The Parable of the Sower

July 1, 2018 Pre-service: Café is open Order of Service: Opener - Monsters/Counting Stars - Boyce Avenue Welcome Singing — Words will be projected on the screen. Teaching — see teaching notes below Reflection Song - God You're So Good - Passion Worship Open Communion Announcements & Offering Singing Closing Café is open! // The 10 begins in five minutes (see info on back) ► ► ► ► ► ► Teaching: Parable of the Sower Dylan Hall // One Troy ► ► ► Luke 8:4 And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. 8 And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 9 And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, 10 he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. 14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. Read the “Bible Together”: Join others from Christ’s Church Albany as we take time to learn and focus on Jesus! Acts 10 Acts 7 Acts 11 Acts 8 Acts 12 Acts 9 These resources can help you go deeper with the key ideas in this message: How to Read the Bible for All its Worth – Fee & Stuart Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus – Tverberg & Vander Laan Who Is This Man? – Ortberg How Good is Good Enough – Andy Stanley (Available for free at the Connections Table) Next Step Surveys on www.christschurchalbany.org [tear off] Connect Card Please complete both sides and place in the offering bucket. Pens, unused envelopes, etc, can also go in the bucket to be re-used. Name: ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ This is my first visit to Christ’s Church Albany. Please stop at the Connections table for a gift! This is my second visit to Christ’s Church Albany. I have attended and shared my information previously My information is new/has changed; please update Mailing Address: Email: Phone: ☐ Opt-in to our weekly email updates. Christ’s Church Albany never shares your information without your permission. Know. Attend. Be. We’re glad you are here with us today! Consider these next steps in getting to know more about the group of people we call Christ’s Church Albany: Love Albany Volunteers The 10: Take ten minutes to learn ten things you should know about Christ’s Church Albany. Starts 5 minutes after the service in the first 2 rows of chairs. Conversation: Sit down with one of our pastors or leaders to ask questions, share, and connect. Volunteer: Get involved in one of the teams that make everything happen both inside and outside the Sunday service, from Love Albany and Serve Albany, to Sunday set-up, Café snacks, children’s programming, and administration. Visit the Connections table to get started. Membership: Explore what it means to be a member of Christ’s Church Albany. The class is held on the first Sunday of the month after the service; lunch and childcare are provided. Baptism: Curious about the next step of Baptism and wondering if it’s for you? Join in a baptism class on the third Sunday of the month after the service; lunch and childcare are provided. Community Groups: These smaller gatherings are an important part of our life together. A current list of all open groups is always available at our website: http://christschurchalbany.org/attend/community-groups/. Love The World: Visit the Love the World table to find out about opportunities to serve kids in our partner village of Cruz Blanca, Guatemala. Serve Albany: Visit www.servealbany.org to find a great way for you to serve our city. Generosity: Christ’s Church Albany is a group of people who want to be generous beyond reason! Your financial gift can be given at any service,online at www.christschurchalbany.org/generosity, or by mail to 911 Central Ave. #267,Albany, NY 12206. Thank you! This summer we are excited to partner with a number of Community Events! Checkout the Next Step Table for a full list of events and to sign up. Burger Bash! It’s time for burgers! On July 29 after service, join us for our 5th Sunday potluck. We are looking for 10 expert grillers to make a dozen or so of their signature burgers to share. Everyone else can bring a side or dessert. Kids Camp Christ’s Church Albany Kids Camp is a free skills-based camp for kids entering Kindergarten through 5th grade. Kids will spend 3 days immersed in learning all about 1 skill of their choice. All are welcome so be sure to invite your friends! Sign up at www.lovealbany.org Did you know? You can sow seeds through Love Albany events like movies, street fairs, and festivals. Visit the Connections table for more information! Connect online! www.christschurchalbany.org My Next Steps Today: [tear off] Jesus ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ I have questions and would like to talk to someone. I am not a Christian, but I would like to explore. I would like to become a Christian. I will pick up and read my free copy of ‘How Good is Good Enough?’ I have a prayer request: Each Other ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ I would like to join a Community Group. I would like to begin regularly attending Christ’s Church Albany. I am interested in Child Dedication. I would like to grill burgers for Burger Bash on July 29. I would like to volunteer for Kids Camp The World ☐ I plan to find a place to Serve Albany using www.servealbany.org. ☐ I would information on Sponsoring a Child with VisionTrust. 7/1/18