SUNDAY SERVICES:

Welcome to New Covenant Church!

We are so glad you have joined us to celebrate the Risen Lord and to hear a message this morning from Fr. Christopher Caudle called "Birthday Wishes." We look forward to seeing you online with us! Feel free to chat with us in the chat box.

Here are the scriptures for today: 

Deuteronomy 10:17-21
Hebrews 11:8-16
Matthew 5:43-48
Psalm 145:1-9

Video Chapters:

00:00 - Opening
03:15 - Worship
21:20 - Scripture
27:57 - Sermon - Birthday Wishes
50:42 - Prayers
57:15 - Confession of Sins
58:10 - Peace
1:00:00 - Offertory & Communion
1:18:30 - Birthday & Anniversaries Celebration
1:21:20 - Announcements
1:26:03 - Service Ending

Sermon Summary:

• The power of birthday celebrations: The sermon begins with Fr. Christopher’s personal experience of observing how preschoolers use birthday invitations to express their emotions and build community. He also shares how some of his international partners celebrate their nation's birthdays with pride and gratitude.
• The history and challenges of the United States: Fr. Christopher reflects on the history of the United States, acknowledging that it is complicated and diverse and has both achievements and failures. He mentions some examples of how different groups of people have interpreted and applied the Declaration of Independence to their struggles for liberty and justice.
• The biblical perspective on God and the stranger: Fr. Christopher draws from the scriptures of Deuteronomy and Hebrews to offer a biblical perspective on how God's people are called to relate to God and the stranger. Fr. Christopher highlights that God is the God of gods, impartial and compassionate, who loves and provides for the stranger. He also emphasizes that God's people should remember that they were once strangers in Egypt and love strangers as they are themselves.
• The call to confidence and humility: Fr. Christopher concludes by calling us to confidence and humility as we celebrate our nation's birthday. He urges us to have confidence in God's greatness and faithfulness and to have humility in recognizing our history and limitations. He invites us to look forward to the heavenly kingdom God is building for his people and to love our neighbors and enemies as God does.

Prayer (ask for prayer and pray for others)