All Souls Christian Church: New York, NY http://www.allsoulschristianchurch.com/blog New Location starting February 19th, 1:30pm http://www.allsoulschristianchurch.com/blog/post/new-location-starting-february-19th--1:30pm Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.allsoulschristianchurch.com/blog/post/new-location-starting-february-19th--1:30pm On the back of a recent law that was passed in New York City, we are no longer permitted to meet in the public school, PS 87 on 78th St. However, in the kindness and provision of God we will be moving around the corner to 79th St. and Broadway to gather at 1st Baptist Church.

Our friends at 1st Baptist have been generous to accommodate a 1:30pm service time meeting in Halderman Chapel. On March 4th, our new regular service time will be at 5:00pm. 

Date: February 19th and 26th, 1:30pm
Date: Beginning March 4th, 5:00pm - our new regular service time. 
Place: Halderman Chapel at 1st Baptist Church, NW corner of 79th St. and Broadway. 

For more information about the law, please read John's recent article. 

 

]]> Life Group begins January 19th, 7pm http://www.allsoulschristianchurch.com/blog/post/life-group-begins-january-19th--7pm Tue, 10 Jan 2012 06:35:00 -0500 http://www.allsoulschristianchurch.com/blog/post/life-group-begins-january-19th--7pm In Acts 2, we read, "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." (Acts 2:42-47 ESV)

We are excited to kick off our next semester of Life Groups on Thursday, January 19th at 7pm meeting at the Starke's home on 96th St. Each week, after a light meal, we'll spend time in the word, prayer and discussion looking at God's vision and mission for All Souls in this beautiful city and how that applies in your life. 

Our time together will be a great forum for those that have been with us for a long time and for those who are still checking out who we are as a church. The fellowship will be sweet, the encouragement plentiful, and our friendships deepened. 

What: Life Group 
Where: The Starke's Home, 70 W. 95th St. (and Columbus) Apt 21G
When: Thursdays at 7pm, starting on January 19th

]]> Reading through the Bible http://www.allsoulschristianchurch.com/blog/post/reading-through-the-bible Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:15:00 -0500 http://www.allsoulschristianchurch.com/blog/post/reading-through-the-bible As we enter a new year, I encourage you not to stop a reading plan to try and start again. Instead, pick up where you left off in Leviticus and keep going! If you haven't yet read the Bible through, why not this year? Or, over the next two? For helpful plans no matter where you're at in your spiritual journey with God, read the following blog post on The Gospel Coalition's website. 

JUSTIN TAYLOR|12:00 AM CT

Bible Reading Plans for 2012

There are lots of ways to read the Bible in a year, and I won’t try to capture all of them. But here are numerous options, in no particular order. You may want to look through it and see what you think would work best for you.

Read More Here: 
Full Web Address: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2011/12/27/bible-reading-plans-for-2012/

]]> Holy People Are Happy People http://www.allsoulschristianchurch.com/blog/post/holy-people-are-happy-people Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:45:00 -0500 http://www.allsoulschristianchurch.com/blog/post/holy-people-are-happy-people So much could be said of the consequences of sin and impurity for the Christian. And we should speak of them — the Bible certainly does. David, in Psalm 32, described the misery of unrepentant sin as his bones wasting away (v. 3). His energy was dried up as he felt God’s displeasure. But the warnings of misery for the backsliding believer should also be coupled with the joys of holiness. There is real joy when we turn from evil and delight in the Lord and His ways.

The Bible describes this delight in experiential terms — an existential reality that is meant to be tasted, felt, and seen. Proverbs 3:7–8 describes the experience like this:

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones (emphasis mine).

If you read this slowly, just slow enough to taste the truth as it goes by, don’t you crave this sense of refreshment? Not surprisingly, God’s designs for our sanctification are most satisfying. In contrast, a life in sin is tiring, placing joy just outside our reach.

Read the rest of the post HERE. 

]]> Elizabeth Seton Toy Drive http://www.allsoulschristianchurch.com/blog/post/elizabeth-seton-toy-drive Tue, 29 Nov 2011 06:30:00 -0500 http://www.allsoulschristianchurch.com/blog/post/elizabeth-seton-toy-drive We have worked with the center and have enjoyed the partnership and frienships established. As the hospital is moving out of the city, this will be our last formal event serving this great organization. 

This Sunday and next will be the last two Sundays to donate toys for the children and other patients. On Monday, December 12th, we also invite you to join a small group as they deliver the toys to the patients. 

Please see the list below to find out what you can donate and stop by the visitor table on Sunday to sign up for the delivery. 

ELIZABETH SETON CHRISTMAS DONATIONS DRIVE LIST

 Infants:

+ Onesies sizes:
          6-9 months (boy or girl)
          9-12 months (boy or girl)
          12-18 months (boy or girl)
          18-24 months (boy or girl)
+ Socks: all infant sizes need lots of these
+ Snowsuits: for infants that go to other hospitals for doctors' appointments
+ Clothes: all infant sizes needed
+ Pajamas: onesies zip ups are fine for infants

+ Swaddling blankets             
+ Other fun Christmas gift ideas: rattles, teethers, mirrors to look at themselves, switch toys, mobiles and crib toys, leap frog learning toys (these are also used with older children who have developmental delay as well)

Toddlers:
+ Girls' dresses (casual and dressy for holidays): sizes 2T, 3T, 4T and 5T (dresses work best with the medical equipment so they are always a good fit)
+ Tights: all sizes
+ Shirts: sizes 2T, 3T, 4T, 5T
+ Pants: Sizes 2T, 3T, 4T, 5T (jeans and corduroys are harder to fit. Sweatpants, track pants and stretchy pants are best)
+ Pajamas: all sizes, two piece cotton pajamas work best
+ Coats and socks always needed: all sizes
+ Shoes: all sizes, many of the children do not have shoes

School Age:
+ Dresses, pants, shirts, socks, shoes, coats and pajamas: all sizes 6X-14/16

Young Adult:
+ Many of the young adults at Elizabeth Seton wear larger sizes due to a combination of their diagnoses and their metabolic processing disorders. Therefore they fit into adult clothing sizes.
 + All donations are appreciated while what works best are cotton stretch pants, track pants or sweat pants and polos, t-shirts and zip-up sweatshirts. Socks and shoes are welcomed.
 + Also needed are shaving supplies, deodorant and cologne for young men and hair ties, elastic bands, barrettes, clips and brushes for girls.

+ Other fun Christmas gift ideas: Keyboards, CDs, crib cds, or books on CD for all ages are a big hit as well as cd / radio / cassette players to play them in.

 ****NOTE: NO stuffed animals please. Also, thank you for giving new items only with tags on or in their own packaging.*****

]]> The Season of Advent is Here http://www.allsoulschristianchurch.com/blog/post/the-season-of-advent-is-here Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:30:00 -0500 http://www.allsoulschristianchurch.com/blog/post/the-season-of-advent-is-here The season of Advent is a four week period that leads up to Christmas, a time of anticipating the comings of Christ.

Advent comes from the Latin word adventus for an "arrival" or a "coming."

The vision that Advent gives us is twofold; it looks back to the first coming of Christ at Bethlehem, and it looks to the future when Christ will come again.

Advent is a time of both grateful remembrance as well as joyful anticipation. It is a time to remember the incarnation of Jesus, how Christ simultaneously revealed God's will for human life and reconciled sinful man to God through his own perfect life and death. It is also a time of anticipating Christ's return when he will consummate his work of redemption.

Join us at this profound and joyous time of year, where our hope is freshly stirred and anchored in Christ. This is a beautiful season to gain a fresh perspective in our lives and to center ourselves around God.

advent_651x251
Week 1, Sunday 11/27: HOPE
Week 2, Sunday 12/04: PEACE
Week 3, Sunday 12/11: JOY
Week 4, Sunday 12/19: LOVE

Click here for Sunday details at All Souls Christian Church.

]]> Reading scripture through the lens of the gospel http://www.allsoulschristianchurch.com/blog/post/reading-scripture-through-the-lens-of-the-gospel Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:37:00 -0400 http://www.allsoulschristianchurch.com/blog/post/reading-scripture-through-the-lens-of-the-gospel The gospel speaks of God’s redemptive work toward mankind throughout history, from the beginning of creation, through the fall, finding its pinnacle in the work of the cross and culminating at Christ’s return. Through the cross, God has reconciled us to himself, not only forgiving us and cleansing us of our sins but also adding to us righteousness and all the benefits of being his sons. All this is only through Christ and in Christ. Not a single thing has been or can be achieved through our own righteousness or effort.

I (Cathy) have personally undergone a “gospel biblerevolution” over the past 4 years. The above truths have completely changed me, awakened me and rewired how I see God, myself, and life itself. As my eyes have been opened to the wonder of the enormity and generosity of God’s grace in the gospel, it has also transformed the way I read scripture. I have realized that many of my ‘favorite’ verses (aren’t they all favorites!) have been read through the lens of self-effort or on the condition of my faith, “if I only believe enough, this could be a promise for me”. As I re-read the bible through the lens of the gospel it is opening up a whole world of delightful discovery.

For example, what depths of discovery in reading the Old Testament, not as examples to follow or principles to be applied in the accounts of the biblical heroes, but to see Christ and the gospel revealed in its pages. The Old Testament is both Christotelic, in that it points toward the coming of Christ, as well as Christocentric in that it reveals Christ and the story of the gospel within the narrative itself.

Two other linguistic terms that have rocked my world are “indicative” and “imperative”. For much of my Christian walk I have read the bible predominantly through an imperative lens i.e. what is expected of me, what must I do? As I read now I realize that all the imperatives are based first and foremost on the indicatives of what has already been done for me in the work of the gospel and the very nature and character of God.

In closing, I share three of my long-standing “favorites” with a few comments on a fresh understanding though the lens of the gospel.

Philippians 4:5b-7
The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

For years I have used this as a formula, memorized it as a formula and taught it to others as a formula! If you’re anxious, choose to stop, pray about it, get perspective by thanking God and then wait in faith for his peace to come and picture it garrisoning your mind like an army.  Just the other day, I noticed (for what felt like the first time) verse 5b, which is the beginning of the sentence and the indicative on which the rest of the passage rests: “The Lord is at hand”! The Lord is at hand – what an amazing, glorious truth, that the God of all power, love, wisdom, might etc is at hand! When I actually ‘get’ that truth, of course I can not be anxious!

Psalm 103: 1-5
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
   and all that is within me,
   bless his holy name!
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
   and forget not all his benefits,
3who forgives all your iniquity,
   who heals all your diseases,
4who redeems your life from the pit,
   who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5who satisfies you with good
   so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

I have always read and held onto this Psalm as a promise for healing. It has been very much conditional on my faith. I hold onto it wistfully and pray it fervently. When I read about ‘all his benefits” I would think “Yes, I must be thankful for what he has already done in my life”, in a “count your blessings every day” kind of sentiment. But on closer study what this Psalm is talking about is all the benefits of the gospel that are mine in Christ. I have not been treated as my sins deserve!

Psalm 24:3-5
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?
   And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
   who does not lift up his soul to what is false
   and does not swear deceitfully.
5He will receive blessing from the LORD
   and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

This one to me was imperative all the way! It was my war cry as a revolutionary, a pep talk to uphold purity, because look at the rewards! I could be one of the few who could really know God intimately, walk closely to him and be used powerfully by him. I re-read this a few weeks ago and was blown away by the gospel. It both humbled me and caused joy to explode in my heart. “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?” Answer: NO-ONE, not even one, no-one is righteous enough. And yet, ALL who are in Christ can go right up that hill, only in him and through him.

Cathy Barson

]]> A look at the gospel http://www.allsoulschristianchurch.com/blog/post/a-look-at-the-gospel- Wed, 29 Jun 2011 09:59:00 -0400 http://www.allsoulschristianchurch.com/blog/post/a-look-at-the-gospel- There's a fascinating introductory verse at the beginning of Romans.
Romans 1:1 "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,"

Paul says that as a servant of Christ and an apostle, Christ has set him apart for the gospel of God. We see the magnitude and centrality of the gospel in Paul's life, work and focus. This gospel of the glory of Jesus Christ, of God, of the kingdom, of grace, of your salvation and of peace is what we are to be 'experts' in. The gospel is not one key part of many, but is the center, heart and substance of all that we do.

Paul writes to possibly the most dysfunctional church that he's in relation with, the church in Corinth and says the following in dealing with their issues:
1 Corinthians 15:1 "Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,"
1 Corinthians 15:3-5 "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, [4] that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, [5] and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve."
1 Corinthians 2:2 "For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."

Here's a fantastic presentation of the gospel in spoken word.
G.O.S.P.E.L. from Humble Beast Records on Vimeo.

The redemptive historical narrative in Scripture reveals the wonder of the gospel through creation, fall, redemption and restoration. The gospel can never be reduced to a "nice definition". At its heart, we see the person and work of Christ on the cross, in both substitution and satisfaction. At its breadth, we see the final goal of God's redemptive work in Christ as the new creation, new heaven and new earth.

May the gospel cause us to glory in God the Father, by the Spirit and through the Son.

]]> Some great songs to help the "word of Christ dwell in you richly" http://www.allsoulschristianchurch.com/blog/post/some-great-songs-to-help-the--word-of-christ-dwell-in-you-richly- Wed, 04 May 2011 18:49:00 -0400 http://www.allsoulschristianchurch.com/blog/post/some-great-songs-to-help-the--word-of-christ-dwell-in-you-richly- “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:16-17)

Paul writes and says “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly”.The word of Christ refers to the totality of biblical revelation concerning Christ – who he is, his life, redemptive mission, his death & resurrection, his teaching and character, his commission to the church… his all! The gospel is preached to the unchurched to bring them into Christ and to the church to take us deeper into Christ. Does the word of Christ have its home in me or is it merely an occasional visitor? May we let the word of Christ dwell in us richly – reading it, meditating on it, singing it, speaking it to one another.

Singing the word of God is a key part of allowing the word of and about Christ to dwell in us richly. Songs that expound on the person, work & glory of Christ tend to stay with us long after we’ve forgotten the main points of the sermon. There are so many good songs out there. Here are 15 that we sing regularly during our Sunday services that are rich in deep theology. As you enjoy listening to them and singing them may God bring much fruit as the word of God takes root in our hearts.

Enjoy!


Amazing Grace - by John Newton | Lyrics & audio: http://bit.ly/kposZU
And can it be that I should gain - by Charles Wesley | Lyrics & audio: http://bit.ly/jXlTgx
Before the throne of God above - lyrics by Charite Lees Bancroft, music by Vikki Cook | Lyrics & audio: http://bit.ly/jflhee
Be Thou my vision - by Eleanor Hull & Mary Byrne | Lyrics & audio: http://bit.ly/lZs7OK
Come Thou fount of every blessing - by Robert Robinson | Lyrics: http://bit.ly/lo6xU3 | Video: http://bit.ly/mNGPiY
Here is love vast as the ocean - by William Rees & Robert Lowry | Lyrics: http://bit.ly/mfncPE | Video: http://bit.ly/iKNrsd
Jesus Paid it All - by Elvina Hall | Lyrics: http://bit.ly/lLXfpa | Video: http://bit.ly/ixnvqL
In Christ alone - by Stuart Townsend & Keith Getty | Lyrics: http://bit.ly/jYMDgP | Video: http://bit.ly/ksrlm6
All I have is Christ - by Jordan Kauflin | Lyrics: http://bit.ly/jav7N7 | Video: http://bit.ly/iW4xYR
O Lord, My God! - by Stuart K. Hine | Lyrics: http://bit.ly/kzDyIj | Video: http://bit.ly/jvWTE3
Majesty - by Stu Garrard & Martin Smith | Lyrics: http://bit.ly/mnSQCU | Video: http://bit.ly/mr3GNO
When I survey the wondrous cross - by Isaac Watts | Lyrics: http://bit.ly/kZjyer | Video: http://bit.ly/iXLAoi
It is well with my soul - by Horatio Spafford & Philip Bliss | Lyrics: http://bit.ly/mrCuYs | Video: http://bit.ly/mRb315
The power of the cross - by Stuart Townsend & Keith Getty | Lyrics: http://bit.ly/lZ7Z7m | Video: http://bit.ly/k7nAs9
How deep the father’s love for us - by Stuart Townsend | Video with lyrics: http://bit.ly/lnHHPH


]]> Helpful books to grow in the gospel http://www.allsoulschristianchurch.com/blog/post/helpful-books-to-grow-in-the-gospel Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:57:00 -0400 http://www.allsoulschristianchurch.com/blog/post/helpful-books-to-grow-in-the-gospel

Today we see a wonderful return in the church to emphasizing Christ and his gospel as central to Christianity and all of life. As with any emphasis, terms and phrases can quickly become clichés and generalities, and so we miss the richness of the truths seen in Scripture and the resultant impact in all of our lives.

Paul writes to the church in Corinthian, “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you…” (1 Cor. 15:1) He goes on to say in verse 3-5 “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.”

Below is a list of really encouraging books to anchor you practically in the truths of gospel:

A gospel primer for Christians by Milton Vincent | A short, practical book to help you savor the glories of God's love and experience the life-transforming power of the gospel in all areas of life.
What is the Gospel? by Greg Gilbert | Nothing could be more important than understanding what God has done for us through His Son.
Redemption – by Mike Wilkerson | A profound book written to help free us from the idols we worship and the wounds we carry.
Rid of my disgrace – by Justin & Lindsey Holcomb | Hope and healing for victims of sexual assault. This book is much needed in the church today as it looks at how the gospel can bring hope and healing to victims of sexual assault. This problem is more widespread than most of us may realize or want to admit. The authors are a husband-and-wife team who have spent countless hours counseling victims and poring over God’s word, applying the gospel into the lives of people deeply hurt and affected by sexual sin committed against them. They labor to show that “the gospel applies grace to disgrace and redeems what is destroyed,” that “one-way love heals and replaces the destruction caused by one-way violence.”
The gospel-driven life – by Michael Horton | This insightful and very helpful book guides the reader in reorienting their faith and the church's purpose toward the good news of the gospel.
Gospel-powered parenting – by William Farley | With so many parenting books on offer, here's one we highly recommend. It's real, practical, and shows how the gospel shapes and transforms parenting.
Counterfeit gospels – Trevin Wax | The gospel is like a three-legged stool. There’s the Gospel Story – the grand narrative of Scripture (Creation, Fall, Redemption, Restoration). Within that overarching framework, we make the Gospel Announcement about Jesus Christ (His perfect life, substitutionary death, resurrection, exaltation). The gospel announcement then births the Gospel Community: God’s church – the embodiment of the gospel, the manifestation of God’s kingdom. The goal of Counterfeit Gospels is to so deepen our love for the unchanging gospel of Jesus Christ that we would easily see through the many counterfeits that leave us impoverished.
In Christ alone – by Sinclair Ferguson | Like so many things about being a Christian, the secret is having a clear understanding of who Jesus is, what He is like, and what ministry He exercises, and becoming more like Him on a daily basis in all of our relationships.
Justification - by Francis Turretin | Martin Luther contended that the church stands or falls on the doctrine of justification. Here's a classic treatment on justification, the centerpiece of the Reformation by Turretin.

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