Are Miracles for Today?

As we continue our series on The Spirit-filled Life --this Sunday at The Bridge we will be exploring the topic of miracles.

Among the questions we will seek to answer are:

• Are miracles even possible?
• Does God perform miracles through people today?
• What role does faith play in miracles?
• Why don't we see more miracles?
• What purpose do miracles serve?
• Can Satan work counterfeit miracles?

Join us for a fresh look at a very interesting and yes, controversial topic.

A Big Thanks to the Building Your Home Conference Team!

Thank you Whitney and Ali Clayton, Grant and Alecia Dawson and to the entire team of more than sixty volunteers who helped with our first Building Your Home Family Conference.

We had great attendance -- despite the weather and every speaker provided practical and insightful tips for how to create God-honoring homes where young lives can be formed for Christ.

We especially want to thank Jeremy and Amy Tye, Kim Styles, Elissa White and all those who took on the monumental task of providing child-care and a night of fun for our kids.

It was a great event! I'm already looking forward to next year!

Connect Group Fair is On!

Be sure to sign-up for one of our more than 30 Connect Groups being offered this semester! Connect Group leaders will be in the lobby between services to answer questions and help you find the group that right for you.

See you Sunday!

Bo

Does God speak to people today, and if so, how can I hear His voice?

We know God has spoken through His Word, the Bible -- but does God speak to people in a personal way apart from the Scriptures today?  Even a casual reading of the Bible reveals that all the way back to Adam and on up to the New Testament people have heard the voice of God instructing them to do things. But it is commonly taught that once the Scriptures were completed that God only speaks to people today through His Word.

Is it Scriptural to teach God speaks to people apart from the Bible today?

This is a topic that stirs a lot of controversy in some Christian circles -- but one that needs to be explored. Be sure to join us Sunday for what I believe will be a very informative look at a very important topic.

Family Conference -- Saturday, January 25, 6-9 pm

If you haven't yet, be sure to register for our Family Life Conference that will be taking place in one week at The Bridge.  In addition to receiving some encouraging and insightful teaching on the family -- kids 0-12 will have a blast over at The Town and Country Sports Complex right across the street.

The cost for the entire event is a very family-friendly $25 per family.

See you Sunday!

Bo

Spirit-filled People Produce Good and Lasting Fruit

When conflict threatened the unity of church in Jerusalem, the Apostles called for the people to select from among their numbers seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom to provide oversight to the ministry of food distribution to the widows in the church (Acts 6:1-1-3).

Note that the criterion for leadership was not a matter of gifting, but of character, wisdom and of Holy Spirit fullness.

From the beginning, God's plan for His church is that ministry be carried out by people filled with, empowered by and under the influence of the Holy Spirit.  When this pattern is followed - good and lasting fruit is the result.

What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit and how does a person come into and remain in this state? These are questions we're addressing in The Spirit-filled Life series we kicked-off on January 5, 2014 and will continue this Sunday at The Bridge.  Don't miss this important series.

Family Conference -- January 25, 6-9 pm

If you have not yet signed-up for our upcoming Family Conference, be sure to do so this Sunday.  The conference runs from 6-9 pm on January 25 and the cost is a very family-friendly $25.

The takeaways for this conference will include:

• Specific tools to shape your family for Christ

• Encouragement and hope for whatever situation you might be facing

• Resources that will serve to strengthen your family for generations to come

This will be a great investment in the most important people in your life!

Blessings,

 

Bo

The Spirit-filled Life

This Sunday at The Bridge we began a new series I'm calling The Spirit-filled Life.  In this study we will explore what it means to be indwelt by and empowered by the Spirit of God.  Life in the Spirit is what the cross of Calvary made available and what makes victorious life in Christ possible.

I can't think of a better way to start the year than to come into a greater understanding and experience of the Spirit of God.  Be sure to join us for this important new series!

Family Conference -- Saturday, January 25, 6:00 -- 9:00 PM

The Family Conference will be an evening of encouragement and equipping for the all-important mission of building a strong family.  Topics will include:

  1.  Foundational Elements for Building a Home

  2.  Treating Children how God treats us

  3.  Parenting Prodigals

  4.  Becoming an Influential Christian in Every
       Relationship

  5.  Keeping Unity in Marriage while Parenting

  6.  How to talk about God in ways your kids will
       enjoy

Non-stop activities and games for children up to age 12 will be provided at Town & Country Sports Complex.

This cost for this life-changing event is just $25 per family.  Be sure to register this Sunday!

God bless!

His Entrance into the World Re-started Time

While the letters B.C.E -- (signifying Before the Common Era) have replaced the letters B.C. -- designating the time Before Christ, for the past 2000 years history has been divided into before Jesus was born and after Christ entered the world.  Of what other great or notable person can such a thing be said?

Even those who do not embrace Him as Lord cannot deny Jesus' impact on the world.  Consider this quote from a well-known scholar:

I am an historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history.  Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history. -H.G. Wells

Without a doubt the birth of Christ changed history forever.  But not just history - the coming of Jesus into the world has changed countless individual lives and continues to do so right up until this very moment.

Jesus' impact on the world continues to this day because He was no mere man; He was God come in the flesh.  This is why we worship Him.  This is why we honor His entrance into the world.

I believe the service we have planned for this Sunday at The Bridge will lift your spirit and remind you of the true meaning of Christmas.  Be sure to join us for any of our three services.

Our services times are 8:30, 10:00 and 11:30 a.m.

Have a blessed and a truly Christ-filled Christmas!

 

Bo 

P.S.  If you placed a product order from Renew, you can contact Jennifer Webster at 859-760-8399 to confirm total and arrange delivery in time for Christmas.

From The Pastor

Christmas Services December 22^nd

It's hard to believe we are less than two weeks away from Christmas!

To help celebrate the birth of our Lord we have a very special Christmas service planned for Sunday the 22^nd.  In addition to our regular outstanding music, we will be joined by members of the Cincinnati Symphony.

This is a service you won't want to miss -- and definitely one to which you will want to invite family and friends.  Since the 10 a.m. service is most likely the one that will be most crowded -- let me encourage you to attend either the 8:30 or the 11:30 a.m. service.

Invitation cards to give to friends will be available at church this Sunday.  Be sure to take a bunch!

Wrapping-up Genesis this Sunday

After a year-long study of Genesis -- the book of beginnings, we will be concluding this amazing bookthis Sunday.  It's been a great year -- one in which we have explored our origins, witnessed the consequences of sin and seen God plant the first seeds of His plan of redemption.

What a journey it has been - and one that concludes with a note of hope for the future.  Be sure not to miss the finale this Sunday!

Wednesday Prayer Service to Break

While Jannie and I have greatly enjoyed leading our prayer service these past nine Wednesday nights, we have decided to break along with the other Connect Groups until the start of our next Connect Group semester in February.

We want to thank everyone who has joined us over these past weeks.  We look forward to resuming Wednesday night prayer after the holidays.

Cancellation Policy

In case you didn't know; it is our policy to never cancel services at The Bridge.  If you can get to church -- we will be here; rain, snow, ice or whatever!

With much love,

 

Bo 

Temptation

Temptation has been around since the dawn of creation.  We are in the mess we are in because Adam failed the temptation test.  We are redeemed because Jesus passed the temptation test.  So, let me ask; how are you doing with temptation? 

How you handle temptation -- more than just about anything, will determine the quality of your life.

Be sure to join us Sunday as we continue our study of the life of Joseph -- who provides us with one of the rare examples of a man who overcame temptation.

Membership Sunday

This Sunday is Membership Sunday at The Bridge.  If you have listened to the Vision Series (live, online or by CD) and wish to make The Bridge your home church, you will be invited to do so Sunday in each of our three services.  Anyone who would like to join the church will just need to come forward at the end of the service.  If you have not yet completed an application for membership you may do so immediately following the service.

We will be serving cake in the lobby after each service to welcome these new members.  We have already received 54 applications!

Blessing,

Bo