Who Is God Anyway?

In Sunday School this week, we talked about who God is. He is many, many things! He is whatever we need when we need it. We all have different perspectives of who He is to us personally, and that perception in one way or another will effect our relationship with Him. How do you view God, and how does that effect YOUR relationship with Him?

Key Verses

Romans11:33-36   ³³ Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! ³⁴ “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” ³⁵ “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” ³⁶ For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Romans 12:1-2    Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Core Beliefs Challenge Week 3

This weeks topics were Christ's Death and Ressurection, and Christ's Bodily Ascension.

Key Verses

1 Corinthians 15:14   And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.

Romans 4:25   He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

John 14:2-3   ² In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18   ¹³ Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. ¹⁴ We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. ¹⁵ According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage each other with these words.

Apex Youth Retreat

The Apex 2013 IFCA Youth Retreat, “Restoration” will be May 24-27 at the Pitt Johnstown Campus. Registration forms can be found on the Oasis bulletin board in the back of the church. Cost is $145 per student. Your registration form and a $70 non-refundable deposit per student are due by April 14. If you have any questions, please see Ray or Justine Nielsen.

Youth Group Parent Meeting

We will be having a youth parent meeting next Sunday, February 24 immediately following the service in the Fellowship Hall to gather and give out important information. We will also be talking about plans for the upcoming season. We are planning fun events for the students as well as opportunities to serve our church and community. If you have children who are in grades sixth -twelfth, please try to attend. Thank you!

Growing Deeper

This week in Sunday School we talked about spiritual growth. We can grow spiritually by reading our Bible and praying, and also through the community of fellow believers always being more and more perfected to become like Jesus.

Key Verses

Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Ephesians 4:14-15 ¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 

Cross references:

1. Ephesians 4:14 : S 1Co 14:20
2. Ephesians 4:14 : Isa 57:20; Jas 1:6
3. Ephesians 4:14 : Eph 6:11
4. Ephesians 4:15 : ver 2, 16; Eph 1:4
5. Ephesians 4:15 : S Eph 1:22

Core Beliefs Challenge Week 2

This Thursday in youth group, we talked about our beliefs on Biblical History from Genesis 1-11; we talked about Creation and read Romans 3:10-18; and we talked about our belief in Jesus Christ and read Luke 1:26-35 along with other key verses.

Key Verses

John 1:18  No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
Isaiah 7:14  Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6  For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

No Place to Call Home

This week we talked about homelessness. Homeless people need more than just shelter. Christ handled the outcast in the Bible with understanding and compassion, and so should we.

Key Verses

• Matthew 8:2-3 ² A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” ³ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.
• Proverbs 14:21  It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.
• Proverbs 14:31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
• Proverbs 29:7 The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.
• Proverbs 31:9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Core Beliefs Challenge Week 1

At youth group last week we introduced to you a memory verse challenge. The verses that we will be memorizing all back up why we believe what we believe. Last week we kicked this challenge off with our group mission statement...STAND and it's associated Bible verse. This week our topics of discussion were scripture, and God, Himself. You can view all of this on our CHALLENGE page, or you can save and print a copy by clicking HERE & HERE. Happy Memorizing!!!

Key Verses

• Matthew 28:19  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and of the Holy Spirit
• 2 Corinthians 13:14  May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.