1. Church media costs money, but doesn’t have to cost much.   We recently conducted a large-scale research project on local church’s use of media. During the survey, we discovered that the average church media budget is just $300. (That’s not much.) We also discovered that many churches are spending way too much on church media. Like the fact that the average church website costs $3,000. (That’s too much.) Churches are either budgeting too little or spending too much on church media. Or both. The good news is, church media doesn’t need to blow the budget.
2. Church media can save money. Although church media costs money, it also saves a ton of it. Just one feature of church media, like projecting lyrics instead of using hymnbooks, can save a new church over $4,000. What can you do with an extra four grand in the church budget? And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Church media has an astonishing number of money-saving benefits.
3. Church media connects to the culture. No questions asked, we live in a media-saturated culture. If you don’t believe me, reach out and touch the screen in front of you. If our culture is media-drenched (and it is), the church has a role to play in connecting with our culture—reaching the culture and making disciples. Church media paves the way for this kind of disciple-making activity.
4. Church media enhances clarity. Have you ever wished that your preaching could be more powerful, impacting, clear, or insightful? Besides the essential ingredients of prayer, Holy-Spirit dependence, thorough study, and the right tools, media can also help. A video illustration, a diagram, a picture…church media provides greater clarity.
5. Church media improves attention. One of the reasons for media’s widespread appeal is the effect that it has in capturing attention  Media, properly done, grabs the attention, making the message of the church more memorable. From announcement slides to Scripture on the screen, you can improve the memorability of your message by using church media.
6. Church media is essential for effective church marketing. Despite the baggage associated with the term “church marketing,” there is a need for good church marketing—proclaiming the message of the church to those who need to hear it. The means to do this is church media. Ever heard of a church website? It’s that information source about your church that should come up when locals do a Google search for “[city name] church.” (Sorry, but people aren’t checking out churches in the Yellow Pages anymore.)
7. Church media takes time, but not much. Graphic designers are great people, but not every church can employ a graphic designer to make stunning stuff for the church. That’s where a company like Leap Graphics comes in. This is a company dedicated to helping churches make the most of Information Technology in an effort to forward the kingdom of God in the most cost effective way. Forget enrolling your church secretary in Photoshop classes.
8. Church media has pitfalls. Keep in mind that for all its benefits, church media has pitfalls. It’s easy to depend on it, to invest too much time or money into it, to try to mimic the world’s use of it, to be distracted by it, etc. Use media prayerfully and carefully, recognizing that it does have pitfalls. But by all means, use it!
9. Church media is compatible with relevance. Relevance (the right kind) is important. However, relevance isn’t about rocking better church media. No. Instead, properly using media to deliver the message maintains the inherent relevance of the Christian message to our culture. Media neither detracts from nor enhances the message. Rather, media is a tool—kind of like a speaker or an amplification system—for proclaiming the message.
10. Church media can improve worship. Nothing can actually improve the essence of worship, but some things can improve what we do in worship. For example, projecting the lyrics on the screen can improve the congregational singing during worship. Printing a church bulletin can help to keep people informed about church events, or can enable them to follow a Scripture lesson. A church website can provide news, encouragement, and information about the church. What the church is—a worshiping community—is defined by what the church does. Media helps that happen.

Church media is a lot. It can even be pretty complicated. At its most fundamental level, however, church media is about glorifying God. There are organizations rooted in the commitment to help the local church. The media they provide gives you the tools you need to proclaim your message—to glorify God better. Take a leap of faith and find the company that best fits your needs and use technology to glorify God.

Scripture References:

Phillipians 4:10-13: I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

James 1:16-18: Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Notes:

- Somewhere between holiness and imperfection, there lies an opportunity to talk to God and ask what He has in store for our lives. We come to church with questions and burdens, but when we walk into the Lord’s house, we should feel His transforming power that answers our questions. Still, we find ourselves weak, and continue to question our human existence.

- When you feel like this, Jesus will give you the strength that you need. He will give it to you as a form of mercy, grace, love, hope, healing and deliverance.

- While we’re waiting for God to bless our lives, we should realize that God has already done the blessing. The same faith that we have when we pray should be the same faith that keeps us encouraged until we see the prayer answered. Instead of seeking a tangible thing, seek Jesus to be the provider of all things.

- Even though we might not have everything we want, we are a blessed people. We should carry the Holy Spirit with us knowing that God has something special lined up just for us.

- We might wonder what God wants us to do. He first wants us to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and our Savior. Once we accept Christ and let Him lead us, we can become anything that we desire to be. Regardless of Paul’s state in jail, he was content with Jesus and trusted Him completely.

- We must understand that we will face circumstances that cause us to hurt, stumble or react contrary to the will of God. But Paul writes about contentment. Being faithful with what God has given you shows Him that He can trust us with the blessing He has waiting for us.

- God watches us to see how we respond to others being blessed. We should have a supportive attitude toward everyone else regardless of what He is currently doing in our lives.

- God gives us the strength to endure our trials. It is not our own strength. We don’t deserve some trials, nor do we deserve our blessings, but God is merciful and in control. He wants our pure praise and worship in and outside of His house.

- Be a blessing to others. We don’t do good deeds and become a blessing to others to get saved, we do it because we are saved. God will strengthen us to meet the challenges we face not just for our own personal benefit, but to help others.

Scripture References:

Ezekiel 3:15-18: I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Abib near the Kebar River. And there, where they were living, I sat among them for seven days–overwhelmed. At the end of seven days the word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.

Romans 5:15-16: But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.

Romans 12:3: For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

Notes:

- What does it mean to follow Christ?  Jesus came ad died for our sins and spiritual life. Some of us are so hard on ourselves that we fail to understand that what is to come in Christ is happening right now. We think that our lives are so sinful that we skip church and ultimately God’s blessings. God is working each and every day and when we are condemnation minded and don’t show up, we miss out.

- God is not concerned with us being perfect, He wants us to be faithful.

- Some of us want to go to the next level in Christ but are stuck in the condemning opinions of others.

- There are so many good things in Jesus: love sanctification, faith, hope, redemption, deliverance, happiness, power, peace and forgiveness.  We give others power when we let them dictated to us how our lives are judged. Jesus didn’t come to condemn us, he came that we might have life and that more abundantly.

- We have questions from time to time about our spiritual state and future. But we can have an assurance in Jesus Christ. Regardless of the opinions of others, there is no condemnation in Jesus Christ. We must find a way to love each other with His love.

Upcoming Event Info Sheet

Due to the number of events, we’d like to help you keep track with all information about our spiritual efforts, upcoming events, and items that you can purchase.  Click on any of the links below to find out more information about our events.

Click here to download information sheet of Women’s day activities in the month of March

Official Women’s Day T-shirt

The official women’s day t-shirt is now on sale!  Featuring our theme “Woman to Woman, Soul 2 Soul”. $10/ea. for S-XL, $11/ea. for 2XL – 4XL. Click here to download a T-shirt order form

Souvenir Booklet Ad Order Form

During our Women’s Day banquet May 18 and our Sunday Morning Service May 19, our printed program will consist of advertisements from organizations and individuals who support our Women’s Day celebration.  Reaching an audience of over 300 people during our celebration weekend, placing an ad will be sure to bring exposure and interest to your organization from women and men all over the city of Toledo.

Click here to download advertisement order form for souvenir booklet.

Scripture Reference:  John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Notes:

- It is possible to be the church that God has called us to be. God is the one that makes it happen, that’s why this scripture is so powerful. Because God made us in His image, we have the opportunity to bring about change the way that He did.

- God was/is in communion with those who although unworthy, He loved anyway. He so loved the world that He gave us His very best. If He gave us Jesus, we should be willing to give Him everything.

- God wants our time, talent and tithes. If we don’t give, the church hurts and we all suffer. If He gave us the spirit, surely we can give something back to God.

- God is not interested in what we think about the world. He wants to know what we think about Him. He wants us to make the decision to be a blessing to others because we have been blessed.

- It’s important to give not based on how we feel, rather God has given us a responsibility to give what has been given to us out of love.

- We are sometimes unsure how to be a blessing to God. We question whether or not to give unto the things of God. If someone is in need, we are to give to them without hesitation.

- Once you become obedient in God, watch God begin to transform your life for the better. He can restore and sanctify you for a good work in the kingdom.

Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

Click Here to watch video of this sermon

Notes:

- Spiritual Trust begins with knowing the Spirit. We Christians are in a relationship with God, meaning that God’s spirit resides in us.

- Next comes trust. Our view of trust can be tainted by our past experiences but trust in Christ must include confidence and assurance.  We hear people talk about God never leaving or forsaking us, but sometimes by the time we learn about God, we’ve been scarred by our past experiences with trusting others.

- Spiritual Trust is about faith. Faith and trust can be used interchangeably.

- The enemy has a job to do. It is to question us about our faith. But faith in God is greater than any accusation because He is never changing. Even when we cannot see salvation, God is there.

- The Holy Spirit nudges us to be faithful. Spiritual trust challenges our trust level. Even if we can’t see Him or feel Him, we must be able to tell God that we will trust Him. God’s plans for us never change or deviate from His will.

If you missed it, or just want to see it again, check out our video of Judah Praise in Concert on our UStream channel!

Look out for more information on Women’s Day events, leading up to our official Women’s Day, May 19!

Click Here to watch a video of this sermon on our UStream channel!

Scripture Reference: James 5:13-18

Is any among you afflicted let him pray . Is any merry let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick , and the Lord shall raise him up ; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed . The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.  Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain : and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

Notes:

- When we pray, 2 conditions must be present for an answer: Righteousness and Faith.  Righteousness means to be morally good all of the time. Simply put, being obedient to the Word of God. How we live has an effect on the result of our prayers.

- Praying without ceasing… how do we do it when so much is going on in our lives.  That is the very reason why prayer is so important.

- The most powerful prayer you can pray is for someone else. It is our great responsibility to pray. Elijah prayed for 3.5 years and he continued until a shift was seen and a change happened to his circumstances.

- We tend to come up with solutions and pray to God to bless them but prayer is only effective when it lines up with God’s will and His word.

- All prayer is warfare. The same way you wouldn’t go out into the winter cold without your coat, do not go into prayer without your spiritual armor.

- We must look and expect in our prayers that what we request is already done. Be courageous. Prayer is not conquering God’s reluctance to do something for us or convincing Him what is best for us. It is coming joyfully in agreement with Him.

- God delights when His people come together on one accord. Our purpose is getting/giving God glory. We don’t always know God’s purpose. We should not go above what we think HE has for us, rather have a common mind to obedience in prayer.

- God uses prayer to release per-ordained blessings and manifest His glory in all things. Look at your prayer life. Be persistent knowing that people are depending on the power of your prayers.

Click Here to watch a video of this sermon on our UStream channel!

Scripture References:

Isaiah 9:6 – For unto us a child is born , unto us a son is given : and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor , The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

John 16:33 – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer ; I have overcome the world.

Notes:

- Satan is always looking for an opportunity to knock us off our feet. Yet God has called us to this Christian journey. Some of us have lost sight of the person that God wanted us to be and what God requires of us.

- No God, word, love or confidence? No peace of mind. Regardless of our outer appearance, our inside state is determined by knowing Jesus. If it was not for Jesus Christ, we would be lost nor would we have peace.

- We worry about what we can see in front of us, but there is power in the invisible and the spiritual. The only way that you can see what God is doing is through faith. Visualize God working positively in your life. The more you see it, the more peace you will experience.

- Jesus is the Prince of Peace. A spiritual title that is associated with spiritual kingdom building. God is prepared to make our lives better above all that we can ask or think. God is ready to blow our minds, but our requirement is belief.

- Jesus is the key that unlocks our potential in life. God has a blueprint for our life. He wants us to operate with peace of mind. It will stop our worry about our lives and others and bring focus to our faith in Christ.

- So many people think they can get by without knowing Jesus for themselves.  It is imperative that you know Christ in the pardoning of your sins. When evil tries to overtake you, God wants to take care of you and grant you peace of mind.

- We attend church without peace of mind and leave the same way. Conflicting thoughts, segmented mindsets and viewpoints cause us to be inconsistent and double minded.  When you have peace of mind, you understand that Jesus is greater than negativity and evil. Jesus can cover every thought that enters our minds with peace.

- Thank you from the Rhodes Family