Category Archives: 2013

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Don’t Miss Christmas

Its hard to believe but it’s here!  Christmas!  Our Christmas Eve services are in a few short hours at 6 PM at the AMC 24 in Hamilton.  Amidst everything that is happening around me as I write this, it would be quite easy to actually miss what Christmas is all about.  How is that possible?  Easy, one word:  DISTRACTIONS.


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Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6

24 days of December have passed us by quickly, but there is still time to capture the heart of Christmas.  Maybe you have been working long hours, maybe you have been intentionally avoiding it, maybe you feel alone and would rather it just pass you by.  Let me encourage you… DON’T – MISS – CHRISTMAS!

4 Things You MUST Do This Christmas…

1. Anticipation  –  I remember being a little boy hardly being able to sleep in my bed.  But now, it’s deeper than a Tonka truck.  It’s that I know Jesus is with me.  God is with me.  I can sense him in the deepest parts of my heart and I am anticipating not only celebrating the day, but the day that I meet him FACE TO FACE.  It won’t be long now, the time is drawing closer.  Can you sense it?

2. Reflection  –  Look at everything God has done for you this year.  Contemplate the God of heaven leaving and coming to earth born of a virgin, living a sinless life, crucified, forgiving your sins, resurrected and now sitting at the right hand of God.  But wait, He can live in you and gives you the power of the Holy Spirit.  It’s worth sitting down and reading through Luke 1 and 2.  Reflect on His story and His faithfulness.

3. Community  –  Look around at the people in your neighborhood, at your workplace, in your circle of influence.  Sense that you are in this life together with them.  Thank them, love them, appreciate them.  Do something on Christmas Eve to show them you care.  You don’t have to be weird but a heartfelt expression of love and sincerity in this world is becoming more rare.  Just do it. It’s not too late.  It’s never too late to love. (sounds like a mushy 80’s song)

4. Family  – I know, its been a rough year in your family.  If it has been, pick up the phone, tell them you love them, leave a message if they don’t answer.  Ask for forgiveness, tell them you want to start over.  Don’t blame, don’t make excuses.  Hug your wife or your husband, play with those little kids, (they are growing fast) Call your grandma and grandpa if you still have them.  If you feel all alone, YOU ARE ADOPTED. You understand Jesus better than anyone.  Jesus had an adopted father.  Love where God has you.

Breathe deeply, pray continually, love unconditionally

Merry Christmas

Josh

 

217church is a multi-site church in Mercer County NJ with small groups for families in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater.  Our new East Windsor Campus is meeting Sunday January 12th, 2014  10:15 am at Ethel McKnight School.  If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services in Hamilton at 9:30 or 11 am! Visit www.217church.com.  If you want to be in on the ground floor of a new exciting church planting environment, contact our East Windsor Campus Pastor Dan Gay at Dan@217church.com.

 

 

 

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You Have To Be CRAZY To Follow Jesus | Church In Mercer County NJ

One thing is for sure, if you are going to really follow Jesus you have to be a little off your rocker.  I mean c’mon, you have to first believe Jesus was fully God & man and came into the world born of a a virgin.  On top of that he lived a sinless life?  Then, He actually died for all of creation to forgive sins and finally, He didn’t stay dead, but rose from the dead after his body rotted for 3 days?

I’m not going to comment, support or bash one side or the other in the Duck Dynasty fiasco but I will say this: You can’t claim follow Jesus and be mediocre or nominal.  If you think you can, you are just flat out wrong.  If you are going to follow Jesus, you have to lose a little bit of your dignity. No a lot. You have to be #CRAZY

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Not totally sure, but these guys seem a little bit different…#crazy

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:12

In order to do the will of the Father you have to be #crazy.  Below are 4 evidences of a #crazy person following Jesus…

Evidences of A Person Following Jesus…

1. Crazy Love  –  Francis Chan wrote a book about this.  Actually this was the title, #crazylove. Crazy love is irrational, uncommon and at the core is a desire to recapture the essence of the true way God meant for us to treat each other.  Show me a person who practices this and they may be #CRAZY  (Read: 1 Corinthians 13)

2. Crazy Grace  –  Forgiveness, what ever happened to forgiveness?  I don’t mean the kind that you know Jesus forgave you from all your sin, everyone knows and is ready for that, c’mon!  I am talking about FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER.  Just a few weeks ago a woman at our church came up to me and said God told her to forgive her husband who had cheated on her and to take him back.  If this happens to you, you may be #CRAZY  (Read: Colossians 3:13)  My friend Rob wrote a book about this, just happened to call it #crazygrace. Go buy it.

3. Crazy Generosity  –  One thing is for sure, the world is a greedy place.  Even down to people fighting over parking spots, greed has ruined us and even our economy.  Do you give?  IF you don’t give you aren’t crazy, you are too average.  But when I see someone who gives without receiving credit, and takes as little as possible, that is a #CRAZY person (Read: Acts 4)

4. Crazy Marriage  –  In the science lab of following Jesus, you will find a whole experimental area devoted to marriage.  We husbands are supposed to love our wives as Christ loved the church.  Period.  Sounds simple.  Just celebrated my marriage to my #CRAZY wife of 18 years.  Husband of 1 wife, it’s what crazy people do.  This relationship has taught me more about following Jesus than anything.  (Read Ephesians 5)  (If you are single, try purity, abstinence, honor and respect.)

Let’s have a little fun:  What is the craziest thing you have ever done because of following Jesus?  Comment below, on facebook, twitter.

Be #Crazy

Josh

 

217church is a multi-site church in Mercer County NJ with small groups for families in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater.  Our new East Windsor Campus is meeting Sunday December 8th 10:15 am at Ethel McKnight School and launches weekly services January 12, 2014.  If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services in Hamilton at 9:30 or 11 am! Visit www.217church.com.  If you want to be in on the ground floor of a new exciting church planting environment, contact our East Windsor Campus Pastor Dan Gay at Dan@217church.com.

 

 

 

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Do You Want To Be Healed?

You might be reading this thinking, “Of course I want to be healed?  What kind of a question is that?”  At first I thought the same thing, until I began to interact with people who wanted to take no action, have no faith, and expect their circumstances to change.

No matter what area of your life is sick, and believe me, we are living in a very sick world, I believe you can be healed through Jesus!  Your finances, your physical health, your marriage, your parenting, and your emotional health can all be healed.  We are simply told to believe.

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“When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” John 5:6

There is this passage of the bible in John 5 where there is an invalid that Jesus has compassion on.  Jesus asks him, and is asking us today, this powerful question, “Do you want to be healed?”  But here are some hurdles we must overcome if we are to be healed.  And before I go any further, remember this.  God is sovereign.  He is the one who chooses to heal.  Our part is to believe and act in great faith.

4 Hurdles of Unbelief To Overcome…

1. Routine  –  Sometimes, we get caught in the “doom loop of sickness.”  Sickness becomes really the only thing we have known for so long, so we just stay sick.  In essence, we think to ourselves, we have tried everything and we just – simply – give – up.  The sick man Jesus was talking to had been there for thirty-eight years. (John 5:5) How long have you been sick? It’s time.  Believe you will be healed!

2. Excuses  –  Everyone has an excuse for why they can’t be healed.  The longer you have been sick, the more excuses you tend to build up.  The man’s excuse was, “everyone else is too quick to get in the pool!” (John 5:7) The man felt helpless so I am sure he had given up.  How long have you been making excuses for your unbelief? It’s time.  Believe you will be healed!

3. Doubters and Haters –  What will everyone else think?  Some of us have people and circumstances we are keeping around us that are keeping us sick.  Some people will never let you change.  The Pharisees, instead of being elated and enthusiastic about the greatest miracle they had seen in their lifetime were concerned what day it happened? (John 5:10)  Are you kidding me?  Who cares what other people think!  Believe you will be healed!

4. Over thinking – By far my favorite part of this miracle is the man didn’t even know who Jesus was! (John 5:13)  HUGE ADVANTAGE!  You mean to tell me that this man was physically healed by Jesus and never accepted Jesus into his heart?  What?  YES!  EXACTLY!  This is what we call child like faith.  He was so tired of his circumstance that he actually DID what JESUS said to do.  Are you tired of your circumstances?  It’s time.  Believe you will be healed!

Here is the best part of this story.  Later, after Jesus healed the man he went and sought him out!  He looked for the man and told him to “stop sinning so that something worse wouldn’t happen to Him.” (John 5:14)  What was Jesus saying?  It’s time to obey me.  STOP LIVING IN SIN!  Jesus cares more about your heart than he does your physical circumstances.  And how does this scripture end?  The Man won’t shut up about Jesus.  (John 5:15)

May God allow you to receive healing that you may bear witness to His power within you! Believe you will be healed!

Josh

 

This Sunday:  Jesus is MIRACULOUS!

We are the church that meets at the theater!  Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ.  217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 9:30 & 11am and Starplex Cinemas in East Windsor, NJ at 10:15.  Our new East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday.  If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information.

 

 

 

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9 Ways To Get Rich This Christmas

Now that Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and Wacky Wednesday (I added that one myself) are over, maybe we can all begin to think clearly about Christmas, spending, riches, greed and everything that has to do with money, provision and our relationship with things.  I have news for you… “The little numbers on your credit card DO NOT define you.”

Below is a scripture that changed my life so many years ago.  It really isn’t about money, but it so closely relates to how we think about what will make us incomparably rich, Jesus!  However, to think how you handle and spend money has NOTHING to do with your relationship with Jesus is pure foolishness.  They are so closely related it is scary.

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“…in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”  Ephesians 2:7-8

If you let me look at your financial records for one year, I could see how much you trust God, what you place your value in and in most cases how close you are to Jesus.  You might scoff at this at first, but it’s true.  Most of the following things come from a deficit in your relationship with Jesus: worry, insecurity, debt, materialism, and worst of all, loneliness and isolation. All of these things affect our relationship with Jesus.  The core issue is, we don’t think we have enough. Is Jesus enough for you?  Here are a few ways to get rich…

9 Ways To Get Rich This Christmas…

1. Receive Grace  (MOST IMPORTANT)-  You have already been given the gift of eternal life you could not afford.  This means we no longer need to have our identity in worldly wealth.  If you want to apply the following 8 ideas, let JESUS change your heart.  Without this #1, you are just dealing with symptoms.  He will make you rich beyond what any man could give you. Eternal life, forgiveness, freedom, wisdom, peace, joy. These are all yours for the taking through the Holy Spirit.  These things are not for sale, the are FREE!

2. Live on a Budget  –  Know what you owe, what you own and where it goes.  Notice I didn’t just say “get a budget,” you actually have to implement it.  If you aren’t living on a budget you are more than likely mismanaging the money God has entrusted to you.  And on top of all this, no one ever got rich spending more than they had. Proverbs 16:3- “Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

3. Give First –  Before you spend a dime, GIVE!  The first item on my budget, Advancing God’s Kingdom.  We do this out of love, not legalism.  Start at 10%.  Send it on ahead.  Feed The Poor. Clothe The Unclothed.  I know, it’s counter intuitive.  But try it. God doesn’t do things your way anyway.  Get over it.  What if you took the first 10% of your income for the rest of your life and gave it away?  Do you think Jesus would provide for your needs? Most of us give out of the leftovers, not the first fruits, there is a difference.  Remember, there is no love without sacrifice.  Malachi 3:10  “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing  that there will not be room enough to store it.“

4. Don’t Compare – Comparison will ruin you, because you will never be satisfied.  You don’t make what they make so why do you think you should have what they have?  They probably can’t afford it anyway. 

5. Work Diligently – This may seem like common sense, but you may need to get an additional job in order to make ends meet.  I meet people all the time who are “too proud” to take a job “below them”.  This is pride.  You may need to move to a smaller apartment or sell your house, or the car.  But work hard, especially if you have debt!

6. Drive the Ultimate Driving Machine – The ultimate driving machine is a car that is paid off no matter what it looks like or what chicks you are picking up with it.  Leases are a waste of money and driving a brand new car is a colossal trap.  When you drive the car off the lot, you flush $$ down the toilet.

7. Save As Much As You Can – Sometimes we can’t afford to save because we have debt.  If this is you, then get on a plan and schedule to pay off ALL your debt as soon as possible.  Live with no regrets.

8. Plastic MUST go – When you got that credit card, you never thought it would lead to this place.  So often the only way out of “that place” is to get rid of the card.  Maybe you just don’t have the discipline to have a credit card.  It’s ok, admit it and start paying with a debit card and cash. SALE is another 4-letter word for DEBT.

9.  People NOT things –  This may seem obvious, but your kids, parents, cousins, wife, siblings, whomever, doesn’t need a bunch of stuff from you to know you love them.  Jesus, my family, and my church family have all made me exceedingly rich.

This SUNDAY IS A HUGE day for our church family.  One church, two locations, three services.  East Windsor (10:15am) and Hamilton (9:30 & 11:00 am) will never be the same because of you.  Can’t wait to celebrate together!

Josh

 

217church is a multi-site church in Mercer County NJ with small groups for families in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater.  Our new East Windsor Campus is meeting Sunday December 8th 10:15 am at Ethel McKnight School and launches weekly services January 12, 2014.  If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services in Hamilton at 9:30 or 11 am! Visit www.217church.com.  If you want to be in on the ground floor of a new exciting church planting environment, contact our East Windsor Campus Pastor Dan Gay at Dan@217church.com.

 

 

 

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Before You Kill The Turkey – 3 Questions…

Before you kill another turkey, you need to answer three questions.  The Thanksgiving and Christmas season is an incredible opportunity for us to reflect on God’s faithfulness and become more aware of the needs of the people around us.  In every community there are real and tangible needs.

This next week may be the best opportunity to let God speak to you about how much He loves the world.   So how do we align our heart with God’s?  We must answer these three questions…

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“Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas, a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”  Acts 4:36-37

3 Questions For Thanksgiving

1. Am I Paying Attention?  –   “Awareness creates opportunity for response.”

I guarantee you, if you open your eyes you will see needs all around you.  It is impossible not to see the lonely and hurting people around you.  At the train station, in the mall.  Just look into people’s eyes. When you feel like you need to do something, this is the Holy Spirit speaking to you.  Listen and sense the need.  Jesus always gave people a look, a touch and a word.

2. How Much Will I Give?  –  “Our heart demands our attention.”

Tithing 10%, and giving in general is a faith and heart question. We are instructed to set aside the first 10% of our income for the advancement of God’s kingdom.  It is the FIRST thing God wants us to do out of joy and empowerment as opposed to guilt and restriction.  He sees your heart to give and he is pleased.  He loves when our motivation is to please Him.  The verse below conveys His instruction regarding tithing:

“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.”  Malachi 3:10-12

3. Will I Forgive My Family? –  “Family hurts but Jesus heals.”

One thing I can guarantee, we all at one time or another have had a family member offend us.  Life is short, Thanksgiving is here, so get over your pride. Seek forgiveness and forgive and this will be the most powerful thing you do.

“Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?”  Matthew 7:4

OK, sharpen the knife, time to eat!

Josh

 

We are officially #Relaunching @217church after 6 full years of ministry.  Our first Sunday services will be Sunday February 7, 2016  Don’t worry, we have regular weekend services leading up to this historic day for us as we prepare and build our teams!   Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ.  217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 10:00am and Sharon Elementary school in Robbinsville, NJ at 11:00.  Our new Robbinsville/East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday.  If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, we would love to have you join us.  Don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information. or watch a weekend message here

 

 

 

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3 Things You MUST Know About God

You don’t want to miss this weekend at 217church! We have been in a process of pursing God passionately for strength and courage to move forward towards His vision for us as a church and as His people. This weekend, we will discover the faithfulness of God as He leads Joshua into the beginning of a season of conquering city after city. We get to see that God is faithful to those who keep the faith!

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“I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6

What are you trusting in God for? We are always in the process of growing in our relationship with Christ. There is always a next step, a way forward, something that God wants to do in our hearts. It is important in our pursuit of God and His plan for our lives that we remember He is faithful. When you pray and pursue God remember these 3 things…...

  1. God has already given you what He has promised.  When God raised Joshua to lead the people of Israel, He already knew that the land of Canaan would be taken back by Joshua and his army. The only thing that could stop that from happening was Joshua’s faithfulness in return. He tells Joshua in chapter 1 to be strong and courageous but also to remember the word of God and not to stray from it. If Joshua would remain faithful to God and his word, then the land would be taken. Many times we doubt if God is faithful or if He will move on our behalf, while at the same time we aren’t investing time to be in His word or aren’t even living by it. God will always be faithful. He has already given us what we need, we just need to be faithful in return and do what He calls us to do!
  2. God has already given you the steps to get to what He’s promised.  God never sends Joshua out into battle without giving Him marching orders. He always provides direction and instruction for battle. You might say “I wish God would speak to me like He did to Joshua.” And He has! He has given you the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our guide, our helper. He gives us our marching orders. Many times we already know what we need to do because God has made it clear through the Holy Spirit, but a lot of the times we don’t like the marching orders He gives us so we pray for different ones. The more I am in ministry the more I am convinced that the role of a Pastor is to help people discover what the Holy Spirit has already spoken to them. Life with Christ is not easy. It’s not easy to carry out His orders. But His marching orders always lead to victory! Forget your battle plan, follow His.
  3. God has blessings prepared for you beyond the one you are praying for.  When God sends Joshua and His army out to Jericho, the battle plan was so weird! March around the city once a day for six days, then seven times on the seventh day, yell as loud as you can, blowing your trumpets and the city will fall? What?! This was the biggest battle to date for the the Israelites. I am sure with these instructions, all they were focused on was Jericho. But God was showing them His plans for battle were way different than theirs would be. God was also instilling in them FAITH. Faith in God’s ways. Why? Because Jericho was just the beginning. In Joshua’s lifetime, he and his army, through the power of God conquered 31 cities! In our walk with Christ sometimes all we pray for is Jericho. Just one thing that we want God to show us or help us accomplish. But while praying for Jericho we need to remember that God also has greater plans in the future. He is not just a God of Jericho blessing, but a God of 31 cities of blessings! Our prayers need to come from an understanding that God has great things in store for us beyond the few things we “think” we need now. Let’s start praying 31 city prayers!

God is faithful to those who keep the faith. The first part of that statement never changes, but the second half is hard to keep true isn’t it? I pray that we, as God’s people, would ask God for the faith we need to stay true to His ways. I know with all my heart that when we do, God will show up in a way that is much greater than we could ever ask or even imagine. In the words of Paul the Apostle, “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”  He was faithful to start a good work in you, He is faithful to continue that work, and He will be faithful to complete it!

I hope to see you this Sunday at the theater.

– Pastor Kevin

 

217church is a dynamic christian church in Mercer County NJ that meets on Sundays in Hamilton at the AMC 24 theater at 9:30 and 11 am and in East Windsor, NJ starting in January of 2014!  To visit a weekend service or join a small group, visit http://www.217church.com. 

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5 Keys To Growing A Strong Church

This Sunday we will continue our monthly services for our new campus in East Windsor at Ethel McKnight school at 10:15am.  We will have one more monthly service on December 8th and then on January 12th we will officially launch our weekly worship services.  Our church is growing and helping more people than ever before in our community.

My favorite subject in elementary school was math.  I loved watching problems being solved and there always was a correct answer.  There is one truth about learning math; Before you learn multiplication, you must learn addition.  The small numbers usually are learned before the big numbers.

As 217church we want to reach as many people as fast as we possibly can.  But this will only happen as we grow STRONG.

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“…And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied”  Acts 9:31

Building strength as the church is the gradual process of learning to yield to Jesus.  After a long period of time, we can see change and our church is seeing change rebuilding lives one person at a time.

5 Keys To Growing A Strong Church

1. Devotion to Prayer  –   “…pray without ceasing”  1 Thessalonians 5:17

Prayer is a process by which we discover who God is and what he desires to do.  It doesn’t have to be a meeting and doesn’t need to be a production.  Prayer is simply talking and listening to God.  Let’s keep it simple.

2. Devotion to Each Other –  “…outdo one another in showing honor.”  Romans 12:10

This past Sunday we announced we were giving $500.00 to every single mom at 217church, no strings attached.  We gave away in faith $10,000 to single moms last week!  These single moms work tirelessly to provide for the needs of their children.  I received an e-mail from a young mom who said she was down to her last $.21 when she received the check.  This just makes sense to me and is how we should treat each other.

3. Devotion to The City –  “…A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”  Matthew 5:14

If the city has a problem it is our problem.  Over these next 6 weeks our church will be serving the city through delivery of food at Thanksgiving, coats as the weather gets colder, and providing gifts for children this Christmas.  Once again, this just makes sense. This is what the church should be.

4. Devotion to Self –  “…Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you.” 1 Corinthians 6:19

It’s time to get your life in order.  The church is only as strong as the sum of the individuals in the church.  The Holy Spirit lives in you.  We must make a decision to let the Gospel affect our spiritual, family, financial and physical health.  Each one of these area is an incredible opportunity for representing Jesus.

5. Devotion to the Next Generation – “…tell the next generation that this is God.”  Psalm 46:17-18

We have over 150 kids and youth that call 217church their church home.  We are making a huge investment in them in 2014.  We have a vision to invest $100,000 in the next generation. It’s time to step up, make this happen and GIVE!  The Next Generation is depending on us.  We are a FAMILY.  The church is the best kept secret in our community.

Let’s hold nothing back and realize all He has for us.

Josh

 

217church is a multi-site church in Mercer County NJ with small groups for families in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater.  Our new East Windsor Campus is meeting Sunday November 10th at Ethel McKnight School.  If you are looking for a church in Mercer County NJ, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services in Hamilton at 9:30 or 11 am! Visit www.217church.com.  If you want to be in on the ground floor of a new exciting church planting envoronment, contact our East Windsor Campus Pastor Dan Gay at Dan@217church.com.

 

 

 

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Family and the Next Generation

You have given $72,820.63 towards our goal!  You can GIVE HERE. One of the most important values my parents poured into me was RESPONSIBILITY.  At a very young age I learned I was not only responsible for myself, but I was a member of a family that was working together to build into each other.  Growing up we had responsibilities around the house.  We cleaned, set the table, took out the trash, did the dishes, mowed the lawn etc.  It wasn’t that we had “chores”, WE ALL OWNED our part of the responsibility to make the house run smoothly.  We all had to OWN THE VISION!  This meant sacrifice.

As 217church we are responsible to and for each other.  Countless times in scripture we see Jesus treats his disciples as family.  Paul refers to us as the family as we are “baptized into the body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:13) Whatever we do, we must do with the mentality that we are a family, not an institution.

 

NextGen2014 Josh's Blog“…that you may tell the NEXT GENERATION that this is God!”  Psalm 48:13-14

Last year was an incredible season of investing in the next generation.  Last year through the next generation offering we fully funded our youth and kids ministries. I am thrilled to report they are 150+ students STRONG!  In addition, we gave away over $50,000 to fund our local and global mission partnerships!  You are truly and amazing congregation. SO, what does this mean for us as a church going forward?  It means we all need to step up and GIVE SACRIFICIALLY to make sure the next season of our church is healthy and strong.  As families, we need to ask God for an amount then step out in faith!

4 Parts of the 2014 Next Generation Vision:  GOAL – $100,000

1. Youth & Kids Ministry  – $60,000

The stories are piling up and the lives are being transformed.  Over the last two months we had our largest youth and kids gatherings ever!  We had an incredible 217kids camp and now we want to take it to the next level.  This amount will fully fund every initiative.  The one thing we are most excited about is a trip for 20 young leaders to the Dominican Republic with our 217global missionaries Rick and Tammie Romano.  Our youth will be attending a youth conference and letting God reshape them.

2. Urban Promise Partnership – $10,000

Urban Promise is doing an incredible work in the city of Trenton mentoring and investing in the lives of over 100 young people every day.  Last year, we were able to jump start their after school program and now they are healthier than ever!  This year, they are opening up a new site in another part of Trenton and we are on the front lines with them helping them develop these young lives.  Our 217youth ministry has taken responsibility to mentor and pour into their student leaders.Urban Promise Truth Camp

 

3. 217rebuild Initiative – $10,000

This past Sunday we announced we were giving $500.00 to every single mom at 217church, no strings attached.  We are giving away in faith $10,000 to single moms this week!  These single moms work tirelessly to provide for the needs of their children.  Just this Sunday, after we told the congregation this, we received this response card from a single mom:

“I was down to my last $3.47 in my checking account and didn’t know how I was going to pay my utility bill or make it to the end of the month.  God just spoke to me that He is in control.  I love this church family!” 

4. Church Planting: 217church East Windsor – $20,000

Our East Windsor Launch services on January 12 had over 100 people ready to bring the Gospel to this community!  This investment into will go to all our community service initiatives over these next 12 months for this new work!  We have already baptized 1 person and are ready for God to move in a HUGE way through this church plant.  Church planting is a part of our DNA!  We have only been in existence for less than four years and we are already planting and extending the Gospel to a new community.

It’s time to step up, You Can GIVE to the Next Gen Vision Here!  The Next Generation is depending on us.  We are a FAMILY.  The church is the best kept secret in our community

I believe God has already provided!  Time to act.

 

Josh

 

217church is a multi-site church in Mercer County NJ with small groups for families in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater.  Our new East Windsor Campus is meets Sundays at Grace Rogers School at 10:15am.  If you are looking for a church in Mercer County NJ, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services in Hamilton at 9:30 or 11 am! Visit www.217church.com.  If you want to be in on the ground floor of a new exciting church plant, contact our East Windsor Campus Pastor Dan Gay at dan@217church.com.

 

 

 

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Four Building Blocks of Life

I remember being in high school wanting to graduate and get on with my life.  I was antsy, ready for college and wanted to spread my wings and fly.  Looking back on my life there are some things I wish I was more disciplined in as a younger person.

When I married and graduated college, I had a choice to make.  What type of life did I want to build?  Our role is to teach the Next Generation key building blocks in life.  This Sunday at 217church, we will share our vision for reaching the generation.  Our hope is they will surpass anything we have been able to accomplish!

I made a decision from the age of eighteen to Live Differently and build a life that was centered on key things my parents had taught me, and twenty years later, I am glad I made those choices.  Now I am committed to develop these building blocks in others.

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“He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.”  Luke 6:48

Over these years I have watched people (including myself) make terrible mistakes in the following four areas.  I am convinced, if we can get control of the below areas, our lives will begin to look more like a disciple of Jesus.  These are benchmarks that will reflect a well built life!

Four Building Blocks of Life

1. Spiritual Fervor – Are you listening to the Spirit of God?

This week I was listening to a very thorough explanation of how Jesus left with us the Holy Spirit and how He still works.  I was reminded of how much we can ignore God in our every day life because of all the distractions that get in the way.  Sometimes the Spirit tells us to do something and we are a coward, and other times we just have too many other things in our life to listen to Him.  Every major decision in life needs to be made by listening to the voice of God.  This means, we pray, read the word, write our thoughts, take sabbath, and overall learn to be in harmony with the Holy Spirit.  Your life begins with a relationship with Jesus.  Your very life depends on the Holy Spirit!

2. Relational Cooperation – Do you forgive others and keep short accounts?

This starts with your spouse, kids, parents, brother, and sisters, your nuclear family, and extends to those you work and do life with.  Bitterness and un-forgiveness will ruin your life and destroy your soul.  We need to learn to forgive those we live and do life with.  No matter how much you have been hurt, it isn’t worth holding a grudge against anyone.  Jesus forgives and we are instructed to forgive.  It doesn’t mean we enable abuse and neglect, but we always seek the path to forgiveness.  Recently after preaching on forgiveness, a woman came up to me and told me God was telling her to go to her husband who cheated on her and tell him, “she forgives him.”  My jaw dropped and I told her, “listen to God and do it, we’re here for you!”  If you fail to have this block, your moral authority crumbles away and your credibility disappears.

3. Financial Integrity – Are you generous in giving?

Every Christ follower should be on the road to be what I call an “irrational giver.”  I believe this starts with giving away 10% of your income.  Not for legalism sake, but as a starting point of telling God you trust Him. When you give you emphasize He is the provider of all the resources.  We are simply managers.  I have referred to giving the first 10% as “training wheels.”  When we look FIRST at other’s needs and the advancement of the Kingdom of God, we become aligned with God’s purpose and he WILL USE US!  Selfishness and irresponsible financial management will lead to your ruin.  Our giving should be joyful, regular, and sacrificial.  Give, provide for your family, pay your taxes and always seek to ask, “how much should I give?”

4. Physical Disciplines – Are you intentional about how you treat your body?

Food, exercise, sleep and our mental health are spiritual issues.  Many people eat whatever they want, fall prey to addiction both substance and sexual, over work themselves, and fail to exercise.  This is a recipe for premature death and a toxic life.  Your body matters to God!  The bible says our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit.  This means we should be paying attention to taking care of our physical health.  It doesn’t mean you have to run a marathon and bench press 400 pounds, but it does mean you should ask God how He wants you to take care of the body he gave to you.

Build it smart, build it steady and it will stand.

It’s going to be an INCREDIBLE weekend!

Josh

 

217church is a multi-site church in Mercer County NJ with small groups for families in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater.  Our new East Windsor Campus is meeting Sunday November 10th.  If you are looking for a church in Mercer County NJ, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services in Hamilton at 9:30 or 11 am! Visit www.217church.com.  If you want to be in on the ground floor of a new exciting church plant, contact our East Windsor Campus Pastor Justin Bronson at justin@217church.com.

 

 

 

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East Windsor Location Changed This Sunday

Our 217church service this Sunday in East Windsor has been moved to Etra Lake Park at 10:15am!  But here is the really great news: We are taking advantage of this unexpected change and will be baptizing at least 1 person at Etra Lake on Sunday!  You won’t want to miss this incredible turn of events.  As a matter of fact, we have already had someone come to a relationship with Jesus before we have had a public worship service. This is pretty cool!  After the service we will be doing a prayer walk through the Twin Rivers community and inviting people to a Twin Rivers family day at the park. (Just a reminder, normal services times at Hamilton, 9:30 & 11:00 am).

Arrive early as our teams will begin setting up at 8:00am.  We will enjoy some bagels and coffee together, celebrating extending the Gospel to a new community.

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Our first preview service will be under the sky at 10:15am at Etra Lake Park in East Windsor

Why the sudden move? Unfortunately, the school district changed it’s mind this week and is not allowing us to meet at Grace Rogers.  We are still in communication with the East Windsor community school district and are hoping for a reconsideration in the future of our request to use the community facilities.

I don’t think it is a coincidence this happened. As a matter of fact, the main idea of last week’s sermon was, “God uses the unexpected to our advantage but He will test us.”  So how should we deal with change?  I want to take this opportunity and walk you through the last 48 hours for us as church leaders and how we dealt with the change.

How To Deal With Unexpected Change

1. Don’t Panic- Take a step back, a timeout.

It was Monday night when I got the first phone call from Pastor Justin.  At first I was ticked, (wouldn’t you be?)  then I had to have Justin repeat what he said, “We have been denied the use of Grace Rogers this Sunday.”  Ok, I had heard him correctly.  Then I told him this was going to be used for our advantage.  But I assured him this would all work out.  Freaking out will never solve the problem.  It usually makes things worse and can cause unnecessary tension and even lead to more harm.  Take a deep breath, go for a walk, get away for a second and try to focus.

2. Pray- Ask God what He is doing.

When I got off the phone I began to pray, and enlisted the prayers of a few others. The first person I texted was my mom :).  It was evident we needed to pray.  Tuesday morning first thing, the whole staff sat in our vision room and asked God for wisdom.  We prayed together.  When something happens that seems like it would hurt you, you can’t let the enemy get you sidetracked.  You have to go to God and say, “I still trust you!”

3. Get Unity – Assemble the team and get on the same page.

Shortly after this, the 4 pastors sat in my office and we got all our “stuff” out on the table.  We told each other how we felt, established what we thought we needed to do and had our, “Let’s do this together moment.”  We knew this week was going to be one that challenged us.  We needed to communicate well, work together, and it was evident there was much work to be done.  Whenever you have a change in your family, at work, in your marriage, you need to all get together and establish unity.  When you go through challenges, it is always a test of your unity.  Be strong, and pass the test.

4. Go back to the Vision – Let the vision drive your decisions.

Back in the vision room, all the possible meeting places for Sunday began to appear on the board.  We got good old fashioned google maps out and began to look where we could possibly meet.  We were just getting all the ideas out on the table.  Everyone’s opinion mattered and the conversation began to go in lots of different directions.  We became the, “what if” church again.  I loved this.  At one point during the conversation, we came back to how we started in Hamilton; serving the community and doing a prayer walk.  This is the vision, “Rebuilding lives one person at a time.”  We all agreed, let’s use this as an opportunity to do a prayer walk and come back in two weeks and serve the community.  In addition: “Hey, there is a lake, let’s do a baptism!”  So there it was right in front of us, worship, baptism, then prayer walk!  When things get scary, remember what the vision is to begin with.

5. Start Implementing – Over communicate everyone’s roles and responsibilities.

Today we visited the park, made the final plan and are gathering all the resources.  We changed the web, are sending out the newsletter and still asking people to partner with us in prayer!  God has our best interest in mind.  We know God has called us to this and the bible says, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

You should join us at the Amc24 theater in Hamilton at 9:30 or 11:00am or at Etra Lake Park at 10:00am. I wouldn’t want you to miss out on what God wants to do! If you want to be baptized, just bring a change of clothes.

It’s going to be an INCREDIBLE weekend!

Josh

 

217church is a multi-site church in Mercer County NJ with small groups for families in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater.  Our new East Windsor Campus is meeting this Sunday October 13 at Etra Lake Park.  If you are looking for a church in Mercer County NJ, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services in Hamilton at 9:30 or 11 am! Visit www.217church.com.  If you want to be in on the ground floor of a new exciting church plant, contact our East Windsor Campus Pastor Justin Bronson at justin@217church.com.