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"Doctrine of the Church", Preaching at CFCFC, Depression Resources (Pastoral Emphasis for 9/18)

Prayer 2016 is Tuesday, from 7-9pm at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium.  For those who registered, you should have picked up your tickets from Sis. Sandra Broadwater after church.  If not, please contact Sis. Broadwater to make arrangements to get your ticket.

In a time when salvation is so individualized, how important is the church?  Does membership in a church really matter?  Register for our Theological Seminar on Saturday, 9/24 from 9:00am to 11:15am.  Walter Strickland from SEBTS will be teaching on "The Doctrine of the Church".  Light refreshments will be served.  Register online.


Next Sunday, 9/25, I will be preaching at Christ First Christian Fellowship Center at 4pm for their Ushers/Greeters Anniversary.  Minister Brandi Hancock will also be the guest soloist.

Today at 3pm, I preached at Little Zion M.B. Church in Youngsville for their Annual Homecoming Service.  I preached on the Parable of the Prodigal Son, "Come Home to the Father".

Our friends at Oak City Academy are in need of some items to be donated (used sports equipment) and volunteers (reading buddies, tutors).  Please pick up a flyer at the Welcome Center for what is needed.

My Hope Sunday is 10/9.  All members are asked to commit to inviting at least one unbeliever/unchurched person to attend church with you.  Commitment and invitation cards are available at the Welcome Center. We will collect the commitment cards on next Sunday so we can pray over the name of those individuals to be invited.

We had some awesome testimonies today.  Sis. Francine Thorne shared her testimony of how her hope is in Jesus especially when she battled with cancer.  Following my sermon, "How to Fight for Joy" (the last in the series on depression), Sis. Broadwater shared this series has blessed her daughter who has battled with depression for years and now is experiencing some peace as she listened to this series.  Sis. Melanie Martin shared her struggles with depression, it's effect on her relationship with her young son, having to be hospitalized, and taking medication.  God has kept her through all of that and is continuing to be with her.

Here are some additional resources that I shared at end of the depression series.

Counseling: BridgeHaven Counseling (Gospel-centered, donation basis). I HIGHLY recommend these counselors. If you need to seek counseling for depression or other issues, please check them out.

Books:
Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness by Ed Welch. This is an excellent book for those who are facing depression and for those seeking to understand it better to help a friend or family member. I quoted from this book throughout my series.

When the Darkness Will Not Lift by John Piper. This is another great book.  I have an electronic copy of this book that I can give to those who would like it.  Please email me and I'll give you this in eBook format.

Depression: The Way Up When You Are Down by Ed Welch.  This is a great little booklet that I gave out after the service.  We still have a few booklets available to give out to those who need them.

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