E-news August 1-7, 2021

SERMON SERIES FROM 1 PETER

In 1 Peter 3, the apostle Peter addresses how we as Christians can walk in obedience to Christ in our relationships. He instructs us to pursue peace and unity in our relationships, and to repay evil with kindness and blessing. He points us to Christ as our example of enduring suffering and continuing to do good. This sermon series offers encouragement and peace to us as we walk through times of difficulty.

IMPORTANT DATES

  • Sunday, August 1 – Youth Sunday! Communion! Membership Class!
  • Saturday, August 14 – Paul Hanson Memorial!

YOUTH SUNDAY!

Midway Family, prepare yourselves for a fun and engaging service tomorrow morning, compliments of our children and youth! We are thrilled about their eagerness to participate in every aspect of the service, including prayer, special music, and preaching the Word.

COMMUNION SUNDAY

Tomorrow, August 1, is the first Sunday of the month, and we have the privilege of celebrating communion together. If you will be joining the service via live-stream, you are encouraged to prepare in advance.

MEMBERSHIP CLASS

Pastor Shaun will be leading a membership class after the service. If you are interested in becoming a member here at Midway, the class will be meeting in the Library at 11:30 a.m.

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE…

It’s a particularly comforting thought to children that God is watching over the whole universe. One boy was watching the sunset with his mom when she said, “Look at that…the moon’s coming up and the sun is still shining!” The boy said, “Don’t worry, Mom! God knows what He’s doing.”

FROM THE DESK OF PASTOR SHAUN

Greetings Midway Family,

As you may know, there has been an upsurge of COVID-19 infections in King County, even among those who have been full vaccinated. I want to take this opportunity to urge everyone to be vigilant and exercise sound judgment when in highly populated indoor areas. Social distancing and personal protective equipment are highly recommended but not mandated. For those who are uncomfortable gathering for in-person worship, please take advantage of the live-streamed services. Thank you all for your continued support and prayers.

Blessings,

Pastor Shaun

SUMMER YOUTH GROUP!

The youth group is meeting twice a month throughout the summer. Our next meeting is Wednesday, August 11, from 3-5 p.m. Invite a friend! J

GOT ANY EXTRA BIRD HOUSES?

We would like to put up several bird houses on the recently cleared church property to create a small-scale bird sanctuary. If you have a bird house or bird feeder you would like to donate, that would be great!

WOMEN’S RETREAT AT CASCADES CAMP

The 2021 women’s retreat will be held September 17-19 at Cascades Camp  in Yelm. If you would like to participate in this healing and rejuvenating gathering with other women from all over the Pacific Northwest, the staff at Cascades Camp would love to have you there! [Click Here] to find out more and register.

DIGGING DEEPER

Fill in the blanks using the words in the box below.

Last Sunday at our joint service, the pastors expounded on The Transfiguration in Matthew 17. They explained that the transfiguration was filled with significance, not only for the disciples but also for us today. Verse 2 says “Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face ______ like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.” And as if that weren’t enough, Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with the transfigured Jesus! Always ready to act immediately, Peter wanted to build shelters right then and there to memorialize the three—one for Moses, one for Elijah, and one for Jesus. But that wasn’t God’s purpose for the transfiguration they had just witnessed.  _______ and Elijah had indeed been leaders of the people during the old _________, but now it was time for a change of administration—a turning over of the reigns—from the old covenant (where Moses represented the Law and Elijah represented the Prophets) to the new covenant (where Christ reconciles us to God). In verse 4, God stops Peter in his impulsive tracks and refocuses his thinking with these powerful words: “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. ______ to him.” (i.e. Peter, you’re missing the ______! It’s not about Moses or Elijah. This is not their moment. It’s about Jesus!) God wants us to understand who Jesus is—the Christ, the sinless Son of the Living God! Because of our sin nature, we are incapable of bridging the sin gap that separates us from holy God. Pastor Baron explained that a ______ nature is something we all have in common. Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” He said we’ve all experienced trying to do right, then failing, over and over again. Even in spite of our best efforts, we fall short. The good news is, God has intervened! Salvation is possible because the sinless Son of God took our sin on Him at the cross, becoming the bridge to ________ us to God. Salvation is not about a one-time, once-and-for-all decision to obey God perfectly from here forward. That would be impossible because we are all sinners. But by bowing the knee and ______________ the throne of our lives to God, we now have the Son of the Living God dwelling within us—and that gives glory to God! As Pastor Andre said, There is no glory apart from Him. We need to pray, ”Lord, show me Jesus!” Pastor Samuel pointed out that the glory of God that we experience today is very minimal. In Genesis 3, when Adam sinned, he (and we as his descendants) lost the _________ of enjoying the glory of God every day. But through Jesus Christ, we can enjoy that privilege again! In fact, God’s purpose is to fill us with Himself. As long as men and women turn their backs on God, they will experience an emptiness that nothing in this world can ____. No matter what they try to satisfy that emptiness with, nothing from this world will fill it. In contrast, the person who gives their life to Christ and lets him fill that _____ experiences a peace that passes understanding because Christ through His Holy Spirit lives in them. And no matter what trials or circumstances they face, they have the peace of Christ in them, and his strength and hope to sustain them. As Pastor Baron said, Christ going to the cross and _______ has done an amazing thing! He has taken our place and paid the price for our sins! When we turn to Him in repentance, he takes up residence in our lives and cleanses us from ___. The Holy Spirit indwells us to be our Helper and to make scripture understandable to us. And oh the wonder of being able to say with the apostle Paul, “It’s no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me!” Giving your life to Christ is the beginning of a transformation, a ____________________, that will be evident to everyone around you! They will see a change and wonder what’s going on. What a privilege to be able to share with them who Jesus is and how He has changed you! Because we have the Spirit of the Living God dwelling within us, we are being transformed by Him, and He compels us to bring this transforming gospel message to the ends of the earth! We are responsible to share this life-giving message—now, today!! If we don’t, if we neglect this great commission, our families, future generations, and this world, will be lost. How can we not _______ to God’s great love for us by sharing that love with the lost!

   surrendering        sin metamorphosis                   fill                       respond                  void    shone                   reconcile                Listen                                   sinful                  privilege          
dying                    point                      covenant                 Moses                                            

PRAISES/PRAYER REQUESTS

1. Praise for our sister churches—what a joy to pursue the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace as one intracultural Body of Christ!

2. Pray for those in our community and world to hear and respond to the gospel.

                    SERMON SCHEDULE

                                                         August 1:   Rev. Shaun Higgins, 1 Peter 3:1-22

                                                         August 8:   Rev. Shaun Higgins, 1 Peter 4:1-19

                                                         August 15: Rev. Shaun Higgins, 1 Peter 5:1-14

                                                         August 22: Rev. Shaun Higgins, Jonah 1:1-17

CHURCH & OFFICE INFORMATION

  • The Church Office is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Office phone number: 206-878-4861 // Office email: office@midwaycovenant.org                     
  • Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary (or online at live.midcov.org)
  • Children’s Sunday School upstairs at 10:30 a.m.
  • Discipleship Lunch Group: Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall
  • Men’s Bible Study Breakfast Group: Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. at Tuscany’s in Des Moines
  • Newsletter editor:  Lori-Lee Morse