New Covenant Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

2012-02-13T15:38:00.000-08:00

BIBLE STUDYChapter 10Learning from Israel’s Failures1 Cor 10:1 (NET1)For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea, I would not that ye should be ignorant—It seems as if the Corinthians had supposed that their being made partakers of the ordinances of the Gospel, such as baptism and the Lord's Supper, would secure their salvation, notwithstanding they might be found partaking of idolatrous feasts; as long, at least, as they considered an idol to be nothing in the world. To remove this destructive supposition, which would have led them to endless errors both in principle and practice, the apostle shows that the Jews had sacramental ordinances in the wilderness, similar to those of the Christians; and that, notwithstanding they had the typical baptism from the cloud, and the typical eucharist from the paschal lamb, and the manna that came down from heaven, yet, when they joined with idolaters and partook of idolatrous feasts, God was not only displeased with them, but signified this displeasure by pouring out his judgments upon them, so that in one day 23,000 of them were destroyed.Under the cloud—It is manifest from Scripture that the miraculous cloud in the wilderness performed a three-fold office to the Israelites.1. It was a cloud in the form of a pillar to direct their journeyings by day.2. It was a pillar of fire to give light to the camp by night.3. It was a covering for them during the day, and preserved them from the scorching rays of the sun; and supplied them with a sufficiency of aqueous particles, not only to cool that burning atmosphere, but to give refreshment to themselves and their cattle; and its humidity was so abundant that the apostle here represents the people as thoroughly sprinkled and enveloped in its aqueous vapour. See the note on Exodus 13:21.

2012-02-11T20:00:00.001-08:00

POWER OF THE RULE OF THE SPIRITThe Judaizers in Galatia worked under the illusion that strict adherence to the Law of Moses was essential for Christians. That law is good (Romans 7:7, 16), but it cannot save. Outward behavior may change if punishment for lawbreaking is severe enough, but the key to wanting to do right is found in changing the human heart. That change comes about by the presence of the Holy Spirit’s working in a faith-filled believer.1. Is it realistic to expect power struggles such as the one taking place in Syria to be resolved through diplomacy? Why, or why not?2. In what areas of life do you find it hardest to live by the rule of the Holy Spirit? Why?3. What are some examples of how modern Christians seek to be justified by works of law?4. What was a time when you sought to improve your relationship with God by performing good works rather than through faith? What was the result?5. In the process of rejecting the extreme of legalism, how do we keep from going to the other extreme of license in relation to God’s law? (See Jude 4.)

Encoragement for the New Year

2011-12-29T17:09:00.000-08:00

Greetings myDear Brothers and Sisters,

I like to take this time to encourage you notto look back on the year 2011 as one with no hope, know that if you look backyou are not fit for the kingdom of God, but reflect all or cast all your careson God for he cares for you. The joys, andsorrows, the ups, and down times that you may have experience were for yourgood, working together they made you stronger they made you more than a conquerthey help you to become more like Jesus. So looking forward to 2012 with thedesire to do God’s will like never before. The word tells us to count our faithas righteousness so keep the faith, stay in His will, and let us make disciples. Amen

Co-Pastor

Dr. AngeleteL. Lakes

Watch Night Service

2011-12-28T13:36:00.000-08:00

Come worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness, let's bring the New Year inwith Joy and Gladness. Doors open at 9:30pm, service at 10:00pm - 12:00am.Breakfast following service.

Let's all Pray for Marlon

2011-11-30T18:36:00.001-08:00

Church Nineth Anniversary

2011-10-11T21:50:00.000-07:00

Greetings in the name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ;

Dear Family and Friends:

We the New Covenant Christian Church are filled with joy and great expectation as we look forward to celebrating our 9th Church Anniversary, on October 16, 2011 at 4:00 p.m.. We would like to take this opportunity to extend an invitation to you, to celebrate with us in this grand and historical event. It would be a great pleasure to have you worship with us. Our theme is “ The Great Commission” Matthew 28:18-20. We look forward to an awesome worship experience.

Yours in Christ,

New Covenant Christian Church Anniversary Committee

Dr. Arnold Lakes Sr. Pastor

ANNUAL MEN'S CONFERENCE

2011-08-18T11:30:00.000-07:00

Saturday, August 27, 2011

ANNUAL MEN'S CONFERENCE
Serenity Christian Church

Registration Cost – $20 Includes lunch
If registered prior to August 15. After August 15 or at the door the cost is $25.
Register online at www.serenitychristianchurch.org
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Men Returning to Leadership
Conference

Praising Our Way to Victory

2 Chronicles 20:21 - 22

Serenity Christian Church

24120 N. Chrysler Drive (1/2 block north of Woodward Heights, which is 9 1/2 Mile)

Hazel Park, MI 48030 Apostle John C. Harvey, Pastor

(248) 547-2121 www.serenitychristianchurch.org

Conference Host - Apostle John Harvey

God is awesome! This truth is evidenced in the life of Apostle John C. Harvey, pastor and founder of Serenity Christian Church in Hazel Park, Michigan. Serenity was founded in Detroit in 1994 and has continued to be a light in the Detroit metropolitan area.

Apostle Harvey pursued undergraduate studies in Philosophy and Religion as a Lilly Scholar at Wabash College where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree. He has also earned a Master of Divinity degree from Yale University Divinity School and was named a Fellow in Pastoral Leadership Development from Princeton Theological Seminary.

He is serious about building the Kingdom of God by breaking down barriers of doctrine, denomination and race. He desires to see people saved, healed, delivered, liberated and walking victoriously in Jesus Christ. As the former Director of Campus Ministry at Wayne State University, Apostle Harvey had the opportunity to minister to students, staff and faculty of various races, cultural and denominational backgrounds.

The fullness of God continues to manifest daily in the lives of Apostle and his wife, Sandy. Together they are committed to ministry, mentoring and demonstrating God’s love through their marriage.

9 AM - 3 PM

9:00 AM - 9:15 AM Registration

9:15 AM Praise & Worship

9:30 AM Opening Prayer Welcome

Conference Purpose

Introduction of Speaker
9:45 AM Session I
Pastor Arnold Lakes
New Covenant Christian Church Flushing, Michigan

10:45 AM Session II
Pastor George Davis

Grand Rapids, Michigan
Offering

12:00 PM Lunch

12:45 PM Praise & Worship

1:00 PM Panel & Open Discussion

2:30 PM Prayer & Prophecy

3:00 PM Benediction

Conference Agenda

Music Ministry

Minister Calvin Golden, is a gifted and anointed psalmist and musician. He is a blessed and dynamic recording artist. He serves as the Minister of Music at Serenity Christian Church. We are excited to be blessed by his ministry through music.

The Vision of the Woman and the Scarlet Beast Rev. 17

2011-08-12T01:42:00.000-07:00

The angel promises to show John the punishment of the great prostitute (v. 1) with whom the kings of the earth committed adultery (v. 2). The angel's language, focusing on the prostitute's punishment, confirms the notion that the vision extends beyond chapter 17 through 19:10. Her punishment is not specified until 17:16, and it then goes on to occupy chapter 18 and the beginning of chapter 19. The angel begins by carrying John in the Spirit to a desert, where he is shown a kind of tableau, or still life, of the woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns (v. 3). The beast is recognizable from an earlier vision (13:1), but the center of the tableau is the seated woman, who is dressed in purple and . . . glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls (v. 4). She is a picture of wealth, extravagance, luxury and ease. John's attention is intently focused on this woman, and he identifies her by the name written on her forehead: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH (v. 5). This name, he tells us, is a mystery. He has used the name "Babylon" before (14:8; 16:19), but now he explains that it is a figurative or symbolic name, like "Sodom and Egypt" applied earlier to the city where the two witnesses died (11:8).

2011-07-18T16:49:00.001-07:00

God’s help, if you’ll commit to the task, and take responsibility in your generation, and just believe it’s possible…to do less would be to limit God!

Reconciliation Ministry

2010-06-14T16:47:00.000-07:00

Recognizing that the body of Christ is made up of members from every tongue, hue and culture, we welcome you to our journey toward wholeness at God’s abundant table. As one of the four mission priorities of our Church, Reconciliation Ministry welcomes you to our intentional effort to become a Pro-Reconciling/Anti-Racist church - a church where the gifts of all of God’s children are honored and shared.

Christian Churches Together

2010-03-19T21:43:00.000-07:00

Relationships is all about God

2010-02-10T21:48:00.000-08:00

New Covenant Christian Church

5360 Bangor Ave.

Flushing, Michigan 48433

Present

Men and Women Are Different.

Relationships Seminar

Led by

Dr. Garry Yeager

Feb. 13, 2010

At 1:00 pm

Call (810) 487-0052 to Register

Rev. Arnold E. Lakes Sr. Pastor

DISCIPLES NEWS

2010-02-10T20:38:00.000-08:00

50 million pound challenge

2009-02-25T08:27:00.000-08:00

50 million pound challenge

Greetings in the Name of the Lord,
The word of God tells us that He (God) desire us to prosper and be in good health. During my devotional one morning it was put on my heart, that as members or the Covenant Women Ministries of New Covenant Christian Church that we should be in good health.
I had heard of the 50 million pound challenge a couple of years ago; and I even joined, but I never got started. The Holy Spirit bought this challenge to mind once again, and I looked it up on the internet. I know it had to be of the Lord; because I had being fighting with myself about being the best for the Lord (think about it, you may be fighting to be your best also). This is not all about losing weight; it’s about good health. As chairperson of the Covenant Women Ministries I would like to take this time to Challenge you to join me as a team, and take the 50 million pound challenge; its “free” all you have to do is pray about it first; then go to your computer and look it over and give me a call and we will start a Covenant Women team and began to be all we can be together. Think about it!
It’s my hope that the Lord will touch your heart as he has mine. Hope to hear from you soon. ”Take the 50 million Pound Challenge”
Blessings
Covenant Women Ministries Chairperson
Rev. Dr. Angelete La Vern Lakes

A Renewed Mind

2009-01-22T14:52:00.000-08:00

A Renewed Mind
Rev. James C. Matthews

"Be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God" Ephesians 4:23-24a.

If anything has become evident this past year, it is that we cannot continue to do what we've always done and expect things to change for the better in our lives. The jobs, people and systems that we've come to place our trust in have proven themselves insufficient, and as a result, many of us have come to a crossroads in our lives.

We've come to a place in our journey where we cannot afford to take another step backwards due to a bad decision, nor waste any more time on that which is unproductive in our lives.

I know it may not seem like it, but in the midst of all of this bad news, God has really positioned us, if we make the necessary adjustments in our lives, to never have to circle this mountain again. Do I have your attention? I hope so, because I believe that God is using this trouble to change or transform our minds. Let me explain.

God has shaken everything that has proudly exalted itself as being sufficient or a "source", exposing it as being only an illusion. Governments, institutions and people that once proclaimed themselves as being trustworthy have found themselves in need of help.

To make it in this season of history, we are going to have to think differently and on a higher level to overcome the gravitational pull of our fallen economy and society. Romans 12:2 warns us, "do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" and Ephesians 4:23 states, "be renewed in the spirit of your mind". To "be conformed", means to be "patterned after" or to "think like". To avoid the fate that this world's system is suffering, we cannot continue to think and operate like the world. Our minds must be renewed.

The word "re" indicates that there was a former "state of mind" or "being" that is to be pursued. In Genesis 1:26, the bible declares that we were created in the image and "likeness" of God. The root word for "likeness" in the Hebrew is translated, "to think like". We were given the ability to think creatively like God and to cause our thoughts to become things. The only limitation of a creative mind is its imagination. Creators never run out of substance or suffer lack because they do not depend upon anything external for them to be productive.

I believe the shaking that we are experiencing today is designed to awaken believers, who have become sedated by the world's system, to cause them to consider who and what they've placed their trust in. God gave us the ability to know His mind and thoughts (1 Cor. 2:10-16) so that we would not be confined or limited by what the world says we can have or do. Because we've been indoctrinated through education to embrace conformity and not our creativity, many believers are unnecessarily suffering lack that are pregnant with ideas waiting to be birthed, that could provide for their generations.

What creative ideas, innovations, inventions and projects has God placed within you that are waiting to be manifested? These creative "thoughts" are the "things" God has given you to overcome what is overcoming the rest of the world. However, this will require you to renew your mind and know that God is your Source and everything else is a resource!

Inaugrual Prayer Service Sermon By Dr. Sharon Watkins

2009-01-21T20:26:00.000-08:00

Harmonies of Liberty
Isaiah 58:6-12, Mt 22:6-40
Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins
National Prayer Service; January 21, 2009

Mr. President and Mrs. Obama, Mr. Vice President and Dr. Biden, and your families, what an inaugural celebration you have hosted! Train ride, opening concert, service to neighbor, dancing till dawn . . .And yesterday . . . With your inauguration, Mr. President, the flame of Americaâ€™s promise burns just a little brighter for every child of this land!There is still a lot of work to do, and today the nation turns its full attention to that work. As we do, it is good that we pause to take a deep spiritual breath. It is good that we center for a moment.What you are entering now, Mr. President and Mr. Vice President, will tend to draw you away from your ethical center. But we, the nation that you serve, need you to hold the ground of your deepest values, of our deepest values.Beyond this moment of high hopes, we need you to stay focused on our shared hopes, so that we can continue to hope, too.We will follow your lead.There is a story attributed to Cherokee wisdom:One evening a grandfather was teaching his young grandson about the internal battle that each person faces.â€œThere are two wolves struggling inside each of us,â€ the old man said. â€œOne wolf is vengefulness, anger, resentment, self-pity, fear . . . â€œThe other wolf is compassion, faithfulness, hope, truth, love . . .â€ The grandson sat, thinking, then asked: â€œWhich wolf wins, Grandfather?â€ His grandfather replied, â€œThe one you feed.â€There are crises banging on the door right now, pawing at us, trying to draw us off our ethical center â€“ crises that tempt us to feed the wolf of vengefulness and fear.We need you, Mr. President, to hold your ground. We need you, leaders of this nation, to stay centered on the values that have guided us in the past; values that empowered to move us through the perils of earlier times and can guide us now into a future of renewed promise.We need you to feed the good wolf within you, to listen to the better angels of your nature, and by your example encourage us to do the same.This is not a new word for a pastor to bring at such a moment. In the later chapters of Isaiah, in the 500â€™s BCE, the prophet speaks to the people. Back in the capital city after long years of exile, their joy should be great, but things arenâ€™t working out just right. Their homecoming is more complicated than expected. Not everyone is watching their parade or dancing all night at their arrival.They turn to God, â€œWhatâ€™s going on here? We pray and we fast, but you do not bless us. Weâ€™re confused.â€Through the prophet, God answers, what fast? You fast only to quarrel and fight and strike with the fistâ€¦Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice . . . to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house . .? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly . . .At our time of new beginning, focused on renewing Americaâ€™s promise â€“yet at a time of great crisis â€“ which fast do we choose? Which â€œwolfâ€ do we feed? What of Americaâ€™s promise do we honor?Recently Muslim scholars from around the world released a document, known as â€œA Common Word Between Us.â€ It proposes a common basis for building a world at peace. That common basis? Love of God and love of neighbor! What we just read in the Gospel of Matthew!So how do we go about loving God? Well, according to Isaiah, summed up by Jesus, affirmed by a worldwide community of Muslim scholars and many others, it is by facing hard times with a generous spirit: by reaching out toward each other rather than turning our backs on each other. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, â€œpeople can be so poor that the only way they see God is in a piece of bread.â€In the days immediately before us, there will be much to draw us away from the grand work of loving God and the hard work of loving neighbor. In crisis times, a basic instinct seeks to take us over â€“ a fight/flight instinct that leans us toward the fearful wolf, orients us toward the self-interested fast . . . In international hard times, our instinct is to fight â€“ to pick up the sword, to seek out enemies, to build walls against the other â€“ and why not? They just might be out to get us. Weâ€™ve got plenty of evidence to that effect. Someone has to keep watch and be ready to defend, and Mr. President â€“ Tag! Youâ€™re it! But on the way to those tough decisions, which American promises will frame those decisions? Will you continue to reason from your ethical center, from the bedrock values of our best shared hopes? Which wolf will you feed? In financial hard times, our instinct is flight â€“ to hunker down, to turn inward, to hoard what little we can get our hands on, to be fearful of others who may take the resources we need. In hard financial times, which fast do we choose? The fast that placates our hunkered-down soul â€“ or the fast that reaches out to our sister and our brother? In times, such as these, we the people need you, the leaders of this nation, to be guided by the counsel that Isaiah gave so long ago, to work for the common good, for the public happiness, the well-being of the nation and the world, knowing that our individual wellbeing depends upon a world in which liberty and justice prevail. This is the biblical way. It is also the American way â€“ to believe in something bigger than ourselves, to reach out to neighbor to build communities of possibility, of liberty and justice for all. This is the center we can find again whenever we are pulled at and pawed at by the vengeful wolf, when we are tempted by the self-interested fast. Americaâ€™s true character, the source of our national wisdom and strength, is rooted in a generous and hopeful spirit.â€œGive me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, . . . Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,11 Emma LazarusEmma Lazarusâ€™ poetry is spelled out further by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr,: â€œAs long as there is poverty in the world I can never be rich, even if I have a billion dollars. As long as diseases are rampant and millions of people in this world cannot expect to live more than twenty-eight or thirty years, I can never be totally healthy . . . I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the way our world is made.â€2 You yourself, Mr. President, have already added to this call, â€œIf there's a child on the south side of Chicago who can't read, that matters to me, even if it's not my child. . . . It's that fundamental belief â€” I am my brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper â€” that makes this country work.â€ It is right that college classes on political oratory already study your words . You, as our president, will set the tone for us. You will help us as a nation choose again and again which wolf to feed, which fast to choose, to love God by loving our neighbor. We will follow your lead â€“ and we will walk with you. And sometimes we will swirl in front of you, pulling you along. At times like these â€“ hard times â€“we find out what weâ€™re made of. Is that blazing torch of liberty just for me? Or do we seek the â€œharmonies of libertyâ€, many voices joined together, many hands offering to care for neighbors far and near? Though tempted to withdraw the offer, surely Lady Liberty can still raise that golden torch of generosity to the world. Even in these financial hard times, these times of international challenge, the words of Katherine Lee Bates describe a nation with more than enough to share: â€œOh, beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain, for purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain . . .â€ A land of abundance guided by a God of abundance, generosity, and hope â€“ This is our heritage. This is Americaâ€™s promise which we fulfill when we reach out to each other. Even in these hard times, rich or poor, we can reach out to our neighbor, including our global neighbor, in generous hospitality, building together communities of possibility and of hope. Even in these tough times, we can feed the good wolf, listen to the better angels of our nature. We can choose the fast of Godâ€™s desiring.2 The Words of MLK, Jr., selected by Coretta Scott King, 21Even now in these hard times let us Lift every voice and sing Till earth and heaven ring, . . . with the harmonies of Liberty; Even now let us Sing a song full of hope. . . Especially now, from the center of our deepest shared values, let us pray, still in the words of James Weldon Johnson:Thou who has by Thy might Led us into the light, Keep us . . . in the path, we pray. Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee, Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee; Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand. True to our God, True to our native land.33 James Weldon Johnson

Dr. Sharon E. Watkins to Give Sermon at Nationl Prayer Service

2009-01-21T09:36:00.000-08:00

Dr. Sharon E. Watkins to Give Sermon at National Prayer Service
Today we announced that General Minister and President Dr. Sharon E. Watkins of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has been picked to deliver the sermon at the National Prayer Service on Wednesday, January 21st at the National Cathedral. Reverend Watkins will be the first woman to deliver the sermon at this traditional Inaugural event, which will celebrate our nation’s great diversity of faith.
Watkins said:
I am truly honored to speak at this historic occasion,“ said Reverend Watkins. “My prayer when I preach is always that God will use me to bring a Gospel message that is uplifting and appropriately challenging to those who hear it. I hope that my message will call us to believe in something bigger than ourselves and remind us to reach out to all of our neighbors to build communities of possibility.
Reverend Watkins has served as General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada since 2005, and is the first woman to hold this position. As General Minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), she is the general pastor of the 700,000-member denomination. As General President, she is the chief executive officer for the denomination, responsible for overseeing the work of the church’s various structure.
The National Prayer Service dates back to the time of George Washington. It includes prayers, readings and hymns delivered by religious leaders spanning a diverse array of faiths. We’ll post more information about the service in the coming days, so be sure to check back here soon.

Barack Obama

2009-01-16T12:00:00.000-08:00

Lord,
We pray for optimum health, mental clarity and political
prosperity for President Barrack Obama. We pray that what he lacks in political
'experience' you make up for with supernatural wisdom and power.. We
also pray that when his enemies come upon him they will stumble and
fall; and that your love will fill his heart to the end that 'Your will'
will be done through him.
We pray mightily for his protection. As we plead the Blood of
Jesus over him and his family, we ask you to dispatch legions of angels
to protect them from all hurt, harm, danger, and from all accidents and
incidents as he is next President of these United
States of America .

We thank and praise you for answering our sincere prayers. In
Jesus' Name, AMEN.