Midweek

Last night was a particularly solid Midweek Service at Calvary Monterey. It has been sweet to watch the Spirit of God move among the people of God in conjunction with the word of God on Wednesdays. Today it’s in my heart to give a little play-by-play from last night. Allow me to recap...


Worship

Mark has done such a beautiful job putting together the sweetest of worship sets on Wednesday night. The recent addition of our grand piano back to the main stage has been brilliant, and on Wednesday nights I have been pleased to watch Mark branch out and actually lead a few songs himself from the keys. So worshipful, so powerful, and last night was no different.

Last night we held an abbreviated 20-minute set on the front end of the service. It was perfect, setting the tone for the Word of God.


Announcements

After the opening worship we spent a few minutes greeting everyone around us. I told everyone to try to remember the names of those they met as I thought they might be praying for them later on in the evening.

Once our greeting time was concluded I began with a few updates and announcements, one being that my fam has been a little under the weather. I didn’t want everyone to be alarmed by the awesomeness of my crackling voice during the teaching.

I was also blessed to have Pastor Roger Scalice, in town to see a doctor of his, stand and greet the body. As I stated last night, Roger’s two years at the helm of Calvary Monterey were very sweet years. I so appreciate this pastor, man, and friend. I am blessed every time he is in town. More on him later.

Finally I expressed some optimism on the possibility of launching a Calvary Downtown in the future. Although I have no solid lead or reason to feel it’s imminent, I simply stated that although it could launch in five years I also wouldn’t be surprised if God did it in five days. Just a sense. We’ll see.


Word

The bulk of the night was spent closing out the book of Matthew. We spent the night in 27:57-28:20, a power packed section of Scripture. You can download the teaching here, but here are some highlights:

Joseph Of Arimathea: The man who buried Jesus, Joseph was a wealthy man who happened to be a prominent religious leader in Israel. While he had disagreed with the decision to condemn and crucify Jesus, up until the cross Joseph was a secret disciple. Apparently the cross changed that for him. As we observed last night, there is something about the cross that emboldens us to publicly live for Jesus Christ. The cross is the boldest act in the history of mankind. When we consider it we are inspired to live boldly ourselves.

The Women At The Tomb: Why did Jesus appear to these women first? Why did He reveal Himself to Mary Magdalene - and not someone like Peter - first? My guess is as good as yours, but I would think it was because she and the other women were...just...there. When there, when seeking Him, He is found by us. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek after Him (Hebrews 11:6).

Jesus’ Command - Rejoice!: Once He appeared to the women, Jesus exhorted them to REJOICE! And why shouldn’t they? Jesus had defeated death, not just for Himself but for all who would believe on Him. It is incredibly important for us to remember that Jesus is the Lion Of The Tribe Of Judah, the King Of Kings, the Lord Of Lords, the First And The Last, the Alpha And Omega, the Beginning And The End. He is the One who defeated sin, coming back from a brutal death on the cross. Even though I love Kirk Gibson’s 1988 World Series home run for the L.A. Dodgers, Jesus’ resurrection is the ultimate of come from behind victories. Let’s rejoice over that simple and powerful fact!

Jesus’ Commission - Go!: Jesus closed out Matthew with His great commission to His disciples. Long articles and sermon series could be dedicated to these three short verses, but here are some observations.

His authority: All.
His commission: Go.
His aim: Make disciples.
His scope: All the nations.
His sign: Baptism.
His method: Teaching.
His promise: To be with us in this endeavor.


Waiting

Following the teaching we had an extended period of waiting upon the Spirit. As Mark and the band led in a few songs, we began to pray. The first order of business was to give everyone there who saw themselves like Joseph of Arimathea - secret disciples - a chance to receive prayer to be public disciples. Many people stood throughout the sanctuary and those around them put their hands on them and prayed for them to receive the boldness they so desired.

A few minutes later we opened it up to the pastors to speak out words of wisdom, prophecy, knowledge, or teaching to the body. We were limited on time, but I sensed that Roger, Geoff, or Mike might have something on their hearts to share.

Pastor Roger started off with an amazing declaration of God’s plans for Calvary Monterey. He exhorted those in attendance to be like David’s mighty men and head into the battle God has called us to. His words toward me were too kind.

Pastor Geoff then followed that up with a word about the heart of God for all the nations - locally, nationally, and internationally. He told us that God’s love for the world is far greater than our love will or could ever be. Because of that, Geoff then led us in a sweet prayer to ask for God’s heart to be poured out into ours.

Pastor Mike then exhorted those who may have needed to confess major sin in their lives. He shared from his testimony, how years ago he had planned on laying down his addictions and secret sins almost every time he set his foot in the church building, but never found the strength to do so until years later. He concluded by telling those in that camp to get in the light as quickly as possible.

So after a time of prayer, waiting, prophecy, and worship, we closed out the night. What followed was an extended time of worship and personal ministry. Precious.


Next Week

I look forward to next week when we will begin our study of the book of Genesis, the wonderful book of beginnings. Additionally, I also look forward to April 8th as Pastor Mike Casey will fill in for the first time ever in the main pulpit. Pray for him as he prepares for the teaching of the word!

God bless...

The Mega Message - 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Yesterday morning we had the pleasure of launching into 1 Corinthians 15, a powerful chapter detailing Jesus’ resurrection and the future resurrection of the saints. Since there were some in Corinth who challenged the resurrection, Paul saw fit to address their objections and affirm the Biblical account.


The Magnitude Of The Gospel (1-2)

The gospel - or good news - is the message of Jesus’ death for our sins, burial, and resurrection, a message Paul had previously preached to the Corinthian unbelievers while actually in Corinth (Acts 18). In 1 Corinthians 15:1-2, however, Paul made a decision to declare the gospel message - via letter - to those same folks, folks who were now believers.

I find it fascinating that Paul continually taught and expounded on the gospel message to believers. Not content to merely preach to non-believers, major portions of Paul’s letters were devoted to the newfound standing of those who’d believed on Jesus Christ - His death for our sins, His burial, and His resurrection from the dead. Romans 1-8, Galatians, and Ephesians 1-3 are examples of passages dedicated to a deeper explanation of the results of the cross.

Since the gospel message produces such amazing results - in the past, in the future, but even presently - we must know it and consume it.


The Message Of The Gospel (3-4)

The gospel message is simple enough. It can be boiled down to this: Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead. All of this was according to the Scriptures. This is God’s remedy for our sin - sin that had separated us from Him. Now we must believe in this gospel message.

Jesus really did die. Some might challenge this, but Jesus was killed after a brutal scourging and ruthless beating by professional Roman killers. He died publicly on Mt. Calvary. His executioners thrust a spear into His side to verify His death. Even His worst enemies confessed His death by asking Pilate to guard His tomb.

Jesus really was buried. Wrapped in approximately 100 pounds of burial spices and linens, Jesus was buried in the luxurious tomb of a public figure, Joseph of Arimathea. His tomb was not only public, but closed by a heavy stone, sealed with a Roman seal, and guarded by professional Roman guards who could lose their lives if they lost His body.

Jesus really did rise. To emphasize this point, Paul pointed to eyewitness accounts.


The Messengers Of The Gospel (5-7)

Peter: His life was radically changed after seeing the resurrected Christ during the weeks leading up to His ascension. Mark 16:7, Luke 24:34, and John 21:15-17 all detail or hint at the appearances of the resurrected Jesus to His man Peter. Before Jesus’ resurrection Peter was a man who fell asleep at every prayer meeting he was invited to, rebuked Jesus for saying He would die, sank when he saw the wind and wave, and denied Jesus when interrogated by little girls. After he saw Jesus risen from the dead Peter led prayer meetings, preached at Pentecost, healed the disabled, stood up to religious leaders, rejoiced to be beaten, called out hypocrisy in the church, and - according to history - was ultimately crucified upside down.

Critics maintain the disciples fabricated the story of Jesus’ resurrection for their own personal gain. The problem with that argument is that the disciples never gained personally for preaching the resurrection. They were beaten, rejected, shamed, impoverished, and persecuted to the point of death for preaching this message. Modern critics, however, have benefitted nicely from their public disbelief in Jesus’ resurrection. Book deals, social acceptance, fame, and fortune tend to follow those who deny Jesus’ resurrection today. I choose to believe the eyewitness accounts of good men who lost everything for this message over critiques some 2,000 years later from men who gain much for challenging the resurrection.

500: Jesus also appeared in Galillee to over 500 at one time. This was a highly anticipated meeting. This meeting was no secret to Paul or his readership. Most of these folks were still alive when Paul wrote 1 Corinthians.

James: Commonly believed to be the brother of Jesus, James had every opportunity to dispel the idea that Jesus was sinless. As Jesus’ half-brother he didn’t want to believe, but did believe once he saw the resurrected Jesus. He knew of his brother’s sinless perfection. This man who had at one time doubted was forced to believe when he saw Jesus.


The Man Of The Gospel (8-11)

Paul listed himself as the final witness. If there was anyone who would never come to Christ unless he knew it to be true beyond the shadow of a doubt it was Paul. As a Pharisee Paul would lose his entire life if he converted to Christ. Still, as one born out of due time, Paul saw the risen Lord (Acts 9). He believed immediately.

Paul considered himself the least of the apostles because of his past as a persecutor of the church, but he knew God’s grace had made him the most productive as he labored intensely for the gospel. Regardless, it didn’t matter to him who had preached, only that the Corinthians had believed in the true gospel message.

Time Crunch

Here's Mark restringing his guitar 3 minutes before first service! Go
Mark, go!

Renew Tonight!

So tonight we've got Renew - our all-women once a month meeting - rocking out at Calvary. Denise will be teaching on the Biblical definition of "true love" - far from the watered down sappiness Hollywood loves to drench us with. The night starts at 7pm, so I'm sending out this friendly reminder to the local women of all ages. Be there.

More Than Conquerors - Men's Retreat - March 6-8

Calling all dudes.  Calling all dudes.

In the Bible God's men often bolted out to the wilderness for times of spiritual refreshment and focus.  Even Jesus took Peter, James, and John away from every day life in order to enjoy a time devoted to prayer and worship on the Mt. Of Transfiguration.  As Christians it is a healthy exercise to get away from the normal grind for a "spiritual" vacation.

To that end this year's Men's Retreat at Koinonia Conference Center in the hills of Coralitos is going to be epic.  From March 6th to the 8th the men of Calvary will head up to the "mountaintop" for a time of spiritual renewal, focus, and challenge.  I always look forward to these times together.  God speaks.  Relationships are formed.  Focus is found.  Encouragement is gained.

If you are a son, father, grandfather, mister, bro, sir, gentleman, or manly man, I hope you seriously consider attending this year's retreat.  More Than Conquerors is our theme (Romans 8), with a focus on growing intentional men - guys who leave their imprint on this world.  Pastor Brian Broderson will handle much of the teaching duties, with specified workshops held on Saturday morning led by various men.  You can register here .

I will admit, however, that it does seem a little silly to call it a "retreat", especially with a theme like "More Than Conquerors."  Conquerors don't really retreat in the battle sense of the word, but we do retreat in the vacation sense of the word.  Still, there have been rumors of a Saturday afternoon dodgeball tournament, which will provide many of you ample opportunity to retreat in the dodgeball sense of the word.

I do hope you come.

Leash Laws :: 1 Corinthians 14:21-40

Golf tournaments, rain, Valentines Day, and President’s Day Weekend could not stop us from completing our study of 1 Corinthians 12-14 yesterday morning, the portion of 1 Corinthians where Paul gives special attention to the Holy Spirit and His gifts. Next week, of course, we will begin chapter 15 - exciting territory as it’s all about the gospel message! At this point we are definitely in the “home stretch” of 1 Corinthians. Here’s a review of last weekends text and message.


Others :: 14:21-25

We have noticed Paul pay special attention to two spiritual gifts, tongues and prophecy. Apparently the Corinthian church, or at least part of the Corinthian church, was infatuated with the gift of tongues. It appears they had gone far beyond the Biblical mandate of personal prayer to God or, if used publicly, the limited, orderly, and interpreted version of the gift. Judging from the whole of Paul’s words it appears the Corinthians were all speaking wildly in tongues in their public meetings together - a scene that needed correction.

To Signal: To that end Paul told the Corinthian church that the proper use of the gift of tongues in the public assembly could be a sign to the unbelievers who were present (22). The orderly, organized, and biblical use of the gift of tongues can be a sign that we believe God is alive, powerful, miraculous, and amongst us. Nonbelievers might not be convinced by our orderly use of the gift, but they might at least give us credit for believing God theologically and practically.

To that end it is very important that we be a church who waits upon God. We believe in God theologically, but we must press in and prevail in prayer if we practically believe in His name.

To Scare: Paul then explained that the improper and unbiblical use of the gift of tongues in the public assembly would produce bad results in the heart and mind of the unbeliever (23). Specifically, they will proclaim us to be out of our minds, especially if we all try to speak out in an unknown language, without the benefit of interpretation, all at once!

I believe any unbiblical approach to the spiritual gifts has the potential to produce a skepticism in the minds of nonbelievers. This passage interests me because Paul obviously thought of the nonbeliever in the public assembly. Paul knew they would have to consider the gospel somewhere, and why not consider it in church meetings?

To Save: Paul then explained to the Corinthian church that the gift of prophecy could actually be used to save the nonbeliever (24-25). Obviously, this is the desired result, so room should be given for the gift of prophecy to operate when we gather together. In our largest corporate gatherings (Sundays) the gift is used during worship, by Pastor Geoff, and myself during the teaching. It is also used before and after services from saint to saint and group to group, as well as during services in children’s and youth ministries. The Word of God, infused by the Spirit of God, can birth people of God.


Order :: 14:26-35

Since order produces such wonderful results and chaos creates such negative results, it is no wonder Paul then instructed the Corinthians on four points of order in their local church. These are four fouls committed by the Corinthians.

Foul #1: They weren’t complementing each other (26). Rather than being content to fill the role God had given each one of them personally, each one of them seemed to want to be used publicly. Everyone came to the meetings with a psalm, teaching, tongue, revelation, and interpretation. Paul perceived this desire as selfishness - not to mention silliness as it was impractical - rather than a legitimate desire to bless others.

Foul #2: They weren’t operating in the gift of tongues correctly (27-28). Instead of large-scale tongues-a-thons, the Corinthians needed to immediately adopt the one at a time, two or three at the most, only with an interpreter present style of the gift of tongues when in public meetings.

Foul #3: They weren’t operating in the gift of prophecy correctly (29-33). Again, they needed to adopt the one at a time, two or three at the most approach to the use of public prophecy, even in their smallest of meetings. Additionally, they needed to judge the prophecies given against the Scripture.

Foul #4: Some of the women in their church had become abusive and confrontational (34-35). There were apparently some women in the Corinthian church who usurped authority in the church meetings over church leadership (submissive, v.34), refused to look to their husbands for guidance, leadership, and doctrine (own husbands, v.35), and had actually disrupted the public meetings (speak in church, v.35). Far from the politically correct view, Paul consistently contended for the order God has defined.


Orders :: 14:36-40

Paul closed out his teaching on the spiritual gifts with a bit of a preemptive strike. He could already hear some Corinthians saying, “We don’t need to follow Paul or his guidelines. The Spirit is moving. We are going to go with the flow.” The bottom line of a statement like that is - My opinion and view trumps the opinion and view of God’s Word. Knowing this, Paul urged them to embrace his teaching as the very Word of God, submitting to it.

In closing, let’s desire the spiritual gifts God has for us. The message of Jesus’ love, grace, forgiveness, and newness of life is too good to keep to ourselves. We need God’s strength to minister it to one another and to the world around us. Ask and you will receive!

Planted

I've always loved the simple melodies of Psalm 1.  Namely, the description of the blessed man:

"His delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law He meditates day and night." - Psalm 1:2


This simple word stood out to me again this morning.  A delight for the Word of God.  A delight that leads to concentration, thought, and meditation upon the Word of God.  A delight that makes the Word of God your passion and interest.

Think about that truth.  Is the Word of God your delight?  Do you look forward to reading it, hearing it, and applying it?  Is His Word a beautiful sight to your eyes and sound to your ears?

In asking those questions I know our hearts ebb and flow.  Reuben, one of the Old Testament sons of Jacob, was "unstable as water" and we might often feel the same.  When checking our hearts for a great delight in the law of the Lord we might find something more similar to attitudes of lethargy, ambivalence, obligation, or worse.

It is in those moments I am reminded of the cross of Calvary.  I remember that my delight in God's Word is rooted in His amazing love and grace for me, a wretched sinner.  Because He loved me on that cross my entire life has changed.  I have been forgiven.  I have been made clean.  I have found new and abundant life.  In short, nothing but good has come to my life from that act on the cross.

When I remember this amazing grace from this amazing God I become prone to delight in His Word.  You see, if I recognize the limitlessness of His grace towards me, the power of His marvelous hand, and the endlessness of His wonder, I become driven to His Word.  I then long to discover Him.  I then long to hear His sweet whispers.  I then long to hear His promises to a silly man like me.

Remember Jesus today.  Remember His cross.  Find yourself delighting in His Word.

Building Update

Yesterday I gave an exciting and important update concerning our church property, building, and expansion plans. For those who missed it or would like a reminder of what was announced, here is a recap. My hope is that you will take this to God in prayer, asking Him to do exceedingly abundantly above all we could ever ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).


A Bit Of History

In 1996 Calvary Chapel Monterey Bay, then known as Calvary Chapel of the Monterey Peninsula, moved into our current church property and building. This move was a step of faith and a demonstration of God’s grace, and was immediately deemed successful as the church grew leaps and bounds in those first few years.

7 or 8 years ago CCMB purchased the neighboring undeveloped lot, submitted a plan to the powers that be for a large-scale sanctuary (22,000 sq. ft.), a smaller children’s wing (3,500 sq. ft.), and a large parking lot to accommodate the new buildings and expected growth. The city approved, contingent on water, which the new land did not have.

Knowing that we didn’t have the people, savings, or water to build a large sanctuary, CCMB approached the city and asked if we could build out part of the planned parking lot, a move that has benefitted us as we commonly have Sundays with only a handful of empty parking spaces available.

Still, CCMB was waterless.


A Praise Report

That was until last summer. In the fall of 2006 Pastor Roger Scalice commissioned a small group of men to pursue water for future building purposes. After a few twists and turns along the way, the group discovered a way for us to gain the appropriate water for the entire approved 26,000 sq. ft. building project.

This is an incredible praise report! God has been so good to us.

Still, the blessing was mixed. We quickly discovered the water usage had an expiration date - our project needed to be initiated by May 2009! This prompted us to inquire of the powers that be: Since we are not yet ready to build the larger sanctuary, would it be acceptable to merely begin the smaller 3,500 sq. ft. building, thereby securing the water for the larger building? Answer: Yes.

Again, a wonderful praise report.


Our Prayerful Decision

We will immediately begin the process of building a very economical 3,500 sq. ft. children/youth wing, as funds allow. We will also make an effort, as God provides, to spruce up our current sanctuary setting. This will do numerous things for us as a church:

- Secure water for the future.
- Provide us much needed classroom space for children and youth.
- Keep us from a cost-prohibitive large-scale project during these dark economic times.


Our Need For Prayer

I believe God has us initiating this building project for a reason - He wants to use it! I believe He longs to use our church for His honor and glory. Please pray for God’s provision and protection over CCMB. Ask Him to bless His word, that it may run swiftly and be glorified (2 Thessalonians 3:1).

To God be the glory!

Championship Prayer - Matthew 26:36-46

Championship Prayer - Matthew 26:36-46

So yesterday morning we took a break from our “regularly scheduled programming” in First Corinthians so we could study part of our Midweek Service text out of the gospel of Matthew.  This little detour was sparked by two things:

- My desire to teach an all-Jesus passage on Sunday morning.

- The need for prayer in our church, personally and corporately.  

I think I mentioned this during one of the services yesterday, but Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane is a terribly difficult passage for me to teach.  As hard as a man might try, I think it’s impossible to appropriately capture the mood in that garden on that night.  The depth of Jesus’ despair at the beginning of prayer and the heights of His boldness at the end of prayer are hard to understand, let alone explain.  Nonetheless, there are some sweet lessons from Jesus’ prayer life that we can glean for our prayer lives as we look a little closer.

Pray :: In Response To Sorrows

Knowing that the cross of Calvary was only a night away, Jesus became heavy with concern.  He was about to drink from a difficult cup.  The sin of mankind was about to be placed upon His shoulders.  He would die as our perfect sacrifice.  The cross would become the greatest single act in the history of this little world of ours.  Fully God, yet fully man, Jesus was impacted with this reality.  So He prayed.

It is important for us to cry out to God in our times of despair and sorrow.  During trial and difficulty we need to press in to Jesus, asking Him for the wisdom and strength needed to bear the burdens before us.  

“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” - 1 Peter 5:7

Pray :: With Others

Even Jesus knew the importance of corporate prayer, or prayer with others.  I can’t imagine that Jesus benefited greatly from the feeble and sleepy prayers of Peter, James, John, or the rest, but still He invited them into that deep and intimate moment with His Father.  Of course, much of this was a training exercise for His disciples as these men would need to be men of prayer for the future ministry God had for them, but still Jesus wanted them to be with Him in prayer.

Likewise, we need to be people who pray with others.  As important as our private devotional life is before God, the importance of our prayer life with others cannot be underestimated, especially if we long to see God move in our world and generation.  I find it interesting that the early church was born out of the public prayer meeting.

“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication...” - Acts 1:14

Pray :: To Your Heavenly Father

Jesus began His prayer simply enough - O My Father.  While this beginning may seem basic, it is filled with meaning.  Even in apparent sorrow, despair, and agony Jesus understood God to be His Father.  He didn’t waiver from that reality.  He knew His Father hadn’t abandoned Him.  He was confident of His relationship.

When we pray in trial and difficulty we must know, remember, and be confident of our relationship with our Heavenly Father.  Agony might tempt us to doubt His love for us, but Jesus told us to cry out to God as our Father, and we must remember His paramount love for us.  Know God as your Father.  Know He loves and cares for you in a perfect and wonderful way.  His watchful eye will guide you through the storm.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.” - Matthew 6:9

Pray :: In Submission To God’s Will

One of the most beautiful statements of Scripture is found in Jesus’ submission to His Father in prayer - Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.  What honor!  What respect!  What submission!  What trust!

We need to trust God as our loving Father.  We need to know that His will is best.  We need to pray with the asterisk of “nevertheless” marking our prayers.  Some may be in the business of commanding God, but our prayer lives should be marked with a humility that confesses our will as subservient to His.  Besides, Father knows best.

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” - Matthew 6:10

Pray :: Before Temptation Hits

In the midst of His garden prayers, Jesus strengthened and warned His disciples.  After a time alone in prayer, He came out only to find His disciples sleeping.  Because of their slumber Jesus warned them to watch and pray, lest they enter into temptation.  

Prayer strengthens us before temptation hits.  A man or woman of prayer will find a deeper layer of defense when they come across temptation.  When Paul wrote of the armor of God in Ephesians 6, he concluded his teaching on each piece of equipment with the statement “praying always.”  In other words, prayer is part of the activation of the armor of God and is therefore crucial to our spiritual well-being.

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” - Ephesians 6:18

Pray :: With Persistence 

Jesus rebuked vain repetitions in prayer (Matthew 6:7).  He considered them heathen and godless.  Jesus, however, persisted in prayer.  He repeated His prayer to His Father three times, using the same words.  Far from the mindless schemes of vain repetition, Jesus prayed with intelligent and reverent persistence.  

We can be persistent in prayer as well.  When troubled, distressed, or discouraged we can bow before God in an unceasing fashion and ask Him to help us in our time of need.  He is faithful.  

“Pray without ceasing.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Made Bold

Luke tells us that an angel came and strengthened Jesus during this garden prayer (Luke 22:43).  It is obvious that Jesus gained a boldness and resolve to go to the cross through this time with His Father.  

You and I can also gain the boldness God has for us as we wait upon Him in prayer.  His strength, might, and resolve are available to us as we seek His face.  

And, if you’re anything like me, you understand how deeply we all need His boldness upon our lives.

Back In Action

So my blog vacation is over and here I am hanging out at The Most Excellent Way ministry with Pastor Mike and his team. Mike, by the power of the Holy Spirit, is doing a wonderful job. Tonight just so happens to be their monthly dinner, but that's not why I'm here! I just thought I'd come by to catch the Bible study, hear from the Word, and have a little fellowship - so much fun!