Pastor’s Page | October 2nd, 2025
Sermon Prep (Read Philippians 1:1-6)
What is the difference between a house and a home? A house is where you stay, a home is where you live. A home is where you have people you love and care about and who love and care about you. I remember going by the house that belonged to my parents. I lived there my high school years and I can remember so many things about that house: the way it looked, the way it smelled (a combination of Marlboro lights, strong coffee, and dog), but what I remember most is the people who were there. I can still see my dad saddled in his rocking chair with a newspaper on the side and a coffee in hand. I can see my mom behind the bar (yes…every house in the 80’s had a make shift bar) getting into her closet of Little Debbie snacks she kept for the grandkids. I can remember my buddies who practically lived with us sleeping on the couch every weekend, and most weeks. I can see all the grandkids running around the house, while my mom told them to go sneak a peek at the gifts under one of the fullest Christmas trees you have ever seen. I remember all this, even though it was decades ago.
What is the difference between a gathering of worshippers and a church? Church is about relationships, our relationship with Jesus and our relationship with others. And you are not supposed to have favorites, but I am sure Paul would have said that the church in Philipi was his favorite. This book is a book of joy and the purpose of this book is for Paul to thank the Philippian church for thinking of him and providing for him while he was in jail (yes…he wrote this letter from jail. A letter of joy from a prison cell! That is the power of the Gospel!). Sadly for Paul, the man they sent to help Paul ended up getting deathly sick and so Paul has to send him back. But this letter stands out from the other Pauline letters in that it is primarily positive. There are no major heresys to confront (I’m looking at you, Galatians!). There are no major sins to call out (I’m looking at you, Corinthians!). There is not a major theological discourse needed to correct some erring thoughts (I’m looking at you, Romans and Colossians!). No one is arguing about the end times (I’m looking at you, Thessalonians!), and there is no young whipper snapper preacher who needs to be built up (I’m looking at you, Timothy and Titus!). No, this is a feel good letter. There are some minor things to iron out (why can’t these two ladies just get along!), but for the most part this is a letter of joy. In fact that is the dominant theme. Joy. In fact, Paul ends up using the word in each of the four chapters and ends up mentioning “joy” or the related verb “rejoice” a dozen times throughout. But you know the kicker? Jesus Christ is mentioned over forty times in this letter, with the obvious implication that Jesus and joy go hand in hand. Overall, Philippians comes across as warm, encouraging, and affirming, the most positive of all Paul’s letters … even though he wrote it while under arrest.
But how does it start? It starts with Paul remembering the people in the church. As you get ready for Sunday, I have some prep work for you to do. I want you to think of your memories of church. Who do you see? What do you miss? When you think of these people, do you give thanks to God for them? Do you pray for them? Paul calls them Saints. What do you think he means by this? How does one become a saint? As you read this, notice what Paul is so grateful for. They are partners in minstry. What is the difference between a partner and an observer? And notice Paul’s confidence in what God will accomplish in them.
To start off this new series on Philippians (Which will carry us through the end of the year), do some background studies on Philippi. It was a Roman town that didn’t have the strong Jewish base like other towns. Read Acts 16 to see how this church started and the trials Paul endured there. It is amazing how this church became the most generous church and beloved church for Paul.
October Sermon Series
”Partners In The Gospel”
10/05: Thinking Of You (Philippians 1:1-6)
10/12: Longing For You (Philippians 1:7-11)
10/19: Because Of You (Philippians 1:12-14)
10/25: In Spite Of You (Philippians 1:15-18)
Updates, Thoughts and More
We will be having our annual church meeting on November 16 th after the 2 nd service. We will make sure to get the nominations and other items we will be voting on out to every member at least 3 weeks in advance. We will once again be having absentee voting the week prior.
Partnering with Rancho Brazos for their Fall Festival. On October 30 th , we will be joining the Rancho Brazos community in their Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat. We are asking for signups for those who will come and park their cars and pass out candy just like you would do here at the church. If you would like to donate Candy, we have a place in the Narthex for you to drop off the candy. All Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups can be dropped off at the Pastor’s office, and the Pay Day Candy Bars can be dropped off in the office.
As many of you know, October is Pastor Appreciation Month (hint, hint). I am always so appreciative of everything that the church does for me, but this year I have a request. Let’s make Pastor Appreciation Month the Staff Appreciation Month. We have a great staff who works hard to serve Christ and His Kingdom. So take time this month to do something special for all of our staff. Go to our website and click on the staff page and you will see all the great people I get to work with. Make them feel special this month.
What a week for college football. If I worked for Vegas, I would have had some guy named Vinnie taking a bat to my kneecaps by now. What a rough week! But this week will be better! There aren’t that many great games this week, especially compared to last week. So here are my picks for this upcoming week: Kentucky will lose by 500 points as Georgia will take their anger out on a lousy team, and we Kentucky fans will cry and scream wondering how one of the highest paid coaches in the SEC can’t win a SEC game. The big game will be Alabama and Vandy (how weird is it to say Vandy in a big game?). Bama will be out for revenge after the humiliating loss last year. I think Bama beats Vandy and beats them bad. Another good game will be Mississippi State vs Texas A&M. Miss St is a real good team, but Texas A&M is a legit top 10 team. I think this will be close but the Aggies will win. The game that should have fireworks is the Miami and Florida St. Miami may be the best team playing right now. I think this will be close and Miami wins with a last-minute defensive stop.
For the NFL, the best game will be the Philadelphia and Denver game. Denver has had some tough breaks, and Philly has had some games break their way. I think that ends this week. Bo Nix has a huge game and Denver shocks Philly with an upset win. Dallas played great last week (except their secondary…seriously, are these guys even pros? I have seen Pee-Wee players defend and tackle better). The Jets stink but have a good defense. So which Cowboys team will show up? The One who plays Green Bay to a tie or the one who gets demolished by a terrible Bears team? I think the good Dallas shows up. Dallas by 7.
What’s Going On This Week
Sunday (10/05)
Sunday Service - 9am & 10:30am
Monday (10/06)
Stitching Angels - 1:30pm
Tuesday (10/07)
Men’s Meeting - 7:30am
Armor of God Bible Study - 10:00am
Wednesday (10/08)
Prayer Warriors - 9:00am
Sip and Share - 10:00am
Stitching Angels - 1:00pm
NO TABLE TALK
Youth and Kids - 5:00pm
Bell Choir - 6:00pm
Choir - 7:00pm
Thursday (10/09)
Psalms Bible Study - 9:00am
Learning our Faith
Catechism of the Heidelberg Confession (1563)
Dealing with the Lord’s Prayer
Q. Why did Christ command us to call God “our Father”?
To awaken in us at the very beginning of our prayer what should be basic to our prayer— a childlike reverence and trust that through Christ God has become our Father, and that just as our parents do not refuse us the things of this life, even less will God our Father refuse to give us what we ask in faith.
Matt. 7:9-11; Luke 11:11-13
Q. Why the words “in heaven”?
These words teach us not to think of God’s heavenly majesty as something earthly, and to expect everything needed for body and soul from God’s almighty power.
Jer. 23:23-24; Acts 17:24-25 Matt. 6:25-34; Rom. 8:31-32
Joke of the Week
A man went to see his Rabbi. He stated in a very serious tone, “Rabbit, something terrible is happening and I have to talk to you about it.”
The Rabbit asked, “What’s wrong?”
The man replied, “My wife is poisoning me.”
The Rabbi, very surprised by this, asked, “How can that be?”
The man then pleaded, “I’m telling you, I’m certain she’s poisoning me, what should I do?”
The rabbit then said, “Tell you what. Let me talk to her. I’ll see what I can find out and I’ll let you know.”
A week later the Rabbi called the man and said, “Well, I met with your wife. We talked for three hours. I tried to get away, but she kept talking and complaining about this and that. She made comments on how I looked, how I dressed. She questioned my credentials; she even spoke ill of my own mother.”
The man anxiously replied, “Yes.”
”You want my advice?”
Again, the man anxiously replied, “Yes.”
”Take the poison.” said the Rabbi.
Memory Verse of the Week
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
~Philippians 1:3-5 (NIV84)
Quote of the Week
The man who attempts Christianity without the church shoots himself in the foot, shoots his children in the leg, and shoots his grandchildren in the heart.
~Kevin DeYoung
