118 High Street, Wadsworth, Ohio 44281
Thursdays at 6:30 PM
Sundays at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM
To see the lost, broken, and skeptical find new life in Jesus.
Church for people who don't think church is for them.
Our honor level shows our value level. The greater the honor the greater the value. EVERY person is made in the image of God and therefore has HIGH value. So we give high honor to all. Our words and attitudes exude honor. We believe the best for each other and about each other. We joyfully submit to those God has placed over us. We love and serve those God has placed under us. We will create a haven of honor in a culture of contempt.
Everything we do, we do it with passion. From our worship to our service we do it with Holy Spirit Energy. Apathy is our enemy. We are thermostats not thermometers. We intentionally set the passion level of our hearts rather than reflecting the passion level around us. Passion drives us. Passion for Jesus. Passion for people. Passion for His church. Romans 12:11
Real, lasting life change happens in the context of relationships. We know we cannot live an effective Christian life in isolation. We also know that the busyness of life tends to pull us apart. The gravity of our schedules draws us away from each other. If we leave connection up to chance it won’t happen. So, we are intentional about cultivating the right relationships in our lives. We prioritize time to be with people who bring us closer to God and who He wants us to be.
We serve a radically generous God. The term ‘stingy Christian’ is an oxymoron. We see generosity as a privilege. We know that God’s M.O. is to work through the generosity of His people. We get to be a part of what God is doing when we are generous with our time, talents, and treasure. God has given us all good things, it’s our honor to give back to Him.
We will always do all we can with what we have in the moment we are in. We’re on time, engaged and prepared. We don’t do things halfway. We don’t let good get in the way of great. If we’re going to do it, it’s going to be to the best of our ability. We’ll have the awkward conversation, take the risk, push through the difficultly in our pursuit. Sometimes that means we embrace our limitations and work creatively with-in them. Other times that means we break through and find innovative ways to achieve new levels.
The People Confess Their Sins
1 On October 31[a] the people assembled again, and this time they fasted and dressed in burlap and sprinkled dust on their heads. 2 Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners as they confessed their own sins and the sins of their ancestors. 3 They remained standing in place for three hours[b] while the Book of the Law of the Lord their God was read aloud to them. Then for three more hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the Lord their God.
Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector
9 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: 10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer[a]: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! 12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
A Discussion about Fasting
14 One day the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus and asked him, “Why don’t your disciples fast[a] like we do and the Pharisees do?”
15 Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
