The Apostle Paul's second letter to the Corinthians was anything but pleasant. Longing for better relations with a church that he dearly loved, Paul is forced to write a stern letter to line out some issues of immorality, and then soon after write a second letter to explain and defend himself and his calling as an apostle who has the authority of Jesus Christ to teach them how to live. It's a very personal letter, but as with all Scripture, it contains a lot of material that the Holy Spirit uses to grow us, even if we aren't the original, intended congregation. From his letter, we get a taste of Paul's grief and weakness (something we're very familiar with), but we also get a picture of the power of God that comes in the midst of weakness. If you've ever invested your life in another person who finally comes to Christ, only to have someone else come along and lead them astray, then 2 Corinthians is for you. Those who really care about the gospel and the care of souls will find this book captivating. For those who don’t care, hopefully this study will help your heart get to where it ought to be.

​This is your story. This is my story. But most of all, this is God’s story. If you know some of the great Bible stories – Noah and the ark, David and Goliath, Daniel in the lion’s den, the birth of Jesus, Peter walking on water, the feeding of 5000, the crucifixion and resurrection, then this series will help you put the pieces together to see the full sweep of history and your place in it. Over the next several months, we will be working through a message series written for churches by Randy Frazee and Max Lucado based on a book called The Story. We will learn the “Upper Story” of God’s great plan for all creation, and the “Lower story” of human relationships with each other and God. We will see how God has lovingly guided people, how He entered the story through Jesus Christ, and how the story involves us today. We will take a 31-week walk-through of the entire Bible (with a few breaks in between), getting to see how His Story unfolds from beginning to end.

Mike DeCoursey, Guest Minister (no audio recording available)

In the Old Testament books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, King Solomon leaves behind some nuggets of wisdom that are still very relevant to our lives today. Solomon started off on a really good note, but later on in his life, he failed to live up to some of his own advice. Consequently, his life - and especially his relationship with God - went way off the rails. Interestingly, towards the end of his life, as he reflects back on his mistaken pursuits, Solomon leaves behind some words to the wise, hoping that his kids and anyone else who came behind him wouldn't make the same mistakes he did. Over the next 9 weeks, we're going to unpack some texts that will help us live more wisely so that we can best glorify God.

Love for God always involves practical love for others.

Jesus has taken your sin-stained life and washed it white as snow.

E.B. Rawles, SFCC Elder

Helping His Hands Update & Message
Scott Shipman, Director

This is your story. This is my story. But most of all, this is God’s story. If you know some of the great Bible stories – Noah and the ark, David and Goliath, Daniel in the lion’s den, the birth of Jesus, Peter walking on water, the feeding of 5000, the crucifixion and resurrection, then this series will help you put the pieces together to see the full sweep of history and your place in it. Over the next several months, we will be working through a message series written for churches by Randy Frazee and Max Lucado based on a book called The Story. We will learn the “Upper Story” of God’s great plan for all creation, and the “Lower story” of human relationships with each other and God. We will see how God has lovingly guided people, how He entered the story through Jesus Christ, and how the story involves us today. We will take a 31-week walk-through of the entire Bible (with a few breaks in between), getting to see how His Story unfolds from beginning to end.

Richard Crabtree, Guest Minister

Vincennes University Christian Campus Fellowship Update & Message

Preston Ratliff, CCF Minister

​Some Christians strongly believe in the presence of demons and spiritual warfare going on around them in their life. Others downplay or dismiss the idea completely. But the Bible tells us it is very real, and that we are essentially living in a battleground. The trouble is, many treat this world like a playground, where the primary focus is on having fun instead of a battleground, where we live in the midst of an invisible spiritual war. Even though the outcome of the war has already been established, it nonetheless involves us. Fortunately, God has given us the most effective weapon, the proper defenses, and the ultimate power to stand our ground against our enemy in order to be victorious in the end.

The first half of Ephesians speaks of who we are in Christ – our identity. And then, in chapter 4 and continuing through the rest of the letter, the Apostle Paul makes this shift and begins talking about what this means for how we live our lives – our behavior. Behavior flows from our identity. Believers have often got this backwards, thinking that our behavior is what makes us a good Christian. But in reality, our identity as a Christ follower is what leads us to good behavior. Because of who we are in Christ and what He’s done for us, we live transformed lives to His glory and honor.

E.B. Rawles, SFCC Elder

Place your trust in and stake your life on, not what you do, but what He’s done.

One of the core values of our culture today is “being true to who you are.” That’s not entirely wrong, but it all depends on where you look and who you listen to in order to determine who you truly are. The New Testament letter to the Ephesians talks a lot about our identity. It’s important for us to understand who we are. When we understand who we are (Ephesians 1-3), we then understand who God has called us to be and how He wants to use us (Ephesians 4-6). In this series, we’ll be focusing on the first half of Ephesians and finding out what our true identity is in Christ.

Mike Decoursey, Guest Minister

To become more passionate in our faith, we have to love God and others with our head, heart, and hands.

Pain is something we all try to avoid, but what if we learned to see our pain through a different lens? What if we realized that our pain could have a purpose? In this 5-part series, we will see how God never wastes a hurt, and how He’s preparing us for something far greater through the trials, struggles, and pain we’re experiencing now.

Every new year, we make resolutions and decisions about who we want to become in the upcoming year. Some of us set goals, and while that’s great, these goals are often focused on ourselves. Things like losing weight, saving money, beginning an exercise routine, reading more books, limiting social media are all really good ideas. But even the best goals are often inherently self-centered. What if we also began to look at this time as a new start to set some others­-centered goals for the new year? To live the life God has for us, we must be willing to reject our own comfort for the good of others. And that is what we will be looking at over the 4 weeks of this study. It’s not easy, and it sure isn’t comfortable. But when you deny yourself, God can do so much more.

This Christmas, as many families emerge from the isolation that characterized the last Christmas season we celebrated, let’s rediscover the usual advent themes of Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy. In this 4-part series, we will rediscover the true meaning of Christmas and the gift that only Jesus’ birth brings: Good news in troubling times.

Richard Crabtree, guest minister

Throughout Scripture, we see an invitation from God to come to Him in prayer and know that He hears us. It's our direct line to Him. We often look at prayer as a one-way street, where we tell God all that we want Him to address in our lives or in the world. But prayer is so much more than that. It’s not just talking to God but also learning to hear the voice of God. Breakthrough prayer is easier than most people think. It’s not about memorizing a certain formula or certain flowery language. It flows from a right relationship with Jesus, is patterned after the life of Jesus, and is rooted in the mission of Jesus. When you become a truly Kingdom-minded disciple, you begin to see a tremendous breakthrough in your prayer life.

Bob Sheffler, retired missionary to Ghana, Africa

For several months last year (and maybe still this year) many people spent a lot of time sheltered within the safety of our homes and behind the walls that protect us. But as much as we enjoy the security that our walls provide, circumstances often require us to venture out from the shelter of our buildings. As Christ-followers, we are so blessed to have a meeting house that allows us to gather for worship, teaching, and fellowship, but we have been called to move “beyond the walls” of our church facility if we are to share the love of Christ with the world. Through this study, may we gain new confidence and enthusiasm to reach out to our neighbors and to the nations. May we all be motivated to step out from the safe confines of our comfort zones and really make a difference for Christ. Ultimately, may we see lives changed and God glorified as we communicate through our words and deeds the love and message of Jesus Christ.

What if Jesus visited our church? What would He say about it? Would He be impressed by the things that impress others? Would He comment on our buildings? Would He mention the size of the congregation? Would He smile or scowl at the amount of offering given? Would He feel like an outsider and sit by Himself? What would He think about our church? Well, thankfully, we’re not left to wonder about the larger question. Over the next 7 weeks, we’re going to study the 7 short letters to the churches in Revelation 2-3. In these open letters that have been left for all of us to read – not just their original audience – our Lord pays a pastoral visit to 7 different first-century local churches. In each case, He tailors a message fitting to that congregation in that place at that moment in history. These were Christians struggling with persecution and the temptation to moral and spiritual compromise. And even though they were written to a specific group in a specific context, there is certainly teachings and warnings that speak to us still today.

There are some followers of Jesus who have had those powerful, miraculous experiences that changed their hearts and changed their lives in an instant. From that day forward, they grew and were different. That describes some Christians. But the majority of disciples of Jesus can’t point to a single experience or a single day on the calendar way back when that was the decisive turning point in their life. For most of us, much of our spiritual growth has come during and after and because of painful seasons of life that taught us more about the power and presence of God than all of our good days combined. It’s unfortunate that we learn and grow the most through pain, but whatever comes our way, God will always use it to grow us…if we will train our eyes to see His hand at work and open our ears to listen to Him. Over the next 4 weeks, we’re going to look at 4 different seasons where God grows us the most, using the “grow through what you go through” method of working in our hearts. And hopefully we can begin looking for His hand with expectation when struggles come our way.

Adult & Teen Challenge provides Christian faith-based, residential care to young people and adults who struggle with life-controlling problems. The programs are typically 12-18 months and consist of Individual and group biblical studies, work projects, education (for adolescents), recreation and more. This Sunday, we're blessed to hear a presentation about the program and some life-changing testimonies.

Does your future feel like it’s already been predetermined by your past? Instead of being dragged down and immobilized by the weight of guilt, pain, or a lingering sense of failure, what freedom could we find in laying those burdens down? In the next few weeks, we’re going to talk about how it’s not only possible but that it’s incredibly likely that the days ahead can be your best ever…if you walk in step with the Spirit and shed some baggage He’s calling on you to shed. With God, you can rediscover the most peace, hope, and freedom as you write the next chapter of your life.

E.B. Rawles, SFCC Elder

Tony Wolf, guest speaker

www.tonywolf.com

As Christians living in a world that is not our home, we’re called to live holy, distinct lives. But let’s be honest, that’s hard. The pull of the world is strong, and the voices of the world tend to drown out the voice of God most days. For those who have spent any amount of time in or around the church, you have a pretty good idea what God desires for you and how He wants you to live, but over time, it’s easy to compromise, to justify, to tell yourself that your sins aren’t that bad. The reality is, you have to change the way you think, because the way you think is the way you will behave. And God has called us, as His children, to live differently than the world – to be in the world but not of the world. Over the next 4 weeks, we’re going to look at some of the primary ways Christians are duped into doing things the world’s way, and we will reveal God’s better way of living differently.

Scott Williams, SFCC Elder

While on earth, Jesus wasn’t just a good Teacher or a benevolent Healer. He was God in the flesh. He showed His great power through miracles, but He wielded that power, not for personal or political gain but to humbly serve others. And then, He ultimately laid down His life for the sins of the world. We often talk about someone being the G.O.A.T., like a sports player, for instance. But because of who He is and what He did while on this earth, hands down, Jesus is the greatest of all time in every area of life.

Looking at the spiritual landscape of our country today, it’s easy to see that 21st century Christianity is a lot different than 1st century Christianity. The life-changing, culture-shaping influence of the church just isn't what it used to be, nor is it what it could be. We wonder why our faith seems stagnant. We question the lack of loving, caring community. Deep down, we desire a greater purpose that seems so out of reach. Something is definitely missing. In this two-part series, we're going to look at both sides of the discipleship coin, as we learn what it means to be a disciple and what it means to make more disciples.

Tough times come upon all of us. And as we begin the year 2021, more people are struggling than ever before. The struggles aren’t just on the surface with tangible things like finances and auto repairs and job losses. They run deep inside us. And while these struggles are more concealable and less noticeable, they are very real and very hard to endure at times. So, we’re going to bring them out in the open and find some encouragement and reassurance from God’s Word. As author and pastor Max Lucado has wisely reminded us: “You’ll get through this. It won’t be painless. It won’t be quick. But God will use this mess for good. Don’t be foolish or naïve. But don’t despair either. With God’s help, you’ll get through this.”

A look back at some of the God-moments of 2020.

The right response to good news is to spread it. (Christmas Eve Service)

By highlighting the significance of the gifts the wise men brought to Jesus (gold, frankincense, and myrrh), we’re going to connect the symbolism within the story of Christ’s birth to our relationship with Jesus.

E.B. Rawles, SFCC Elder

E.B. Rawles, SFCC Elder

At any point, it’s never a bad idea to stop and take inventory of our lives. Right now, as American Christians, a thousand questions are swirling around in our heads, like “What should I believe? What do I do? How can I make a difference? Where do I turn? What will the future look like? And who should I be listening to?” It’s a confusing time…which means it’s the perfect time to stop and take a good look around in order to gain clarity and a better perspective. In this series, we will explore all the different directions you need to look in order to see what God is trying to tell you in and through this season of life.

In America and in many parts of the world, these are chaotic times. And difficult times are amplified even more by relational division that our opportunist enemy has sown among Christians. More than ever, it’s important that we pursue spiritual maturity to keep from losing our hope and faith, falling for deceptive lies, and turning against one another. The Apostle Peter, in his second letter to the first-century churches, writes to teach us how to grow in certain areas so that we will become more confident in the midst of chaos.

Pregnancy Choices holds an annual fundraising banquet each March. However, with the Coronavirus Pandemic, this was not a possibility. With the banquet being such a large portion of our yearly income, they chose to pivot to a virtual banquet and host several watch parties at area churches. Be moved and inspired to be the change, be the difference, and know the impossible is possible by us all coming together. Please enjoy the presentation by clicking the link above and consider partnering with us in our life-saving efforts.

Discussing the topic of money and giving in church ordinarily puts a lot of people on edge, probably because we have an incorrect understanding of who our wealth, goods, and possessions actually belong to. In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a parable that really lays out for us this “ownership theology” that He wants His followers to understand and incorporate into their lives. He warns us that there will be a test, not just regarding how you handled your finances, but on how you manage all that God entrusts to you. And in this series, we will learn who it belongs to, what our role is, and how to hear those congratulatory words one day: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

The afterlife is cloaked in mystery. What happens moments after we die? What is Heaven really like? What about Hell? And does what we do in this world really matter in the next? Don’t let the afterlife be an afterthought. Join us as we explore the Bible’s life-altering answers to these questions.

You don’t have to run from God or for God. You can run to God and simply rest in God.

Politics and religion are two of the subjects that are social no-no’s. It’s long been said that you’re not supposed to discuss them in polite company. As Christians, we’re obviously in the business of discussing religion. In the hostile political climate of our day, maybe the lack of discussing politics is what has led to Christians entering into the political discussion in society with less than Christ-like character. In this series, we’ll see how to blend our religion and politics in a way that unites the church and glorifies God.

Words are powerful. They can beat us down and lift us up. They wound and they heal. And the right words at the right time can be exactly what we need to hear—or what we need to say. Let’s find the right words, so that our big, fat mouths won’t make other miss Jesus in our lives.

If you have 5 conversations with 5 different people in any given day, you’re bound to hear at least 4 of those people describe a situation or circumstance in their life that is not going well. In fact, they probably feel like just giving up. The pressure is too great, the motivation to keep going is too low, the energy level required to keep trying is all but gone. But this should be something that separates us as Christians. The pages of Scripture serve as God’s megaphone, calling out to us to maintain our endurance, our perseverance, and our determination in the face of anything that comes our way. We have faith that God is doing something that we can’t see, and that reality encourages us over and over throughout our lives, “Don’t give up!”

The Gospel of Mark is an action-packed book of Jesus’ life. It’s fast-paced and always moving, proclaiming the good news of 1) who Jesus is, and 2) why Jesus came. These are the two major themes we see in Mark’s Gospel. Through the stories that Mark includes about Jesus, his goal becomes clear: He wants us to repent and believe. Over and over, this book pushes the reader to action, as it forces us to examine the remarkable life of Jesus and His purpose here on earth, moving us to evaluate our own relationship with Him and our purpose here on earth.