Enjoying God’s Grace,
Extending God’s Glory
May 2017
Grace and Truth
I recently read The Rise of the Nones: Understanding and Reaching the Religiously Unaffiliated by James Emery White, who serves as the pastor of a large church in Charlotte, NC. Meanwhile, a pastor in Montgomery
County recently cited a statistic that 6 of 10 people who live in our county are “nones,” i.e. they have no religious affiliation. If this statistic is accurate, then we are going to have to grow in our understanding of how to
bear witness to Christ among neighbors who have no idea who Jesus really is, or why they should care about
the church. Dr. White observes that the Jesus we meet in John’s Gospel came bringing both grace and truth,
and we need to bring both messages as well.
John 1:14 says: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory as of the only
Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. A few verses later we read: And from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
If we want the full embodiment of both grace and truth, we must look to Jesus. The grace and truth that Jesus taught and lived were attractive to those who encountered it. Jesus accepted the Samaritan woman at
the well (John 4) and the woman caught in adultery (John 8). In other words, they received his grace. But at
the same time, he confronted both of these women with the truth about their lives: the one woman had 5
husbands and was living with a man who was not her husband; the other woman was invited to “go and sin
no more” after she was released without condemnation by Jesus. White suggests that all of Jesus’ stories are
“grace and truth” stories. Let’s put that claim to the test. Read the stories of Jesus in all 4 of the Gospels, and
see how Jesus weaves grace and truth together. He challenges people without compromise, and yet somehow people want to be around him relationally.
The temptation, of course, is to go too far in one direction or the other. Some are so committed to grace that
they fail to stand for truth; others, on the other hand, are so concerned with standing for truth that they fail
to display grace.
If we have received grace and truth from Jesus, let’s share it with others, including the religiously unaffiliated
who live near us in Montgomery County. Let’s strive to be like Jesus, speaking both grace and truth, and living
gracious and truthful lives as well. This will not make us popular with everyone. Many of the religious leaders
were less than pleased with Jesus, but those who were sick with the disease of sin came to Jesus to experience healing. May we gain a hearing as well as we maintain a balance between grace and truth.
Bill Sutherland
A Note from the Mebergs
Dear Friends at Faith ARP Church,
We enjoyed our visit with you so much. Thank you for your continued partnership with us for the sake of the Gospel. We appreciate you & are so thankful for your prayers and support. We pray that God would continue to open doors for you in the community.
Blessings, Erik & Laurie Meberg; Anna, Raiya, & Samuel
Soccer Bible Camp 2017
Monday, June 26—Thursday, June 29, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
It’s time to start preparing for Soccer Bible Camp! This year’s camp promises to be extra exciting as we’ve
got great songs, action-packed dramas, and of course, soccer, soccer, soccer! But in order to make it all happen, we need your help. Below is a list of items we need to create costumes and props for our Joseph dramas. If you have any of these things, please bring them in. And as we draw closer to June, think about how
you will support this annual ministry— as a musician, actor, soccer coach, organizer, decorator, set-up/cleanup person, or prayer warrior. This is an all-hands-on-deck affair as we offer the Gospel message and a whole
lot of fun to the kids of Olney and their families. We need YOU!
Costumes

Tattered or simple Bible-times robe

2 Egyptian guard costumes (such as a white tunic, toy spear, and shield)

Regal Egyptian costume

Gold chain, fancy ring (like a class ring), other jewelry
Decorating

Black plastic or black sheets

A few spotlights, lamps, or other light source

Simple wooden chair and a comfy chair

A variety of accessories to dress up the palace (ferns and greenery, rich-colored cloth, gold plates and cups)

Gold fabric covering for Joseph’s chair

Handful of wheat or corn kernels to sprinkle on the floor

Carpet rolls and area rugs

Boxes covered with gray paper dirt

Baskets
Activity Supplies
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Battery-powered flicker lights

Small baskets, such as a bread basket

Rice and beans, small bowls of raisins

5 burlap sacks stuffed with pillows or fabric (to look like they’re full of grain)

Container of dark-colored mud

8” x 10” piece of cardboard to mount the “family photo”
Questions? Contact Becky Miller at 301-384-5878 or [email protected].
Mark Your Calendars!
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Classes for all ages at 9:15 a.m.
The adults are doing a new series based on The Art of
Neighboring: Building Genuine Relationships Right
Outside Your Door by Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon.
*On Sunday, May 21 we will have a presentation of
the ARP work in Pakistan by Charles and Joyce Edgar.
Don’t miss it!
Friday, May 19
7—9 p.m.
Join us for an evening of
board games, snacks, and fun!
Parents, please note that this is not a drop-off event
for kids. We want you to stay and join in the fun, too!
Don’t miss our next
Ladies’ Craft, Coffee,
and Conversation Night
Friday, June 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Work on your crafts, sort recipes ,
or just come to relax! Bring a friend!
ESOL Bible Study
Sunday evenings, 5 p.m.
Improve your English
Get to know Jesus
Women’s Bible Study
Want to get involved in this important ministry?
Contact Christa Sutherland
[email protected]
Wednesdays, May 31, June 14 and 28
7:30 p.m.
Soccer Bible Camp
The women are studying John’s Gospel.
Contact Carrie Green to order a study guide.
[email protected]
Men of Faith
Next meeting is Tuesday, May 23, 7:30 p.m.
for sermon discussion and prayer
Monday, June 26—Thursday, June 29
6:30-8:30 p.m.
For kids age 4 through 5th grade
Music, Drama, Snacks & SOCCER!
Stay tuned for future plans!
Register at www.faith-olney.org
Want to contribute to our next newsletter?
Please send submissions to Kristen Key at
[email protected].
Sunday Bible Classes 9:15 a.m.
Worship 10:30 a.m.
www.faith-olney.org
17309 Old Baltimore Road
Olney, MD 20832
Enjoying God’s Grace,
Extending God’s Glory