SOUTHLAWN CHURCH OF GOD

Southlawn News!
For those who have been "out of the loop" much has changed!

The word is "transition" - although we're not sure what we are transitioning to. However, the scriptural reality for all churches and believers stated in Ephesians 3:19-22 (NIV) remains true: "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."
By faith we are passing through the doors that God opens before us. Those open doors are re-shaping and re-directing our focus in rather drastic ways.
Door #1: We are becoming a "Home Church" group. Even prior to the pandemic our attendance was forcing us to look at changing the way we do things. This has been a very difficult door to go through. Human nature tries to hold on to things we hold dear, and that includes holding on to the "way we have always done things." There is a very strong "family" feeling and experience which we all greatly value, but presenting the Gospel in the same way we always had - and most churches do - was not working for us. A person visiting on Sunday would feel very awkward. Adopting a Home church / small group perspective is obviously a more effective way to share the Gospel among ourselves and to present the gospel to others.

Door #2: "VIRTUAL MEETINGS" have become our major focus. While Pandemic guidelines closed many doors, they did open the door for us to meet via FreeConferenceCall. By choosing to meet via the phone we can now allow all of our members to join no matter where they are, or what their abilities with a computer may be, which is particularly helpful to our most 'Senior' members. Through the past 12 months we have meet either via phone, or in person, almost every Sunday, as well as every Wednesday morning for Bible studies. People even from other states have joined the phone meetings.

Door #3: We are encouraging participation with our 'Sister' Churches. We are in the wonderful position of having nearby churches in our Fellowship (Conference). We are encouraging our members to support these Churches as they see fit, or for needs we cannot meet. "In person" is generally preferable, especially when it comes to singing. It is amazing, however, the depth of fellowship realized even over the phone. Our "voice" is our most recognizable feature, and Jesus said His followers would recognize His voice. By narrowing and diminishing our focus on our "church", we hope to be able to support and encourage our sister churches to a greater degree.

Door #4: We have entered an agreement to SELL the Church Property! We are in a legally binding agreement to sell our buildings, and as "stewards" of ALL the resources that God has entrusted us, we unanimously believe we could help build the Kingdom of God with financial resources. If the sale goes through (it's in God's hands) we will move from being a "small group with the resource of very underutilized properties" with which to build the Kingdom of God, to being a "small group with some wonderful financial resources" with which to build the Kingdom. To enter this "door" was seen by the entire acting congregation as the wise thing to do. We have clearly seen the church is the people, not the buildings.

Door #5: I have stepped down as Pastor. I have presented these "Doors" in the exact order they have opened before us. Following these first four developments the Door has opened for Jan and I personally to step down from the responsibilities of Pastoring the Southlawn flock. I am currently still an Elder (Overseer) Biblically speaking, and heading up the Board, but my particular passion and focus is on TEACHING. And I am doing that Layperson, no longer a paid employee of the church. I never dreamed that I would be taking this step, but it has developed as naturally as everything else God has put before us. We are in the process of selling our personal business, and have already handed off almost all responsibilities. All the church, personal and pandemic realities have allowed us a freedom to still serve and teach, yet not be tied to in terms of our "location."

Door #6: Our website can become a very effective tool for teaching and evangelism. This has always been true, but now more than ever, since it is something I can do remotely, and have more time and freedom to maintain it. Most likely it will evolve from a focus on "promoting and reporting on events" to being a world-wide avenue to share what God puts on my heart. Check this site out often to view the changes and updates.

Door #7: The Unknown! If and when the properties sell we will be presented with many "unknowns." And we trust God to continue to lead us through these uncertain times. The last two Sundays (Palm Sunday and Easter) God prompted me to invite our members to join me (by phone) for an early morning devotional initiated by my desire to proclaim the great truths we hold so dear. And the participation was phenomenal! I shared that this was something I needed even if they didn't because they could all attend one of our Church of God churches, but I couldn't. I will post those messages soon.
Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
- Richard Alcumbrack

NOTE: The following message was shared January 1, 2020, two months BEFORE we were faced with a frightening World-Wide Pandemic! But notice how TRUE and FAITHFUL God was every day as we trusted in Him! The promise I was MOST mindful of was the second one listed: "God will be with you every step of the way!" I felt that, and shared that at every opportunity - and there were daily opportunities to share this good news with those who were filled with fear. We have spent the first several weeks of the new year reviewing each promise and rejoicing at how faithful, loving and PRESENT our God is! Our God is an awesome God!
How are you feeling about the New Year? Worried? Apprehensive? Hopeful? At peace?
If you are a Christian here are TEN great truths that will bring immense comfort, joy and peace!
TEN GREAT things that will hold true this year:
   • The Word of God will still prove infallible - Psalm 119:89 “Your word, O LORD, is everlasting; it is firmly fixed in the heavens.”
   • God will be with you every step of the way - Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
   • God will still give You strength when you are weak - Isaiah 40:29 “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak”
   • God will still give you wisdom for every situation you encounter - James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
   • God will still supply every need you have - Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
   • God will still give you peace as you trust in Him - Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
   • God will still give you the Holy Spirit to be with you always - John 14:15-16 “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.”
   • God will still answer your prayers - Luke 11:9-10 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
   • God will still forgive you - 1 Timothy 1:15-16 “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.”
   • God will still be saving you - Philippians 1:6 "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

IF you are not yet a Christian your salvation is not as impossible as you might think. Just consider the predicament of those who were guilty of actually shouting for the crucifixion of Jesus, the only begotten Son of God. How could they ever be forgiven? Even Judas hanged himself when he realized his guilt. When confronted with news that God had raised Jesus from the dead they cried out "What must we do?" AMAZINGLY the response of Peter to them was that they could be forgiven and welcomed into God's family, and God's promise to you is exactly the same!
Acts 2:38-39 “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
God wants all men to believe, repent and be saved. Nothing would please our God more than you responding in trust. He promises not only forgiveness, but the GIFT of His indwelling Spirit! You can be a "new creation" in Christ Jesus! If you would like more information about this promise and how to become a member of God's Kingdom please email me at ralcumbrack@mac.com.
                                                                                                                                                                             -- Pastor Richard

What Child IS This? The most important question in the Bible!
Who is this baby in a manger? We are considering this question simply using Luke 2 as our source. Simply put, it doesn't seem to be the same baby that many profess. We see no hint whatsoever that the baby was "God Incarnate," "God in the flesh," "the God-Man," the "Second Person of the Trinity," or even as has more recently become popular among Christians -- "the Creator of the Universe!" Using Luke 2, some claim that this is exactly what Mary was contemplating in her heart: how she had given birth to the ONE who created her!! Of course, there is no hint of such a notion in the text, and it presents a question (or several!).
When the Word of God states one thing, but popular teachings use that same text to state something different, which should we believe? Of course the only correct answer is that we should always go with the Word of God. In most instances we do not need a theologian to explain things to us. For instance, the text that says "Mary pondered these things in her heart" is in reference to the shepherds coming to her stating that angels (!) had just come and announced to them that Savior had been born, AND telling them where they could find the baby. There can be no doubt to any reader that she was pondering what the shepherds told her - another visitation by angels confirming precisely what the angels had previously announced separately to Joseph and herself. This was a ONCE-IN-HUMAN-HISTORY event, with a choir of angels to herald the good news.
There is no possible way to suggest that Mary could have possibly been considering that she had just given birth to God, nor to the Creator of Heaven and Earth, nor to a God-man. The angels had told her who the child would be, and that was clearly "the Son of God" (Joseph was not the Father - what was born in her was of the Holy Spirit) AND the "Christ" (Messiah). The Messiah had been identified way back in the third chapter of the Bible as "the SEED of the WOMAN." No greater definition could be given that the Messiah would be a human - not a God, and certainly not God Himself. The entire Old Testament gave the promise of a Messiah, which means "Annointed One" (One annointed to accomplish a task by the One doing the Annointing, as kings were annointed for their service.) The New Testament continually makes it clear that Jesus IS the Christ, the Son of God. This was declaration of the disciples after witnessing Jesus' earthly ministry (Matthew 16:16 "Simon Peter answered, Thou art the Christ, the Son of God."), as it was the clear description of John (John 20:31 "These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God."). Jesus himself stated, "This is eternal life to know YOU, the ONLY TRUE GOD, and Jesus Christ, whom YOU have sent." (Remember, "Christ" means the one sent. God sent Jesus, which is what we are celebrating at Christmas...and every day!! On the day the Church was born (Acts 2) Peter declared, "Men of Israel, you know that Jesus of Nazareth was a MAN appointed unto by God...". The Apostle Paul said "For us there is but One God, the Father..." and "There is One God, and one mediator between God and men, the MAN Christ Jesus. It's safe to say that not only did Mary not contemplate Jesus being God, nor did the disciples (His own students), nor did the early Church until deceptions came in, nor did Jesus himself! His favorite description of Himself was "Son of Man."
IF this baby was God, that would trump every claim that the Angels made about the baby! It would trump everything said in the Bible about Him. It would trump everything He said about Himself. It drastically changes the Gospel to it's very core, which is exactly what proponents of such a view proclaim when they state: "You must believe Jesus is God to be SAVED!" Not surprisingly the Gospel states otherwise: "These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name!" (John 20:31). This is exactly what we teach! There is no need to add a word to it, to take a word away, or to change it in any way. Perhaps this clarifies things that may have confused you. When you take God's Word at face value, and accept the words at their common meaning, a lot of things become clear.
Whether we are meeting in person, or via phone meetings (Teleconference calls) we rejoice in the opportunity to clearly share the words of Jesus, the promises of God's prophets, and even the angels. THEY have the words of life - we simply share what they said. Contact me at ralcumbrack@mac.com to learn how simple it is to join us from your home!
Pastor Richard

WHAT MUST WE DO TO BE SAVED? “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-39)

“As your days, so shall your strength be.” (Deuteronomy 33:25 - Adapted from Dr. David Jeremiah)

   Only one man is listed twice among the presidents—Grover Cleveland. He served two non-consecutive terms, so he’s listed as the twenty-second and the twenty-fourth president. Cleveland was a Presbyterian preacher’s kid who was trained in Christian truth. He faced a lot of troubles in office, but was considered honest. His dying words seem to have summed up his life: “I have tried so hard to do right.”
   Cleveland had a motto he lived by, and it hung directly over his bed where he would see it every night on retiring and every morning when awakening. He once said, “If I have any coat of arms and emblem, it is that.” It was a verse of Scripture—Deuteronomy 33:25: “As your days, so shall your strength be.”
   The point of this scripture is this: If God has given you this day to live, He will also give you all the strength you need to make it through this day. You never need fear that God will not strengthen you to face the challenges of the day!
   As we face a new year, none of us knows the challenges ahead. But if we have God, we have the passion of God’s power and strength within us. He will give us strength for each new day. In Him, you’ll always find strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. Trust in Him!
                                                                                                                                                                                               -- Pastor Richard

Proclaiming the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ since 1927

Southlawn News!For those who have been "out of the loop" much has changed!

Southlawn News!
For those who have been "out of the loop" much has changed!