Sunday Morning Preview - October 30, 2016

Well, it has been just shy of a year and half since we last turned our attention to the Book of Judges. We left off our study in the life of Gideon and I am excited to get back into it for the next few weeks focusing on the final major character from this period of Israel’s history; the famous/infamous Samson.

I’m not sure how many of you will share the kind of memories I have of childhood Sunday School lessons that involved felt-boards and colouring pages that featured “Bible Heroes” of the faith like Daniel and the lions den, David and Goliath, and powerful, long-haired Samson.

Most of those lessons seemed to be about the exploits of these heroes and my responsibility to be like them; 

“Samson killed 1000 of God’s enemies with the jawbone of a donkey! Who here is willing to be strong for God like Samson?”

Actually, using these men as examples to follow in anything other than their reliance upon and need of God is to miss the entire point of the Bible. I hope you will join me as we marvel at the grace of God as seen in the life and calling of Samson. 

Pastor Dan

Sunday Morning Preview - October 23, 2016

I hope everyone will be able to join me this Sunday morning at Dakota for the third and final message on prayer to wrap up the Epistle of James Series. 

The sermon is entitled; “Effective Prayer” (Part 3)

This week’s passage contains three basic ideas of Judaism which require our attention: 

(i) The idea that all sickness is due to sin. 

(ii) The idea that confession of sin must be made to both men and God. 

(iii) The idea that there is no limit to the power of prayer. 

Finally we will examine James’ use of Elijah as an example of effective prayer. 

The Old Testament narrative does not actually say that the three year drought came about or ended because of the prayers of Elijah; he was merely the prophet who announced the events. How does James arrive at this conclusion and does it constitute some sort of error or evidence of fallibility in the scriptures?  See you Sunday morning.

Pastor Dan

Sunday Morning Preview - October 16, 2016

I hope everyone will be able to join me this Sunday morning at Dakota for the second of three final messages on prayer to wrap up the Epistle of James Series. 

The sermons are entitled; “Effective Prayer” (Parts1-3)

In addition to praying for the sick, James now also commands the elders to anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord; “and the prayer of faith will save the sick man”

What does James think that the anointing will accomplish? 

The practice is mentioned only one other time in the New Testament when Jesus sent out the twelve in Mark 6. Unfortunately, Mark gives no more of an explanation for the anointing than does James.

Theologians and scholars have debated the meaning of the practice for a long time. Is the oil meant to carry a medicinal effect? Is it to be viewed sacramentally or is it to be taken as some kind of symbolic reference, perhaps to the Holy Spirit?

I hope to see you all this Sunday morning!

Pastor Dan

Sunday Morning Preview - October 9, 2016

We have a full schedule planned in celebration of Thanksgiving this Sunday at Dakota.

Adult Sunday School begins at 9:00 AM with Pastor Dan Van de Laar teaching Part 2 of his class on heretics; more on Pelagius and Pelagianism. 

From 9:45 - 10:15 we have preservice prayer and coffee time and then the service gets underway at 10:30 with our usual time of worship including Communion, some testimonies from a few of our KOZ youth and finally a short(er) sermon from yours truly entitled; “Remember God’s Blessings".

I hope to see you all this Sunday morning!

Pastor Dan