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Indianapolis, Indiana
'Grace and truth'As Nazarenes gathered for the Sunday morning worship services, attendees from around the world shared what the morning’s theme, “One Lord,” meant to them through a video.
After congregational praise led by combined choirs and the orchestra, General Superintendent David W. Graves opened in prayer and Eugénio R. Duarte read the theme verse for General Assembly, Ephesians 4:1-6. Gustavo A. Crocker emphasized opportunities for prayer and received the offering.
The choir sang a beautiful rendition of “Lord, You’re Holy” before J. K. Warrick shared the morning message.
Warrick’s message began with a focus upon the person and work of Jesus Christ, particularly emphasizing Jesus as the “human face of the living God,” citing N. T. Wright. Quoting Eugene Peterson, Warrick noted that Jesus is a “one-of-a-kind God expression.” Two of the words that define Jesus in John 1, Warrick said, are “grace and truth.”
“We should not be afraid to speak a word of truth,” Warrick reminded.
We are to be people of love and truth; however, not in a way that separates the two.
“Jesus Christ is Lord in and of truth,” Warrick said.
Therefore, Christ-centered truth will be loving, and Christ-centered love will be grounded in the truth of God.
Grace reminds us that the “door is always open,” the sermon continued.
“We are invited into a new story with a better ending,” Warrick said. “Nobody on the face of this earth is beyond the reach of the grace of God.”
A strong comfort to us, Warrick said, is that “Jesus is Lord in and of His Church.” Jesus would say that “You are now the light of the world,” to His disciples. Therefore, the Church exists not only for ourselves, but for those who are longing for something better.
“When we follow Jesus, we are called and compelled to reach out and build bridges,” Warrick proclaimed, because that is who Jesus is to us and for us.
Warrick concluded by calling the assembly to the Communion table, inviting the congregation to come to the Jesus as savior and to fully surrender to the Lordship of Christ, who commissions His Church to go in grace and truth. [Courtesy of Holiness Today]
After congregational praise led by combined choirs and the orchestra, General Superintendent David W. Graves opened in prayer and Eugénio R. Duarte read the theme verse for General Assembly, Ephesians 4:1-6. Gustavo A. Crocker emphasized opportunities for prayer and received the offering.
The choir sang a beautiful rendition of “Lord, You’re Holy” before J. K. Warrick shared the morning message.
Warrick’s message began with a focus upon the person and work of Jesus Christ, particularly emphasizing Jesus as the “human face of the living God,” citing N. T. Wright. Quoting Eugene Peterson, Warrick noted that Jesus is a “one-of-a-kind God expression.” Two of the words that define Jesus in John 1, Warrick said, are “grace and truth.”
“We should not be afraid to speak a word of truth,” Warrick reminded.
We are to be people of love and truth; however, not in a way that separates the two.
“Jesus Christ is Lord in and of truth,” Warrick said.
Therefore, Christ-centered truth will be loving, and Christ-centered love will be grounded in the truth of God.
Grace reminds us that the “door is always open,” the sermon continued.
“We are invited into a new story with a better ending,” Warrick said. “Nobody on the face of this earth is beyond the reach of the grace of God.”
A strong comfort to us, Warrick said, is that “Jesus is Lord in and of His Church.” Jesus would say that “You are now the light of the world,” to His disciples. Therefore, the Church exists not only for ourselves, but for those who are longing for something better.
“When we follow Jesus, we are called and compelled to reach out and build bridges,” Warrick proclaimed, because that is who Jesus is to us and for us.
Warrick concluded by calling the assembly to the Communion table, inviting the congregation to come to the Jesus as savior and to fully surrender to the Lordship of Christ, who commissions His Church to go in grace and truth. [Courtesy of Holiness Today]
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Indianapolis, Indiana
Worship services conclude with focus on faithSunday afternoon’s service – the final worship service of General Assembly 2017 – began with a special presentation led by the worship team and Leslie Hart focusing on children. A video reminded the assembly to pray for children at risk. General Superintendent David W. Graves opened with prayer and later introduced the offering and the speaker for the evening, Eugénio R. Duarte.
Duarte’s sermon emphasized faith in terms of portraits. He began by reminding the assembly that faith is not a buzzword. Instead, faith is “a manner of life, a standard of life,” that allows us in the words of Paul to “stand firm together” (Phil. 1:27). Faith, Duarte reminded, comes from “hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17).
Using examples of biblical characters such as Abraham (Genesis 15), Duarte stated that faith is more than head knowledge. It is a “specific way of life” exemplified in Abraham’s willingness to “let go and become fragile” in order to become fully dependent upon God.
Drawing from his own journey into faith and then into Christian ministry, Duarte framed faith first of all in terms of endurance: “Today, the same faith, maturing and developing, keeps me resolved never to give up on the promises of God.”
The second portrait of faith is framed in regard to choices: God calls and allows us the opportunity to choose His way. Contrasting Ahaz and Hezekiah in the Old Testament, Duarte highlighted examples of two men given opportunities from God who made decidedly different choices: one for evil, the other for good. Likewise, in response to the call of God, we may choose dependence upon God or self-centeredness.
Finally, the message framed faith in the context of action. Duarte spoke of the work of a 79-year-old Brazilian woman named Sister Nelcia, who was the first female pastor in her country. She has planted 11 churches in three different states. He brought her on stage to ask “What does faith mean to you?” She replied, “Faith means to totally trust Jesus Christ, and know that He can do whatever He says He can do. That is how I was able to help plant 11 churches, because of what God did through faith.” He then asked her son, who is now a district superintendent in Brazil, the same question. He replied that his mother taught him to both love and obey God. This is faith.
Finally, faith is framed in the portrait of change. Citing Charles Colson, Duarte concluded that “faith can be frightening and upsetting…but it is never boring.” When we honor God by faith, we will experience change, but we have no need to be afraid. [Courtesy of Holiness Today]
Indianapolis, Indiana
Worship services conclude with focus on faithSunday afternoon’s service – the final worship service of General Assembly 2017 – began with a special presentation led by the worship team and Leslie Hart focusing on children. A video reminded the assembly to pray for children at risk. General Superintendent David W. Graves opened with prayer and later introduced the offering and the speaker for the evening, Eugénio R. Duarte.
Duarte’s sermon emphasized faith in terms of portraits. He began by reminding the assembly that faith is not a buzzword. Instead, faith is “a manner of life, a standard of life,” that allows us in the words of Paul to “stand firm together” (Phil. 1:27). Faith, Duarte reminded, comes from “hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17).
Using examples of biblical characters such as Abraham (Genesis 15), Duarte stated that faith is more than head knowledge. It is a “specific way of life” exemplified in Abraham’s willingness to “let go and become fragile” in order to become fully dependent upon God.
Drawing from his own journey into faith and then into Christian ministry, Duarte framed faith first of all in terms of endurance: “Today, the same faith, maturing and developing, keeps me resolved never to give up on the promises of God.”
The second portrait of faith is framed in regard to choices: God calls and allows us the opportunity to choose His way. Contrasting Ahaz and Hezekiah in the Old Testament, Duarte highlighted examples of two men given opportunities from God who made decidedly different choices: one for evil, the other for good. Likewise, in response to the call of God, we may choose dependence upon God or self-centeredness.
Finally, the message framed faith in the context of action. Duarte spoke of the work of a 79-year-old Brazilian woman named Sister Nelcia, who was the first female pastor in her country. She has planted 11 churches in three different states. He brought her on stage to ask “What does faith mean to you?” She replied, “Faith means to totally trust Jesus Christ, and know that He can do whatever He says He can do. That is how I was able to help plant 11 churches, because of what God did through faith.” He then asked her son, who is now a district superintendent in Brazil, the same question. He replied that his mother taught him to both love and obey God. This is faith.
Finally, faith is framed in the portrait of change. Citing Charles Colson, Duarte concluded that “faith can be frightening and upsetting…but it is never boring.” When we honor God by faith, we will experience change, but we have no need to be afraid. [Courtesy of Holiness Today]
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Indianapolis, Indiana
Sponsorship surpriseDuring Sunday evening’s worship service, Benaia Freire Furtado, a former sponsored child from Brazil, met her sponsor, Judy Veigl, who serves as an administrative director at the Church of the Nazarene’s Global Ministry Center.
When Benaia was young, her father died suddenly. Struggling with grief and feelings of abandonment, she stopped speaking for four months.
“I felt abandoned, like my world was upside down, and I didn’t understand why he left me,” she said in a video made for Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.
Child Sponsorship had a deep impact on Benaia’s life. It was during this time of grief that she was first accepted into the program. Later, when her family moved to an area where they didn’t know anyone, the letters she received from Judy helped her feel grounded and supported.
“The program enabled us to dream again,” Benaia said. “It is very important for the child who receives the letter – it brings love to our hearts.”
For more information on NCM’s Child Sponsorship program, visit ncm.org/cs.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Sponsorship surpriseDuring Sunday evening’s worship service, Benaia Freire Furtado, a former sponsored child from Brazil, met her sponsor, Judy Veigl, who serves as an administrative director at the Church of the Nazarene’s Global Ministry Center.
When Benaia was young, her father died suddenly. Struggling with grief and feelings of abandonment, she stopped speaking for four months.
“I felt abandoned, like my world was upside down, and I didn’t understand why he left me,” she said in a video made for Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.
Child Sponsorship had a deep impact on Benaia’s life. It was during this time of grief that she was first accepted into the program. Later, when her family moved to an area where they didn’t know anyone, the letters she received from Judy helped her feel grounded and supported.
“The program enabled us to dream again,” Benaia said. “It is very important for the child who receives the letter – it brings love to our hearts.”
For more information on NCM’s Child Sponsorship program, visit ncm.org/cs.
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Indianapolis, Indiana
Prayer opportunities continueThere are several opportunities for prayer as the 29th General Assembly continues.
The Board of General Superintendents emphasized the importance of prayer by asking Nazarenes around the world to set aside every Friday afternoon — from 24 March through 23 June — as a time of fasting and prayer for General Assembly 2017 and to pray daily during the assembly, Sunday 25 June through Thursday 29 June.
The words of Phineas F. Bresee, the denomination’s first general superintendent, remain true today: “These are days that call for Spirit-filled men and women who pray in the Holy Ghost and expect and receive great things from God.”
A Concert of Prayer was held prior to the opening General Assembly business session in Halls ABC from 8:00 to 8:15 a.m. Monday 26 June.
Two other locations were set aside for prayer. The 24/7 Prayer Room, located in the Westin Hotel, is available through 28 June for private prayer. Each evening, from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m., there will be a time of corporate prayer.
Show Office 1 on the second floor of the Indiana Convention Center will be open Monday until 10 p.m. The room includes Bibles in multiple languages, a basket to leave prayer requests, specific prayer topics from the Board of General Superintendents, and a historic altar used by Phineas Bresee at camp meetings in 1904 and 1905.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Prayer opportunities continueThere are several opportunities for prayer as the 29th General Assembly continues.
The Board of General Superintendents emphasized the importance of prayer by asking Nazarenes around the world to set aside every Friday afternoon — from 24 March through 23 June — as a time of fasting and prayer for General Assembly 2017 and to pray daily during the assembly, Sunday 25 June through Thursday 29 June.
The words of Phineas F. Bresee, the denomination’s first general superintendent, remain true today: “These are days that call for Spirit-filled men and women who pray in the Holy Ghost and expect and receive great things from God.”
A Concert of Prayer was held prior to the opening General Assembly business session in Halls ABC from 8:00 to 8:15 a.m. Monday 26 June.
Two other locations were set aside for prayer. The 24/7 Prayer Room, located in the Westin Hotel, is available through 28 June for private prayer. Each evening, from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m., there will be a time of corporate prayer.
Show Office 1 on the second floor of the Indiana Convention Center will be open Monday until 10 p.m. The room includes Bibles in multiple languages, a basket to leave prayer requests, specific prayer topics from the Board of General Superintendents, and a historic altar used by Phineas Bresee at camp meetings in 1904 and 1905.
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Indianapolis, Indiana
Online resolution reminderFollowing the Delegate Prayer and Commissioning on Monday morning, General Assembly delegates will begin voting on resolutions. The resolutions were made available online in advance of the assembly at ga2017.com/resolutions in English, French, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish.
No special invitation or password is necessary to view these documents. Late resolutions were accepted through 1 June 2017.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Online resolution reminderFollowing the Delegate Prayer and Commissioning on Monday morning, General Assembly delegates will begin voting on resolutions. The resolutions were made available online in advance of the assembly at ga2017.com/resolutions in English, French, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish.
No special invitation or password is necessary to view these documents. Late resolutions were accepted through 1 June 2017.
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GA live streamingLive Streaming
The 2017 General Assembly worship services and GA plenary meetings will be live streamed for online viewing (Note: SDMI, NMI, GNEC, and NYI plenaries are not able to be broadcast). For Spanish, French, and Portuguese, interpreters' audio will be included. Services will be archived and posted for additional/later viewing.
The service schedule for Sunday morning, 25 June, including music selections, can be downloaded by clicking here (All times Eastern Daylight Time. For the official time in Indianapolis, click here.). Archived service broadcasts are available below.
Day/Date/Time/Speaker (All times Eastern Daylight Time)
Thursday 22 June, Gustavo A. Crocker
Friday 23 June, David W. Graves
Saturday 24 June, Jerry D. Porter
Sunday 25 June, J. K. Warrick
Sunday 25 June, Eugénio R. Duarte
Monday 26 June, Quadrennial Address, David A. BusicText (PDF): 2017 Quadrennial Address
Contact Us:
SubscribeFacebookTwitterInstagramContactGA live streamingLive Streaming
The 2017 General Assembly worship services and GA plenary meetings will be live streamed for online viewing (Note: SDMI, NMI, GNEC, and NYI plenaries are not able to be broadcast). For Spanish, French, and Portuguese, interpreters' audio will be included. Services will be archived and posted for additional/later viewing.
The service schedule for Sunday morning, 25 June, including music selections, can be downloaded by clicking here (All times Eastern Daylight Time. For the official time in Indianapolis, click here.). Archived service broadcasts are available below.
Day/Date/Time/Speaker (All times Eastern Daylight Time)
Thursday 22 June, Gustavo A. Crocker
Friday 23 June, David W. Graves
Saturday 24 June, Jerry D. Porter
Sunday 25 June, J. K. Warrick
Sunday 25 June, Eugénio R. Duarte
Monday 26 June, Quadrennial Address, David A. BusicText (PDF): 2017 Quadrennial Address
Contact Us:
The Global Church of the Nazarene
(913) 577-0500
events@nazarene.org
nazarene.org
@nazarene
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events@nazarene.org
nazarene.org
@nazarene
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GA 2017 appThe 2017 General Assembly app is now available on iOS and Android devices.
The app includes several features to help attendees keep track of event activities, including a daily schedule and a map of the Indiana Convention Center.
Attendees can filter events or use the search feature to look for specific activities. The schedule section also includes the option to star activities. There are optional reminders for starred events, which are then added to the “Favorites and Notes” section for easy access.
While an account is not required to use the app, attendees can create an account to connect with others at the event.
Additional app features include a General Assembly news section, access to online giving, and a link to the live stream.
To download the app, search “Nazarene GA 2017” on the App Store or Google Play.
GA 2017 appThe 2017 General Assembly app is now available on iOS and Android devices.
The app includes several features to help attendees keep track of event activities, including a daily schedule and a map of the Indiana Convention Center.
Attendees can filter events or use the search feature to look for specific activities. The schedule section also includes the option to star activities. There are optional reminders for starred events, which are then added to the “Favorites and Notes” section for easy access.
While an account is not required to use the app, attendees can create an account to connect with others at the event.
Additional app features include a General Assembly news section, access to online giving, and a link to the live stream.
To download the app, search “Nazarene GA 2017” on the App Store or Google Play.
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To view the complete Daily Summary as distributed at General Assembly,click here.
Previous editions:
Wednesday 21 June
Thursday 22 June
Friday 23 June
Saturday 24 June
Sunday 25 June
Follow along through social media with #GA2017 or check out a curated feed of posts from Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram by clicking here.
Copyright © 2017 NCN News, All rights reserved.
Nazarene Communications Network
To view the complete Daily Summary as distributed at General Assembly,click here.
Previous editions:
Wednesday 21 June
Thursday 22 June
Friday 23 June
Saturday 24 June
Sunday 25 June
Follow along through social media with #GA2017 or check out a curated feed of posts from Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram by clicking here.
Copyright © 2017 NCN News, All rights reserved.
Nazarene Communications Network
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