Articles & Info
Since we re-planted as Sound City, this was the highest attendance that we have ever had in our children's ministry — over 130 children! Think about that...over 130 lives being touched by the message of Jesus' love! I am so proud of the many faithful men and women who serve in our children's ministry. But, as I'm sure you can guess, there is always room for more people to get involved.
Last month, we had our first birthday as Sound City Bible Church. We’ve experienced God’s favor and grace to us in some amazing ways in this past year. And while it seems like it was only yesterday, it was about this time last year that the provisional board and founding elders were prayerfully and busily meeting together almost daily in an effort to establish the basic foundations of this newborn church.
If you're reading this, welcome to the newly redesigned website of Sound City Bible Church! Over the last few weeks and months, one of our Covenant Members has worked very hard to make the site that you're now enjoying. Thank you, Jesus, for generous and faithful volunteers who know how to make technology work! Let me highlight a few features that we're excited about.
In less than two weeks, Americans of all types will gather together to celebrate our nation’s unofficial holiday, the Super Bo…oh wait, I’m not allowed to use that phrase due to NFL rules. I guess I’ll just call it “the big game.” Like any good resident of Seattle, I’m bummed that our Hawks didn’t make it to the big game this year. At Sound City Bible Church, we’re still going to have all three of our normal service times (9a, 11a, and 5p) because I’d much rather teach through the book of Hebrews than be blinded with the bright and clashing uniforms of some ponies and kitty cats.
The following tips come from the book Depression: Looking Up From the Stubborn Darkness by Ed Welch. If you are someone who struggles with depression, or if you are someone who wants to help those who do struggle, I would highly encourage you to purchase a copy of this very helpful book. Please note that these lists are not meant to be exhaustive. They simply can help “prime the pump” as you think of ways to battle depression.
A few years ago, one of our Covenant Members participated in a church-wide fast for the first time in his life. His experience was powerful and life-transforming. Below is an email that he sent to the elders of the church (shared with permission). Our hope in sharing this is that those of you who are nervous or apprehensive about fasting would be encouraged to participate in this important spiritual discipline.
Above all things, pray. Talk to your father who loves you. Pray about your fast, pray about your plan, and pray when you’re hungry. Pray about your motives and be honest, pray about your limitations, and remember that God won’t be impressed if your fast is more difficult. He’s already fully pleased with you because of Jesus, so fast in whichever way you choose and praise God that you don’t have to earn his favor through misery! For all these reasons, we can rejoice as we fast.
Fasting is an awesome gift. And like all gifts, it can be misconstrued, misused, and abused. We run the risk of ending up bitterly disappointed, not to mention very, very hungry. Now that we know what fasting is and why we fast, let’s consider what fasting is not and why we so often fail to practice this spiritual discipline.
