We had some special visitors at the LOPC office today. David (2 years, 8 months) and Joanna (6 months) are Marion and Ginger Clark's grandchildren. David is the one who shouted out "Thousands!!??" during the Christmas Eve service.

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 

Hebrews 10:25

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart 

to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for 

God loves a cheerful giver. 

2 Corinthians 9:7

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

If it is possible as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 
Romans 12:18

Marion & Ginger Clark have been busy sharing some Christmas Cheer!

Marion & Ginger visit the Wood
Small Group Christmas Social

LOPC staff received necklaces and a heart ornament
from Marion & Ginger

A Song of Peace

Luke 2:13-14                           A Song of Peace

12/4/16            D. Marion Clark

Introduction

What on earth would astound angels? These are the creatures who stand before the glory of the Three-Person God in his throne room. These are the creatures of another dimension who see into mysteries that we can but vaguely guess at. What on earth would they find mysterious? Their “song of peace” clue us in.

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

Be joyful in hope, 
                            patient in affliction, 
                                                            faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 
Then you will be able to test and prove what God's will is
-his good, pleasing and perfect will.     Romans 12:2

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and 

seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will

I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will 

heal their land. 

1 Chronicles 7:14

Meditation verse for Women in the Church

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 

1 Peter 5:7

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. Psalm 55:22

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make 

your paths straight. 

                                                              Proverbs 3:6

Evil Intent, Good Intent

Genesis 37:12-36                    Evil Intent, Good Intent

10/2/16            D. Marion Clark

Introduction

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” So Joseph assuages the fears of his brothers after the death of Jacob, and so he articulates the providence of God. The story of Joseph is the display of the providential power of God to accomplish his good purposes. Let’s read our text and consider what it teaches about us, about God, and what it all means for us.

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 

Proverbs 3:5

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 

1 John 1:9

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 

1 John 1:7

The Clash of Cultures

Genesis 34:1-31                      The Clash of Cultures

9/11/16            D. Marion Clark

Introduction

James Boice, in his sermon series through Genesis, introduces our chapter by noting the difficulty of the subject matter. He referenced two commentators who simply skipped it. Another was willing to make some comments but would not offer how to preach the chapter. With due trepidation, let’s look into this infamous episode.

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". Jeremiah 29:11

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 
Romans 8:28

Telling the Story of Jesus

I have published a new book - Telling the Story of Jesus.

Telling the Story of Jesus is a collection of thirty stories told from the perspective of characters from the gospels. They come from all walks of life - religious, secular; moral, sinful; wealthy, poor. Their stories attest that no one can be unaffected by Jesus, whoever they conclude he might be. Will one tell your story?

Paperback is available through amazon.com. It is also available in Kindle.

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33

Weekly Meditation Verse for the Women in the Church

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by 

your will they were created and have their being."  

Revelation 4:11

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
                              his faithfulness continues through all generations.  
                                                                                                     Psalm 100:5

Genesis 29:1-30                      The Fox Out-Foxed

8/7/16              D. Marion Clark

Introduction

When I moved to Lake Oconee and learned that I was living in the land of Br’er Rabbit, I decided I should read Uncle Remus. It doesn’t take long to size up the primary character of Br’er Rabbit. He is crafty with a chip on his shoulder. After a while, I even began to develop sympathy for Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear who wanted to eat Br’er Rabbit. And when I got to the story of the tar baby, I had some satisfaction in seeing Br’er Rabbit get out-foxed even though only for a little while.

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to 

him and praise his name. 

Psalm 100:4

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1:3

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 

Isaiah 53:5

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. 
Isaiah 26:3

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." 

John 14:27

How to Really Sing

I should have been a music director.

 

 

Pictures

Everyone asks for pictures of our new granddaughter. Here are two soon after her birth.

Joanna Ellen Hilliard

The Women in the Church sent our new granddaughter a beautiful handcrafted sweater/cap (by Janice Murphy) and blankets (by Teresa Parker). Here she is with her new gifts.

A Promise Kept

Genesis 25:1-12                                  A Promise Kept

6/26/16            D. Marion Clark

Introduction

We are nearing Independence Day. Here is a question for us Americans. “Who is the father of our country?” George Washington. The nation of Israel can even more easily and unitedly identify their father – Abraham.

Weekly Mediation Verse for Women in the Church

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." 

John 14:6

Answered Prayer

Genesis 24:1-14                                  Answer to Prayer

6/19/16            D. Marion Clark

Introduction

It is always interesting to hear how married couples met one another. There are childhood sweethearts, blind dates, falling for a friend’s date, co-workers, in a bar, even in a church. A growing trend is internet matching services. We had neighbors in Philadelphia who had connected through a classified ad. Few are as peculiar as the story of Isaac and Rebekah.

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come 

back and take you to be 

with me that you also 

may be where I am." 

John 14:3

The Sacrifice

Genesis 22:1-18                      The Sacrifice

6/12/16

Text

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” ² He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” ³ So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. ⁴ On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. ⁵ Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” ⁶ And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. ⁷ And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” ⁸ Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

"In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not 

so, I would have told you. I 

am going there to prepare a 

place for you." John 14:2

Through Isaac

Genesis 21:1-12                      Through Isaac

6/5/16              D. Marion Clark

Introduction

It had been a long time coming, so long that it had become a laughing matter to both Abraham and Sarah. Twenty-five years is a long time for a promise to be fulfilled, especially when no indication had been given that it would be long. Finally, Abraham laughed when God yet again made the promise, and then Sarah later when she heard the promise again repeated. And so it was fitting for the promised son to be named “Laughter.”

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." John 14:1

Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

1 John 5:12

Summer Adult Sunday School

Come join us for a unique summer schedule of Sunday school classes. Two classes will be presented by pastors Sam Smith and Marion Clark (with the aid of assistant teachers.) Both classes will give foundational teaching for being the church and living as the communion of the saints.

Praying for Our Nation

Praying for our Nation

1 Timothy 2:1-4 gives us instruction to pray and principles:

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 

1 John 5:11

Thank you to Russell Puppe for sharing his scrumptious recipe for Chicken, Artichoke and Shrimp Lasagne! Check it out by going here.

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women

And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked

of him. 1 John 5:15

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.Hebrews 4:12

"Grease" April 22 & 23

You will not want to miss Nathanael Greene's Performance of  the Musical "Grease". The script has been rewritten with accommodate younger audiences. You will even recognize some of the younger cast. Brianna (Yvonne's daughter), Mitchell, Elodie, Loren (Tammy's Children) will be among the Rydell High Students in "Grease".  Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. Admission is $10.00 at the door.

Elodie Johnson practicing "Beauty School Dropout"

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.     Deuteronomy 6:7

Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.  Psalm 119:11

Joseph of Arimathea - the Fearful Disciple

For Good Friday service.
D. Marion Clark 

I had to do something. I was ashamed, ashamed that I had not owned up to believing that he was the Messiah. So why now, when it is clear that he is not the One for whom we hope, do I come forth to show my devotion?

It seemed like the decent thing to do. The Romans would have thrown his body into a common grave, maybe not even that. They would have defiled Jesus’ body. And yet how much more could it have been defiled than it already was to be hung on a tree – a curse to the Romans and even by our law a curse to God?

Celebration of the Victor

Below is the sermon I prepared for Maundy Thursday but was unable to preach. It was the second part on Psalm 118.

Psalm 118:5-18                       Celebration of the Victor

3/24/16 Maundy Thursday      D. Marion Clark

Introduction

This past Sunday we looked at Psalm 118, considering it as the psalm shouted out by the people in the joyful procession of pilgrims into Jerusalem and the temple. This was also likely the last psalm that Jesus sang with his disciples. What would it have meant for our Lord to sing this psalm, knowing the suffering before him? With that in mind, look with me at the section of the psalm spoken in the singular voice.

Celebration of the People

Psalm 118:1-4; 19-29                        Celebration of the People

3/20/16            D. Marion Clark                      Palm Sunday

Introduction

The pilgrims have ascended the crest of Mt. Zion and now are streaming into the gates of Jerusalem, where they will observe the feast of the Passover. Among them are Jesus and his disciples. The pilgrims, Jesus, his disciples, and the people along the road and at the gate shout to one another the words of Psalm 118. Let’s take time to look at this psalm shouted out on the first Palm Sunday and find out why it became a favorite of God’s covenant people then, and the rich meaning it has for us today. We will look at the portion that speaks for the people this morning, and the rest of the psalm for Maundy Thursday that speaks for the Messiah.

Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

2 Timothy 3:16   "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness." 
My God-inspired Grandmother knew this well.  "Be ye kind, one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you."  I can hear her voice now, chiding us children to cease our quarreling. 

Thank you to Sue Vorreyer of the LOPC's Ladies' Thursday Early-Morning Bible Study Group for her recipe for Texas Yum Yum Cake!

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

Romans 10:10 
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

The staff celebrated Pastor Marion Clark's birthday (which was March 6th) under the LOPC pavilion today. The weather was too nice to eat indoors. Happy Birthday Marion!

Thank you to Lynda Hancock of LOPC's Thursday Early-Morning Ladies' Bible Study group for the recipe for Taco Soup! Yum!

Crouching Sin

Genesis 4:1-16                        Crouching Sin

3/6/16              D. Marion Clark

Introduction

Pastor Sam Smith has begun a sermon series in Genesis. Sam’s idea is to study characters in Genesis for this purpose: “to learn how God intervenes in the life of his people to reveal both the source of their problems and his solutions.” By examining the stories of people in Genesis, we will gain insight into our own lives and what God is doing in us.

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

Romans 10:9

"If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

"Jesus is Lord" - the classic New Testament confession of faith.  With  your heart you believe, with your mouth you confess, and you will be saved.  Your cannot memorize everything, but this one is a good verse to memorize.

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

This verse is found in the middle of a paragraph that runs from verse 6 to verse 11 and the whole paragraph is worth memorizing.

A Star Is Born

Perhaps Sam is getting carried away with his acting career.

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The second in a series of passages:  Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9-10, 13 to plant in your heart.

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

Romans 3:23  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

This is the first of a set of five verses that together are often called the Roman Road - Romans 3:23, 6:28, 5:8, 10:9, 10:10, also called the five steps in the path to salvation.  Memorizing these verses or writing them in your Bible as a set can make them accessible to you when you find yourself in the position of being the agent in leading someone to Christ.

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

Plant these words in your heart

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.

A noted minister, Henry Moorhouse, said at the end of a week of sermons on John 3:16:

"My friends, for a whole week I have been trying to tell you how much God loves you but I cannot do it with this poor stammering tongue.  If I could borrow Jacob's ladder and climb up into heaven and ask Gabriel, who stands in the presence of the Almighty, to tell how much love the Father has for the world, all he could say would be, "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.""

Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

John 1:14  The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. 

                   We have seen His glory,

                    the glory of the one and only Son,

                    who came from the Father,

                    full of grace and truth.

The Greek word for "made His dwelling," has the inference of tenting.  So, literally, the Lord has pitched his tent with us and we have seen His glory. Hallelujah! Amen.   If you did not hear Marion's sermon on this text on Sunday, you may want to read it on his post below.

The Word, the Light, and the Incarnation

John 1:1-14

Introduction

Two weeks ago we reflected on the opening text of Genesis and of the whole Bible. “In the beginning,” presented the already presence of the eternal God. He alone is Creator of man, who is made in his image; and he alone is Creator of all creation, which bears witness to him.

There is one other passage that opens up with “in the beginning.” It also speaks of the work of God as Creator. It also opens up mystery beyond mystery as we learn that the eternal God is more complex that anyone dare imagine. Introduced to us is God the Word, who is the Light of the world, who became flesh and dwelt among us.

Meditation Verse for the week for Women in the Church
Words to Plant in Your Heart

John 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Notice how parallel this verse is to Genesis 1:1,  last week's verse.  The chapter and verse are similar as well as the beginning words.  A story is told about a young slave girl in the 1800s who could not read, but she heard a preacher reciting this verse.  She was so impressed by the words of this verse that she went home and got someone who could read to point out the verse for her in a Bible.  According to Robert J. Morgan in 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know By Heart  , she "studied it until she could recognize the words one by one, and she searched through the Bible for others like them.  In this way, little by little, she learned to read."(49)

Weekly Meditation Verse for Women in the Church

Each week this year, on Fridays, the women in the church will be receiving a Bible verse to reflect upon.  The verse will be delivered in an eblast on Friday, posted on the church blog, and printed in Sunday's bulletin. The Bible has 31,000 verses ­ how many have you "placed in your heart"?  The idea is to have all women in the church, as a body of "sisters in Christ" to focus on the same verse each week.  Memorize if you want, write it on a card and post on your mirror, allowing the scripture into your soul, letting it permeate your life.  The first verse is Genesis 1:1.  "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."  Ten words, profound meaning.

Mary Ann Johnson 

God, Man, and Nature

Genesis 1:1-2:3                                   God, Man, and Nature

1/10/16            D. Marion Clark

Introduction

Where did we come from?

Do our lives matter?

Is this all that there is?

Our passage this morning answers such questions.

Free Showing of the Movie “War Room”

Grace Fellowship Church in Greensboro invites everyone in the community to a free showing of the movie “War Room” on Saturday, January 23, at 6:00 p.m. No tickets necessary, doors open at 5:30 p.m. Childcare will be provided for children under age 5.