Faith and Doubt

This coming Sunday, March the 3rd, will be a Communion Sunday. I hope you can bring the family and friends and come and join us as we make a run for the greatest event in the history of mankind, Easter.

This Sunday we will be exploring two important states of mind that we all have to deal with, Faith and Doubt.  The good news is.....there is good news in this sermon. I think you are really going to like this one!  Honestly.

The Raise The Praise Choir will be singing after a day of concerts on the road.  We begin Sunday morning at 9:00 am at the Troy Methodist Church where Emily Ottwein directs the music program.
Then we all jump in the joy bus and head to St. Johns United Methodist church in Edwardsville for an 11:00 am service.

Finally we conclude the day with our very own Praise Community Fellowship Service at 6:30 pm at Esic Baptist church.  We should be thoroughly warmed up by then.

God has a great plan for all of us!  Come Sunday and I will tell you a little more about that plan.

See you Sunday, Love Pastor Kent

Prayer meeting this Thursday

Just a reminder that there will be a prayer service this Thursday at 6:30 pm at Esic Baptist Church. 

What is a prayer service?  A prayer service is simply a gathering of people who want to come together to seek God in prayer. 

How long will it last?   There is no set time. You can come for 10 minutes or stay a couple of hours if you need more time dedicated to prayer.

Can't I pray at home alone and still have my prayers heard? Absolutely.  A prayer service is simply a dedicated time and place where two or more are gathered in His name. It is also a place where we can pray for one another and share our prayer needs with others if you choose.

Who will do the praying?  Everyone who comes to the prayer service can pray either out loud or silently. There usually will be others there who will pray for you if you so desire.

Will there be a sermon?   No. A prayer service is simply dedicated to prayer. It is a time when we call together to God to send His Holy Spirit into our lives. A time for serious calling out to God for guidance, for His peace, for our needs and the needs of others. 

I'm afraid I would be uncomfortable at a prayer service.  Understandable. I'm uncomfortable and it's for that very reason I want to start this service.  Jesus renewed His power and Spirit everyday with lots of time spent in prayer.  Why?  Jesus said that He did only what His Father in Heaven told Him.

If you want to see the power of God come to its fulness in your life, then you are going to have to make changes to your current life. That is true for all of us.  Meeting with others to call out to God for His wisdom, His touch, His mercy, is going to take courage because it is outside of what most of us have grown up with. It is different.  It will feel different. But I think you have to ask yourself this, "Why am I so uncomfortable with going to a prayer meeting?"  "What exactly about that makes me uncomfortable?" Interesting question isn't it?

How many of us get invited to all kinds of parties, events, social gatherings and we gladly go?

What is it about going to a gathering that has a sole purpose of seeking God that makes us shy away?  Could it be that there is another power that does not want us to discover the power of prayer?

'Put on your adventure shoes and step into the flooded Jordan River,  on the other side is the promised land.

This Thursday 6:30 at Esic.     Sincerely, Pastor Kent

Out Reach Help Needed

Someday I would like to see Praise Community Fellowship be recognized as the most loving, caring, compassionate and giving church in the U.S. (OWHG Dream)


Three weeks ago a fire in East St Louis
destroyed a home occupied by 4 children and four adults.  Alexander
Johnson, age 16, perished in the fire. All others, including a 2 week
old, 1 year and 6 year old, managed to escape but all of their
clothing, furniture and worldly possessions were lost.  Through a
chain of concerned folks beginning with the SIUE  Charter High School
Principal and reaching to the Raise The Praise Choir through Kim Derr,
PCF members and friends have been helping with donations of funds,
clothing and household items. One of the choir members has taken the
lead in coordinating with the families affected as well as
organizations in the East St Louis area who are assisting the
families.  It has been a blessing to all those involved.  Our lead
coordinator is asking for a co-coordinator who can make things happen
in his absence during the Spring while he is away.  Once the two
families have housing there will be requirements to gather those items
of furniture that have been identified and deliver them.  Most of the
coordinatoin is being done via email and phone so both capabilites are
essential.

Anyone who would like to give of their time and talent in this way can
contact Dave Archer at 618-791-9984 or dave.m.archer@gmail.com.
Thanks

Tuesday February 26th, 2013

What impact are you making with your life?

I just finished a conversation with one of our long time Raise the Praise Choir Members and a supporter of Praise Community Fellowship, Dave Archer. As many of you probably know Dave has taken on a huge mission project by going "all in" for the Johnson Family who lost everything including their youngest son in a terrible house fire a couple of weeks ago.

Dave has been coordinating most of the help that this family needs including picking up and delivering donated items, making phone calls to various helping agencies,  and meeting with the family regularly to make sure their basic needs are being taken care of.

Of course many of you have stepped up with donations of all kinds to support Dave's efforts to help this family get back on their feet. As I was talking to Dave I told him that he is making an "impact"  (one of my favorite christian words) on the lives of this family in need.

Dave has found a ministry that he has gone "all in" with. When you go all in on anything it can and probably will make an impact on your life and the life of others.  The question I ask you today is, "What impact are you making with your life and what impact are you having on others?"  Is it an impact for the things of Gods Kingdom, or for things of this world?

Sometimes the impact we are making is not a positive one.

Way to go Dave, and thank you for "going all in" promoting the love of Jesus by being a doer of the word.

Remember one of my OWHG (Only With the Help of God) goals is to make PCF the most loving, caring, compassionate, giving churches in the United States.  What Dave is doing is exactly how this can happen.  Get involved with God and watch what happens to your life and the life of those around you! God goes all out for those who are all in!  

Love, Pastor Kent

Tuesday February 26th, 2013

Tuesday February 26th, 2013

Fear of Missing Out on Real Fun

As I continue to read the book, "not a fan" by Kyle Idleman, I came across something this morning that I have experienced myself and know that it is very true. And that is the fear, that if we totally commit our lives to Jesus...going all in for His way of life....that we are going to miss out on something.  In other words, if I commit my life to Christ the way He wants me to commit, I am going to have to give up many of life's pleasures, or as Kyle says in his book, we want what Christ has to offer but without any sacrifice.

I wanted all that Christ had to offer, but not if I had to give up certain things in my life that I "knew" would not be part of His plan for me.

Now I could start listing a bunch of activities and habits that would fit that category but I am not going to do that because if you are drawn to Jesus and His love, you already know what these things are in your own life.

The amazing thing is, when I finally decided to go all in for the Lord, I found out that I was not missing anything. In reality, I was causing myself more pain and problems when I was doing things my way.

In the book of Proverbs it says:

Proverbs 10:22

²² The blessing of the Lord makes one rich,
And He adds no sorrow with it.

I think most people would love to a live life that is blessed and has no sorrows (which I think in this case means regrets) to it. That is Gods way of living. 

I hope, through prayer, worship and a deeper understanding of Jesus, you too will come to the conclusion that signing up for the Jesus plan is not only the best way to go, but the only way to go.

Are you still writing in your prayer diaries?  

Are you still praying for your spouse, out loud every morning?  Bonni and I had a few days where we got caught up in the busyness of life and did not pray in the morning with each other. All I can say is, life is so much better when we pray for one another.  You are missing it if you are not starting your day with prayer.

God has an amazing plan for your life, get on board and find out what you are missing.

Love, Pastor Kent

Monday February 25th, 2013

   Religion or Relationship

I'm re-reading a book given to me by Bob Bertels called "not a fan" by Kyle Idleman.  There is statement in the book that jumped right off the page at me that resonated with my heart. The statement is, "Jesus came to save us from religion."

For some that statement may seem sacrilegious, however if you understand the context of the statement I think most would agree that is exactly what Jesus did. 

Jesus wants a personal relationship with you and I. That is what becoming a Christian is all about, having a close, intimate relationship with Jesus. It is NOT about following a bunch of rules, doctrines, traditions, and formats. That is what Religion is about. There is a big difference. Now there is nothing wrong with having traditions, rules, doctrines, and formats as long as the relationship with Christ is the primary and most important focus. And that seems to be the problem for many "religious" people.  Religious people get caught up and lost in the ceremonious aspects of worship, the rules, the traditions, and the doctrine rather than falling in love with Jesus the living savior. 

Too often love gets lost in religion. That is what Jesus was trying to teach the pharisees.  They were more concerned with the law than with loving people and serving them as God had intended. 

That is why it is my primary goal as pastor of Praise Community Fellowship to  introduce people to the living, very real Jesus, the only way to find  hope, salvation, and peace in this world.  He truly is the way, the truth and the life. And I want to do that by demonstrating the the love, forgiveness, compassion and healing that Jesus taught and lived. We are called to serve, to make others more important than ourselves and to bring tangible love by helping those in our congregation, and any who come to our doorstep in need.  Let us serve one another with love and sacrifice so that the spirit of the living Jesus is experienced by all who come and join our small but loving church.

It is my dream:

"That Praise Community Fellowship will become the most loving, caring, compassionate, giving church in the United States or maybe even the world."

Why not have that as a goal. It is a tremendous goal, and let it begin with me, the pastor. I come to serve, not to be served. Let each and everyone of us who are able to rise up to Jesus' challenge to go into all the world and bring the message of hope and love to all who are hurting and who have yet to meet Jesus. Amen!

• I'm excited to announce that Bob and Judi Bertels are going to start a bible study program for us here at PCF that will include the teachings from the book, "not a fan."  I will keep you posted on the dates and times when this bible study will start.  Soon and Very Soon!

• Also, the prayer meeting that got cancelled last week due to weather is back on for this Thursday in the sanctuary at 6:30. I will send out more reminders.  Prayer is the cell phone that God gave us to use to go directly to Him. All are invited to come pray with us. 

God has an amazing plan for you and me and the Praise Community Fellowship church.  I will see you soon.  Love, Pastor Kent

Thursday February 21st, 2013

Prayer Meeting Cancelled Tonight.  We will plan on Meeting next Thursday at 6:30 PM at Esic Church.

Thursday February 21st, 2013

Ask and you shall receive.

This past Tuesday I watched my two year old grand daughter Dylan for a half day. One of her favorite things to do when she comes to my house is to walk over to Glick Park across the street and play on the playground equipment.

This past Tuesday was very cold and windy. When she asked if we could go to the park I had to tell her that it would be too cold. After my simple explanation of why we were not going to the park she looked up to  me again with a big smile and said, "Lets go to the park PaPa Kent!"

I wanted to take her to the park but I knew she was still getting over an ear infection and a cold. Going to the park when it was about 30 degrees and windy would not be in her best interest. But from her very limited perspective, none of the reasons that I gave made any difference to her. She just wanted to go to the park.

My experience and judgement, though limited, is still much greater than what she has learned in her two years on this earth. I love her and her happiness is very important to me but so is her safety and health.

I am 56. God is probably a trillion or so years old. Actually the bible says He has always been so however old that is must be a real big number. I will have to assume His experience is far greater than mine of 56 years. Therefore, when I pray I accept that God loves me and wants to bless me and do what is best for me and for those whom I am praying. I am accepting His infinite wisdom.

What we think would make us complete and happy, in reality may not.  God knows everything and is in control of everything and He loves those who call on Him and Believe in Him.

I know what makes my grand daughter happy...most of the time.   And if it is appropriate, I am going to do what ever I can to fulfill her happiness.  I am going to use my very limited knowledge about this world and life and try to make Dylan's life a wonderful experience.

I have decided in my life to trust God and accept His call regarding all things in my life. The way I figure it, He knows everything about me and what makes me happy. He knows what is best for me and for those I love. Therefore when I turn things over to Him in prayer, I am trusting in His love.

I Trust and accept His decisions and His direction. What a wonderful feeling of peace that gives me. God always has my best interest in mind. As the bible says:

Romans 8:28

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Turn it over to the one who is perfect and knows all and controls all with love. Give it to God and believe!

God has a plan for your life.  See you Sunday!  Congregational meeting to follow the service.  Love, Pastor Kent

Wednesday February 20th, 2013

This coming Sunday February 24th, 6:30 PM we will have our first annual congregational meeting after the service.  We will have reports from several of the Deacon board members and from our mission committee.

We will be introducing the three new Deacon Board members.

We will take a look at this past years finances, our budget, and we will be talking a bit about our future.

We will then open the meeting up for questions.  I hope that many of you will be able to attend and participate in the worship as well as our meeting.

Praise Community Fellowship is alive and well and growing, thank you to all who have contributed time, talent, and money to support this wonderful fellowship. The future is bright, and there are so many possibilities for us as we move forward.

Praise Community Fellowship, "A Place Where Unconditional Love Changes Lives!"


See you Sunday, Love, Pastor Kent

Wednesday February 20th, 2013

Prayer Service and Weather.

If it gets really nasty, the prayer service will be moved to next week. Since I have no idea who is planning to attend this service, if the weather is looking bad and you want to find out if it is on or cancelled, check the blog first because I will post the status.

My number is 618-334-3575.   See you soon,  Love, Pastor Kent

Tuesday February 19th, 2013

One final point about the prayer service.  

"God Goes All Out For Those Who Are All In!"

Tuesday, February 19th, 2013

Prayer Service

This Thursday, February 21st at 6:30 pm we will have our first prayer service. Alll are invited to attend. 

What is a prayer service?  A prayer service is simply a gathering of people who want to come together to seek God in prayer. 

How long will it last?   There is no set time. You can come for 10 minutes or stay a couple of hours if you need more time dedicated to prayer.

Can't I pray at home alone and still have my prayers heard? Absolutely.  A prayer service is simply a dedicated time and place where two or more are gathered in His name. It is also a place where we can pray for one another and share our prayer needs with others if you choose.

Who will do the praying?  Everyone who comes to the prayer service can pray either out loud or silently. There usually will be others there who will pray for you if you so desire.

Will there be a sermon?   No. A prayer service is simply dedicated to prayer. It is a time when we call together to God to send His Holy Spirit into our lives. A time for serious calling out to God for guidance, for His peace, for our needs and the needs of others. 

I'm afraid I would be uncomfortable at a prayer service.   Understandable. I'm uncomfortable and its for that very reason I want to start this service.  Jesus renewed His power and Spirit everyday with lots of time spent in prayer.  Why?  Jesus said that He did only what His Father in Heaven told Him.

If you want to see the power of God come to its fulness in your life, then you are going to have to make changes to your current life. That is true for all of us.  Meeting with others to call out to God for His wisdom, His touch, His mercy, is going to take courage because it is outside of what most of us have grown up with. It is different.  It will feel different. But I think you have to ask yourself this, "Why am I so uncomfortable with going to a prayer meeting?"  "What exactly about that makes me uncomfortable?"

How many of us get invited to all kinds of parties, events, social gatherings and we gladly go?

What is it about going to a gathering that has a sole purpose of seeking God that makes us shy away?  Could it be that there is another power that does not want us to discover the power of prayer?

Put on your adventure shoes and step into the flooded Jordan River,  on the other side is the promised land.

This Thursday 6:30 at Esic.     Sincerely, Pastor Kent

Tuesday February 19th, 2013

Compassion Opportunity      Family Needs Help

Please see the information Dave Archer has forwarded about a family that has lost everything in a fire.

Gina,  Great,  I talked to Mrs Johnson at 9:30 this AM. So far the only
organization that has stepped up is the Red Cross who provided two nights
stay in a motel for them.  She and her husband are staying with her sister
in Belleville and her son and his family are in a motel in Freemont City.
He used his incometax refund to buy a month in the motel.
Ms Allen from the PTO has not yet contacted her and she did not seem to know
that anyone was coordinating donations.  She said that I am the only person
any of the family to her knowledge has talked to.

Her sister told me on Sunday that her church is going to collect things for
the kitchen.  Johnsons are going to move back to Kahokia but she does not
know where the son and his family will go.Here are the sizes of clothes
needed as they were not able to salvage anything:
    Kids:  Baby boy: 0-3 months
             Girl age 1 1/2:  2t  shoes baby size 4
             Girl age 6:  pants size 8, tops size 7, shoes kids 4
    Adults:  Men:  Size 40 and size 44 pants.  Shirts 3Xl  Probably an XL
for the smaller.
                           Shoes size 10 1/2  and 11
                Ladies:  size 14 and 16 pants;  medium and large Tops
                Shoes: size 9 and 10

Money is obviously a big issue. There was no insurance according to Mrs
Johnson. I did not press for additional information about jobs, income etc.
This does not sound like a short term project.

It does not sound like the house they are going to move into is anywhere
close to move into.  They are still hanging drywall and installing plumbing.

Hopefully there is more going on than is apparent.  I will put together an
email to our choir members and be a collection point for donations. Some one
rein me in if it sound like I am too involved.

One of my favorite sayings is: Nothing gets done until someone does it!
Prayer is a wonderful thing but eventually there has to be some action.
Seems our group is prepared to act, just need for our energy and assets to
get channeled.

Below is Dave Archers phone number. He is helping to coordinate the donations. PLease call him if you can help.  Sincerely, Kent

Dave  618-791-9984

Tuesday February 19, 2013

Philippians 4:6-7  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Let your hearts not be troubled, God is in control of everything.  I do believe this is a powerful revelation that I found in the book of Job. 

Job was a God honoring, upright man. A man that feared God and did right in Gods eyes yet Job was allowed to suffer.  

Why?  Well in this case it appears to me that Jobs ultimate reason for suffering was so that his story could encourage millions and millions of others through the ages since it was recorded in the bible.

I know that the story of Job has given me a stronger faith because of the message it contains; God is in control of everything even when from our own perspective it may look as if God doesn't even exist.

Now when problems come I can boldly claim with the Psalmist:

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
³ Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling.

Be encouraged in all circumstances, God is in control of everything AND He loves you!

God has a great plan for your life.  See you soon.  Love, Pastor Kent

Friday February 15th, It's Possible!

With God all things are Possible!  Matthew 19:26

Deep inside everyone of us is a seed planted by God.  It is the seed of our greatest potential.  That seed is unique because God has known since the beginning of time what your potential is for His Kingdom.

The key is bringing that seed to life. To have it germinate, watered, fertilized and nurtured until it produces fruit.  It is only when we find and nurture that God planted seed that we will come into our full potential while on this earth.

How do I find that seed?  The quickest and easiest way to find that seed is by going to God and surrendering your entire life to Him. Hold nothing back. Not your check book, your desires, your dreams, your goals, your family, or your routine.  When you pray that powerful prayer, the prayer of complete surrender, God will come into your life and begin moving in ways you have never thought possible. Then we must go to Gods word daly to understand His ways and to increase our faith so that we can stand bold and firm when adversities arise, and they will arise.

How will I know if it is God speaking to me and not just my own conscience?  This can be a tuff one one but there is an answer. There are two ways you can check the prompting to determine if it is God speaking to your heart or just your conscience or that wily serpent that wants to lead all of us astray.

              1.) God will never contradict His word. In other words check the scriptures to see if your   prompting agrees with what God has said in the bible.

               2.)  This goes along with number one but it is a quick reference. God will never have you do anything that would be anything but, loving, compassionate, forgiving, giving, or healing.  In-other- words anything God is going to ask us to do is going to have something to do with bringing people into a relationship with Jesus Christ and promoting His Kingdom here and now and the Kingdom which is to come. It will never be about you. You may find yourself in the spotlight or in great demand but the focus will never be on you.

I hope you can join us Sunday at 6:30 pm. Our Raise the Praise Choir will be leading worship as we prepare for the African Vision of Hope Concert coming up soon.

I will see you Sunday!    Love, Pastor Kent

Valentines Day February 14th, 2013

Pray for your spouse!   

You won't know the power of prayer until you try. Let the power of God change the dynamics of your relationships. It doesn't matter if some of your relationships are completely broke or very good, sincere prayer will move all your relationships to a much better place.

Pray for your children, your spouse, your neighbors, friends relatives, co-workers, bosses....as you can see your prayer list should be very long.  Tithing your time to God in prayer and reading His word is better than time spent any other way.  And, don't to forget to pray for your enemies!  God will intervene there too.  Plug into the power of God through a well disciplined prayer life.

Put it on your schedule and try it!   Let God become your best friend. Let God become the CEO of your entire life and be blessed.

We have all been doing life our own way.  Where has that gotten us as far as having peace, fulfillment, and love?

 Prayer service coming "Soon and Very Soon!"    

I know I know....some of you are thinking..."A Prayer Service?     Really?      Who has time for that?

It's OK because there was a time not so long ago in my life when I would have said the same thing. Here is the absolute bottom line about having a prayer service.  With a powerful prayer service, our church, your life, and the life of those you love will be empowered by the power of our living God.  Sounds pretty churchy doesn't it.  But what do you come to church for?  I hope to build a closer, more intimate relationship with Jesus.  I hope you are coming to empower your life with all that God has to offer. I hope you are coming to change your life for the better, to be empowered by the Holy Spirit.

So, no time for prayer?  That's like joining the YMCA, paying your dues, and never going to the facility to work out.  No work out......No benefits!

The truth of the matter is, building a powerful, effective prayer life is the only way you will ever see the fullness of Gods power in your life.  Remember, "God goes all out for those who are All in!"

Try taking a prayer walk. To me it is one of my favorite times of the day. A couple of days ago I got up at 5:30am and walked Glick park and watched the sky light up. It was amazing. I have amazing talks wit God on my prayer walks.  Give it a try.

See you Sunday at 6:30pm. The Raise The Praise Choir will be leading us in Worship.  Come and join the PCF family for a night of worship and learning.   See you Sunday.  Love, Pastor Kent

Monday February 11th, 2013

All great relationships start with your relationship with God. 

If your relationship with God is broken, chances are you are going to struggle with your relationships with people on this earth.

Make every relationship you have a "trinity"  relationship.  You, God, and the other person.
Allow Gods wisdom and love to guide everything that you think, say and do with the other person. This includes all your relationships, business, casual, and personal.

Will this make all relationships a success?  No, however if you are being led by the Holy Spirit, (Jesus inside you) then you are doing everything you can to create a successful, healthy relationship.

What is a successful relationship?  A relationship which acknowledges the fallen nature in everyone without critical judgement. Instead it offers love, support, honesty (with love) integrity, and never compromises Gods laws. It is trusting the Holy Spirit's guidance and stepping out in faith with all His promptings. That means if the Holy Spirit prompts you to ask for forgiveness, or prompts you to apologize or to pray for someone you do it! It probably won't be easy!

How will I know what the Holy Spirits promptings are?  All promptings of the Holy Spirit reflect the attributes of Jesus. If you are prompted to go tell someone off I can pretty much assure you that is NOT the Holy Spirit speaking. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit Of Jesus Christ who loved, forgave, healed and showed compassion. Now it is also true that Jesus drove the money changers out of the Temple with a braided whip. To me that shows us that Jesus stood up for His Father and would not compromise His Fathers laws or will.  Neither should we.

My prayer for all the married couples at PCF is that you will begin praying for one another each and every day. Share your prayer out loud with your spouse and watch your relationship expand and deepen. Bonni and I have recently started to do this and the best way I can explain it is, "It is like fertilizing the relationship!"  Just like when you put fertilizer on your lawn in the spring it grows a deep beautiful green and if you use a pre-emergent no weeds show up.  So there you have it, prayer is a fertilizer with a pre-emergent that can prevent problems from arising.

No matter where you are in your Christian journey you are at times going to come to your Jordan River and there is no bridge. It will seem impossible, a barrier with no way to get over it just like what the Israelites faced trying to get to the promised land. This is when your close, trusting relationship with God will become a reality!

Whats that you say, "You are not so sure you have a close trusting relationship with God?"
Then I suggest you start right this very minute and pray that God will forgive you of all your sins and that you accept His son Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. And then, with all your heart, pray to God to send you the power of His Spirit into your heart so that your faith will increase.

The bible needs to become and important book in your life. In Romans we read:

Romans 10:17

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁷ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Faith comes by hearing and reading Gods word. You must get Gods word into your heart so that your faith and trust in Him becomes real. 

God has a wonderful plan for your life!  Let Him in and begin enjoying a whole new life. A life that revolves around God and His will. It is real and it is powerful! 

Call me if you have questions or would like to talk about Gods plan for your life.  618-334-3575

Love, Kent

Amazing News

Bonni and I just received a call from Judi Bertels all the way from Zambia!   She put the Zambian orphans on and they were rehearsing "A New Hallelujah!"  We heard their sweet voices all the way from the other side of the world.  Amazing.

God is doing mighty things today through the people who are "All In."   God is moving!  We are part.

Please pray for Judi and her mission team, that they will be blessed, safe, and empowered by God to bring hope and love and change to the children and people of Zambia of we which we are a part as a supportive ministry.  It just doesn't get any better than this....or wait....yes it can!  And it will through all who are "All In."

Come worship with us tomorrow evening at 6:30 and be lifted up!  Hear the words of the Lord.

Psalm 150

¹ Praise the Lord.

Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens.
² Praise him for his acts of power;
    praise him for his surpassing greatness.
³ Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
    praise him with the harp and lyre,
⁴ praise him with timbrel and dancing,
    praise him with the strings and pipe,
⁵ praise him with the clash of cymbals,
    praise him with resounding cymbals.

⁶ Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.

See you tomorrow!   Love, Pastor Kent

Saturday February 9th, 2013

                                                     

How to change your marriage, your relationships, and your business into a God honoring ministry!

 Do you want more?    Depends right?  More what?   How about more peace, more joy, and more fulfillment in your marriage, your relationships and your business or place of work?  Come join us tomorrow night at 6:30 and we will begin exploring Gods word and His answers regarding relationships.

My number one goal for everything we do at Praise Community Fellowship is to bring people into an intimate relationship with Jesus. It is only through that relationship that your life can and will  change for the better.

I want all people who come to PCF to discover the power of prayer, Gods word, and the loving fellowship of others who are growing in faith.  All are welcome!   Come and enjoy the spirit of the Raise the Praise Choir and the joyful fellowship of the Praise Community Fellowship family.

Come and join us, "Where Unconditional Love Changes Lives!"

See you tomorrow.   Love, Kent

Friday February 8th, 2013

Come join us this Sunday at 6:30 pm and see what God might do in your life. The Raise the Praise Choir will be providing the music.  Come as you are. All are welcome. 

Praise Community Fellowship, a place where Unconditional Love Changes Lives!

Come pray with us!

Monday February 4th, 2013

Take away points from yesterdays sermon.

• God answers prayers in a way that will guide you to accomplish His goals on this earth and for His Kingdom to come.

• Every Christian who is earnestly seeking God and His direction for their life is in "process." Don't get discouraged while you are in process. Trust God and become aware of all the subtle changes and coincidences that may be occurring in your life. These could be the beginning to Gods answer to your prayer. The "process" is usually not pleasant. I likened it to marine basic training though I have never been through marine basic training I hear it is quite tough. God must train and equip us to be able to do the work he has planned for us. The bigger the job, the tougher the training.

• I told you that 35 years ago I prayed to God that I wanted to become pastor of a church. A big church! In about a week I got a call to teach a 2nd or 3rd grade Sunday school class. Had I not chosen to step into that subtle answer, who knows where I would be today. It has taken God 35 years to bring me to this point of being pastor, AND I am still in process. The answer to that prayer is still in process 35 years later.

• All Christians who sign on with God will be in process their whole life!

• God wants you to be able to complete the unique plan He has for you. Yes He has a unique plan for everyone! The Key is surrendering to His plan. 

• How do you surrender to His plan?   You must get to know Him by reading the bible and praying. Then you must make a commitment to surrendering your wants and desires to His wants and desires. That is when life gets interesting real fast!

• There is too much work to do for Gods Kingdom for any practicing Christian to think that Gods plan for their life is to accumulate wealth so their life can be easy! Refer to Luke 12:16-21 and Matthew 19:16-30

• Here is what I have experienced in my life, God always answers my prayers but most the time He does so not by changing my circumstances, but by how I perceive my circumstances.

• God goes all out for those who are all in!

God does have a wonderful plan for your life. You may never discover it unless you come to know Him personally by spending time with Him. I suggest you try to tithe your time to Him which would amount to about 1 1/2 hour per day. It is only then that we can learn to hear His promptings His still small voice that speaks to our spirit.  The more time I spend with God the more I understand Him  and what He wants me to do for him. You are never too young or too old to pray the second most life changing prayer you could ever pray. The first being the salvation prayer, the second being, God I surrender myself to your will, your plans, and your desires for my life. You can have all of me!

 Sincerely, and with love, Kent

February 1, 2013

My House Shall Be Called A House of Prayer

Take an hour and let the Holy Spirit into the deepest part of your soul by watching my favorite pastor talk about prayer.

Below I am giving you a link to Jim Cymbala's sermon, "My House Shall Be Called A House of Prayer. Please do yourself, your friends, me, your spouse, all the people you love in your life a favor. Seclude yourself, turn off your cell phone and for 51 minutes  watch this powerful, Holy Spirit filled sermon on the power of prayer.

If you can watch this before this Sundays service all the better, but do your spirit a favor and watch all of this sermon. You will be blessed!

Here is the link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jRfPlJG1rc

If you cannot open the link just go to youtube and put in Jim Cymbala My House Shall Be Called A House of Prayer.

Let God into your life and watch out!  God has an amazing plan for your life! When do you want Him to get it started?  It is up to you.  See you at 2:00 pm Sunday!   Blessings to you, love Kent