E-news for Aug. 29 – Sept. 4, 2021

SERMON SERIES FROM JONAH!

In the second chapter of Jonah, we see the prophet literally hit rock bottom, and how God rescues him and redirects his thoughts and actions. We learn from this eloquently written book that nobody is beyond God’s reach! We are reminded that God is both powerful and patient, not willing that any perish but that all come to repentance!                             

IMPORTANT DATES

  • Sunday, August 29 – Baby Shower after the service!
  • Sunday, September 5 – Communion Sunday! Celebrate September birthdays!
  • Sunday, September 12 – Grandparents Day!
  • Sunday, September 26 – Youth Sunday!

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE…

During their walk to school one morning, a girl named Linda assured her mother that she had said her prayers the night before, but added, “When I started to pray, I got to thinking that God hears the same old stuff every night—so I told Him the story of The Three Bears!”

BABY BOTTLE CAMPAIGN!

Start saving your spare change! During the month of October, we will hold a Baby Bottle Campaign to help raise funds for the local Care Net Center as they continue to meet the needs of young, pregnant mothers-to-be. Baby bottles will be distributed at church starting the first Sunday in October, and the goal is to hand them out to families, friends, and loved ones to see how many we can fill by the end of October!

MASK-WEARING REMINDER

Don’t forget your masks on Sunday! For the health and safety of all, particularly those in our church family with fragile or compromised immune systems, we at Midway are following the mask-wearing mandate from the governor. Thank you all for your patience and consideration for one another!

DIGGING DEEPER

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

Last Sunday, Pastor Shaun began his sermon series on Jonah. He pointed out that the book of Jonah is eloquently and masterfully written. It opens with a specific _________ for a specific prophet—Jonah. God’s urgent directive to Jonah: Get up and go to Ninevah and bring God’s message of repentance to the Assyrians. Well, Jonah knew the Assyrians’ reputation as a brutal people who inflicted unspeakable cruelty and torture to any who ________ or opposed them. Jonah hated the Assyrians for that and wanted them destroyed, not forgiven. He responded to God’s urgent directive with a resounding “NO!” and punctuated his refusal by leaving everything behind (his nation, family, and inheritance) and boarding a ____ headed in the opposite direction! Jonah openly acknowledged to the sailors his reason for boarding their boat: to flee from the service of the Lord. When the storm at sea intensified and the sailors feared for their lives, verse 6 says that the ship’s captain wakened the sleeping Jonah and urged him to get up and call out to his God to spare them. Jonah had told the captain that he was a Hebrew who worshipped the God of heaven, who made the land and the ___. Jonah admitted he was fleeing from the Lord, that the storm was from God and directed at him, and that throwing him overboard would cause the storm to cease. The pagan sailors tried every means possible to spare Jonah’s life, but the storm only worsened. Before throwing him overboard, verse 14 says that the sailors cried out to the Lord, Jonah’s God, to not hold them responsible for his death. Verse 15 says that as soon as they _____ Jonah into the raging sea, the storm stopped. And verse 16 says, “The sailors were awestruck by the Lord’s great power, and they offered Him a sacrifice and vowed to serve Him.” The story of Jonah is a powerful reminder that there are consequences (to ourselves and those around us) when we choose to disobey and rebel against God. As Pastor Shaun said, we dare not stand in contradiction to the will of God. His ways are so much _______ than ours! God’s desire to reach even the nation of Assyria gives us understanding of his longing that no one be excluded from hearing his loving call to repentance. It’s so important to remember that we, too, were once lost in sin, and our salvation came about because someone chose to obey the Lord by _______ His gospel message with us! As Pastor Shaun has repeatedly said, “The time for harvest is now!” As we have learned from Jonah, it is futile and costly to try to outrun God’s will for our lives. In contrast, it is a blessing and privilege to follow God’s will by sharing the gospel with others so they can come to know the Savior. Truly, “God is not willing that any should perish, but that all come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.

       sharing             boat              assignment              sea                higher              displeased              threw

WOMEN’S RETREAT AT CASCADES CAMP

The 2021 women’s retreat will be held September 17-19 at Cascades Camp in Yelm. If you are planning to attend, please note the following precautions due to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases and the Delta variant spread: 

(1) There will be a health check-in at registration, including showing a record of vaccination. 

(2) The Women’s Retreat Camp Staff recommend unvaccinated individuals protect themselves and reduce the risk to others by not attending this year’s retreat.

(3) Masks will be worn during indoor gatherings.

(4) If you have already registered and decide not to attend, Cascades Camp will refund your registration fees. 

PRAISES/PRAYER REQUESTS

1. Pray for children and teachers as they make plans to return to school in late August and early September. Pray for their health, safety, and learning.

2. Pray for strength and health for our healthcare workers as they care for all the wounded and sick patients who enter their clinics and hospitals.

3. Continue to pray for our nations and leaders, and for the volatile situation in Afghanistan.

4. Pray for us to have a readiness to share the gospel at this time of harvest!

                     SERMON SCHEDULE

                                                         August 29: Rev. Shaun Higgins, Jonah 2:1-10

                                                         September 5: Rev. Shaun Higgins, Jonah 3:1-10

                                                         September 12: Rev. Shaun Higgins, Jonah 4:1-11

                                                         September 19: Rev. Shaun Higgins, 2 Peter 1:1-21

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