Archive for the ‘Family’ Category
Syracuse – ’09 Winter Workshops
January 17th, 2009 | 
Author: All of us in the Syracuse International Christian Church family want to thank our dear brothers and sisters from the New York City (ECICC) and Washington D.C. (WDCICC) mission teams for making our Winter Workshops glorious to God.
Two weekends ago, the disciples here in Syracuse welcomed their brothers and sisters with open arms at the Holiday Inn on Electronics Parkway. With love and fellowship, it wasn’t difficult to see how each one not only carried the same standard, but also was called to the same standard… Jesus. There were powerful messages and lessons, as well as an inspiring sermon by New York City Evangelist, DJ Comisford.
The theme for the weekend was “A Faith That Dares”, which ran throughout all the lessons on persecution, finances, relationships, worship and dreams. The Syracuse church would like to thank these disciples, and hold them up for their work in the Lord. Though they were our honored guests, they served us in Syracuse in a powerful way. Many were inspired, moved to decision, and re-ignited in their faith from the biblical messages and the fired-up fellowship!
To all the disciples, our brothers and sisters…
….To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
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Marriage Enrichment Seminar
Peace Amongst Chaos. Okay, the real question isn’t “How do I get out of chaos?” but rather, “What can I learn because of this chaos!!” Jay and Barb Shelbrack’s lives put spiritual exclamation marks on this understanding of why God would have us refined by fire through the difficult trials that make up our lives. God wants to do miracles–He just needs to get our attention, so He can get us on board!
During the opening message, Jay preached about the kind of mental and emotional suffering that it took for he and Barb to allow God to rescue them and restore their faith in His miracles. Anyone who sets their minds on what the Spirit desires will find peace amongst; AND they will also know the battle that it took to get there and stay there in that mind-set! (Romans 8:5-8)
Download audio Lessons here:
Opening lesson.
Jay’s Message to our Married Men.
Barbara’s message to the Married Women.
Jay and Barb’s message on Parenting on Discipling.
Download the invitation here, Enrichment Invitation.
God’s Great Family of Faith – Acts 12
Preached by Chris Adams, May 11, 2008
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Although the early church was “earnestly praying” for Peter, there was no guarantee that God would spare them the sorrow of losing another dear friend, especially after the memories of seeing Stephen and James martyred had not even faded!
Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” Acts 12:13-14
I’ve always seen Rhoda as blending into this group of earnestly-praying-but-trembling Christians. However, recently I realized that Rhoda was quite distinct from this houseful of disciples; she certainly seemed to be the FIRST if not the ONLY one among them who believed that God really had rescued Peter and delivered him safely back to his brothers and sisters!
Surely, we must have those with Rhoda’s heart of faith right here in our church—possibly even young women barely in their teens who we ourselves might not view as spiritual giants with chronicled deeds of faith, but who are just the kind of souls God has always loved to listen to and honor! As Paul states in 1 Corinthians 1:27, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
What an inspiring picture of the family of God going through great trials but staying together, staying focused on God and staying on the mission to spread this message of forgiveness to the whole world!
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