The Well Church of the Nazarene

Worship - Go, pt. 4

Backup plans are the reality of life. Unforeseen circumstances affect our lives more so than our planning. How do we pursue God's mission when things go contrary to our plans?

Contentment is rare in our world. But in his letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul urges the Church to seek contentment that's not based on circumstances, but rather a focus on better things. Contentment does not mean the absence of sorrow or pain. Contentment means that in our sorrow and pain, we will choose to focus on something good. We can lean into God. We can be content in any circumstance through God who gives us strength.

Naz Chat w/ Lauren Woolum

Pastor Paul chats with Lauren Woolum, a graduate of Marysville High School and Kent State University. In her college years, Lauren experienced a transition in her faith, from viewing salvation as a get-out-of-hell free card, to learning what it really means to be a follower of Jesus and pursue his mission. She teaches part-time at Kent State, dabbles in woodworking, and attends and works at a college-based church called H2O, where she first felt the call to campus ministry.

You can support Lauren by praying for her ministry at H2O and its students, or by contributing financially at reliant.org/lauren.woolum

Series Discussion - Go, wk. 3

Our scripture this week is from one of Paul's letters to the church of Ephesus, where he continues to guide and disciple them, encouraging them to keep going with The Great Commission. There are many ways you can engage in conversation around this passage, and we encourage you to take our discussion example and intentionally examine scripture and share your observations with others.

Pastors Mara, Paul, and Josh share their thoughts on Ephesians 6:10-18, with an emphasis on verses 12 and 18. This "battle" we're facing isn't against others. It's against the darkness within ourselves. But unfortunately, we often mistake our culture and understanding for what Christianity is, and when we apply those cultural, personal interpretations to scripture, it's possible to miss what the Word is actually saying.

The good news is, if we consistently pray "not my will, Your will" it shifts our perspective, and can totally change the way we approach every situation, every struggle, every battle, from its focus on what others are doing, to a focus on our own relationship with God, and seeing people the way God sees them. Choose your weapons carefully!

Bible Study - Weapons for Battle, Wk. 1

In this Bible Study series, we're taking an in-depth look at the Armor of God from Ephesians 6:10-18. The weapons Paul talks about in this passage are tools we can use to accomplish God's mission to invite, include, and train others, and we'll be discussing these in depth over the next several weeks.

This week, the focus is Ephesians 6:12, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood..." The "battle" we're facing is not a battle against people. If our "weapons" are used against others, we're living contrary to the mission. Our mission is people.

Worship - Go, pt. 3

"Go" - Week 3: Finding our mission in His Power.

Church is not a time, but a people pursuing the mission of God. We are called to invite, include, and train others. Our mission is people. If we view others as the enemy, we're living contrary to His mission. Therefore, we need to choose the right weapons for battle--the offensive and defensive tools we need to fight darkness and accomplish this mission...together.

 

Naz Chat w/ Jim Carsey

Pastor Paul and Jim Carsey talk about the days before and after World War II; the memory of his loving wife, Evelyn; and a history of God's unfailing provision over his life at home, in his 32 years of work for General Motors, and in his service to the church.

Series Discussion - Go, wk. 2

Josh, Paul and Mara discuss Acts 2:1-12 and the days leading up to Pentecost, when the disciples were in a waiting period between the resurrection and Christ's ascension. There are many unseen/unnamed people (men and women) who are significant in this story, which brings home the point that the Gospel is for everyone. But how do you explain the personhood, presence, and power of the Holy Spirit? How can we, as Christians, find our identity in relationship with God, as well as maturity in our faith, through the Holy Spirit?

We hope you enjoy these discussions as much as we enjoy doing them. We publish these weekly as a model for you to hold these same types of conversations outside of church, among family and friends. Scripture, and the sermons and discussions they inspire, are meant to be a kick-off/starting point for discipleship at home. What is the Holy Spirit doing in and through you that may impact others, especially those in your family? How can you share those experiences with those around you?

Bible Study - The Lord's Prayer, pt. 6

A journey through The Lord's Prayer - Week Six. This is our last week studying The Lord's Prayer, bringing our focus to its closing: "For Yours is the Kingdom..."

Worship - Go, pt. 2

"Go" - Week 2: Finding our mission in His Spirit.

The routines of our lives have shifted because of COVID-19, which allows us the opportunity to reevaluate what is important--in our personal lives and in our church. One thing we've experienced through this pandemic is that Church is not a building or a time, but a people pursuing the mission of God. We love our gatherings, and long for the day when people are back in the building with us for worship. But the effectiveness of His mission grows exponentially when we see our goings as important as our gatherings. God meets people where they are. We fulfill the Great Commission when we allow his Spirit to flow through us in our gatherings and our goings. 

Naz Chat w/ Our 6th Graders

In this week's Naz Chat, Mara talks quarantine life, favorite church memories, and Mother's Day with a couple of our 6th graders, Richard and Andrew.