New Philadelphia Moravian Church

Wednesday the 17th of March was the last scheduled meal of Lent. A tip of the hat goes out to all our instructors, and to all those who worked in the kitchen, served the meals, took charge of the clean-up, etc. Dr. Green’s class will continue at 6:30 p.m. next Wednesday in the Bona Vita Class. All other classes have finished their course, but Dr. Green welcomes new students.

Click on a picture and use the arrows to navigate the gallery. Photographs by Bill Ray III.

Worth Green, Th.M., D.Min.

In 1st Corinthians 12:8 we read:

To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit. 1st Cor. 12.8

The word for wisdom is “sophia.” We noted that it is so beautiful a word that is often used as a woman’s name. “Sophia/wisdom” describes what is high and lofty. When we speak of “sophia/wisdom,” we speak of a world of powerful ideas. The most powerful idea that Paul knows is the idea that “the cross of the Risen Christ is the wisdom and power of God” for all who believe. (1st Cor. 1:23—Paul speaks of “Christ Crucified,” but that assumes that Jesus is the Risen Christ who was Crucified!)

I agree completely. The only God I can believe in is the God the New Testament calls “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” If God is not like Jesus Christ, I don’t want anything to do with him. If there is a God and he is not like Jesus Christ, then the New Testament Concept of God is higher than the reality of God. The God of Jesus is a better idea. Of course, we believe that God is exactly like Jesus Christ. In Colossians we read: “he is the image of the invisible God.” (Col 1:15) God is Christ-like and nothing higher can be said of God. It is what God wants us to say of him. (Read Phil. 2:5-11)

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Look back here for updates about the blitz build that will be taking place the weekend of April 15-17. Volunteers (led and assisted by experts) will be putting a new roof on the Pavilion and Youth Building. You can volunteer, or you can sponsor a volunteer for cash. I suppose you can even send money as a substitute for your time. One trustee has pledged $100 dollars just to keep one individual off the roof! How kind! All proceeds will go to help Brian Huffman and family. To follow Brian’s story look here. For pictures of Mission Possible look here. And don’t forget the fishfry on March 13th, also to benefit Brian. He is at Duke Hospital right now, and his bone marrow transplant is now scheduled for March 30th. Keep Brian, his family, and all those who are surrounding him to give him aid in your prayers. Especially the staff at Duke!

The time is rapidly approaching for our Blood Drive. Hoyle Koontz writes that we now have the capability to make an appointment online here. This link allows church members to sign in and register for a donation appointment. The Red Cross will even sent out reminder email prior to the date. If folks would like to contact Hoyle they can do so at hoyle@frogmaninteractive.com or at his home phone at 336-768-0628.

Here is the General Info from our newsletter re the Drive:

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
DATE: FRIDAY, MARCH 26
2:00 P.M. – 6:30 P.M.
LOCATION: NPMC FELLOWSHIP HALL

Blood Donors will be given a $1 discount toward
the Discipleship Class Pancake Supper on the
following night, Saturday, March 27.

The Gift of Wisdom: Part 2
Worth Green, Th.M., D.Min.

We are talking about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. In 1st Corinthians chapter 12;7-11, St. Paul speaks about the gifts of the Holy Spirit as manifestation of the life of God in the midst of the congregation. He says: “To one is given the utterance of wisdom.”

The last time we were together we spoke of the gift of wisdom as “the knowledge of things human and divine and their causes.”

There are two kinds of wisdom, human and Divine, and God is the author of both.
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