Dr. Chris Pulliam - Senior Minister
Worship Style - Contemporary
Well, we certainly travelled quite a distance this week to broaden our worship experience! Actually, our son has recently relocated to Tyler, Texas, to pursue a business opportunity, and we chose to celebrate our 32nd anniversary this weekend by visiting him in Tyler. Since we also have good friends in Tyler, the three of us chose to worship with them at their church this Sunday at their contemporary service. The husband is a talented keyboard player in their praise band, and the lead singer/guitarist has a great voice.
Following the opening music and announcements, we celebrated communion in a moving and meaningful manner. Communion was followed by a Spoken Affirmation, "We believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and accept Him as Lord and Savior."
Pastor Pulliam's sermon was entitled, "The Gambler." It was based on Hebrews 11: 1-3, 8-12. He began by clearly stating that he is not against gambling as recreation, but you should watch to make sure it doesn't overtake you and make sure you qualify. Are you: a) Giving 10%, b) out of debt, c) living beneath your means, and d) putting money in savings? He then stated that the Scriptures tell us that God's people have always been "big gamblers," but they each knew the odds were stacked in their favor, for God is WITH/FOR/AHEAD OF us. "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) According to Pastor Pulliam, "It's all a big gamble!" In Luke 17, Jesus talks of faith the size of a mustard seed. The amount of faith needed to do great things is small. However, we do know how it all ends. This was a particularly poignant sermon considering the "gamble" our son had just taken moving to Texas. God is so good!!
Following the service, we did the Texas thing and joined our friends for a delightful lunch. It was such a treat to share our pilgrimage with our Texas friends and with our son in his new location.
Worship Style - Contemporary
Well, we certainly travelled quite a distance this week to broaden our worship experience! Actually, our son has recently relocated to Tyler, Texas, to pursue a business opportunity, and we chose to celebrate our 32nd anniversary this weekend by visiting him in Tyler. Since we also have good friends in Tyler, the three of us chose to worship with them at their church this Sunday at their contemporary service. The husband is a talented keyboard player in their praise band, and the lead singer/guitarist has a great voice.
Following the opening music and announcements, we celebrated communion in a moving and meaningful manner. Communion was followed by a Spoken Affirmation, "We believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and accept Him as Lord and Savior."
Pastor Pulliam's sermon was entitled, "The Gambler." It was based on Hebrews 11: 1-3, 8-12. He began by clearly stating that he is not against gambling as recreation, but you should watch to make sure it doesn't overtake you and make sure you qualify. Are you: a) Giving 10%, b) out of debt, c) living beneath your means, and d) putting money in savings? He then stated that the Scriptures tell us that God's people have always been "big gamblers," but they each knew the odds were stacked in their favor, for God is WITH/FOR/AHEAD OF us. "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) According to Pastor Pulliam, "It's all a big gamble!" In Luke 17, Jesus talks of faith the size of a mustard seed. The amount of faith needed to do great things is small. However, we do know how it all ends. This was a particularly poignant sermon considering the "gamble" our son had just taken moving to Texas. God is so good!!
Following the service, we did the Texas thing and joined our friends for a delightful lunch. It was such a treat to share our pilgrimage with our Texas friends and with our son in his new location.