SERMON THEMES - Morning Worship

January & February 2012

The following is a short introduction to the morning sermon themes during January and February 2012This is an interesting book to reflect upon at the beginning of the year. It is a letter full of encouragement – it seeks to lift our eyes from the place of despair and disappointment to see that our lives have purpose and are worth living. At the heart of this letter is a key message.
The Christian life is always worth living regardless of your circumstances. Paul writes this epistle while he is in prison. His life is almost coming to an end and he knows it yet, he still; writes; “For me to live is Christ to die is gain.” Somehow Paul had managed to get his life into perspective. You can be facing some of the most horrendous trials. Your life can be in danger yet it is possible to have a peace and joy that passes all understanding.In this letter Paul writes about how we can connect our lives to Christ’s life and to live in such a way that Christ’s mindset becomes ours.
He says in chapter one let the life of Christ inspire you. Live in Him. In Chapter two he highlights the significance of having our mindset changed. We need to start thinking in a different way. Let the mind of Christ be in you. In Chapter three he  begins a discourse about the focus of the Christian. Make Jesus Christ your Goal is his slogan. Finally he says, when all is said and done and your struggling to understand how you can possibly live this kind of life, take courage because it can only be done by the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives.
In February the theme will be prayer. During this month we will study the lives of four biblical characters, three from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. During these studies we try to understand the effect prayer had on their lives and seek to learn from their faith and example. We will discover that prayer takes on many forms and effective prayer need not always be formal prayer. Learning to pray in the moment is not about choosing the right words to speak but allowing God to direct our thoughts and desires. It is through prayer that we can begin to change our mindset and see things from God’s perspective. It is through prayer that we can make many discoveries about ourselves and others and the world around us.
It is our intention to mark the beginning of Lent with our 24 hour prayer vigil this will start on Friday 24th February in the church at 10pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to lift the work and ministry of St Andrew’s Bo’ness up to God in prayer and to ask his blessing on us all during Albert’s Moderatorial year.

STUDIES IN THE LETTER TO THE PHILIPPIANS

January 1st

Who Do You Think You are? - Philippians Chapter 1:1-12

January 8th   

A life Worth Living - Philippians Chapter 1:12- 20

January 15th  

A Mind Worth Knowing - Philippians Chapter 2:1-16

January 22nd    

A Goal worth Pursuing - Philippians Chapter 3:1-21

January 29th   

A Strength Worth having - Philippians 4:10 -23

FOUR CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD THAT CHANGED THE FUTURE

February 5th 

The Prayer of Nehemiah – A Prayer of Confession - Nehemiah 1. 1-11

February 12th

The Prayer of Samuel - A Prayer for Renewal - 1 Samuel 3. 1-21

February 19th

The Prayer of Daniel - A Prayer of Deliverance - Daniel 6. 1-23

February 26th

The Prayer of Jesus - A Prayer of Unity - John 6 20-26