SEUCC Orientation Pamphlet

NEW MEMBERS’ ORIENTATION

REVEREND COURTNEY CLAYTON JENKINS Senior Pastor & Teacher

“When you’re here, you’re home!”

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WELCOME I to NEW MEMBERS' ORIENTATION

want to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to participate in the orientation process. You are not here by accident, but by Divine arrangement.

Thank you for allowing God to order your steps to South Euclid United Church of Christ. If there were no you, there would be no need for this ministry.

The New Members’ Orientation is mandatory for all new members and it is the primary requirement for involvement in South Euclid United Church of Christ servant communities. It is designed to inform you and to encourage you to get connected to our Church body via our servant communities.

Today we will provide you with an overview of foundational information including Church History, our Statement of Faith, the Senior Pastor, Our Vision for this Season of Ministry, Mission Statement, Vision Statement, Motto and Goal. This phase also covers fundamental topics of the Christian faith such as God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Christian Precepts, Humanity and Sin, Salvation, Baptism, Prayer and Stewardship.

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

PSALM 118:24

I want to thank you for your commitment to complete the orientation process. I understand that it requires a sacrifice of your time. Whether you are a “brand new” member or a “not-so-new” member, I appreciate your presence here today.

We are committed to ensuring that you are edified and God is glorified during your orientation process. I look forward with anticipation to the things that you will accomplish in ministry to God’s people after this process is over.

Additionally, I invite you to continue in our assimilation process so that you become fully connected with our church. I especially invite you to make a commitment to your discipleship process by participating in various Christian Education opportunities through our Pastor’s Bible Study and Small Groups.

Called for the Purpose of the Kingdom,

Reverend Courtney Clayton Jenkins Senior Pastor & Teacher South Euclid United Church of Christ

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ABOUT OUR CHURCH

Church History where many of the members had moved. Instead, Euclid Avenue kept its location at Euclid and East 96th Street.

The Beginnings

The forerunner of Euclid Avenue Congregational Church which later became part of the United Church of Christ, grew out of a Sunday school. The congregation met in homes and barns until a two-story brick building was built in 1845 at the corner of Euclid Avenue and Doan (now East 105th Street).

It offered a variety of community outreach programs which included a daycare, the Hough House Service Center, and a program for chemically-dependent mothers. In the 1980s, Euclid Avenue Congregational Church was refurbished.

The tie to the Presbyterian church was severed in 1852. For a decade, the congregation was known as the Independent Presbyterian Church, not adopting the Congregational style of church government until 1862. It was that year the church became the First Congregational Church of East Cleveland.

The Fire

In March 2010, a bolt of lightning struck the church building. The lightning hit the top of the building. The fire which swept through was enormous. The fire claimed the building and everything that was inside. Within days, the congregation moved temporarily into the former First United Methodist Church building at Euclid Avenue and East 30th Street. For four years, the congregation worshipped at that location.

In 1867 at the corner of Euclid Avenue and Logan, now renamed East 96th Street, a large sandstone building was constructed. At a cost of $25,000, the building became home to a congregation which numbered 109. In 1872, the church changed its name to the Euclid Avenue Congregational Church.

Rising from the Ashes

In July 2013, Euclid Avenue Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ purchased a 10-acre site in South Euclid, Ohio. The facility had been the property of the Cleveland Catholic Diocese. Renamed South Euclid United Church of Christ, the members of the former Euclid Avenue Congregational Church moved to our current location. We held our first service July 6, 2014, realizing the congregation had truly risen from the ashes.

That church gave birth to four other churches which were missions of the larger Euclid Avenue Congregational. One of them, Hough Avenue Congregational Church, merged with Euclid Avenue Congregational in 1934. During a period of a population shift in the late 1940s and the 1950s, the membership declined. However, church membership decided against relocating to the suburbs

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CHURCH COVENANT

South Euclid United Church of Christ

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y God’s grace and as members of South Euclid United Church of Christ, we solemnly and joyfully covenant with God and one another to serve together as one body in Christ, where all are welcomed as sisters and brothers.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, we will: Build and nurture our relationship with God through regular worship, Bible study, prayer and service.

Build and nurture our relationship with each other by consistent fellowship, remembering each other in prayer, helping each other in sickness and distress, and rejoicing when another is honored.

Extend hospitality by respecting and honoring difference and by embracing diversity as a gift from God. Strengthen the ministry of our church by generously sharing our talents and gifts, our time, and our financial resources and by committing ourselves to social justice, peace and the integrity of creation.

Witness and proclaim the Gospel by sharing our faith with people of all ages, by living a life that attracts others to God, and by supporting the worldwide spread of the Gospel.

In these things and more, we rely on our God who has made a new and everlasting covenant with us. In and because of Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen!

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STATEMENT OF FAITH

United Church of Christ (in the form of a Doxology) We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit, God of our Savior, Jesus Christ and our God, and to your deeds we testify: You call the worlds into being, created persons in your own image, and set before each one the ways of life and death.

You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.

You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.

In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior, you have come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to yourself.

You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues and races.

You call us into your church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be your servants in the service of others, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.

You promise to all who trust you forgiveness of sin and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, your presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in your realm which has no end.

Blessings and honor, glory and power be unto you.

Amen.

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WHO ARE WE?

United Church of Christ Denomination IDENTITY: Who we are? What do we believe?

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he United Church of Christ is a unique denomination with over 5,000 churches across the United States and just over one million members. We are a Trinitarian church. This means we believe in God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. We believe that through baptism, we belong, body and soul, to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. We read and study the Bible to help us discern God’s will for our lives and communities.

These may not sound very different from other Protestant denominations. Our uniqueness comes in how we apply our beliefs as Christians as we “make this faith our own” through worship, thought, expression and purity of heart.

The United Church of Christ has always had a mind and heart for justice for all. Long before it was popular, our denomination took stands on the rights of others--slaves, African Americans, women, gays and lesbians, people without a strong voice of their own--because we understood them to be our brothers and sisters in Christ. Often that puts us at odds with the dominant culture and that can cause quite a stir.

Although we are not a global denomination, the UCC denomination is home to Asian Americans, Samoans, African Americans, Euro-Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans. Our denomination professes to be a “multiracial, multicultural, open and affirming, accessible to all and a just peace

church.” The God is Still Speaking Initiative (never place a period where God has placed a comma) has said that “whoever you are, and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.” The United Church of Christ endeavors above all to be a hospitable, welcoming denomination in the name of Jesus Christ.

Our life together is based on covenant, the covenant that God first forged with humankind which serves as a likeness for our actions towards one another.

A covenant suggests a relationship of mutual accountability. In our culture, we are more familiar with contracts which are based on an “if-then”set of circumstances. Keeping covenant means we can look and act quite differently from one another, heartily disagree with one another on many things yet still be part of the Body of Christ. One of the first documents prepared for this new denomination was a Book of Worship. That implies that worship is central to our life together.

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WHO ARE WE?

Denomination History Who we are? From where did we come? Where are we going?

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he denomination of the United Church of Christ has old, wise roots that extend hundreds of years, yet it often feels new and evolving, full of adolescence.

How can that be?

We have a unique history; a story to tell and be part of just as other denominations have. The story was begun long ago by faithful people in other lands, people who loved God and wanted to serve the living Christ as they understood the Gospel instructed them to do. You have probably heard of them; they were the Pilgrims and the Puritans who came to this land in the 1600 and 1700s. Many of them immigrated to the United States seeking liberty to practice their faith. This early search for freedom continues to shape our beliefs, our actions and the structure of the United Church of Christ to the present day.

wanted to articulate a theology of God. True wisdom comes through knowledge of God and one’s self.

Because humans are prone to sin, Scripture is the lens through which we can seek that true knowledge. God is good and the source of all goodness. We are saved by grace and obedience becomes our human response.

As you discovered in the first session on identity, bold moves are not uncommon in the United Church of Christ. We have a legacy of “firsts” which describe our very beginnings. Yet another milestone took place in more recent times. In 1931, the Congregational Church and the Christian Church merged to form the Congregational Christian Church. A few years later in 1934, the Evangelical Synod of North America merged with the Reformed Church in the United States to become the Evangelical and Reformed Church.

We are part of the reformed tradition. In 1517, Martin Luther tacked a list of 95 protests on the door of the local Roman Catholic Church. He felt the Church had made some bad choices and hoped that it could reorient itself in more faithful ways. Many circumstances led to the “protestant” tradition breaking away from the Roman Catholic tradition. Thus, our UCC roots date back to this early act of independence.

In 1957, after many years of prayerful discussion, these young denominations of the Protestant faith joined together as a new denomination, the United Church of Christ. Given this short span of church history, it’s no wonder we still experience growing pains as a denomination; we’re still very young! In 2007, we celebrate the 50th birthday of the United Church of Christ.

Following Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531) brought the reformed movement to Switzerland. Settling in Zurich as a priest, Zwingli believed strongly in local governance under the Lordship of Christ and that Scripture, not a Pope, should be the binding authority for both state and church. His theology and the changes it wrought marked a visible breach with the theories and practices of the Roman Catholic Church.

Polity: How does The Untied Church of Christ work?

John Calvin (1509-64), a French theologian, followed Zwingli in Switzerland. Calvin was a scholar and author, favoring the organization of ideas and institutions.

Beyond reforming the Roman Catholic Church, Calvin

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True to its independent beginnings, the United Church of Christ is structured a bit differently from other denominations. What binds us together as a denomination is Jesus Christ as head of the church, the “pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” We exist as a denomination in covenant with God and with one another as individual congregations. The UCC does not have a hierarchical authority of governance although each local congregation belongs to wider and wider circles of covenant relationship.

The primary unit of authority resides in the local congregation. Each church calls its own leadership, adopts its own constitution, governs itself independently and sets its own course for the future. That brings each church a great freedom and also a great responsibility to be part of the covenant of discipleship we share.

General Synod always speaks “to” the local congregation, not “for” it, leaving each local congregation to determine its own conscience of thought. Items of business are brought by congregations before the General Synod for the good of the denomination.

Just as individual Christians need the fellowship of community to be faithful, local congregations are often gathered into a larger circle called an Association pastored by an Association Minister. An Association provides resources for churches to search and call pastors and leaders, programs to enrich and safeguard congregational life and the means for churches to network with one another, share resources, study, learn and work with one another. Together we can accomplish more of God’s mission.

Just as other denominations, the United Church of Christ has a particular lens through which we read scriptures; a lens of justice in our case. We take to heart the teachings of Jesus Christ about reaching out to people who have been marginalized in society by virtue of discrimination in all its forms. We believe the Gospel compels us to extend the hand of Christian hospitality in the Great Commandment, “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength and all your mind and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Each generation of Christians is challenged to discern “who is my neighbor” as they attempt to draw Christ’s circle wider.

Associations are often part of a still wider circle called the Conference staffed by Conference Ministers.

Conferences comprise larger geographical areas and can also provide a wider range of services and programs.

Associations and Conferences are always directed by the needs of the local congregations which they serve. They also draw local churches into wider circles of mission and ministry, where hearts, hands and dollars make a deeper impact. It is often through these wider circles that the United Church of Christ has a global awareness.

Associations and Conferences have yearly meetings to conduct business.

The widest circle of covenant is the national body of the United Church of Christ currently at home in the Church House in Cleveland, Ohio. Using funds given by local congregations through Our Church’s Wider Mission, churches are able to participate in global and national mission projects; disaster relief programs; pension and group insurance programs; worship and education resources; and grants for church development and growth all of which bring staff and resources back to the local church in many ways.

The UCC has a Collegium of officers; a circle of leadership with five people who serve as leaders in covenant with one another and all the local churches. These include a General Minister, Associate General Minister, and Executive Ministers for Local Church Ministries, Wider Church Ministries and Justice and Witness Ministries.

General Synod, the gathering of the national church, meets every two years at a different location to conduct the business of the United Church of Christ. Delegates from local congregations bring representation from each Conference and Association to the plenary sessions. The

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Issues: Why do we care? What do we care about?

Our heritage has been one of stepping out in faith and witness to advocate for people and policies. This has often seemed radical and contrary to current popular opinion.

It was early Congregationalists who befriended and defended Mendi slaves from the Amistad schooner in their quest to be free to return home in 1839; twenty five years before the United States fought the Civil War to end slavery. You might guess that many people who supported slavery were offended by these efforts and based their justification on scripture.

Evangelicals were among the first to establish numerous schools, orphanages, hospitals and churches in the 1800s to assist the growing influx of German immigrants arriving in the United States. Their schools were the forerunners of the American public school system. Their missionary zeal led to the deaconess hospital movement.

This road of social justice hasn’t been easy to follow; rather a challenge of faith and witness to the world and often one another. Sometimes our covenant bonds feel stretched to the breaking point!

Our United Church of Christ logo is encircled by the words, “that they may all be one” reflecting Jesus.

WHO ARE WE?

Our Theological Distinctive

Christian Church for all People!

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e believe that God’s love is inclusive and welcoming to all. We believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ cuts across all barriers which fragment and divide us. We are called to love, affirm and welcome all regardless of race, gender and/or affectional orientation, class, or life situation. As Christ-centered Christians, we are to be known for our inclusiveness, reconciliation, and liberation for all who are oppressed. The church has too often allowed particular aspects of a person to place them out of the faith.

Therefore, we emphasize the “whosoever” in John 3:16. We are also called to “love our neighbors as we love ourselves” (Mark 12:29-31), and “love our enemies” (Luke 6:27).

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We see Jesus expressing amazing acceptance, ignoring the law, by touching and healing the woman with the issue of blood. In essence, He could have made himself unclean by touching what the law said was unclean. The question is posed, if Jesus ignores the Leviticus law and becomes unclean himself, can the modern day Church use Leviticus to marginalize the least of these? Obviously not. We believe we are not disciples of Leviticus, but Disciples of Christ, expressing the same Christ through our acceptance of those whom even the law condemns.

ur chief goal is to transform people, families and communities by an embracing message of love, hope and peace for anyone.

Furthermore, as followers of Christ, we embrace the teachings of Jesus Christ as our moral and ethical gauge. Jesus makes no mention in any of the 4 gospel accounts about the immorality or spiritual depravity of women, gays, lesbians, transgendered individuals or any marginalized group. We actually see a Jesus who disregards an Old Testament law that prohibits anyone from touching a woman menstruating.

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The condemnation of Leviticus on menstruating women can be debated but only through a narrow theological lens. If we are to legitimize Leviticus through a literal read, then we must do so with the rest of the Bible. We must refrain from pork, mixed fabrics, women must not preach, slavery should remain a legitimate institution for the Bible condones these social taboos. However, we live in a society that chooses what it will condone and also choose its biases. The greatest model for Christianity and who is to be accepted is

Jesus Christ. Christ turned no one away, but created an environment for all, especially those on the margins, to experience the loving and gentle grace bestowed upon us by a sovereign and compassionate God.

call to reach the world with the genuine love of Jesus Christ. We have found that the world has few Churches that are truly inclusive in its teachings, attitudes and practice. Therefore, God has raised up a vision poised to live out the true teachings of Christ.

As society becomes more globally linked, the need for and notion of race, ethnic, class or orientation specific Churches is quickly dying. A new generation is emerging, where the color of an individual’s skin or the unique background of a person becomes less important. We are in a time where exposure to other races, ethnicities, gender and orientation are the norm. When there is an environment created with the intention to be diverse, our experience suggests that more people are inclined to join and be a part.

The need for Authentic Christianity rooted in LOVE

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o be intentionally diverse and radically inclusive, is to be intentional welcoming and accepting of all persons; especially those who have traditionally lived at the margins of society, such as people suffering from substance abuse; people living with HIV/AIDS; samegender loving people; the recently incarcerated; single mothers; and those with disabilities.

At the core of our vision is to follow the teachings and practices of Jesus Christ who we believe exemplified the acceptance and ministry to all people. We are called to challenge fundamental, deep-seated Christian belief systems, doctrines and theologies which characterize people on the edge as enemies of God. We also deliberately challenge any theology or teaching that consistently mistreats, oppresses and excludes people from the community of faith. We believe that the Gospel of Jesus Christ beckons us to provide a safe place and a place of refuge for all persons who have been wounded by oppression. God is sending out a mandate for the community of faith to provide a place that restores nurtures and empowers all people to fulfill their divine purpose in God through the teachings of a loving and inclusive Christ.

With this enormous need for an inclusive ministry that reaches and meets the needs of diverse communities, South Euclid United Church of Christ has accepted its

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Because of this passionate belief in the inclusive teachings of Christ, we choose to be a Christian Church that is inclusive and welcoming to all people. We are called to root our theology on Christ-centered principles which do not discriminate against anyone because of their race, class, gender or orientation. We are a diverse Christian Church welcoming all people to be empowered, nurtured and strengthened by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our chief goal is to transform people, families and communities by an embracing message of love, hope and peace for anyone.

ABOUT OUR CHURCH

Our Pastor A

visionary pastor and teacher representing a new generation of leaders, Reverend Courtney Clayton Jenkins serves as the Senior Pastor and Teacher of South Euclid United Church of Christ (formerly Euclid Avenue Congregational Church). At the age of 27, Reverend Jenkins made history when she became the first woman, first African American and the youngest pastor called to lead this special congregation. Since that day in 2010, Reverend Jenkins has led the multicultural, multi-generational, congregation to become the vibrant church that it is today, but first she had to lead it out of the ashes.

Just six months before Reverend Jenkins was asked to serve, the historic church was struck by lightning and the architectural gem was completely destroyed by fire.

With courage, the congregation called the young and dynamic “hip-hop” preacher to become their pastor to allow God to do “a new thing.”

That “new thing” happened to be nothing short of a transformation.

Under Reverend Jenkins’ leadership, the congregation adopted a new strategic plan for revitalization and a clarified mission for outreach, which includes innovative ways to use technology to do God’s work. Now in a new building and with a new name, the church is experiencing exponential growth and a revived passion for serving humanity through ministry and mission. In the midst of a growing congregation, Reverend Jenkins oversaw a $8.15 million construction project for the campus of South Euclid.

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Born and raised in Cleveland Ohio, Reverend Jenkins holds a Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary with a concentration in Preaching and Congregational Ministry. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Spelman College.

In the United Church of Christ denomination, Rev. Jenkins is an ordained minister and serves in several capacities.

Previously, she served as the Designated Pastor of Shaker Heights Community Church, United Church of Christ.

She is the first woman to be ordained at the historic Mt. Zion Congregational Church in Cleveland.

Reverend Jenkins is CoFounder of the Without Walls Ministry, a retreat designed to glorify God and edify women in ministry. She has served on numerous boards and committees of local and national ecumenical organizations. Reverend Jenkins was the recipient of the 2012 Star Award presented by the Women of Color Foundation to a young professional woman who is making a difference in Northeastern Ohio.

She was selected as the 2014 Alumnae Convocation Speaker at Spelman College.

Reverend Jenkins is married to her seminary sweetheart, Reverend Cory C. Jenkins, Senior Pastor of the Shiloh Baptist Church, which is also one of the oldest congregations in Cleveland. They travel the country as a team facilitating workshops and seminars on family stabilization. On March 18, 2014, they rejoiced in the arrival of their son, Caleb, who is their “gift from God!” They are excited about this new chapter in their lives as they continue on the path of love and ministry together.

Reverend Jenkins is committed to and humbled by God’s calling and purpose upon her life. As she joyfully leads her congregation in serving God, she continues to pursue discipleship well beyond its walls to find new ways for

the next generation to impact this nation with His unconditional love and almighty power.

ABOUT OUR CHURCH

Our Vision

Reach Up! WORSHIP

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

MATTHEW 22:37 PURPOSE Reach up to exalt God in worship. The only way we can truly worship God is to express our love to God through a personal relationship. A personal relationship with God comes through His son Jesus Christ. We will seek to facilitate, with the Holy Spirit leading, an atmosphere which honors God. Worship at South Euclid United Church of Christ will be reverent and relevant.

Reach In! DISCIPLESHIP

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever!”

2 PETER 3:18 PURPOSE Reach in and be transformed as a disciple of Jesus Christ. South Euclid United Church of Christ strives to provide our members with opportunities to grow in discipleship by study and faith formation.

We strive to provide growth opportunities for individuals at every level of their faith journey.

Reach Out! MISSION

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

MATTHEW 25:35-36

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PURPOSE Reach out to serve and witness to the Greater Cleveland Community, our nation and our world. South Euclid United Church of Christ strives to establish and promote long-term sustainable change within the community where the church resides.

ABOUT OUR CHURCH

Our Vision

Reach Across!

DIVERSITY

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.”

1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-6 PURPOSE Reach across to appreciate and celebrate our rich racial and cultural diversity. South Euclid United Church of Christ creates an environment in which God works through the lives of church leaders, members and regular attendees to build lasting, meaningful and reconciling relationships across all aspects of congregational life.

Reach Beyond!

IMAGINATION

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!”

EPHESIANS 3:20-21 VISION Reach beyond the ordinary, the usual, the mediocre and mundane with great imagination. South Euclid United Church of Christ will seek to do all things in excellence.

It will be our aim to go beyond the superficial to the

supernatural.

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ABOUT OUR CHURCH

Our Mission

GPS

CHURCH MOTTO

SOUTH EUCLID UNITED CHURCH of CHRIST exists to:

GROW a diverse and faithful community committed to Jesus Christ;

PURSUE the joy of discipleship; and

SERVE humanity as we engage in ministry and mission.

In order to begin a journey, we must first look ahead to our destination, where we want to go and then assess where we are and how we want to reach that destination. The same is true of our Christian lives. Here at South Euclid United Church of Christ, we have found that utilizing our spiritual GPS system is the most effective way to help us grow closer to God and one another, pursue the life of a disciple and serve the world. In essence, our mission three words— statement can be simplified into these Grow, Pursue and Serve

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“When you’re here, you’re home!”

ABOUT OUR CHURCH

Our Values You’ve come to join us at a unique time in the life of our church. We are in the process of “becoming,” and we hope you might want to join us on the journey. Here is what we value at this church:

Boldness

There is authentic joy in gathering to worship the triune God and power in discovering that our lives working together can serve and change our community and this world with Christ as our example. We value God’s Word and believe that its message of hope, call for justice and promise of new life is available to all.

Relevance

The message of the Bible connects to the real world and helps us live our Monday through Saturday life, where beliefs aren’t rigid boxes to be checked off but springboards to imagination, meaningful action and being a disciple of Jesus Christ. We value your life experience and believe that this life of faith can intersect with your reality far beyond Sunday morning.

Inclusiveness

Absolutely everyone--seeker and Vible thumper, Democrat and Republican, gay and straight, young and old, rich and poor, women and men, coffee drinker and tea sipper--has a real place at the table. We value grace and love over judgment and condemnation. Everyone is welcome here.

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ABOUT OUR CHURCH

Church Etiquette Please DO

• Use the restroom and get a drink of water

before service. This will help to eliminate the need to walk after entering the sanctuary.

• Follow the direction of the ushers.

• Be courteous and respectful.

• Help keep the church clean.

Please DO NOT

• Walk or talk during worship service,

particularly: while the minister is addressing the congregation • During prayer or scripture reading • During a solo or other special presentations • During the invitation to Discipleship. It is

of the utmost importance not to walk or move about unnecessarily because you might distract someone who is wrestling with the question of receiving Jesus into his or her heart and life as his or her personal savior. This is one of the most crucial times in our worship service. Please use this time to pray for those who are considering this important decision.

• Walk or talk during The Lord’s Supper

(Communion) • Eat, drink or chew gum in the sanctuary

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“a Time and a Place for Everything” ECCLESIASTES 3:1-8, 17

The Bible Books of the Bible

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The Bible

The Bible is composed of _______________ total books. It is divided into two major sections called testaments.

The word “testament” means _______________ The Bible covers a period of time spanning _______________ years.

Each book of the Bible is separated into chapters. Each chapter is separated into verses.

EXAMPLE - EPHESIANS 4:11

Book - _______________

Chapter - _______________

Verse- _______________

SECTION

THE BIBLE: TWO SECTIONS OLD TESTAMENT

NEW TESTAMENT

Number of Books

39

27

Major Groups

Law, Historical Books, Poetry, Wisdom Literature, Prophets

Gospel, Acts, Epistles, Revelation

Years to Write

Approximately 1,100 years

Approximately 100 years

Original Language

Hebrew

Greek

Who wrote the Bible?

The Bible was written over 40 generations, by more than 40 authors, kings, fishermen, scholars, etc. It was written in many different places -- prisons, wilderness and while traveling. Also, it was written in several different countries -- Africa, Asia and Europe.

It’s important to note that humans were the physical writers of the Bible, but God is the author. God inspired the human writers. God so superintended the writers of Scripture that they wrote what God wanted them to write, disclosing the truth that was to be conveyed.

The Bible is the written Word of God. God is the leading character. God reveals God’s self to humankind through the Bible. All scripture is from God. 2 TIMOTHY 3:16 -- “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”

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Who God is:

God

The Alpha and the Omega (The Beginning and the End), Creator, Sustainer

God’s Attributes

The term that describes the nature of God is known as “attributes”

Incommunicable Attributes (Belonging only to God) God is...

Self-existent: God does not need anyone or anything to survive.

Holy: Set apart and perfect Immutable: God does not change Infinite/Eternal: Timeless. God never had a beginning and will never have an end Omnipresent: in all places, all the time

Communicable Attributes (God shares these attributes, to a degree, with humanity) God is...

Omnipotent: All powerful (God shares some of God’s power with us) Omniscient: Knowledge/wisdom of everything (God shares some of God’s knowledge/wisdom with us) Moral Attributes: Love, Patience, etc.

Attributes of Purpose: God’s will (God has designed us with purpose in mind)

The Holy Trinity

Creator, Redeemer & Sustainer Father, Son & Holy Spirit In the one living and true God there are three co-eternal and co-equal persons, the same in substance yet distinct in existence; the unity of Father/Creator, Son/Redeemer and Holy Spirit/Sustainer as three persons in one Godhead.

OLD TESTAMENT Proof

God speaks of God’s self with plural pronouns - “us” (GENESIS 1:26)

NEW TESTAMENT Proof

In the name (singular) of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (MATTHEW 28:19) The doctrine of the Trinity is “believable” but will never be completely “explainable” by human minds or human words. The mechanics of how the Trinity exists and functions remains a mystery to us just as the how of the Incarnation does. We know God is One. WE know God is Three. Thus we know the Trinity is true.

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The Creation of Humanity

Humanity

GENESIS 1:26-27, 31: Then God said, “Let us make man in our imagine, in our likeness and let him rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth and over the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning--the sixth day.

God’s Command to Humanity

GENESIS 2:15-17: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for you when you eat of it you will surly die.”

The Fall of Humanity

GENESIS 3:6-13: “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Results of the Fall

1. GENESIS 3:7-10 2. ROMANS 5:12 3. GENESIS 3:14-24 4. ISAIAH 59:2

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Sin What is sin?

Separation from God ISAIAH 59:2: But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

Who sins?

1 JOHN 3:4: Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.

ROMANS 3:23: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. “We are not sinners because we sin -- we sin because we are sinners. An Apple tree is not an apple tree because it bears apples; it bears apples because it has the nature of an apple tree. Sins are the acts (or the apples); sin is our corrupt nature (the apple tree).”- Paul E. Little, Know What You Believe There are no “big sins” or “little sins.” All sin is viewed equally in God’s eyes.

What are the results of sin?

Death ROMANS 6:23: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Jesus Christ JOHN 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Jesus Christ: The Backbone of Christianity 1. Jesus is God: a. JOHN 1:1: In the beginning was the _______________, and the Word was with God, and the Word was ______________________________. b. JOHN 1:14: The Word became _______________ and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. c. Jesus claims this Himself (JOHN 10:30) d. In Christ all the fullness of the deity -- the Godhead (COLOSSIANS 2:9) 2. Jesus is the Son of Man: a. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary after being conceived by the Holy Spirit, who came upon her and she was overshadowed by the Power of the Most High (LUKE 1:35) b. Jesus is acknowledged as the Son by God the Father from Whom He came (MARK 1:11) c. Jesus acknowledges Himself as the song of God (JOHN 10:36) 3. Jesus was raised from the dead: a. In each of the four Gospels, it is recorded that Christ rose from the dead (MATTHEW 28:1-10, MARK 16:1-8, LUKE 24:1-42, JOHN 20 & 21). b. And if Christ is not raised, your faith is in vain, you are yet in your sins (1 CORINTHIANS 15:17) 4. Atonement: Jesus, the Substitute Sacrifice a. Christ suffered _______________ for sins to bring us to God (1 PETER 3:18) b. But now, _______________ at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself (HEBREWS 9:26b) c. Christ was offered _______________ to bear the sins of many (HEBREWS 9:28a) The need for the reconciliation lies in God’s enmity against sinful mankind. God took the initiative and reconciles the world to God’s self. This was done by the death of Jesus Christ, and that provision changes the world into a savable position before God. Yet, though the world has been reconciled, each individual (men, women, boys and girls) need to be reconciled by acknowledging the position and work of Christ. Then, each individual condition is changed before God.

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Salvation What does it mean to be saved?

Salvation Means:

1.

2.

3.

4.

How do we become saved?

ROMANS 10:9-10: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

EPHESIANS 2:8-9: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Grace is defined as God’s unmerited favor.

ROMANS 5:8: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

What Salvation Is NOT:

1.

2.

3.

4.

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The Holy Spirit Who is the Holy Spirit? (JOHN 14:1-26)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

When do we receive the Holy Spirit?

EPHESIANS 1:13: And you also were included in Christ when you heard the world of truth, the gospel of salvation.

Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.

Spiritual Filling of the Holy Spirit:

1 THESSALONIANS 5:19:

EPHESIANS 4:30:

GALATIANS 5:19:

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Baptism Baptism - an outward right appointed or commanded by Christ to be administered by the Church to Believers as a visible sign of the saving truth of the Gospel.

To paraphrase this definition, Baptism is simply an outward sign of an inward change or a physical announcement to the world that you are a new creature in Christ Jesus.

Fact

Christ commands all believers to be baptized and He Himself was baptized (MARK 1:9-11). There is no salvation in baptism.

Questions

Why? Why? How?

MATTHEW 28:19: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

JOHN 3:5: Jesus answered, “ I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.”

MARK 16:16: Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Fact: Throughout the book of Acts you will find that baptism occurs after a person has accepted Jesus Christ through Faith (Additional Scriptures: ACTS 10:44-48; ACTS 16:25-33; ACTS 18:8) ACTS 2:37-38: “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, “‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

Ways to be Baptized

Immersion - the root meaning of the word, “baptizo,” means “to dip” or “to immerse.”

The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. 36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.

Sprinkling - some practice baptism by sprinkling some water over the head of the one being baptized.

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The Lord's Supper The Lord’s Sup

per - the external in which the chur rite ch eats bread an d drinks wine (juice) to co mmemorate or re member the death, buri al and resurrec tion of our risen Savior as the source of sp iritual life and dependence . In other words the church practices the Lor d’s Supper to re member the death, burial and resurrection of Christ as our foundati on for faith and spiritual living. The Lord’ s Supper is also known as Communion.

Fact: This is another ordinance that Christ commanded to all believers, yet there is no salvation in the Lord’s Supper.

Question: Why? Who? How? LUKE 22:19-20: And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”

The Lord’s Supper is one of the holiest ordinances that we share as a body of believers. It is during this time that we should truly reflect and remember the price that was paid or our sinful souls: 1 PETER 2:21-24: To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

1 PETER 1:18-19: For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

The Corinthian Church Abuse of the Holy Ordinances (1 CORINTHIANS 11:20-34)

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Prayer, Quiet Time and Fasting

Prayer - Comm unication with God; when one takes the time to listen to God and also talk to God.

Purpose of Prayer:

A. Christ expects us to pray (MATTHEW 6:6-9) B. It is a duty of believers (EPHESIANS 6:18) C. Places you under God’s control and increases your relationship (PSALM 5:1-3)

Elements of Prayer (Known as ACTS of Prayer)

A. Adoration (PSALM 100) C. Confession (1 JOHN 1:9) T. Thanksgiving (1 THESSALONIANS 5:18) S. Supplication (EPHESIANS 6:18)

Ideas for Quiet Time

• Spend some time evaluating your life since your last devotional time, reflecting on success and mistakes and noting significant things that happened to you as well as significant things you did for others.

ted to God o v e d e im e-T o Quiet Tim listening t , r e y a r p ion, for reflect ible Study God and B

• Go through the four components of a prayer model: adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication.

• Take time to try and sense in your heart where God is leading you in specific areas of your life.

• Try reading, at least, one chapter a day from the Bible.

For persons who have not done much Bible study, consider Psalms, John, Romans, and Proverbs as a good place to start.

Requirements for Effective Quiet Time

Bible: User friendly Bible that is easy to read and for you to understand.

Notebook: Consider having a separate notebook to record your initial thoughts.

Prayer Journal: Consider writing your prayers and the answers you discern from God.

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Prayer, Quiet Time and Fasting Time, Place and Expectant Spirit (Steps to Beginning Quiet Time) Time Try and work your way up to at least 20 minutes.

Place A place that is your secret closet. (Mark 1:35) Expectant Spirit Your mind and body must be ready, get enough rest before quiet time.

Fasting - Absta ining from somet hing that gives you ple asure and enjoym ent i.e. food, social m edia, media, sex.

Why and When Do We Fast?

A. When you are seeking to discern God’s will and God’s divine direction B. When you are confronted with a crisis C. When you are beginning a new season with God.

How to Fast On Weekly Basis - Some people fast once a week (usually on Wednesday) between certain hours (i.e. 7:00 AM- 7:00 PM) (LUKE 18:11-12)

Normal Cycle - A normal fast will last 40 days (MATTHEW 4:2) Absolute - This is a water only fast.

It usually only lasts for 3 days. (ACTS 9:9)

Partial Fast - Rather than total abstinence from something, a disciple sets rules on their fast (i.e. Fruits and Vegetables only) (DANIEL 10:3)

Public/Corporate - Sometimes we will fast together as a congregation.

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(JOEL 2:15)

God's Plan for Giving Origins of Tithing

• Old Testament contains many references to tithing. It refers to tithing as being required of all. (MALACHI 3:10) • New Testament - LUKE 21:2 • The Apostle Paul directed his followers to plan their contributions. (1 CORINTHIANS 16:2)

Who Can Tithe? Everyone

Anyone who has an income can plan ahead to make tithing a regular part of his or her budget. We return to God 10% but we are required to be good stewards of the remaining 90%.

• Self-employed: Compute the tithes based on your income after business deductions (not personal) • Employees: Regularly set aside a minimum of 10% of your salary • Retired People: Should tithe also • Teens: Should give 10% of whatever monies they received from their parents or part-time jobs.

• Children: Should be taught to put aside an amount each week for God.

Computing the Tithe

When you tithe, give generously. To give a tithe is 10% of your income. If that seems like a lot, start small by giving 2%, then every other month increase your giving by 2% until you reach 10%.

What is tithing?

• See GENESIS 28:22 • It is making a voluntary, systematic contribution of financial support to your church.

• It symbolizes and helps express your commitment to Christ and the Church.

• It enriches your life because through giving, we offer ourselves in service and devotion to God. • We become stronger in our faith, more aware of other’s needs and we experience the joy of sharing with others in Christ.

• It helps the church to accomplish its mission. Reliable funding allows the church to plan for expenses, carry out programs, maintain outreach activities and help those in need.

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How the Tithe is Used

• Pay for church expenses Every church has fixed expenses which must be met every month; building maintenance, utilities, etc. Through tithing, the church can meet its practical responsibilities without putting a burden on just a few members. It also provides a regular predictable source of funding. This reduces the need for constant fundraising activities and frees our time and energy for other responsibilities of the Christian life • To proclaim the Gospel: Many of the world’s people have not had a chance to learn about Christ. The church uses tithes to help us reach out to those people.

We seek to help them through life’s difficult times as well as share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them

The Meaning of Service Jesus was sent to serve

MATTHEW 20:26-28: “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

LUKE 4:18-19: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

PHILIPPIANS 2:5-8: “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”

What does “serve” mean to you?

YOU should serve!

Created to Serve REVELATION 4:11, EPHESIANS 2:10, JEREMIAH 1:5-10 Saved to Serve II TIMOTHY 1:9 Called to Serve EPHESIANS 4:4-14; ROMANS 1:6-7, 8:28-29

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What Pastor Jenkins expects of YOU:

TIME

TALENT

TREASURE

TENACITY

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The Next Step Come to Church Tomorrow

Now that you are fully welcomed as an official member of South Euclid United Church of Christ, we would love to see you in Church this Sunday.

Invite your family and friends to witness this defining moment in your spiritual life.

PULSE Experience

Attend our next PULSE Experience. This 2 hour session will facilitate you finding a PLACE U LOVE SERVING EFFECTIVLY in the church, so that you are fully assimilated and connected.

3 for 3 Challenge

Accept our 3 for 3 Challenge by: • Attending Small Group, • Serving 1 On-going Ministry, and • Serving 1 Annual Ministry Event.

Be Baptized

If you have never been baptized, plan to participate in our next Baptismal Service.

New Members' Fellowship Attend the next New Members' Fellowship

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4217 BLUESTONE ROAD | SOUTH EUCLID, OHIO 44121 | 216-791-5200 | SOUTHEUCLIDUCC.ORG

marcs CHRISTOPHER

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