Elections

Weekly Update – November 3rd, 2022

It is that time again.  It comes around every two years.  That’s right – it is election time.  Every two years it seems as though the stakes are higher, the parties are more divided and the nation is in peril.  Now I don’t want to downplay this election, there are clearly multiple ideologies being promoted that will take our nation in one direction or the other.  But I do want to communicate that despite the uncertainty of November 8^th and for that matter the next several years, there is still reason for hope. 

Now here is why I bring up hope.  I don’t say this because I think there are certain candidates who are going to win or because I have insider information about the economy.  I say this for two reasons.  First, despite the election or whatever the future of our country holds, we as believers have a God who reigns over all things.  Romans 13:1 says “let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”  God is the one who is sovereign over the upcoming election, he is sovereign over all of our government’s decisions and he will remain sovereign over the affairs of our government for the years to come.  Does that mean we sit back, neglect to vote and pray to God for our desired outcome?  Not necessarily.  We pray to God for our government and its rulers (1 Timothy 2:1-2), and yes we vote, but ultimately we trust in the Lord (Ps. 20:7). 

Second, we can have hope because the kingdom of God is much bigger than the events of one nation.  Matthew 6:25-33 tells us not worry about the needs of this world, but to seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness.  Revelation 5:9 says that in heaven there will be people from every tribe and tongue and nation worshipping at the throne of God.  This means that God is not trying to bring some sort of utopia to America through one or more political candidates, nor is he even trying to form a Christian nation.  God is expanding his kingdom through the proclamation of the gospel and redeeming people through the blood of his son Jesus Christ. Therefore, our nation is better served when we point others to Christ rather than our candidate of choice.  As Hebrews 12:28 says, we are looking to an unshakable kingdom rather than any kingdom of this earth.

With that said, just as in the last few elections, there is still some division, especially among Christians about how to vote.  But even more than this, there seems to be those who are proclaiming doomsday if their candidate or candidates do not get elected.  As Christians we can’t go in that direction.  We are citizens of another kingdom first, with a king who will never be overthrown and who will always do what is right.  We must display our trust in him, even if the kingdom of this world goes to complete shambles.

Ultimately we believe that the only person to ever be proclaimed from our pulpit or our church is Jesus Christ.  Even so, I want to encourage you to think wisely as a Christian who is not of this world, but instead sent to it (John 17:16-18), ultimately for the promotion of a greater king and kingdom.  Yes vote, yes support what is good and right, but, even more, remain in hope as we live in this world, longing for the world to come. 

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson

Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson

Fighter Verse for the Week

"[For] this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, ¹⁸as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."  - 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Announcements:

Volunteers Needed: Volunteers are still needed during the 10:30am nursery time. Check the update or email the office for more information on how you can serve.

Class Brunch: The Ladies’ Sunday morning Bible Study taught by Mary Furr will be having a class brunch at 9:30am in the Faith Center Gym. If you are part of Mary’s class, you can find more information about this event HERE.

Ladies’ Brunch and Crafting: Ladies of the church are invited to the Diaz home for a potluck brunch and crafting at 10am on Saturday, November 5th. More information can be found HERE and a signup sheet can be found on the bulletin board.

Daylight Saving Time: Be sure to set your clocks back one hour this Sunday, November 6th.

Thanksgiving Dinner: The annual Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner will be held following the service on Sunday, November 13th. Turkey and mashed potatoes will be provided. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the hall. More information can be found HERE.

Turkey Bowl: Immediately following our Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner, we will bring back our infamous “Turkey Bowl” football game out in the open field, north of the church. No need to sign up, just be ready after dinner that Sunday.

Christmas Cookie Exchange: The Nelson family will be hosting a Christmas Cookie exchange in their home on Saturday, December 3rd. More information about the exchange can be found HERE.

Christmas Tree Decorating: Join us as we decorate the church Christmas tree on Main Street, following the service on Sunday, December 4th. We will have refreshments in the gym after decorating the tree.

Awana

Join us for Awana Bible Clubs on Wednesday nights. Dinner is at 6:00pm and Awana Clubs are from 6:30-8:00pm.

Bible Study

Join us for Bible Study at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. Click HERE for more information.

Giving

To Give Online, Go HERE. 

You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030

Home Groups

Home Groups began on Sunday, September 18th. If you are interested in joining one, you can find more information HERE.

Ladies’ Bible Study

Ladies, join us for a Bible study through the book of Exodus on Tuesday nights at 6:30pm. You can learn more about this 10 week Bible Study HERE.

Prayer

An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE. 

Prepare for Sunday

Guide for Worship can be found HERE.