MESSAGE NOTES
A World In Need Of Reconciliation
Colossians 1:19-23
Dr. Jeffrey Clark
The Big Idea: God sent Christ to achieve complete and ultimate reconciliation.
To achieve cosmic and universal reconciliation.
To achieve particular and family reconciliation.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Quick Review: Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged or confused you?
My Story: Can you think of some “theological” terms that require a definition using non-theological words?
Digging Deeper:
1) Reconciliation is a word which requires a definition. It essentially means to restore a relationship by removing an obstacle that caused a break in a relationship. Can you provide an example of reconciliation and how it works?
2) Reconciliation can apply to any relationship; however, the Bible has special interest in a relationship to God. What are some aspects of Christian reconciliation that are unique?
3) A cosmic and universal reconciliation has been achieved by Christ’s work on the cross. How does this reconciliation apply to fallen angels and evil people, the impersonal material world and to good angels and believers?
4) In some corners of Christianity, teaching exists that all human beings will eventually be saved. How does the context of this passage not support such an interpretation?
5) There is a conditional clause in this passage: if you continue in the faith. How should this be understood? Is it possible for genuine believers to lose their salvation? What is the perseverance of the saints?
Taking it Home: With a conversation partner, ask about the word “reconciliation” and what it means. Be ready to share your understanding of how reconciliation is available in Christ.
NEWCOMERS RECEPTION
We would love to meet you at our Welcome Center in the lobby and share a gift and available opportunities. Our Pastoral team would also love to meet you and will linger in the front after the services to this end. You may let us know you were here by using a Communication Card found in our worship folder. We receive these in containers on tables in the Celebration Center.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY
Don’t miss the opportunity in our lobby to snap a picture with family and friends in celebration of this day!
BABY BOTTLES IN THE LOBBY
Yearly, during the weeks that separate Mother’s Day from Father’s Day, (May 14 – June 18) Life’s Options, one of our ministry partners, makes baby bottles available for your donations. Just fill the bottles with the pocket change from wherever you drop your coins each day and return the filled bottles to church by Father’s Day, June 18. Your small change makes a big difference!
IDRAHAJE UPDATE
Next week Aspen Ridge Church will hear an update from our ministry partner IdRaHaJe. We will hear from Justin Woodside, Camp Development Director. In the meantime, please pray for the upcoming opportunities for the gospel through summer camp.
NEWCOMER’S EAT & GREET
Are you interested in getting to know more about Aspen Ridge? Pastor Jeff and Mary will host this informal gathering at their home on Sunday, May 21 at 2:00 PM. The address is 7183 Pinewood Drive in Evergreen. We would love to connect with you and hear more about your interests/desires. Please RSVP with the church office.
SUMMER SCHEDULE CHANGES
Memorial Day weekend begins our summer schedule. We will adjust our service times, with Saturday services remaining the same and Sunday services combining into one 10:00 AM service. We will resume our regular schedule in the fall.
MEMORIAL DAY
On Memorial Day weekend Aspen Ridge Church will spend concerted time praying for the welfare of our great nation. Further, Pastor Jeff will bring a message entitled “Political Expectations” from Psalm 110.
SONGS FROM THE WEEKEND
House of the Lord – Phil Wickham
God I Look To You – Bethel
Goodness of God – Bethel
Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me – CityAlight
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Aspen Ridge Church invites children to this year’s VBS as we teach about Jesus in our Food Truck Party, On A Roll With God VBS, June 12-16, 9:00 AM–noon. Online registration is open on our website or use AspenRidgeChurch.org/vbs-2023 for a direct link. Be a part of the summer’s biggest party in our mountain community! Volunteer training is Sunday, June 4 after the morning service.
LOOKING AHEAD
As the school year comes to a close, Aspen Ridge Church leaders are prayerfully considering how to increase the effectiveness of our ministry for the next year. If you have ideas on how to improve things, could you please write down such ideas on a communication card? We seek to gather all these ideas by mid-June. Thanks for your input.
MISSIONS TRIP 2023
Pastor Kreg is leading a trip to Honduras to work with one of our missionaries July 26-August 2. This trip is open to high schoolers and to families from Aspen Ridge Church. If interested, please email Kreg.
ROYAL FAMILY KIDS
Aspen Ridge Church is partnering with Royal Family Kids (RFK) to bring 40 foster kids to camp from July 30-August 4, 2023. Please contact Bethany Van Mill at [email protected] to learn more about being a counselor for the week of camp and the many other ways to help.
DID YOU KNOW?
All people are on a spiritual quest even if they might not expressly affirm such. An intellectual believer is someone who believes in God but who is not committed to God. Someone indifferent has ceased caring about the issue of God. Someone contented has it all and doesn’t think he or she needs God. Do you know people in these kinds of places? How can you love and serve these?
GIVING SUMMARY AS OF MAY 7, 2023
GENERAL FUND LAST WEEK THIS MONTH FISCAL YTD
Actual $ 13,216 $ 13,216 $ 597,287
Budget $ 16,634 $ 16,634 $ 595,340
Difference $ (3,418) $ (3,418) $ 1,947