12-26-2021
12-26-2021 - Online Service
Speaker: Rev. Trevor Johnston
Sermon: Prayer
English PDF file for printing.
1. Is there a person who inspires you? Share about why you find that person inspiring.
2. Teachers have had a rough year, and we are especially grateful for their faithfulness in their important role of teaching and training the next generation. Share about a teacher who made a difference in your own life or in the life of one of your kids.
3. Trevor was inspired by the prayer that Jesus’s mother, Mary, prayed when she found out that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit with God’s Son, the long-awaited Messiah.
Read that prayer in Luke 1:46-56:
And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord, 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
Mary was probably only about 14 years old when she prayed this. What stands out to you about her prayer?
4. It’s very likely that part of what helped Jesus learn to pray was watching his mom and dad pray. If you have an older relative who was a faithful person of prayer, share about that person and what you’ve observed about their prayer life.
Pastor Trevor observed the following three things about prayer:
· Prayer is the Best Way to Bless People Around Me
5. Often we think of prayer as something we do when we can’t think of anything else to do for someone. It’s true that the Bible teaches that it’s important to find practical and tangible ways to help people. But Scripture also teaches that prayer is actually the best thing we can do for others. Why is that?
6. If you’ve ever had people pray for you, how has that impacted your life?
· Prayer Dramatically Changes Circumstances
7. Look again at Luke 1:52-53. What did Pastor Trevor mean by what he called “the grand reversal” here?
8. Some people think that prayer is simply meant to be therapeutic for us, but doesn’t really change the circumstances. What causes people to think that? What’s wrong with that way of thinking about prayer?
9. Have you ever experienced a situation where you believe that prayer dramatically changed the circumstances? If so, share about that.
10. If prayer really does change things (and we believe it does!), how might our community and our world be changed if you – and if we as a church – begin to pray more faithfully and more specifically in 2022?
Prayer Makes Me More Like Jesus
11. Look again at Luke 1:46-47. To “glorify” God is to make a big deal about God, telling Him and others how awesome He is. What happens to a person’s soul, when you glorify God?
12. Read what the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:18 - And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
What is Paul getting at in this verse?
13. Prayer helps you become more like Jesus. Given that fact, what concrete steps could you take to get better at prayer and do it more regularly?
In mid-January, we are excited to experience 21 Days of Prayer together as a church. Watch for more information about that to come soon!
Ready for your next step? – If you would like to take a next step in your faith journey, such as trusting your life to Christ or getting baptized, text the word “Next” to 561-264-6079 and follow the steps there, and we’ll contact you to help you do that.
News and Announcements:
· New Here? Let us know who you are by texting “connect” to 561-264-6079.
Christmas Service Times: Go to communityofhope.church/christmas to get all the details.
Christmas Missions Offering: We invite everyone to give an extra amount again this Christmas to support our missions and outreach over the coming year. This year’s goal is $150,000 to expand our ministry to the poor in our community by purchasing a box truck with a lift and a pick-up truck. We’ll use any additional funds as seed money to build a facility on our Loxahatchee Campus to enable us to have cold food storage and additional space for our “Love the 561” ministries and for other needs we have as our church grows. You can give all throughout Advent and at our Christmas Eve services at communityofhope.church/give.
Daniel Fast Group: Sundays | 8:45AM -10AM | LOX Campus | January 2 - 30
A 5-week group led by Fatma Collins to support each other in doing a 21-day partial fast to help you draw near to God and give your body a fresh start as you start the new year. Register at communityofhope.church/groups
Dads Group: Sundays 4:30-6:00pm | Loxahatchee Campus
Come join our new weekly group for dads, step-dads, foster dads & granddads to grow in our faith and as dads. Childcare will be provided for our regular meetings, and once a month we’ll do a fun activity with kids instead of the regular meeting. This group will be led by Omar Vega. To learn more, attend our Dads Group Kick-off BBQ Event on January 9th at 4:30. This event will include activities like axe throwing and corn hole, as well as a delicious BBQ dinner at no cost to you! Be sure to register for the Kick-off BBQ Event so we know how many to expect. Regular Dads Group meetings will start January 16th. Register at communityofhope.church/groups
Connections Class - Sundays from 10:15 - 11:30 a.m. on January 9, 16, 23 & 30
Connections is a 4-week class on how to live the Christian life, and it’s also the best way to get more connected at Community of Hope. You’ll learn about our church’s mission, values, and statement of faith. At the end of the four weeks, you’ll have the opportunity to become a Community of Hope partner, if you wish, which opens more opportunities for leadership and service. The class will be offered in-person and also over Zoom, for those who can’t attend in-person. Register at communityofhope.church/connections
· Thank you for your regular financial support, which makes it possible for us to minister to you and to our community! If you haven’t already, consider setting up automated giving to help you be consistent even when you’re traveling. To give to Community of Hope go to communityofhope.church/give.