Church Requel Blog - Writings of Mark Pierce

Losing The Victory

Good Friday morning Church Requel,

The score is 21-7 in our favor with only 8 seconds left in the game. For the first time since 2014 my beloved Browns are going to beat that team from Pittsburgh.

Then Myles Garrett hits the opposing quarterback on his bare head with a helmet. It's a weapon. It's brutal. Never happened before. Even Myles' teammates cannot defend it.

And the fans? What should have been a celebration of victory turned into an embarrassment. Who can celebrate? Who can explain? Are there words for what we saw? One Browns' teammate put forth the only word that make sense: "Inexcusable."

I was looking forward to finally get some ribbing in to one of my good friends, who happens to be a Steelers fan. Our good jawing has been decidedly one way since 2014. But now I can't say a thing. Yeah, we won... but we lost the victory.

Now, before we all join in to point out the horrible flaw in Myles Garrett's actions (the bandwagon is already overflowing), let's recall that when we point our finger to someone else that there are still three fingers pointing back to us. But for the grace of God, there go I.

You may say and honestly believe you would never do what Myles did. But anyone who has rotated the sun for at least a couple decades knows that we are all capable of horrible behavior with the right combination of pressure and circumstances.

What could we learn? What lessons can we apply to our own behavior? What warning could there be for us from this incident?

First - Understand that one tragic lapse of judgment can diminish a lifetime of good character. Anyone who has followed the Browns knows just how hard Myles has worked to be the best defensive end the league has ever seen. All those hours in the gym. All the practice. All the above and beyond personal training. Wiped out. Gone. For the rest of his life Myles - no matter how much he achieves - will be known as that player who viciously assaulted another player with a swung helmet to a naked head.

Parents, if ever there was a teaching moment, this is it. Help your children to know that one terrible mistake in a moment of rage can change the entire trajectory of their lives.

Second - Anger simmers before it explodes. Anger resides within our hearts before it blows up on us and everyone around us. There are signs. Emotional distress. Over reacting to small slights. Muscle tension. Headaches. Yelling. Arguing. Cursing. Sarcasm. Clenched fists. Throwing things. Temper tantrums. A lack of control over our responses.

As obvious as these simmering signs may be, they are often completely missed by our own observations. I had a very good friend who once told me that his pastor advised counseling for his anger problem. "I'm not angry," was his response. Laughing, the pastor retorted, "You're one of the angriest people I've ever known." My good friend didn't have a clue. He got the needed counseling and help he needed and now helps others with their own anger issues.

The Bible has great insight into anger. "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from desires that wage within you?" (James 4:1) The battle begins within long before it erupts outward all over our lives and our loves.

Third - Our actions impact more than just us. We do not live in isolation. Our actions - especially true of our embarrassing and negative actions - impact those around us more than we can even imagine. Families can be destroyed over one horrible lapse of judgment. Children can become scattered. Marriages can be broken. Jobs lost. Even those who may have been in a supervisory role over you can lose their jobs and their futures because of your one solitary incident.

Sadly, those who are closest to us and most loved by us are usually the ones who are most hurt by our mistakes. Never assume that this couldn't happen to me. Take a step back, a few moments of reflection and prayer, and ask yourself and your God if there are warning signs in your own life.

God has placed you strategically in place to be able to reach others for His kingdom. Your job is to bring a little bit of Heaven down here to Earth. What an awesome opportunity! And it can all be lost because of one lousy moment of foolish choices. Your life is not just about you. There are others more numerous than you could believe, who are impacted by what you do.

Last evening's Browns' victory is one of the most humiliating I've ever experienced. Nothing in those two years' of 1-31 win-loss record comes close to what I'm feeling this morning. More than anything I'm just sad.

Yet, within that humiliating sadness is an opportunity to recognize our human condition. We are each far from perfect or sinless. Nothing excuses Myles' behavior. But frankly, in our lowest moments, we are each just as guilty and without excuse. Be careful my good friends. Don't lose the victory of a life lived well.

Let us be grateful for a God, Who loves us regardless of our worst moments and Who provides us the way forward to become better than we really are. Love you all much, Pastor Mark

New Screen Installation!

Good Friday morning Church Requel!

Nothing ever stays the same. We either move forward or float backwards. This week we're taking a step forward for our worship teams at Church Requel. And we have Steve Thoman to thank for it!

For several weeks now, Steve has been talking to me, Brandi and Jonathan about the advantages of having a second screen for our worship leaders. That way they can see the words to the songs if they forget them and don't have to look down at a printed page.

This morning Steve took the first steps towards making this a reality at Church Requel. He took the screen and the projector from downstairs, which we rarely use, and installed them up on the fourth beam in our sanctuary (the one furthest in the back).

When we're not using the screen, you'll not even know it's there. When it is in the up position it will be hidden by the beam. And even when it's lowered, it won't be in anyone's way because it will be high above everyone's head.

We still have some digital wiring that needs to be done to connect the second projector (also moved from downstairs) to our tech booth. Hopefully we can get that next task accomplished soon. The next time you see Steve, thank him for using his considerable skills to help out the church.

And while we are on the subject of thanking people let's also thank Chris, who installed all our storm windows for winter and removed the screen windows. We are so fortunate to have so many generous volunteers at Church Requel!

Worship Plans For Sunday Morning. Our ladies trio will lead our worship singing this Sunday. Thanks Brandi, Trish and Missie! Here are the songs we'll be singing together: (1) Way Maker by Sinach, (2) King Of My Heart by Bethel, (3) Do It Again by Elevation Worship and (4) Praise Your Name by Cory Voss.

Our sermon Sunday morning is a very unusual one. Frankly, most pastors wouldn't give it. I'm calling it "Changing Tribes."

It's about why and when to change the church in which you minister. Notice we didn't say anything about "attend." Every Christian is a minister using his or her unique spiritual gifts, heart passions, abilities and talents, personality, and experiences.

Sometimes it becomes necessary to change churches to pursue the ministry that God is calling you into. I sure hope that's not true of any of you! But it is the topic God laid on my heart from my study of Acts 18. Want a head start? You'll find the sermon notes here: http://bible.com/events/5503690. 

Students Begin Christmas Rehearsals. Last Sunday our students began their rehearsals for this year's Christmas program. 

Many thanks go out to Tamara Engstrom, who once again has volunteered to direct our children's Christmas program. Each Sunday in November and December, our students will be learning their parts. Circle your calendar for December 22nd at 11am to watch our children celebrate Christmas. 

We could use one or two adults each week to provide "crowd control" with our children. Talk to either Tamara or Cindy if you are willing. Men - you would be especially appreciated!

Neighborhood Meal - Dec. 14th. It's hard to believe but our last appointment to participate in the Neighborhood Meal ministry is just a month away. This is a great opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our neighbors. Plan on coming to help serve. I talked to Paul Lintern this week and we both agreed to keep our schedule to serve in this way in 2020 - always the 2nd Saturday of every even month - February, April, June, August, October and December.

Thanks everyone! I hope to see most of you this Sunday morning at 11am! Love you much! Pastor Mark

TONIGHT - Community Night Of Worship!

Good Friday morning Church Requel!

It's hard to believe that today we turn the calendar to November. Normally I wouldn't be so excited about that. But today!!! TODAY!!! It's Community Night Of Worship Day! Yay!!!

I so appreciate Brandi, Missie and Trish for their dedicated contribution to this event. They started rehearsing for this two months ago! They join worship leaders from four other churches. It should be an amazing evening.

All the details are included in the graphic to the right. The location will be at Freedom Ridge Church at 2200 Bedford Blvd. (That's the road across the street from Sam's Club.) Admission is free. The music begins at 7pm. I've seen the set (it is amazing!), so I'm thinking it will last a couple of hours.

This will conclude our week of OctoberBlest. I guarantee blessings for everyone who comes. AND you will have celebrated All Saints Day maybe for the very first time in your lives!

Speaking of OctoberBlest, thanks to all of you who came out this past Tuesday to celebrate with Brandi and me. It was a really special time.

One of you told me afterwards just how powerful that hour felt. "Mark, it was like my emotional pants were down!" I wouldn't have thought to describe it like that, but I 'm glad it had such a huge impact.

I also had the opportunity to play for an hour last night in the 7-hour prayer burn back in the Chome. Another powerful evening. If you'd like to see any of that, check out Jordan's Facebook page. He provided a live video feed (in two parts) of the entire night. The ukulele portion of the evening kicks off the first video.

As I remember one key theme of this year for our church, it will be as the year when we really partnered with other churches in prayer and in worship. I love that!

This Sunday - CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS! YES! An extra hour of sleep on Saturday night. This is the good side of Daylight Savings Time.

Our praise team will be one of our largest ever and include many of our students: Brandi, Leia, Paityn, Cindy, Isabelle, Chris, Tamara, Saudaie, Bubby and Sivon. Grayden and Cohen will partner together in the tech booth. Roger and Judie will be our prep team. Cindy will flavor us with her snacks. Juanita and Steve will greet us as we come into the sanctuary. Jessica and Dave will teach our preschoolers. Shelli will head up our counting team.

Our sermon Sunday morning will be the 11th of 12 in our Resolutions series. The title of Sunday morning's talk is "I Resolve To Be Courageous." 

We make a new resolution for November: to live with courage. The Bible has much to say on this topic. We'll consider five stories of courage, three from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. We hope to walk away today with new insights into what courage really means for the Christ-follower.

Want a head start? You can find the notes for Sunday's sermon in the Bible app on your phone or you can also click here to see them in your browser.

Christmas Play Practice Begins Sunday!  The turning of the calendar and the white stuff on the ground this morning is a sure reminder that Christmas is right around the corner. And THAT means that our students will be bringing us another wonderful program.

This year the Student Christmas program will be on December 22nd - the last Sunday before Christmas. YAY!

When you think about it, there really are not that many weeks between now and then. Our students will rehearse each Sunday morning between now and then, so it's really important that you get them here as often as is possible.

We are most grateful for Tamara for volunteering once again to direct our Christmas program. One thing we learned last year was that Tamara could really use adult help in maintaining order during the rehearsals. Sometimes she will need to direct a smaller group of students and the rest won't have her focus. Would you consider going down with her for a Sunday or two? If we all pitched in to help out, none of us would miss too much of what's going on upstairs. Cindy has a passion for helping out Tamara, so if you'd like to help out too - talk to Cindy! (And thanks Cindy!)

Each Friday morning when I sit down to write the weekly newsletter, I wonder what I will write. No problem this week, as you can plainly see. I don't think I've ever seen a more active congregation than you! Love you all much! Pastor Mark

Back In Time For OctoberBlest! (AND 10 YEARS!)

Good Friday morning Church Requel!

Mary Kay and I arrived back in Mansfield Tuesday evening from our vacation in Myrtle Beach. We enjoyed the company of my 88-year-old dad, his wife, Julie, along with Dave and Jessica. The six of us shared a three bedroom condo on the tenth floor directly overlooking the beach. What a wonderful, peaceful, enjoyable time together.

Dad and Julie are still there enjoying the company of friends. Alas, the Mansfield Pierces have all returned to the chilly mornings of Richland County.

Mary Kay walked 3 miles of the beach each day. I joined her about half the time. I played my uke just about every day. Dad made us all a fish fry and baked two different pies! Myrtle Beach and cherry pie - it really doesn't get much better than that!

OctoberBlest Has Begun! We've been talking about this final week of October for more than a month and it's finally here. Many different churches are involved in providing a worship and prayer experience four times a day for each of these last 7 days of the month. 

So what's behind this idea? The ancient church celebrated All Saints Day on the first day of each November. The day before, October 31st, was known as the Hallowed Eve. Over time Hallowed Eve morphed into what we now know as Halloween and very few know anything about All Saints Day. What was intended to be a sacred time to come together to celebrate God and His work through His children became a secular holiday of ghouls and goblins. Many of the churches in our area would like to turn the tide and the attention back to God and His glory.

As your pastor, I am asking you to consider going to as many of these as you are able. No one expects you to go to all of them. Having four different times and four times places each day is intended to provide you the opportunity to get to at least one every day.

Usually there will be a 7am, noon, 5pm and 9pm event scheduled each day in a different part of Richland County.

I've placed the schedule in the photo to the right. If you click on the photo, it will expand into a readable size.

Please take special note of Church Requel's time in the schedule. We will host the OctoberBlest this coming Tuesday at noon. Brandi and I will be leading this one together. There will be lots of music, prayer and a short devotional. We will dismiss by 1pm, keeping it to a "lunch hour." 

Please come support us Tuesday at noon, if you are able!

THIS SUNDAY!
Special New Praise Team! 

We are calling it the grand experiment. Sunday morning the Jam Band will combine up with the ladies trio. We have put together a worship set that all of us can do together! Yay! Come be a part of our grand experiment this Sunday!

This newsletter has always been my opportunity to write to you some of the behind-the-scenes details you might never know by attending on Sunday mornings.

Most of you don't know this because you weren't here at the start ten years ago... - YES! - I just realized that our very first public worship service in October 2009 at the Mid-Ohio Conference Center. (Check out this post for my thoughts after that first night and for pictures - some of us looked so much younger! Ha!) Wow - what a great little surprise. I hadn't realized that this month marked 10 years. Wow!

Anyway - before I was so rudely interrupted by my own recollections... when we first started out we had live music and a worship band. But it wasn't long before our worship leader was hired by another church (completely understandable since we couldn't afford a salary for him back then.) That was the end of live music.

For almost nine years after that, we used music tracks for our worship music. We even got pretty proficient at it, if I do say so myself. But nothing on a track is as good for worship as live music, in my humble opinion. With live music we just have so much more flexibility. We can sing a chorus a second time or repeat a bridge if the Spirit moves us.

Then - about a year and a half ago - the ukulele came into my life. And (could it really be coincidence?) the bass came into Don's life. Dan and Dave got excited about their guitars. Brian decided to learn the drum set. And Sheri decided to donate a really nice drum set in loving memory of Jack. Seemingly out of nowhere we had occasional live music again. Admittedly at first it was pretty rough. But now - after a year or so of practice - we think we have enough songs that we can go with live music just about every week.

WE THINK that anyway. Hence the terminology of "the grand experiment." Sunday morning we're going to give it a try. Part of the experiment is the fact that none of us can meet twice every week - once for a rehearsal and then again for a rehearsal and worship event Sunday morning. So the grand experiment is that we will meet together much earlier - 8:30am on Sunday morning for our practice. Most of us can gather together earlier if we limit it to one day.

If the experiment works well, then this may become our normal format for 3 out of 4 Sundays in 2020. We will reserve the first Sunday for special music, choirs, and student participation. We will also continue our new tradition of 5th Sunday Singspirations, where everybody brings their musical talents in praise, starting again in March 2020.

Ok - enough writing for this week. I'm excited to be back with you all. I'm excited that we have survived our first decade together. I'm excited that God has continued to bless us. I'm excited that I can still be... excited (and surprised and filled with wonder!) Love you all much. See you Sunday morning at 11am (if not before at one of the OctoberBlest services.) - Pastor Mark

Three Little Words This Sunday!

Good Friday morning Church Requel!

Three Little Words. Does that mean the shortest sermon ever in the history of Church Requel? No!

But just possibly it could be the most powerful!

We welcome Bethany Pierce to the Church Requel pulpit this coming Sunday morning. We last heard from Bethany when she presented our Mother's Day talk this past May. Remember? She had each of her four children come up and help her out.

This Sunday we will consider three little words that could have a huge impact on the way we live out our Christian lives. I have been told what these three little words are. But I'm not permitted to tell you. You'll just have to show up Sunday to find out. I can give you a hint, however. Open your Bible to Ephesians 2:1-8. You'll find the three little words there. Which ones do you think they are? Be prepared for God to speak three little words into your life this Sunday morning.

OctoberBlest - Oct. 25th - 31st. 

I've been telling you about this for the last few weeks. It's hard to believe it's only a little more than a week away.

Church Requel will join together with many other local churches to offer OctoberBlest to our city. 

Each day of that final week of October there will be four worship events offered by four different churches throughout each day - early morning, midday, right after work, late evening.

Come when you can, leave when you must. No pressure to attend all of them. We hope that our faithfulness will unite us and help us to stand before our Lord together as Godsfield.

For those who like to plan their calendars ahead of time, Church Requel will host Tuesday, October 29th at noon. 

Community Night Of Worship - November 1st

Our week long OctoberBlest will culminate on Friday night, November 1st - "All Saints Day" - with a Community Worship Night. This free admission concert of worship music will take place at Freedom Ridge Church, 2200 Bedford Blvd., Ontario, Ohio at 7pm.

The community night of worship will be led by worship leaders and musicians from Freedom Ridge, Church Requel, Grace Church, North Woodbury Alliance, Gateway Church in Wooster, and Berean Baptist Church. Wow!  Yes, our own Brandi, Trish and Missie will be worship leaders for that night. Mark November 1st on your calendar as a "must-see" event!

Love you all much! Thank you for your faithfulness to Christ and to His church! Pastor Mark

Neighborhood Meal On Saturday!

Good Friday morning Church Requel!

We serve our neighbors a free, warm meal on the 2nd Saturday of every even month. Guess what? That works out to be tomorrow night!

I've talked with Sheri this week and she's right on top of things. She has big plans for a generous, healthy meal. She just needs our help setting up and cleaning up.

Volunteers usually only need to donate 2 hours of time. You show up at 4pm and you're usually walking out the door by 6pm. (We actually serve the meal at 5pm.) If you really want to be a volunteer hero, bring a dessert to share.

Sunday's Sermon: "T.I.M.E. In God's Word." Don't you just love it when special things happen at Church Requel? I know I do!

We have something special happening this Sunday! Brian will be bringing our sermon and he has chosen a GREAT topic: "T.I.M.E. In God's Word."

I have to admit that I've been privileged to see Brian's sermon notes ahead of time. Here's my admission - I'm just a little bit jealous I didn't think to write this one myself!

Brian came up with the acrostic, T.I.M.E. to teach us how to spend MORE TIME in God's Word. We'll consider two questions. First, why should I spend more time in God's Word? Secondly, how do I do it?

Brian will share some great practical tips that will be easy to remember and apply. I'm excited for how we will all walk away with some great teaching! Why don't you commit right now - even before coming to church Sunday - that you will put to work at least one new idea for the next week. Then, Sunday, it will be just a matter of picking out which good idea you'll apply.

Want a head start? Want to be as privileged as me and check out Brians notes? You can! Right here: http://bible.com/events/700348.

Pizza Party! - After Church Sunday. 

Our Missionary class teachers challenged our teenaged students to memorize Scripture with the promise of an after-church pizza party. They succeeded! Yay!

They would like to invite the entire church to join them in the celebration this Sunday. If you can, plan to stick around to congratulate our young people and to eat a few slices of pizza.

OctoberBlest - Oct. 25th - 31st. 

Church Requel will join together with many other local churches to offer OctoberBlest to our city. Remember our joy this past Spring during the March of Prayer? We are hoping for something similar during the final seven days of October.

Each day of that final week of October there will be four worship events offered by four different churches throughout each day - early morning, midday, right after work, late evening. Look for an updated schedule this weekend at Church Requel. 

Come when you can, leave when you must. No pressure to attend all of them. We hope that our faithfulness will unite us and help us to stand before our Lord together as Godsfield.

For those who like to plan their calendars ahead of time, Church Requel will host Tuesday, October 29th at noon. We hope to have a schedule of all the events from all the churches available soon. 

Community Night Of Worship - November 1st

Our week long OctoberBlest will culminate on Friday night, November 1st - "All Saints Day" - with a Community Worship Night. This free admission concert of worship music will take place at Freedom Ridge Church, 2200 Bedford Blvd., Ontario, Ohio at 7pm.

The community night of worship will be led by worship leaders and musicians from Freedom Ridge, Church Requel, Grace Church, North Woodbury Alliance, Gateway Church in Wooster, and Berean Baptist Church. Wow!  Yes, our own Brandi, Trish and Missie will be worship leaders for that night. Mark November 1st on your calendar as a "must-see" event!

Love you all much! Thank you for your faithfulness to Christ and to His church! Pastor Mark

Resolution #10 - Submission

Good Friday morning Church Requel!

What a wonderful time we enjoyed together last Sunday at the Singspiration! Wow! Lots of singing and praising. Lots of good food. Lots of new people! Dare we say it? Things are going great right now for Church Requel!

Our best days are still ahead of us! Do you believe it? I do!

I'm excited about our sermon this Sunday. We are continuing our Resolution series. This Resolution sermon series was an idea born over several weeks and from several people. It was Marci who suggested that rather than have just one new resolution sermon on New Years Sunday that we have one each month on the first Sunday of each month. We focused our attention on living out God's revealed will for us (instructions we can read about in the Bible). Each month we tackle a new resolution.

So far this year we have talked about Love Not Lust, Reliance Not Independence, Humility Not Pride, Gratitude Not Presumption, Clear Conscience Not Guilt, Integrity Not Irresponsibility, Diligence Not Laziness, Eagerness Not compulsion, and Generosity Not Selfishness. Pretty good list!

This Sunday we want to talk about God's will for us being Submission Not Self-Advancement. I know. I know. Submission doesn't sound like everyone's favorite topic. I get it. The very idea of submission runs counter to our culture. In our schools, sports, and work places, most people say we say we should speak up for ourselves. If we consider submission the way most people think of it... well I would be filled with scorn and skepticism too.

This Sunday, though, I want to give you a new way to think about submission - a much more positive view. I'm going to tell you what submission is - from a true Christian perspective. I'm going to tell you why it's so important to us. And then I'm going to give five ways to practice it this October! Want a head start on the talk? Check out the sermon notes here: http://bible.com/events/700336.

I'm hoping that we can get most of our students to come up front again and help me out with the sermon. So far this year, our children have been up for the challenge. And it surely does encourage me to see so many of them enthusiastic about these talks.

Neighborhood Meal - Saturday, October 12th. I don't know about you, but this one feels like it has snuck up on me. We serve our neighbors a free, warm meal on the 2nd Saturday of every even month. Guess what? That works out to a week from this Saturday!

I've talked with Sheri this week and she's right on top of things. Trust me, she hasn't forgotten! In fact she told me that she already has plans for many of the fresh vegetables we will be serving. (More on that in a minute.)

There will be a signup sheet in the lobby this Sunday morning. Do us a favor and sign up if you're planning to help out. Volunteers usually only need to donate 2 hours of time. You show up at 4pm and you're usually walking out the door by 6pm. (We actually serve the meal at 5pm.) If you really want to be a volunteer hero, bring a dessert to share.

Free Produce - Tuesday, October 8th. Remember when I wrote that Sheri had a great idea for veggies to serve? Here is where she's going! And you should consider it too! Distribution of free produce will be available in the west parking lot of First English Lutheran Church From 11am to 1pm this coming Tuesday. Bring your own bags, wagons, or carts to bring your produce back home. Wonderful variety all supplied by the Cleveland Food Bank. Bring one form of I.D. Questions about his terrific service? Call Jan Fisher at 419.589.2820.

Pizza Party! - Sunday, October 13th. Why is it that so many of our favorite announcements has something to do with food? Ha!

Our Missionary class teachers challenged our teenaged students to memorize Scripture with the promise of an after-church pizza party. They succeeded! Yay!

They would like to invite the entire church to join them in the celebration on Sunday, October 13th. If you can, plan to stick around to congratulate our young people and to eat a few slices of pizza.

OctoberBlest - Oct. 25th - 31st. 

Church Requel will join together with many other local churches to offer OctoberBlest to our city. Remember our joy this past Spring during the March of Prayer? We are hoping for something similar during the final seven days of October.

Each day of that final week of October there will be four worship events offered by four different churches throughout each day - early morning, midday, right after work, late evening.

Come when you can, leave when you must. No pressure to attend all of them. We hope that our faithfulness will unite us and help us to stand before our Lord together as Godsfield.

For those who like to plan their calendars ahead of time, Church Requel will host Tuesday, October 29th at noon. We hope to have a schedule of all the events from all the churches available soon. (Paul is working on it!)

Community Night Of Worship - November 1st

Our week long OctoberBlest will culminate on Friday night, November 1st - "All Saints Day" - with a Community Worship Night. This free admission concert of worship music will take place at Freedom Ridge Church, 2200 Bedford Blvd., Ontario, Ohio at 7pm.

The community night of worship will be led by worship leaders and musicians from Freedom Ridge, Church Requel, Grace Church, North Woodbury Alliance, Gateway Church in Wooster, and Berean Baptist Church. Wow!  Yes, our own Brandi, Trish and Missie will be worship leaders for that night. Mark November 1st on your calendar as a "must-see" event!

Love you all much! Can't wait to see you Sunday morning at Church Requel! Your loving pastor, Mark