Assembly focus

“1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:1–2, ESV)

IN THE BEGINNING….

As 2018 begins, Mansfield First Assembly will focus on the first eleven chapters in the book of Genesis. These chapters include some of the most well-known people and stories of the Old Testament. The first Sunday Morning sermon series of the year will include the following messages.

• From Chaos to Creation • Hope for Today and Tomorrow • Choosing Sides • The God-Directed Life • Together Again

2018 BIBLE READING PLAN At the beginning of the year, Mansfield First Assembly encourages its constituents to regularly read the Bible throughout the year. The 2018 Bible Reading Plan will guide you through reading the first five books of the Bible, Genesis—Deuteronomy (the Pentateuch) and through the entirety of the New Testament (Matthew—Revelation). In this plan, you will read about one Old Testament chapter and one New Testament chapter every weekday to complete the plan in one year. Pick up your 2018 Reading Plan at the welcome desk today or visit mansfieldfirstassembly.com to find a link to the 2018 Reading Plan

Each of these messages will speak of

the hope Christ offers to a fallen people and a fallen world. You will be challenged and changed by this sermon series. You will be encouraged and inspired by the Word of God.

Begin 2018 by receiving encouragement, inspiration, and spiritual strength through the faithful preaching of the Word of God and the inspiring worship of God at Mansfield First Assembly.

Church Events

NEWSLETTER | MANSFIELD FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD | JANUARY 2018

• Jan 7th @ 10:30am

Communion

• Jan 7-10 @ 7pm, START

Conference (Week of

Prayer)

o Jan 7th – Christian Gray

o Jan 8th – Jason Brooke

o Jan 9th – Pastor Jerry

o Jan 10th – Harold Dennis

• Jan 27th Men’s Wild Game

Dinner

Pressing Forward in 2018

In Philippians 3:10-14 the Apostle Paul expresses his desire to know Christ and press forward in the faith.

“We have all done things for which we are ashamed, and we live in the tension of what we have been and what we want to be. Because our hope is in Christ, however, we can let go of past guilt and look forward to what God will help us become. Don’t dwell on your past. Instead, grow in the knowledge of God by concentrating on your relationship with Him now.

Realize that you are forgiven, and then move on to a life of faith and obedience. Look forward to a fuller and more meaningful life because of your hope in Christ.”

Bruce B. Barton and Philip Wesley Comfort, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1995), 100.

“10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Php 3:10–14, NIV)

Online Giving

Now you can give your tithes and offerings electronically at mansfieldfirstassembly.com.

Statistics show that about 80% of people in their twenties have never written a check. The same age group rarely carries cash either. A recent study says that only about 20% of Americans write checks.

Many of Mansfield First Assembly’s constituents have asked for an electronic giving option. Now you have just such an option. At mansfieldfirstassembly.com you can give one-time offerings and you can set up recurring

contributions as well. (Very soon you will be able to give via smartphone app, too!) You can use debit cards or you can give using an e-check. Pastor Jerry asks that you consider using the e-check option since its fees are much lower to the church than using a debit card. Of course, you can always give via check and cash in the offering part of the worship service.

Youth and Kid’s Camp It’s cold and dreary in early January and that makes it hard to believe that it is time to get ready for youth and kid’s camp. Camp tuition is about $157. Each camper will pay a $40 registration fee. The church then works to raise the funds to pay the remainder for each camper ($117). Campers and parents hold various fundraisers to accomplish this goal. Pastor Jerry encourages parents to begin saving now for camp expenses and the congregation to support the fundraisers and activities of the camping ministry.

Jason Brooke Joins the Pastoral Staff! Mansfield First Assembly of God is thrilled to announce the addition of Jason and Janisha Brooke to the church’s pastoral staff. Jason is an Assemblies of God minister. He and Janisha have previously served in children’s and youth ministry at Norwood Assembly of God. They are raising their beautiful daughter Addie. Jason will serve the as the church’s Family Life Pastor. In this role, he will coordinate all children’s ministries and activities, work closely with Youth Pastor Christian Gray, and seek to provide ministry to parents of at-home children. Today’s culture poses many problems for parents desiring to raise godly children. Jason and Janisha are coming on board to help and encourage parents facing that daunting task. Jason will also serve on the church’s preaching and teaching team. He will bring his energy, His love for God, His desire to win lost souls, and his passion for the Spirit-filled life to the messages he delivers. Pastor Jerry is excited to welcome Jason and Janisha to the pastoral staff and is looking forward working with them to strengthen the families of the church and the church’s ministry to children. He encourages everyone to enthusiastically welcome Jason, Janisha, and their family into their new ministry at Mansfield First Assembly.

Philippians 3:14 “I press on toward

the goal”