Christian brothers and sisters. Mark your calendars!

Seekers from the East

Jan. 5, 2015 Monday Message:

Wise Men: “Where is the child born to be King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” Matt. 2:2 CEV

These star-gazers from far away didn’t know much about God or his chosen Hebrew people, yet they were seekers. Attempting to explain creation, divine intervention seemed to be the only answer. So when an unexpected star appeared, they took it as a sign from a higher power, perhaps God, and they followed it until they finally stood beside the baby Jesus.

But upon arriving in Israel, they first encountered Herod, an evil king with no joy. They recognized that although Herod was king of some land, he was not the king over all creation. So their search continued until they found the baby in a manger, and there they left their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Apparently they were good judges-of-character, because they returned to their homeland by a different route, never even saying goodbye to the evil Herod.

These wise men from the east found the true King they had been seeking. Nowadays, many people are still searching for the true king, and our job as Christians is to point them toward the manger.

Blessings to you as we begin our new year!

Norton Lawellin

Come - let’s worship together! Each Sunday Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This week, Jan. 11, we’re in Acts 13:13-22, Paul and Barnabas in Antioch. Bring your Bible!