What's on My Mind?

The Next Step
This past Sunday we introduced an outward focus toward reaching people in Helena by serving. This is our Next Step! We have Looked Back at our history; then Looked Ahead to an outward focused future; this Sunday we will Look Inside our church for some interesting perspectives on what we are and what we should become in the days ahead. If you've missed one of the recent Sundays, be sure listen online or request a CD from the church office.

Mizpah Christian Retreat
There is some news about Camp Mizpah. After nearly four months of negotiations we appear on the threshold of becoming the owners of a mountain retreat center. If God opens this door to us, we will have the responsibility of a whole new ministry. It will require much prayer, finances, physical work, and planning. But it will be exciting! Pray for God's hand in these next few days.

Christmas Dessert Theater
We still need people to step forward to help with the Christmas Dessert. Volunteers are needed to help in a variety of ways, one of which is acting in the play that is presented. This is a great outreach event. Don't under sell your ability to help in this ministry. Contact the church office (449-2273) today and volunteer.

Dick Crosby, Senior Pastor

Five Reasons to Be a Member at Hannaford?

There is a wide variety of opinion when the subject of church membership is mentioned. Some churches don't have membership at all because they believe it is unbiblical. Others believe that salvation itself depends on being a member.

The Bible doesn't say "Thou shall or shall not become a church member." The Bible does tell us to be involved in a local church. Here are some reasons to be a member:

1. Membership allows a person to have a sense of belonging and fellowship in a church.
2. Organizations rely on membership numbers in making financial commitments.
3. Membership consists of agreeing with the church you attend and their view on doctrine, salvation, and other essential items.
4. Membership gives laity a voice in making decisions about the church at meetings.
5. Becoming a member provides a measure of two-way accountability between both an individual and the church leadership

Every church has guidelines in place on what its membership regulates. Here at Hannaford, a member votes to approve the annual budget and on delegates for board positions. If you have decided to call Hannaford your church home then please consider attending our Discover Hannaford Membership Classes being held on August 24 & 31 from 9:45am-10:30am. We'll even show you the secret Hannaford handshake!

Pastor Scott, Assimilation Pastor

Hannaford and iPods

What does the Hannaford website and an iPod have in common? Well, iPods can replay last Sunday's message - and now the Hannaford website can as well.

So if you missed a Sunday, you can now listen to the message online or download it for your mp3 player. Just visit the new Hannaford Messages Center on the website. Also, all our services are now being recorded on CD (no more cassette tapes). You can request one through the church office.

Eric Powell, Pastor of Worship Arts

Jesus as Worshipper

If Jesus truly is the model we seek to imitate, then how Jesus worshipped should give us insight into how we, too, can worship our Father in heaven. As Chris Jack* reminds us, we know that Jesus was a Jew - and as such, He worshiped as a good Jew. "Jesus worshipped according to the established Jewish patterns and practices of his day."

Have you ever considered how Jesus worshipped? Why or why not? Should Jesus be our model for some things and not others?

HOW DID JESUS MODEL WORSHIP?
Chris Jack lists a number of scriptures that give us evidence that Jesus followed the Jewish practices of the day. Circumcision, temple and synagogue attendance are just a few examples. But I think the most important model of worship Jesus gave us is this: Jesus lived his life in complete submission and obedience to the Father. In that, Jesus was a model worshipper.

How are you doing in your submission and obedience to the Father? Are you a model worshipper? Are there areas that you are holding back from God? How about in gathered worship - are you completly surrendered to God among your brothers and sisters in Christ?

JESUS IS THE TRUE WORSHIPPER
Not only was Jesus a model worshipper, He was the one totally true worshipper - and more! "As the ultimate sacrifice for sin ... Jesus becomes the means of worship, the One through whom worship is to be offered." He makes true worship possible for us all. Praise God!

Are you focused on Christ in your worship? In personal worship? In gathered worship? Or is your focus distracted by other things? How can we better focus on the object of our worship?

Eric Powell, Pastor of Worship Arts

* Quoted excerpts taken from "Understanding Worship In The New Testament" by Chris Jack, pages 55-60 of the book Inside-Out Worship by Matt Redman and friends. For more, see here.