SJCGuidingPrinciples
Prayer, Praise & Testimony Service
Join us for a special Special Prayer, Praise & Testimony Service on Tue. April 23 7p at SL and Wed. April 24 12 noon and 7p at GP. We invite you to share a testimony of what God has done for you and our church family during this season of sacrifice and spiritual renewal. Click here to share your testimony!
SeasonOfSacrifice
SJC SEASON OF SACRIFICE & SPIRITUAL RENEWAL
Join us in the St. John Church Unleashed Season of Sacrifice & Spiritual Renewal which will include 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, Spiritual Growth Sessions and a Prayer Gathering – as we seek spiritual renewal, insight and guidance in areas of spiritual discipline, personal development, family, church, community and more. Our theme for the year is Dare to Dream…Big Visions for God! (1 Chronicles 4:9-10). Jabez prayed a personal prayer that had global impact. Dare to pray big prayers!
- Spiritual Growth Sessions – March 19 – April 10, Tue. SL & Wed. GP, 7p
- Days of Prayer & Fasting – Wed. March 27 – Fri. April 19 (Good Friday)
- Prayer Gathering – Tue. March 26 at 7p SL & Wed. March 27 at 7p GP
SPIRITUAL GROWTH SESSIONS & PRAYER GATHERING
Session 1: Purpose and Preparation of Prayer and Fasting
Tue. March 19, 7p SL and Wed. March 20, 7p GP
Session 2: PRAYER GATHERING “The Power of Prayer“
Tue. March 26, 7p SL and Wed. March 27, 7p GP
Session 3: Resisting Temptation – Forgiveness – Being Financially Disciplined
Tue. April 2, 7p SL and Wed. April 3, 7p GP
Session 4: Listening to the Voice of God – Studying the Word –
Sharing the Gospel
Tue. April 9, 7p SL and Wed. April 10, 7p GP
21 DAYS OF PRAYER AND FASTING
Download 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting
Download 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting
4 COMPONENTS:
1. Personal Quiet Time – Plan to set aside time to spend with God everyday and be consistent! Pray more regularly, meditate, recite devotionals, and read Scripture.
2. Church-wide Prayer Call – The 6:00 am daily Prayer Call begins Wednesday, March 27.
CALL-IN NUMBER: 530-881-1212 / MEETING ID: 291-359-153#
3. Personal Sacrifice – choose your own such that in your suffering you are constantly reminded of the power and presence of God in your life.
4. Church-wide Sacrifice:
- Monday – Meatless Monday – No eating meat, except for the meat of the Word.
- Tuesday – Turn-off Tuesday – Unplug for at least 3 hours while awake and tap into the power of God. No TV, cell phones, computer, electronics, etc
- Wednesday – Withhold Wednesday – No non-essential spending of money. Instead spend time in prayer and in God’s Word.
- Thursday – Thirsty Thursday – No food. Water only (if medically able) from 6a-12noon. During this time develop a hunger and thirst for God’s Word.
- Friday – Family Friday – Unplug and spend time with family and friends. Pray, play board games, walk in the park, etc.
- Saturday – Saving Saturday – No non-essential spending of money. Instead spend time serving others and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- Sunday – Sabbath Sunday – Day of worship. Join us for worship at one of services 7a, 9a, 11a at GP and 10a at SL
PRAYER
During Lent, Christians are encouraged to pray more regularly, meditate, recite devotionals, and read Scripture.
You are encouraged to join us DAILY (Sunday through Saturday) for our 6:00AM morning prayer call. To access the call dial 530-881-1212, then enter 291359153# when prompted.
WHAT IS LENT?
Lent is the span of time in the church calendar that starts with Ash Wednesday and ends with Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday commemorates the beginning of Jesus’ 40-day fasting and his temptation in the desert, while Easter Sunday commemorates Jesus’ resurrection from the grave after his crucifixion. Lent is generally observed as a time for Christians to reflect, repent, and pray as a way of preparing their hearts for Resurrection.
Lent as we know it today did not exist in the early years of the church, and it only came to be due to growing acceptance of Christianity toward the end of the Roman Empire. It is commonly observed by many Christian denominations—Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and others—although not every Christian church or denomination does so. Because Lent is not officially instituted in Scripture, observing it is not in any way a “requirement” of Christianity. However, Christians from many different theological persuasions choose to observe it as a way of focusing their thoughts on Jesus Christ leading up to Resurrection Sunday.
FASTING
Fasting is a spiritual discipline where the practitioner desires to hear from God. The practice of fasting is mentioned numerous times in the Bible as a reaction to various circumstances. We see from the biblical examples that fasting should be used as a means to humble ourselves before God and seek His forgiveness, comfort, help, guidance, strength and His will. Fasting allows us to draw closer to God.
The Bible also gives instructions about the attitude and approach we should have in fasting. Jesus warned about hypocritical fasting, trying to show off or make others feel sorry for us (Matthew 6:16-17). Instead we should not “appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place” (verse 18). Isaiah also contrasts selfish fasting with godly fasting marked by care and concern for others (Isaiah 58:3-10). Fasting was an act of repentance, as when the king of Nineveh ordered a fast after the preaching of Jonah (Jonah 3:5-9). Fasting was also a reaction to intense grief, as when the bones of Saul and his sons were buried (1 Samuel 31:13). We also find people fasting when God’s deliverance was needed, as when Jehoshaphat was approached by a large invading army (2 Chronicles 20:3).
“Fasting” as it’s practiced by Christians during Lent implies abstention from certain foods, actions, or activities (technology, sporting events, etc). The Lenten fast entails a general spirit of repentance and piety that might distinguish it from other periods of the year.
The choice to observe Lent is a personal one—the whole point is to focus your heart and mind on the sacrifice made by Jesus, and if you do be prepared for a level of intimacy with God you have never known!
Eggstravaganza with 3v3 Basketball Tournament
Our Annual EGGSTRAVAGANZA is going down at Southlake Campus (aka the Park@SL). Family, Fun, Food, and Fellowship from NOON – 3:00PM. Bring your entire family and your friends to join in the games GALORE, crafts, Easter egg hunt, plus food & drinks.
Volunteers are needed! Candy donations can be dropped in the boxes located in lobby. For additional information contact rjohnson@sjbcfamily.com or call the church office at 972-264-1483
New this year, we will kick the day off with a 3v3 Basketball Tournament
Description
This is a double elimination tournament. Each team will have no more than 4 players and they must all be in the same age division. The last day to register is April 12th. We will have multiple divisions. EACH PLAYER MUST REGISTER INDIVIDUALLY and list the TEAM NAME they are on.
THE COST IS $25 Per Team. Please pay at the door before the first game.
RULES:
10 minute games or first to 11 win by two. If time expires, then whoever is ahead is the winner. Sudden death overtime. Ball is determined by rock, paper, scissors.
5th-6th grade Boys
5th-6th grade Girls
7th-8th grade Boys
7th-8th grade Girls
8th-9th grade Boys
High School Boys
High School Girls
QUESTIONS? E-MAIL THEHOOPTX@GMAIL.COM OR FOLLOW THE REGISTRATION LINK BELOW
3v3 Registration link, just click here