Hope for Hard Times

 Pastor’s Pen,

This Sunday: Hope for Hard Times                                                                                            1 Peter 1:1-13  

Have you ever been away from home, lonely, maybe a little depressed, going through hard times?  Then you received an encouraging letter from a loved one, and your spirits were lifted!


That's how the Christians who were scattered through the five provinces of Asia Minor must've felt when they received this letter from Peter. They been under persecution many have been forced to leave their homes jobs and loved ones after they had welcomed the gospel message and trusted Christ as Savior.


Godless Emperor Nero had singled out Christians as scapegoats for his troubles in some believers had begun to wonder, has God removed his favor? Are we being punished? 


It may have seemed as if Peter was reading their minds when he wrote to encourage them during suffering, letting them know of three identifying marks and demonstrated their place in God's ultimate purpose.


Special thanks to Bruce Moilan for preaching for me last Sunday, providing an introductory message on the life of Peter.  And my personal thanks to each of you for your prayers for me during my “visit with Omicron.”



*****


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)


Hope for Hard Times                                                                                                 1 Peter 1:1-13     

  • We Christians are sojourners in this world (v. 1)
    • Pilgrims
    • Foreigners-aliens     


  • We Christians have been selected by God  (v. 2a) 
    • We’ve been marked out beforehand--elected by God 
    • We are responsible to choose


  • We have been made Saints by the Holy Spirit (v. 2b)
    • Set apart to obedience 
      • We “obey the Gospel” Acts 
      • We are to live obedient lives
    • Sprinkled (cleansed) by the blood of Jesus
      • The basis of our salvation
      • The provision for daily cleansing 


Conclusion:

Don’t let the pressures of this world dishearten you

Be assured of your salvation through God's Word

Live like a saint through the power of the Holy Spirit





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

Bruce Moilan—recovery, continued progress dealing with multiple health issues: Also, son Drew, to regain full eyesight, and Amanda, recovering from appendectomy.

Joanne Simmons, recovering from surgery, A B will need another Mohs procedure

Pastor’s brother John Hawkins—Kidney failure

John Royal’s father

Rbeda’s brother-in-law—spiritual 

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

Mike’s son Jesse

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

William Martin-colon cancer

Kay Holley: Daughter Stacy, bleeding ulcer


RADIO THIS WEEKEND:

‘Tis the season for New Year's resolutions. Some of the most common include losing weight, exercising to get fit, and getting out of debt to save money. Sadly even at this early date many New Year's resolutions have already been cast aside. This weekend on Encouragement Live Christian life coach Rodney Love joins host Don Hawkins to take a biblical approach to the subject with practical encouragement and help. 

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. 


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