Church Requel Blog - Writings of Mark Pierce

Audio Sermon: Remembrance and Honor

Join me for this special Memorial Day audio sermon - a day of Remembrance and Honor.

110529Memorial

Subscribe to this audio podcast!  It's available every week on iTunes or for any other mp3 player.

Memorial Day Service at Church Requel

We plan to observe a very special Memorial Day worship service at Church Requel this Sunday evening.  This is the official beginning of the summer for many people with celebrations planned for the 3-day weekend.  Originally though Memorial Day was a day to remember the supreme sacrifice of our soldiers and their families.  We will take time this Sunday evening for "remembrance and honor" of our military families.  If you or someone close to you has served in the armed services, you will not want to miss our Church Requel service Sunday night at 6pm!

Video Sermon: Teamwork of a Leader

Building a team requires us to inspect what we expect and to expect what we inspect.  Join me in this video sermon from last Sunday as we study Nehemiah 2:11-18.

Teamwork and the Leader from Mark Pierce on Vimeo.

Here are resources available to support this talk.  You may want to download the Program PDF and fill in the blanks as we move through the talk.  If you are a pastor or ministry leader, please feel free to use any of these resources for your own ministry.

• Weekend Program without Answers (PDF - 922KB)
• Weekend Program with Answers (PDF - 926KB)
• My personal sermon teaching notes (PDF - 156KB)
• My notes in Kindle format (AZW - 16KB)
• Sermon Notes with graphics in margins (PDF - 4.1MB) used by tech team
• Our Weekend Planning Sheet (PDF - 53KB) for ideas to support the theme

All of the Church Requel sermons are available either in the CR Video Library or the CR Audio Library or you can listen on the Church Requel Audio Blog.  Would you like to subscribe to the weekly audio podcast and receive the sermon each week?  Subscribe here for iTunes or here for all other mp3 devices.  You can also subscribe to the weekly video podcast!  Would you like to read my notes for this sermon? Just click on the "Continue reading" link below.

SciFi, Thrillers, Game and Audio Top New Kindle Content

Every week I update our family members on their Kindle books.  We each keep our own Kindle, but we share an Amazon account together.  I keep track of who buys what.  The cool part is that we can share the books with one another.  Not only does it save us money, but it gives us something to enjoy with one another.  Here is this week's email.

Dear Dad, Nancy, Jillian, Tim, Jessica, Dave, Jennifer, and Mike:

We have added 17 new books, one Audible book, and one game since my last update to you so scroll on down to see the new additions to the library.  You'll find one new Audible book - a police thriller, along with a new Baldacci book added by Dad, two sci-fi additions by me, along with 15 new freebies I've found.  Our library now includes 698 books altogether!  Keep buying, reading and sharing!

Content - Books I've Read.  I've finished three books this past week.  I finished the Audible book, Dreadnaught, by Jack Campbell, and the 2nd and 3rd books in the Hunger Games trilogy, Catching Fire and Mockingjay.  Amy tells me that Hollywood is now making a film of these books and it should be out sometime next year.  Maybe our family book club should go watch the movie together?

Grayden's Kindle.  I told you last week that Grayden was up to $14 in his Kindle savings.  This has been a very good week for my grandson, who is now up to $60 in Kindle savings.  Thanks all of you for your generosity.  And for his father, who gave Grayden a piggy bank, not realizing there was almost $30 in coins!

Here are the new books on your Kindles.  Enjoy!

The Sixth Man
Baldacci, David
$12.99, Purchased by Dad
Suspense

After the #1 New York Times bestsellers Split Second, Hour Game, Simple Genius, and First Family, Sean King and Michelle Maxwell return in their most shocking case: a high stakes struggle where the relentless needs of national security run up against the absolute limits of the human mind.  THE SIXTH MAN

Edgar Roy-an alleged serial killer held in a secure, fortress-like Federal Supermax facility-is awaiting trial. He faces almost certain conviction. Sean King and Michelle Maxwell are called in by Roy's attorney, Sean's old friend and mentor Ted Bergin, to help work the case. But their investigation is derailed before it begins-en route to their first meeting with Bergin, Sean and Michelle find him murdered.

It is now up to them to ask the questions no one seems to want answered: Is Roy a killer? Who murdered Bergin? With help from some surprising allies, they continue to pursue the case. But the more they dig into Roy's past, the more they encounter obstacles, half-truths, dead-ends, false friends, and escalating threats from every direction. Their persistence puts them on a collision course with the highest levels of the government and the darkest corners of power. In a terrifying confrontation that will push Sean and Michelle to their limits, the duo may be permanently parted.

Buried Prey (Digital Audiobook)
John Sandford, Narrated by Richard Ferrone
$15 Audible Credit by Mark
Police Procedural, Suspense

Some secrets just can't stay buried, in the brilliant new Lucas Davenport thriller from the number-one New York Times- bestselling author. "One of the best," said Kirkus Reviews of Storm Prey. "Razor-sharp dialogue, a tautly controlled pace and enough homicides for a miniseries. What more could fans want?"

A house demolition provides an unpleasant surprise for Minneapolis - the bodies of two girls, wrapped in plastic. It looks like they've been there a long time. Lucas Davenport knows exactly how long.In 1985, Davenport was a young cop with a reputation for recklessness, and the girls' disappearance was a big deal. His bosses ultimately declared the case closed, but he never agreed with that. Now that he has a chance to investigate it all over again, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: It wasn't just the bodies that were buried. It was the truth.

Audio Sermon: Teamwork of a Leader

Building a team requires us to inspect what we expect and to expect what we inspect.  Join me in this audio sermon as we study Nehemiah 2:11-18.

110522Team

Subscribe to this audio podcast!  It's available every week on iTunes or for any other mp3 player.

This Weekend: Secrets of Building a Team

We have another fantastic weekend planned for Church Requel.  You'll want to plan to come to the Sunday 6pm service and perhaps bring a friend!  Here's what's happening...

Nate Williams and his worship team of Ryan, Dave, Josh and Haleigh have put together an extended music and video set that will help us in our worship.  "I Will Follow," "Love the Lord," and "You Are My Strength" are among some of the praise songs our team is preparing.  Interspersed throughout will be videos, personal stories, and a most meaningful communion service.  I really appreciate Nate and his willingness to lead us in the front half of our service.

Jana Edwards has agreed to lead our Bible reading of Nehemiah 2:11-18, which will provide the focus for my teaching Sunday night.  In this passage I believe we find the secrets of building a successful team.  We'll learn how to inspect what we expect and expect what we inspect.  Whether you are leading a business or a family or are a potential future leader, you will benefit from this talk!  I'm looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday!  - Pastor Mark

Video Sermon: Courage of a Leader

What are the 7 actions steps for C.O.U.R.A.G.E. when you are afraid to speak out?  Join me in this video talk as we study Nehemiah 2:1-8.  Thanks to Dave Johnson for his editing work on this video!

Courage of a Leader from Mark Pierce on Vimeo.

 Here are the resources created for this weekend's talk.  Perhaps you would like to download the weekend's program and follow along as if you were in the congregation.  Or maybe you are a church leader looking for help on this topic.  Pastors, you have my permission to use these resources in any way that could assist your ministries.  Download any of the following:

• Weekend Program without Answers (PDF - 1MB)
• Weekend Program with Answers (PDF - 1MB)
• My personal teaching notes for sermon (PDF - 143KB)
• My teaching notes in Kindle format (AZW - 16KB)
• Notes with graphics in the margins (PDF - 3.5MB) - used by our tech team
• Our weekend planning sheet (PDF - 49KB) - for worship ideas to support the theme

All of the Church Requel sermons are available either in the CR Video Library or the CR Audio Library or you can listen on the Church Requel Audio Blog.  Would you like to subscribe to the weekly audio podcast and receive the sermon each week?  Subscribe here for iTunes or here for all other mp3 devices.  You can also subscribe to the weekly video podcast!  Would you like to read my notes for this sermon? Just click on the "Continue reading" link below.

Audio Sermon: Courage of a Leader

What are the 7 actions steps for C.O.U.R.A.G.E. when you are afraid to speak out?  Join me in this audio sermon from last night's Church Requel service as we study Nehemiah 2:1-8.

110515Courage

Subscribe to this audio podcast!  It's available every week on iTunes or for any other mp3 player.

Family Active in Kindle Book Club: 33 New Books!

Every week or two I update our family on the Kindle Family Book Club.  We all share a love of books.  Now we share a Kindle account.  I keep everyone informed about the new books available.  Here are 33 new books purchased since May 5th.  This brings our total number of books to 676 volumes in the Pierce Family Kindle Archives!

Dear Dad, Jillian, Tim, Jessica, Dave, Jennifer, Mike, and Nancy (and cc to Jonathan, Mary Kay, & Todd):

You all have been an active bunch of Kindlers these past two weeks.  If ever there was an email that you should at least glance through, this is it.  I'm betting you'll find a treasure or two in the new books added to our archive.  Mike, Jennifer & Jessica (and all dog lovers), check out Fixing Freddie.  Oprah Book lovers, check out Gap Creek.  Sailors (Dad), check out The Perfect Storm.  Loved the movie, "Field of Dreams?"  You'll want to check out the book: "Shoeless Joe." Interested in how Christianity and technology intersect (Jonathan)? Check out Digital Disciple.  Looking for a book for an early reader... like Grayden pictured to the right?  Check out "Hailey Twitch is Not a Snitch!" There's something here for everyone!

Fun with Grayden!  Some of you know how badly Grayden wants his own Kindle.  And he is saving for it one dollar at a time.  He's up to $14 at the moment... only a hundred more to go for the Kindle Special Offers model.  Last weekend Aunt Jillian told Grayden that if he went to Uncle Tim and asked nicely, that he might be able to add to his Kindle savings.  This is the pic that Tim snapped of Grayden saying, "Pleaaaaasssse!"  Fun!

Welcome Nancy! Before we get to the new archive details, lets all welcome Nancy Roop to the club.  Nancy recently purchased a Droid X phone and added the Kindle app.  I showed her how to connect to our Kindle account and she was thrilled.  Nancy, let me know the kind of books you like to read and if I find a freebie up your alley, I'll pick it up for you.

Kindle Tip:  Nancy's Android app should remind all of us of Amazon's Buy Once, Read Everywhere strategy.  Yes you all have Kindles.  Most of you have smart phones too.  So you can download the Kindle app and then download the book you are reading on your Kindle.  Then, when you are out and about and - hard to imagine - someplace without your Kindle, you can bring up your book on your phone and read it.  No it's not as good as your Kindle, but it suffices when you are stuck in line and are looking for something to do to pass the time.

Grab the Freebies While You Can.  It's been almost two weeks since I last posted our new Kindle books.  As a result many of the Kindle Freebies are now back up to full price.  There's a lesson here.  Most freebies don't remain freebies.  Sometimes they are only free for a few hours, though usually I find they are available for a few days to a week.  However, 15 of our 27 freebies on this list are now back up to full price!  Makes our library seem even more valuable!

This Weekend: Overcoming Fear of Speaking Out

Hi everyone!  We're going to have a great time at Church Requel this Sunday evening.  We have lots of great things planned.  You won't want to miss it.

First off, we will have a brand new LIVE praise band at Church Requel Sunday evening.  Dave Johnson has asked Ryan Shoemaker and Christy Anne Pierce to join him on the CR platform to lead our worship.  I really appreciate Dave's leadership and willingness to step out to organize this.   Ryan has been incredible on the guitar lately.  Last weekend was terrific, but I'm told he has some great stuff planned Sunday too.  And we all know how blessed we are when Christy Anne sings. 

Speaking of Christy Anne... how many of you have heard the new, popular song on the radio by Francesca Battistelli called, "This is the Stuff?"  It's a quirkly little tune that reminds us that in the midst of life's little trials (like losing our cell phones) we should always remember how blessed we are.  We've asked Christy is she would sing this song for us.  It should really be fun!  This new praise band is also preparing another special song for us - this one by Skillet - called "Awake and Alive."  Sounds like we'll all be awake and alive on Sunday evening!

We also have some others who are stepping up and stepping out in new roles Sunday evening.  Steve Thoman will provide our announcements for the first time ever.  Marci Crawford will be reading our Scripture reading.  (BTW, did you know that Marci is our new webmaster for ChurchRequel.org?)  And Lisa Hatfield has agreed to help in the Nursery.  Thanks Lisa!!!

I have really enjoyed my preparation work for this new teaching series.  This weekend we learn how to overcome fear.  Especially when we feel we must speak about something we'd rather be quiet about.  You've been there, right?  When you've had to have a difficult conversation with a loved one?  Or when you disagree with your boss and have to speak up?  Or when you know that a public policy debate needs to have a Christian voice?  There comes a time in all our lives when we must have the C.O.U.R.A.G.E. to overcome our fear and use our God-given voice.  Our study from Nehemiah 2:1-8 will give us 7 actions steps to follow.

Our worship time will begin promptly at 6pm Sunday.  Come early and visit with one another.  Bring a new friend with you.  They will greatly appreciate your kindness to let them know about this opportunity!  See you all on Sunday!  Pastor Mark

Video Sermon: Prayer of a Leader

We learn 5 principles for leaders and how they should pray.  Join me in this video study of Nehemiah 1:5-11.  Many thanks to Dave Johnson for editing this video!

Prayer of a Leader from Mark Pierce on Vimeo.

The following resources are available to support this past week's sermon.  Perhaps it would be helpful to download the weekly program with the sermon notes.  Pastors, you have my permission to use these resources to support your ministries.

• Weekly Program without Answers (PDF - 1MB)
• Weekly Program with Answers (PDF - 1.1MB)
• My personal sermon teaching notes (PDF - 156KB)
• Sermon notes in Kindle format (PDF - 20KB)
• Sermon notes with graphics (PDF - 2.7MB), used by our tech team
• Weekend Planning Sheet (PDF - 53KB), includes ideas to support the theme

All of the Church Requel sermons are available either in the CR Video Library or the CR Audio Library or you can listen on the Church Requel Audio Blog.  Would you like to subscribe to the weekly audio podcast and receive the sermon each week?  Subscribe here for iTunes or here for all other mp3 devices.  You can also subscribe to the weekly video podcast!  Would you like to read my notes for this sermon? Just click on the "Continue reading" link below.

Audio Sermon: Prayer of a Leader

We learn 5 principles for leaders and how they should pray.  Join me in this audio version of tonight's study of Nehemiah 1:5-11.

110508Prayer

Subscribe to this audio podcast!  It's available every week on iTunes or for any other mp3 player.

Mother's Day at Church Requel This Weekend

Mother's Day at Church Requel is always a special service and this year will be no exception.  We will kick off our service with a reminder from Floodgate Productions that every mother is unique and all are important.  We also will enjoy a very funny moment with the Skit Guys as they bring "The Mom Song" to Church Requel Sunday evening.  We'll also have a fun moment honoring the moms in our evening service as the newest mom, the most experienced mom, the mom with the most children and the mom with the most grandchildren are all given a free gift from the Church Requel bookstore.  Bottom line: if you're a mom - you'll want to be there!  If you have a mom - you'll want to bring her with you to Church Requel Sunday night!

Nate Williams will return to the CR platform along with the band made up of musicians Ryan, Stephen and Josh.  They have worked up a full set of music for us including "Glory to God Forever," "You Never Let Me Go," and "Blessed Be Your Name."  Nate will also sing and play his acoustic guitar during our communion service.   Nancy Roop will lead our Bible reading session.  Yours truly will lead our prayer time.

I'm also looking forward to our teaching Sunday evening.  We'll continue the leadership sermon series, but only because moms are - by default - natural leaders of their children.  This week's topic is one that will apply to everyone: prayer.  Specifically we'll examine the prayer of Nehemiah in the first chapter of his memoir.  We'll be reminded of five important principles that are sure to boost our connection with God.

I'm really looking forward to our celebration Sunday evening.  I hope you are too!  Bring someone new with you to Church Requel Sunday.  I promise you that they will thank you afterward.  Pastor Mark

Video Sermon: Compassion of a Leader

Every great leader begins with compassion.  In this first Leadership session, we learn that leaders are willing to ask, mourn, pray, and respond.  Join me in this video from last weekend's study of Nehemiah 1.

Compassion of a Leader from Mark Pierce on Vimeo.

I have made the following resources available from last Sunday's sermon.  Pastors and other church leaders, you have my permission to reuse any of these resources if they will benefit your ministry.  You may download and use any of the following:

• Weekend Program without Answers (PDF - 1.4MB)
• Weekend Program with Answers (PDF - 1.4MB)
• My personal TEACHING NOTES (PDF - 131KB)
• My notes in Kindle format (AZW - 16KB)
• My notes with grapics in margins (PDF - 1.6MB) used by tech team
• Our weekend Planning Sheet (PDF- 49KB) includes ideas to support the theme

All of the Church Requel sermons are available either in the CR Video Library or the CR Audio Library or you can listen on the Church Requel Audio Blog.  Would you like to subscribe to the weekly audio podcast and receive the sermon each week?  Subscribe here for iTunes or here for all other mp3 devices.  You can also subscribe to the weekly video podcast!  Would you like to read my notes for this sermon? Just click on the "Continue reading" link below.

God in the Dock Tops New Family Book Club

Every week I update our extended family regarding their purchases in the Kindle Family Book Club.  We currently have six active Kindles and 3 Kindle apps all sharing one account in the family.  I volunteer to keep track of the purchases and every week share with the family what has been added to the archives.  After I send the email to our family members, I also post here on the blog in case you too want to benefit from a good Kindle book at a great price.  Here is this week's email:

Dear Dad, Jillian, Tim, Jessica, Dave, Jennifer, and Mike:

The beginning of May brought many new free books to the Amazon Kindle.  Romance, Christian Fiction, Children's, Fantasy, Thrillers, Inspirational...  I have added the ones I thought the family might like to own.  In addition, I also purchased one new Audible book with my monthly credit.

Here are the new books in our archives.  I hope you find something you will enjoy!

God in the Dock (Digital Audiobook)
C. S. Lewis
$14.68 paid for by Mark / Regular Audible price $20.97
Audible, Theology, Christian Nonfiction

C. S. Lewis was a profound thinker with the rare ability to communicate the philosophical and theological rationale of Christianity in simple yet amazingly effective ways. God in the Dock contains 48 essays and 12 letters written by Lewis between 1940 and 1963 for a wide variety of publications. Ranging from popular newspaper pieces to learned defenses of the faith, these essays cover topics as varied as the logic of theism, good and evil, miracles, vivisection, the role of women in church polity, and ethics and politics. Many of these writings represent Lewis' first ventures into themes he would later treat in full-length books.   

Video: Easter Meal Donations

On the Saturday before Easter, Church Requel gave away 100 meals.  We gathered the names of 74 families we knew could benefit from the meal.  Then we went downtown and gave the rest away, going door to door.  Yesterday evening we showed the following brief film of this joyous occasion.  The soundtrack is "Together We Can Change The World" by Melinda Caroll.

Easter Meal Donations from Mark Pierce on Vimeo.

Audio Sermon: Compassion of a Leader

Every great leader begins with compassion.  In this first Leadership session, we learn that leaders are willing to ask, mourn, pray, and respond.  Join me in this audio study of Nehemiah 1.

110501Compassion

Subscribe to this audio podcast!  It's available every week on iTunes or for any other mp3 player.