Nicodemus
Pastor Joanie Read John 3:1-21
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God. -John 3:16-21
Reflect: Consider a past or present wilderness in your life. What did/does it mean to you to step out of the darkness of that wilderness and into the light? Were there things you had to (or need to) let go of? What did/does it mean to follow Christ through that wilderness?
Practice: What holds you back from following Christ? What keeps the belief in your heart and head from growing legs? Pray about the things that hold you back and take a step each day this week into the light.
The Wilderness is a Place of Mystery and the Unknown
Poem by Sarah Are, sanctifiedart.org
It’s only in the wilderness that you can see the stars.
That’s what city living has taught me.
We can shine a light on the things we want to see—
Fluorescent and bright, lighting up dark alleys.
However, it’s only in the wilderness that you can see the stars.
And it’s only in the dark of night that the questions come.
What is my purpose here? What does God have to say to me?
What does God have to say to suffering?
The sun falls and my doubt rises,
For it’s only in the dark that the questions come.
So like Nicodemus in the night,
I will throw my big questions at the sky.
And my voice will reverberate among the stars,
And my questions will echo throughout the dark.
For there in the night, my words form constellations.
And there in the wilderness, my prayers form galaxies.
So even there in the unknown, I trust that I am found.
A light shines in the darkness, friend.
So if ever you’re in the wilderness,
Look up and find the stars.
Sunday Evening Small Group
ITS NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN!
5:00 pm – Meet at the Church, Pastor Study on Second Floor
Childcare Available
A Sunday evening small group will meet for 6 weeks to support you in examining your life and your relationship to God. Conversation and reflection will be fueled by David Platt’s Something Needs To Change.
If you have your life, your faith, and following Christ all figured out, then this study is not for you. But who are you kidding? None of us have it all figured out! We all need to examine the life to which Christ calls us.
There is a ministry burning within your heart. God has a mission in mind for you right where your great passion meets the world’s great need.
Will you have to re-prioritize your life? You betcha!
Will you find new depths of love for yourself and others? Guaranteed!
Welcome to the adventure that has been suppressed for oh so long!
This Week at Hood…
Wednesday, March 11 – 1:30 pm – Prayer & Bible Study Small Group
Thursday, March 12 – 3:00 pm – Ladles of Love Meal Preparation & Delivery
Friday, March 13 – 11:00 am – 2:00 pm BBQ Fundraiser (Ron’s Barn BBQ); volunteers needed for set-up at 9:30 am
Friday, March 13 – 5:30 pm – Youth gather at Hood Memorial for Dunn/Erwin youth rally
Sunday, March 15 – 10:00 am – Sunday Morning Small Group
Sunday, March 15 – 11:00 am – Worship – Guest Musician Kyle Matthews
Sunday, March 15 – 5:00 pm – Sunday Evening Small Group (Location: Hood Mem. Christian Church)
