Monterey :: Blog

A Visible Presence

jlang@montereychurch.com — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16).

Jesus calls us to be a visible presence in our community and world! Not just a church building. Not just a bunch of ministries. But such a presence that through our lives, our good works, our language, and our love that people will see Jesus living in us and be drawn to him!

Today, we will honor Warren McNeill during our morning assemblies. Warren and Denise have been part of the Monterey family since their college days, and have served this church in many ways. Warren has been involved in our worship ministry for a number of years, and joined our ministry staff in a part-time role as Worship Minister in November 2003.

As Monterey continued to grow, it became more and more obvious that we needed additional full-time ministry staff roles, including a full-time Worship Minister, and a full-time Congregational Life Minister. We are excited that Kenny Lewis and Brian Offutt are joining our ministry staff in those roles.

Even though Warren will no longer be part of our ministry staff, we look forward to his continued involvement in a variety of ministries at Monterey. I also know that he will continue to be a blessing to many in his role as Assistant Vice President of University Relations at Lubbock Christian University. I count it a privilege to call Warren my friend and brother. I know you join me in thanking him this morning for what he means to this church!

—Barry Stephens

Independence Day Celebration is back

jlang@montereychurch.com — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Wednesday, July 2nd, 6 p.m.

Back again this year are the Homemade Pie, and Ice Cream Contests. Also, we will host Monterey’s 2nd Annual 42 Tournament! So, break out your favorite pie or homemade ice cream recipe and that dusty set of dominos and sign up!! Prizes will be awarded!! Basketball and volleyball courts will be open for the kids. The little ones can play in the playground as long as a parent is with them.

Contestants and Judges can sign-in and volunteer TODAY in the Great Hall! Contestants, please pre-register—and be sure to pick up a set of rules. Hot dogs, chips, and drinks will be served at 6 p.m. Contests begin around 6:30 p.m.

Would you like to help? We need:

5 judges to sample and judge homemade ice cream.

5 judges to sample and judge for the homemade pies.

Volunteers to help serve each contest.

July 2nd promises to be a great time for our church family. Hope you can make it!!!

Make A Difference

jlang@montereychurch.com — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 06:00:00 GMT

One piece of our mission statement states that we want to be a body of believers who make a difference in our community and world. As I reflected on that thought, and I as prepared for this morning’s message based on the Beatitudes, I kept thinking about the difference we would make in our community and world if we took seriously Jesus’ words about being pure in heart, being peacemakers, being merciful, being the kind of people who hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Reflect again on the words of Jesus in the Beatitudes:

You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

You’re blessed when your commitment to God provides persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Matthew 5:3-12, The Message

—Barry Stephens

Men's Ministry Special Event - Jerry Gray

jlang@montereychurch.com — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 06:00:00 GMT

The Monterey Men’s Ministry will host a special event on Sunday, June 22nd, at 6 p.m. in our Worship Center. Jerry Gray, a former Estacado High football standout, member of the University of Texas All-Time Football Team, four-time NFL Pro Bowler, 1989 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and now a coach with the Washington Redskins, will be sharing his journey of faith through those years.

Jerry and his wife Sherry still call Lubbock their hometown, and are dedicated mentors to many young men and women in our community. They have established the Jerry Gray Foundation which is dedicated to offering hope, vision and opportunities for young people living in underserved communities. It will be a great evening! You’re invited to be part of the evening, and I also encourage you to spread the word to other folks in our community.

Fully Devoted Followers Of Jesus

jlang@montereychurch.com — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 06:00:00 GMT

I love preaching and teaching from the Gospels. As a preacher friend used to put it, “If you want to be more like Jesus, you need to spend time with Him.” One of the best places to spend more time with Jesus is in the Gospels. Today, our adult Bible classes will begin a study of the Gospel of Matthew. Summer is a busy season of travel, vacations, camps, and mission trips, but I encourage you to make Sunday morning classes a priority during the summer. You will be blessed and challenged as we study this Gospel.

In connection with our study from Matthew, I will preach a three-week sermon series, beginning today, that will focus on Monterey’s mission statement: Our mission is to develop fully devoted followers of Jesus who make a difference by being a visible presence in our community and world. These three messages will be rooted in the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. You will be blessed by taking a few minutes each day during these three weeks to read through the Sermon on the Mount several times.

As we begin this series, please reflect on these words from Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount:

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6)

Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (5:16)

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (5:20)

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (5:48)

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (6:14-15)

No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. (6:24)

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (6:33)

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. (7:24-25)

In a large church like Monterey, the three summer months are just as busy as the other nine months of the year. I hope you enjoy time with family and friends this summer, but I also encourage you to take full advantage of the opportunities for ministry that exist in this church during the next three months. A summer calendar listing summer events is available at the Welcome Center this morning. May your summer be a blessing, and may our lives bring glory to God!

—Barry Stephens

Memorial Day

jlang@montereychurch.com — Sun, 25 May 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States that is observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, this holiday commemorates the sacrifices of men and women who have died in military service to their country.

Following the end of the Civil War, many communities set aside a day to mark the end of the war or as a memorial to those who had died in the war. These observances eventually coalesced around Decoration Day, honoring Union soldiers who died during the Civil War, and the several Confederate Memorial Days. After World War I, it was expanded to include those who died in any war or military action. Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 2 p.m. Central Time on Memorial Day. Another tradition is to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. Volunteers place a U.S. flag upon each gravesite located in a National Cemetery.

Many Americans also use Memorial Day to honor any family members who have died, not just service men and women. I can still remember my mother buying flowers to place on the gravesites of my grandparents and other family members when I was just a youngster.

Bottom line, there is power in memory. Beyond our individual memories, memories are created with pictures, videos, journals, history books, etc. Beyond the individual, family, or community memories we hold dear, the most powerful memories are those God has created through history.

We remember the most central event in history each Sunday as we share in communion. Paul’s words to the Corinthian church call us to remember and to proclaim the Lord’s death:

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

We also create powerful memories for the generations that will follow us as we serve our God! As the words of the song put it, “O may all who come behind us find us faithful. May the fire of our devotion light their way. May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe and the lives we live inspire them to obey.”

-- Barry Stephens

Special Service Times for Sunday, May 25th

jlang@montereychurch.com — Sun, 18 May 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Worship services will be held at 9:00am and 10:45am on Sunday, May 25th, due to the Memorial Day holiday. We will not have Bible classes on this Sunday.

Updates For Your Prayers

jlang@montereychurch.com — Sun, 18 May 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Many of you will remember Salama Matiop, the little girl from Sudan, who touched the hearts of so many a few years ago. Dr. Ellen Little, whom we support in Kampala, Uganda, met Salama’s father, Michael Matiop, a captain in the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, when Salama was a baby. Through the generosity of many in the Lubbock community and in the Monterey family, Ellen was able to bring Salama to the United States for heart surgery. Dr. Cecil & Diane Fincher kept Salama in their home before the surgery, and during her recuperation. They continue to be in regular contact with Salama’s family.

After the surgery, Salama was given a pacemaker for her heart, and she returned to Uganda. Her family lives in Kampala so she can have access to better medical care and a better living condition. She had been doing well with the pacemaker until recently when the heart rate was not keeping up with her needs. A machine was special-ordered and shipped to Kampala to fix the problem. As a result, Salama is doing very well now.

Her father, who had been working in Southern Sudan trying to help bring peace to that devastated country, came back to Kampala to be with Salama during her struggle with her pacemaker. He returned to Southern Sudan after all was well with her. The missionaries in Kampala received word a couple of weeks ago that he was killed in a plane crash in Sudan, along with the Minister of Defense and his deputies. About 20 people were killed in the crash. Please pray for Salama and her family in this loss, and pray for the country of Sudan that peace may be theirs.

—Barry Stephens

A Very Special Mother

jlang@montereychurch.com — Sun, 11 May 2008 06:00:00 GMT

By Beth Crumpler

May is the month we celebrate Mother’s Day. I have thought of my own mother every year, of course, but I also often think of Mary, the mother of Jesus. I have thought of her as sort of a perfect mother, although I’m sure she had her faults, too. However, I know that being the mother of our Lord was never easy.

Mary’s name meant ‘bitterness and suffering.’ Her name declared the depth of every Jew’s despair under the oppression of Roman conquerors. The name Mary was a cry to the Lord for rescue.

During her teen years, she had the magical experience that no other woman has had, or ever will have. She was approached by an angel of God and willingly accepted the assignment of being the mother of God’s Son! I don’t remember much about my teen years, but I do know that I was not the caliber of girl that Mary was! Don’t you suppose Satan was trying his best to get her to decide against this magnificent miracle? He may have been saying:

You? Why would the Lord choose anyone so low? The Messiah will not come from some Nazarene peasant girl! What evil is this that one so unworthy should dare imagine she could bear the Messiah.
(Mary by Francine Rivers)

But if Satan did speak to her, she wasn’t afraid of him or the Angel of God. Even though she was somewhat troubled, she answered in the most beautiful way: “May it be to me as you have said.” And later, after her visit with Elizabeth she exhibited such maturity, trust, and surrender to God’s will in “Mary’s Song”,

…for he has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is His name. Luke 1:48-49

This was uttered by a teenager!

Being the mother of Jesus got even harder. Mary suffered a great deal before realizing the fruit of this miraculous blessing of Jesus’ birth and even greater suffering at the death of her beloved son.

This particular mother is to be greatly admired, and at the same time, greatly pitied. We, as mothers are not called upon to witness such an event as the crucifixion of Jesus, but with God’s mighty hand at our backs, we have the opportunity of raising champions for Jesus which is exactly what the whole plan was all about!

God bless each of you mothers on Mother’s Day, and may we all strive to accept God’s blessings in our children as beautifully as Mary accepted the greatest blessing of all! Jesus.

The Expedition

jlang@montereychurch.com — Sun, 04 May 2008 06:00:00 GMT

In her book, Teaching a Stone to Talk, Annie Dillard tells of a British Arctic expedition which set sail in 1845 to chart the Northwest Passage through the Canadian Arctic to the Pacific Ocean. Neither of the two ships—the Brebus nor the Terror—nor any of the 134 men aboard returned.

Captain Sir John Franklin prepared as if they were embarking on a pleasure cruise rather than an arduous and grueling journey through one of the earth’s most hostile environments. He packed a 1,200 volume library, a hand-organ, china place settings for officers and men, cut-glass wine goblets, and sterling silver flatware, beautifully and intricately designed. Years later, some of these place settings were found near a clump of frozen and reportedly cannibalized bodies.

The voyage was doomed when the ships sailed into frigid waters and became trapped in ice. First, ice coated the decks, the spars and the rigging. Then, water froze around the rudders and the ships became hopelessly locked in the now-frozen sea.

Sailors set out to search for help, but soon succumbed to severe Arctic weather, and died of exposure to its harsh winds and sub-freezing temperatures. For some twenty years, remains of the expeditions were found all over the frozen landscape.

The crew did not prepare for the cold or for the eventuality of the ships’ becoming ice-locked. On a voyage which was to last two to three years, they packed only their Navy-issue uniforms, and the captain carried just a 12-day supply of coal for the auxiliary steam engines. The frozen body of an officer was eventually found, miles from the vessel, wearing his uniform of blue cloth, edged with silk braid, a blue greatcoat and a silk neckerchief—clothing which was noble and respectful, but wholly inadequate.

As I read I Peter a few days ago in my daily Bible reading, I was reminded of our lifelong journey, a journey with its share of suffering, temptations, and challenges. Please allow Peter to encourage us in our daily walk with God:

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:13-16).

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us (1 Peter 2:11-12).

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 5:8-11)

—Barry Stephens