01/03/2021 Newsletter

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A Word From Pastor John

Greetings Mosaic Church,

I’m excited to announce that our service times will be changing starting January 17th.

Our regular Sunday worship service is moving to 10:30am and our “high risk” service will start at 9:00am. For those who are worshipping online - our Live Stream will also be moving to 10:30am.

The start date of our new "high risk" service has been postponed and will now begin on January 17th at 9:00am. This service will have a reduced worship team, masks required, social distancing, and there will be no children's church.

Our current worship service will remain the same, including children's church - but will be moved to 10:30am starting on January 17th.

We will still be meeting at 9:00am with our regular Worship Service and Live Stream the next 2 Sundays (Jan 3rd and Jan 10th.)

As we look to wrap up 2020, we will begin raising money to finally complete our Church Kitchen!

Our church board has approved $3000, which is what it will take to finally have our kitchen complete. We have several church members who have graciously agreed to donate their time and labor to complete our kitchen. We just need to raise money for the cost of materials.

A functional kitchen will enable us to reach and serve our community in many new and exciting ways!

As we think about Year End Giving, this will be a much needed upgrade for our church. Please consider making a donation towards our Church Kitchen, whether big or small.

I am thankful for all the many ways God has used our church throughout this crazy year of 2020. May the Lord continue to bring you peace and hope as we enter into a new year!

Pastor John

Pray For One Another

To request prayer, email mosaicnazarene@gmail.com

or call/text (520) 709-0815

Our pastors and their families

Our board members

The world as we all continue to navigate this Covid-19 pandemic.

The family of Vern Rupp

Lois Pierce's friend Sandy Elias

Barbara Gionfriddo

Terri Anne Frick’s sister and brother-in-law

Ramona Remetch

Clarence McGinnis

Patty Rupp

Lefty Slavens

Judy Baker

Friends of Talma Harmon, Cecil, SJ, and a classmate

Walt and Marlene's friend John

The many unspoken requests

Make sure you're a part of our Facebook group to get prayer requests as they come in: https://www.facebook.com/groups/21109057279

Holiness Today

Reflections on Sermon 64: “The New Creation”

“Behold, I make all things new.” —Revelation 21:5.

I am not a fan of “relocation theology” as much as I am very keenly interested in thoughts about “restoration theology.” In other words, if you asked me if we are to be relocated to heaven, I would instead argue that the Bible addresses a rebuilding or restoration of the earth—a new earth. The idea that God is working to restore all creation to the fullness of the holiness and glory that He originally intended excites me. Restoration seems far more credible than understanding that one day some select people will begin to disappear and others will remain to vigorously search the Scriptures because they were the ones left behind.

John Wesley’s point in his sermon “The New Creation” is that God would be restoring all things in the life hereafter.

Every element will work to produce peace and calmness. There will be no more war within the various elements of creation.

In the new earth, fire, water, air, animals, and all other pieces of creation will “be then light, fair, serene; a lively picture of the eternal day.” Wind, water, fire, and air will retain their vivifying powers and will not produce any fear or harm to any of God’s creation. Humankind itself, which sustained the most significant plunge in the Fall, will receive the greatest work of restoration.

Jesus calls all of humanity to “seek first” that Kingdom which was lost, and we are called to seek the very righteousness that could help us keep our relationship with God holy as intended at first (Matthew 6:33). As taught by Jesus, our invitation is to seek God’s best, not for our own self-interest but the best of what God offers to all of His creation. Such selfless seeking is very different than that which the first Adam sought and achieved.

The restorative nature of God is deeply embedded in the generosity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. When Adam and Eve sinned, we, too, lost the perfection and goodness that were given to us. The only way to restore it was for Jesus to take that power and authority back and give that again to His ambassadors on earth. The nature of God is to give. God gave breath. God gave humankind a perfect earth. God gave us prophets. He gave us protective laws. The Father gave us His only begotten Son. He gave us His Holy Spirit. Here again, humankind is in a position to receive the opportunity to be made entirely whole again. Being restored to wholeness is the point of holiness. In being holy, we will remain in loving fellowship with our holy God.

Gabriel Benjiman currently serves as the regional education and clergy development coordinator for the Church of the Nazarene in Africa. He holds graduate and postgraduate degrees in theology and social sciences. Gabriel and his wife, Mary, along with their two daughters, live in South Africa.

To read the full text of the sermon, click here.