Ocala First Connection

Matthew 5:1-12 Jesus saw the crowds, he sat down, and then he began to speak and taught them : Most English Bibles use “blessed,” at the start of each verse and some contemporary translations use “happy.”  Yet neither is good enough.  It doesn’t capture what the original Greek is saying.  The Greek is closer to “being on track,” or “going in the right direction.” Being blessed means you aren’t lost—you’re on the path God intends you to be on . Being blessed means you’re heading in the right direction and sharing in the life of God.  And, in Greek, sin means being off-track, missing the mark. If we’re poor in spirit, we’re not lost . We’re on track and following Jesus when we embrace our utter dependence on God—meaning we are aware that we can’t save ourselves, we stand in need of God’s help and mercy always, and we must trust God rather than fear, which keeps us from great acts of love. If we mourn, we’re not lost .  We’re on track and following Jes...

Each of us has a calling, or a vocation, to follow Jesus.  It’s part of our baptism. But how do we know what our vocation to follow Jesus looks like—in our own unique lives?  We are one-of-a-kind human beings.  Each one of us has a rich variety and combination of gifts and skills.  Each one of us has our own unique experiences and stories.  And there are countless ways to live out the way of Jesus.  How do we know which way is ours? Vocation—how we follow Jesus—equals location—where Jesus is in our lives.   This is the message of our gospel reading (John 1:29-42).  Jesus has been baptized by John and is now on the move for his public life of teaching and healing.  He is beginning to attract and gather followers.  When two of John the Baptist’s disciples begin trailing after Jesus, he turns and asks them a question: What are you looking for?   They, in turn, ask a question of their own:  Rabbi, Teacher, where ...

Join us for worship this Sunday at 9:00 am or 11:00 a.m.! The bulletin is below.  A few announcements to highlight: 1 - We are actively seeking a new Kitchen Manager/Chef.  Please get the word out to any caterers and food service folks you know who might be interested (or know others who are).  2 - Sign up now for YOUR church directory photo session. SIGN UP ONLINE NOW! 3 - Join our youth on Monday, January 16 for Community Service Day! 

Christmas Eve Services - Saturday, December 24th 4:00 p.m.   - Traditional Service in the Sanctuary 5:30 p.m.   - Family/Contemporary Service in the Family Life Center 7:00 p.m.   - Traditional Service in the Sanctuary Christmas Day Worship, Sunday, December 25th at 10:00 A.M. On Sunday, December 25 we will have one combined worship service at 10:00 A.M. in our Family Life Center .    All are welcome!    We encourage you to come as you are and join in celebration of the birth of Jesus with our church family.  News Years Day Worship, Sunday, January 1, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. Start the new year in the right way as we gather in the Sanctuary at 10:00 A.M. for our combined worship service.  We will celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord ! Monday, December 26th – Friday, December 30th The Church Office will be closed for the Christmas Holiday. End-of-Year Giving In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of the season, you l...

It took courage for Joseph to make a home with Mary and Jesus. His rather straight-forward plan to settle into life together with Mary is seriously disrupted when he finds out she’s pregnant.  And not only pregnant, but seemingly miraculously pregnant.  If Joseph had a dozen fearful questions, he likely had a hundred.  His conviction about Mary wobbled and collapsed. His plan derailed. Joseph decides to back out.  He’s a kindhearted man, so he’ll break off his relationship without embarrassing or endangering Mary.  At least this is what he thinks he’ll do when he goes to bed that night. He has a dream.  An angel shows up.  “Don’t be afraid to take Mary home as your wife,” the angels says.  “I know that all that the prophet said about this wasn’t part of your plan. But go ahead—make God’s plan your plan.  You, Mary, and Jesus—together make a home.”  The angel didn’t have to say anything more. Joseph got up the next morning with c...

A preview of what is coming up this Sunday, plus all the announcements and the calendar of events. Make sure you note our Christmas eve service times and our Christmas Day and New Year's Day combined services. 

THIS SUNDAY – December 18th Worship - Join us at 9:00 am or 11:00 am for worship on the Fourth Sunday of Advent! Rwth will be preaching from Matthew 1:18-25:  “Together a Home” Women's Advent Retreat  - The Women's Advent Retreat will be at 6:00 pm in the Family Life Center. What do you need to bring? Nothing! Just bring yourself and spend some time with God and preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ! Koinonia Student Ministries – ALL YOUTH (6 th – 12 th Grade) are invited to the “All Youth Christmas Party” beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Backyard (Youth Center).  CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES - Saturday, December 24th -           4:00 p.m. - Traditional Service in the Sanctuary -           5:30 p.m. - Family/Contemporary Service in the Family Life Center -           7:00 p.m. - Traditional Service in the Sanctuary...