Epaphras: Faithful Service

 Pastor’s Pen,

This Sunday: Epaphras: Faithful Service                                                           Colossians 4:12, 13  

If someone were to ask you to identify the most impactful servants of Christ, it is likely the names of Paul and Peter would come to mind. Certainly they and other members of the 
apostles served our Lord faithfully.

 

However if you were to had the opportunity to ask the apostle Paul that question, I suspect he my name a man named Epaphras. A native of the city of Colossae, Epaphras likely played a key role in planting churches in Colossae, Laodicea and Hierapolis, the three key cities of the Lycus Valley in what today is Turkey. After playing a key role in founding the churches there, he wound up spending time with Paul in Rome, where he was identified as a ”fellow prisoner.” There is much to be learned from the life of this little-known New Testament saint.

 

*****

 

We appreciate those who help sanitize our facilities for services each Saturday morning in in in in in in in in in in in preparation for Sunday worship as well as those who make it possible for us to ‘live-stream’ on Facebook at 10:45 each Sunday morning, and to post each Sunday’s message on our website (www.fccwylie.org) on Sunday afternoons. 

 

When you enter the sanctuary Sunday, after you are given a bulletin, stop by the communion table where the offering plates are located in the rear of the worship center and pick up your disposable communion cup. Then following the service, please dispose of it in the trash can. (Mark 10:45) 

 

We continue to hold our Sunday services with all safety protocols and pre-service sanitizing in place. No Sunday school yet, and the nursery is not available.  We are now following the latest CDC guidelines which allow fully vaccinated individuals to go without masks. We use bulletins printed untouched by human hands, with songs, etc. printed therein, and pre-packaged communion elements. Offering plates are located at the rear, or giving can be done online at www.fccwylie.org.

 

If you still feel uncomfortable attending, feel free to join our live stream on Facebook, at 10:45 AM, which includes communion and the worship hymns. Or the message is available each Sunday afternoon on our website. (www.fccwylie.org)

 

Epaphras: Faithful Service                                                                                         Colossians 4:12, 13  

I. He pointed the Colossians to Christ  (12a)

a. He related to them as one of them

 

b. He modeled the Savior before them

 

c. He taught them the Truth

 

II. He prayed for them faithfully (12b)

a. He was steadfast in prayer

 

b. He was personal in his prayer 

 

c. He was specific in his prayer (Spiritual goals)

 

III. He persisted in serving them (13)

a. Zealous, strenuous effort

 

b. Not limited to Colossae in his service

 

Conclusion:

​Share Christ

​Live for Christ

​Pray faithfully

​Serve diligently

                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                            

PRAYER ITEMS: Please check the Prayer list on the Bulletin!

Bruce Moilan—recovery, continued progress dealing with multiple health issues: Also, grandson Lucas and son Drew, recovering from surgery. Drew will have eye surgery in December.

Kim Ramsey-health issues

John Royal’s father: parents relocated to Texas

Rbeda’s brother-in-law—spiritual 

Darla: health issues; she and other healthcare workers; educators, students

A.B. Simmons, recovering

Mike’s son Jesse

Shirley’s cousin: lost his wife, heart surgery upcoming

Rebekah Justice: foster son recovering from open heart surgery

William Martin-colon cancer

RADIO THIS WEEKEND:  

The open enrollment period for Medicare continues through December 8, as advertising floods the airwaves.  Medicare authority Toni King of tonisays.com joins host Don Hawkins with practical answers to Medicare questions, this weekend on Encouragement Live.

Encouragement Live can be heard Saturday at 7:05 PM central time on American Family Radio (90.9 FM) or (www.afr.net) and on theworshipchannel.org. Re-broadcast Sunday 9 pm on The Worship Channel.