Trinity and MOPS of Myrtle Beach want you to take your spouse out on a date!

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MOPS Myrtle Beach Date Night! Nov 18th 6:00p.m.

Please join us in fellowship, while we munch on a wonderful 3 course dinner and indulge in some wine! We will hear a inspiring message on marriage by the  Rev. Rob Sturdy. Throughout the course of the night, a raffle will be going on for your chance to win some fabulous prizes! The menu includes: Plated salad pears, pecans & goat cheese with red wine vinaigrette Braised chicken tarragon Parsnip mashed potatoes Haricot Verte & roasted shallots Apple cardamom cakesPlease contact any MOPS members or email us at mopsmyrtlebeach@hotmail.com
Prices are $50 per couple and all proceeds will go the MOPS Myrtle Beach organization!
We look forward to seeing you there!
NO CHILDCARE WILL BE PROVIDED!

Register on the MOPS Myrtle Beach facebook page here

The Christ to Come Part IV (Preached 12.21.08): He Came with Righteousness and Salvation

During the first week of our series, “The Christ to Come” I spoke on why Jesus came.  Namely, he came to fulfill the law.  The second week, Messianic Jewish Rabbi David Levine spoke on where Jesus came from.  He came from the Jewish people, in fulfillment of the prophesies for the Jewish Messiah.  A promise, he was quick to remind us, for the whole world.  Last week Iain spoke about who Jesus came for.  We learned that Jesus came as a light for those walking in darkness.  Today I would like to speak on how Jesus comes, why it is significant, and what application we can render from it for our lives.  

 

How did Jesus Come?

One of the most important tenets of ancient Roman law was that the republic was to be protected by military coup.  The way the senate protected the republic was by forbidding the military to cross the river Rubicon in force.  Crossing the Rubicon on foot, by yourself, was of course entirely legal and would spark little interest.  However, crossing the Rubicon with an army signaled intentions of rebellion and was of course highly illegal.  In January of 49 B.C., Rome was facing a civil war between two military commanders, Pompey and Caesar.  Trying to avert a civil war, the senate declared Caesar a public enemy and ordered him to lay down his command or face criminal charges.  Rather than lay down his command, Caesar led his 13 legions to the Rubicon, and he and his army waited patiently on the banks.  Turning to his army, Caesar spoke: “Even yet we may draw back; but once across that little bridge, and the whole issue is with the sword.”  Seeing no opposition from his army, Caesar is said to have muttered under his breath, “alea iacta est,” or “Let the die be cast.”  With these words, he crossed the Rubicon, thus signaling open war with the Roman republic. 

 

Jerusalem had its own Rubicon, and there was a particular way to cross it.  Jerusalem’s Rubicon was the Mount of Olives, and it was significant for several reasons.  The first reason is that after Israel’s greatest King, King David, returned from a forced exile he returned over the Mount of Olives (2 Sam 19.20).  It was a long held tradition that when Israel’s coming King, the Messiah came, he would come over the Mount of Olives.  Secondly, in Ezekiel’s prophesy, he sees a vision of the Holy Spirit departing the temple because of the people’s sin (Eze 11.23).  When the Spirit returns to bring God’s righteous rule to the people of Israel once more, he does so by passing over the Mount of Olives (Eze 45.1-5).  So the Mount of Olives is significant in Jewish history, because it is the place by which both the Messiah and God’s Spirit will one day return to Israel.  It is Jerusalem’s Rubicon.

An Update on Our Dinner for the Homeless

As many of you know, last Friday (Dec 12), Trinity partnered with the Sons of God motorcycle club and 3-D Motorcyle club to feed the homeless of Myrtle Beach. I am especially proud of our Trinity folks, who provided 20 hams and all the green beans, mac n’ cheese, and cookies that you could ever eat. Unfortunately, we did not have a great turn out from the homeless community. I have a few theories on this. First of all, a few other charities had events that night so the homeless could go in a few different directions. Secondly, the city has recently clear cut the woods, so the homeless can no longer hide there. So we did not have central place to pick them up.

Nevertheless, we fed around 50-60. One of the more touching moments of the evening was when one of them, through tears, asked me to preach the word. He said “That is the food I came here for.” I was also impressed with how well many of the homeless know Lou Townsend and Dick Arnold. Lou and Dick go into the woods throughout the week, sing hymns and do Bible studies with the homeless. They also try to provide for their needs by checking them into rehab (if willing) or providing them with tents and wheel chairs for example.

Because of the poor turnout by the homeless, I was tempted to feel like the evening was a bit of a failure. But a few things encouraged me. I was greatly encouraged by the turnout from Trinity. I am so thankful to be part of a church that demonstrates God’s grace with both proclamation and works of mercy. Secondly, I was grateful to take home four young children who were fed and clothed by us. They were so excited about their new hats and mittens. What a simple gesture from us that meant so much to them. And finally, I am encouraged because our leftover food provided a local charity with enough food to carry them through to the finish of their new kitchen. The other half of our leftover food was sent to an impoverished community in Tabor City that our motorcycle friends have adopted. We fed the whole community. So there was much fruit, even if we didn’t get to see it all. God be praised!

Comments from recent Faith Alive weekend

Thanksgiving for finding my way back fully to Christ and my participation in my Church Family.

Thanksgivings for the Holy Spirit moving in a powerful way in this parish.

Feeling God’s presence and guidance for the first time.

Thanksgiving that I accepted Christ as my Savior.

Thanksgiving that I rededicated my life to Christ.

Highlight was the Sunday morning service… the praise and joy in the singing, as if we were all recommitting ourselves to God.

Highlight of the weekend was the Sunday church service and renewing my faith.

Faith Alive this weekend!

Faith alive begins this weekend for Trinity Church.  If you are not aware what Faith Alive is, it is a weekend that the church sets aside to come together and receive witnesses from across the country to share about the work that Christ has done in their lives.  The weekend is entirely free.  If you did not register that’s o.k.!  You can come anyway at any point in the weekend.  Please pray for us this weekend as I am hoping this will help us all refocus sharply on the glory of Christ and his redemptive work in our lives.

Sept 20 at Trinity: Dinner for the homeless of Myrtle Beach

Last year Trinity Church was honored to partner with 3D Motorcycle Ministries, the Sons of the Messiah, The Azusa Street Riders and the Hell’s Angels to serve the homeless of Myrtle Beach.  At that event we served over 200 homeless.  Many were fed and many came to profess faith in Christ!  We look forward to partnering with these groups quarterly as we seek to reach out to the homeless in our Myrtle Beach Community.  Last year twenty Trinity parishioners volunteered to serve in this partnership.  I am hoping for a much greater turn out this year.  We are the host church.  I pray we make a good showing.  The event will be held Sept 20.   If you are not able to attend, please consider donating socks, jackets, tooth brushes, rain coats, blankets, etc.  If you are able to attend please contact the church offices to let them know you’ll be attending.  Trinity parishioners will primarily function as greeters and assist the motorcyle ministries in serving the food to the homeless.  Service starts at 5:30.  Plan to be there around 4:00-4:430 to help set up.