"The Weekly" - our Sunday morning bulletin

 Check out The Weekly to find out what's happening on Sunday and the coming week

• The Weekly: September 27, 2020
• The Weekly: September 20, 2020
• The Weekly: September 13, 2020
• The Weekly: September 6, 2020

"The Link" - our biweekly email newsletter

The Link is a newsletter delivered by email every other Thursday. You can stay in touch with CMBC whether you're nearby or far away.  Sign Up Now

Suggested Reading: "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

September Memory Verse: John 13:34-35
Click here to download the September verse as a phone background graphic

Click here to download and print the September memory verse bookmark

Links

• Pray for Oregon, California & Washington
  As wildfires continue to rage on the west coast, pray for the service men and women who are battling to stop the blazes. Pray for families who have been separated, displaced, or lost loved ones. Pray for the massive financial burden that this will have on the nation. Pray that God would use his church on the west coast to be a strong and effective witness in their communities.
  
  
• On my Failing Flesh (and the Flesh of Jesus)
  “Like you, Jesus was knit together in his mother’s womb. Heart, lungs, nervous system, intestines, kidneys. Let that sink in.”
  
  
• Joy Comes through Mourning
  “Earthly prosperity is not a sign of God’s eternal favor; nor is poverty a sign of his disfavor.”
  
  
• A Parent's Cry
  A reminder that in both the good days and the not-so-good days, children are a blessing from the Lord. 
  
  
• Prioritize Church, Even When There's no Childcare
  “If we only prioritize corporate worship when it’s convenient, our children will learn to do the same.”
  
  
• Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
  You will be sure to get a good laugh at some of these.
  
  
• John Calvin: Justice is a Form of Worship
  According to the Reformer, pursuing the good of others is a way to love God.
  
  
• Peeking Past the Blindfold
  On the sin of partiality.
  
  
• The Other Side of the Coin
  A comparison of the current spiritual climate in the UK to the current spiritual climate in Africa, and how one can help to inform the other.
  
  
• Charles Stanley Stepping Down After 50 years as Pastor
  At 87, the longtime First Baptist Atlanta preacher still doesn’t believe in retirement.
  
  
• Unreached of the Day: The Gujjar of India
  Pray for the Gujjar people in the country of India.
  
  
• Hymnday Tuesday: Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise
  Enjoy Steve Green’s rendition of the wonderful hymn, “Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise.” Another hymn sung to the tune of a Welsh ballad; the work was written by Walter Chalmers Smith, a Scottish Free Church minister, in 1867. Biblical texts such as 1 Tim. 1:17-20 come to life in the words of this well-loved hymn.

9-8-20 Links

• What is Justice?
  
• 4-Part Podcast Series on Biblical Justice
  
• Book Review: Generous Justice, by Tim Keller
  
• Politics Has a Strong Grip on Our Hearts. The Gospel's Grip Should be Stronger.
  
• Be Careful What You Put Your Hope in, Including Politics
  
• The Roots of the Black Prophetic Voice
  
• The Still More Glorious Day
  
• When Solomon's Fool Created a Social Media Platform
  
• Pandemic prompts churches to consider permanent changes
  
• Unreached People of the Day: Qassab peoples of South Asia
  
• The Core of the Qur'anic Worldview
  
• ChurchMusic Tuesday: What does the Lord Require of You?
  

9-1-20 Links

• Worthy of Dishonor
  
• The Bitter Fruit of Fearing Man
  
• QAnon is a Wolf in Wolf's Clothing
  more here and here.
  
• How QAnon has hijacked the anti-human trafficking movement
  
• God Hears Tears as Well as Prayers
  
• Five Significant Archaeological Finds from Outside Israel that Enlighten our Understanding of the Old Testament
  
• Chadwick Boseman's death and faith: The power of purpose and the "two great days" of your life
  
• Black Christians Play a Crucial Role in Athlete Activism
  
• Is America still an option for Christians fleeing persecution?
  
• Radical Muslims Wage War for Control of Nigeria, Christians suffering 'Massive Attacks'
  
• Unreached of the Day: The Assamese of South Asia
  
• NewSong Tuesday: Father, Let your Kingdom Come
  

  
  

8-25-20 Links

• Who Gets to Rule our Hearts this Week?
  
• The Non-Partisan Politics of Jesus
  
• When what is Lawful is Lethal
  
• God's Law in the Gospel Age
  
• Riots in John Piper's Neighborhood
  
• Confessing Complicity in Systemic Sin
  
• Anti-racist Arguments are Tearing People Apart
  
• Opposing Netflix's Outrageous Exploitation
  
• Jerry Falwell Jr. Wavers on Resigning from Liberty
  
• The Korean Diaspora and the Great Century of Missions
  
• Unreached of the Day: The Rajput Chauhan people of Pakistan
  
• Hymnday Tuesday: Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners
  
  

8-18-20 Links

• How to Get to the End of Divisions: (And Become a New Humanity)
  
• The Gospel is Teaching Cuban Pastors how to Love the LGBTQ+ Community
  
• 120 Children Remain Detained in ICE Detention Centers
  
• Time Alone for God: The Ageless Habits of Jesus Christ
  
• Sight & Sound Theatres presents Jonah!
  
• NEW: Fall Blast Day Camp @ Black Rock Retreat!
  
• Hundreds of Positions Eliminated at Evangelical Colleges and Universities
  
• Andrew Fuller and the Genesis of Modern Missions
  
• O Antigo Testamento diz tudo English here.
  
• Unreached of the Day: Sayyid people of Pakistan
  
• NewSong Tuesday: Calvary's Anthem

It is important that you realize that I am not endorsing everything in these articles, videos, or sites but I share them with you as a way for you to see what has engaged my thinking and caught my attention online through the week. Some of the links are related to current events, some are related to current realities facing the church, some are just cool and random facts that you may or may not have known.

 -Pastor Chris Lenhart

Spiritual Growth

Our desire is to develop fully devoted followers of Christ who make disciples. In light of that vision, we are very passionate about helping every person who attends CMBC to take their next step. No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, there is always another step to take towards being fully devoted in your following of Christ. There is no one prescription for spiritual growth because everyone is different. But there are some basic areas to consider. It is our desire that each person intentionally participates with God and others in this transforming process. We invite you to consider what’s offered at CMBC and how that may be used by God to mature you in the faith.

Daily Bible Reading

We believe that reading God's Word, the Bible, daily is vitally important and absolutely necessary for spiritual growth. There are many different devotionals and guides for helping you read and apply the Bible, and we encourage you to find something that works for you. Here are a few suggestions:

• Click here to subscribe to The Daily Bread. There are options for home delivery or daily emails.
  
• Bible.com has a variety of different reading plans covering many different topics.
  
• Download and print this Personal Bible Reading Checklist from Pastor Stan Maughan.

Preparing for Baptism

Baptism is important, but it is not salvation. Baptism should be among the first steps of a new believer’s walk in obedience to the Lord. This booklet will help you more thoroughly understand baptism.

Steps to Membership

What is church membership? Although “official membership” is not found in Scripture, the idea of being a regular, integral part of a church fellowship is indicated throughout the Bible. It is not an option. It is mandatory for the kind of healthy spiritual life God intends. (1 Cor. 12:27)

Here are some ways to get integrated into the fellowship at CMBC.

• Attend the “Exploring CMBC” class. This 4-week class is normally offered once a year during the ABF hour (9:45-10:45) on Sunday mornings and is for those desiring to know more about CMBC or intending to join. These classes are required for membership.
• Click here to download and read the “Becoming a Member” booklet. If you wish to become a member and have completed the “Exploring CMBC” membership class, fill out the form at the back of the booklet and turn in to the church office.