Church Requel Blog - Writings of Mark Pierce

Happy 500th Birthday Protestants!

Good Friday afternoon Church Requel!

Did you know that this week we celebrate a birthday? And not just any birthday, but a 500th birthday? (That would be the quincentennial birthday - I just looked it up!) That one doesn't come around all too often, that's for sure. So do you know what I'm talking about? Do you know what happened 500 years ago on October 31, 1517? You should! Did you know that we literally have that particular date engraved in large block letters at Church Requel? That you quite literally walk beside it every single Sunday morning?

October 31, 1517 is the date that Martin Luther's 95 thesis was nailed to the Wittenberg Church doors - and commonly accepted as the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. I'm guessing that most of us don't know too much about those beginnings. Not sure, you say? Let me ask you this. If you consider yourself a Protestant, (you do attend a Protestant church, after all) do you know what you are protesting?

We will take a break from our study of Luke's Gospel this Sunday morning to talk about this very special time in our history. We worship in a Lutheran church building. There are paintings of Martin Luther in several places in our church. (Do you know how many?)

Over my vacation I very much enjoyed reading the latest biography of Luther and, as a result, I'm looking forward to telling you some special stories to commemorate the quincentennial. (One just does not get the chance to use that word very often.) Along the way I'll talk about five distinctions that make us Protestants - you should know these. These five "solas" are what we stand for.

This will also be the fifth Sunday in the month. That only happens 4 times a year and Brandi always plans something special for our worship on the 5th Sundays. This month she has asked a very special person to sing with her and help lead the worship. I think I'll keep some secrets - you'll have to come and see - or at the very least, watch LIVE online.

This will also be a special Sunday morning because our children are all working on their Super Christmas program on December 17th. They each have a super part in the super play and are looking forward to worshiping the true Super Hero with all of you! The more often they can make it to church on Sunday mornings, the better for them. Parents, thank you for helping your child with his or her super costume!

Looking forward to seeing all of you Sunday morning at 11am! Keep praying! Remain faithful! Love you, Pastor Mark

Housewarming Party Saturday!

Good Friday morning Church Requel!

Mary Kay and I are back from our Myrtle Beach vacation. We had a wonderful time with our family. Dad and Julie, Jessica and Dave, Jillian and Tim and their boys... what a blessed two weeks together! Thank you for giving us an opportunity to get away from it all for awhile to reflect and restore. It was much needed and greatly appreciated!

While we were gone... Didn't my brother, Todd, do a great job for you all? We have been so thrilled with his sermons. How wonderful! Meaningful! And filled with GREAT QUESTIONS!

I know some of you did not get to hear both of his sermons. So we have uploaded them for you to watch, watch again, and to share. I really do believe that God not only provided a break for me, but also had in mind a couple of great talks for you - to be inspired to ask some deeper questions of your faith in Christ. So please watch and share! 

You can watch them on Facebook or on our website. We also have published each on YouTube - because that is the way most people watch videos today. Here are the YouTube links for your benefit:

Sermon #1 - "Kingdom Jeopardy" also involve Chris Thoman, Judie Marvicsin and Eddie Walker in a Bible Jeopardy game. Well played!

Sermon #2 - "The More Beautiful Question" - Todd invites you to ask beautiful questions of God, questions that lead to more questions and a deeper character of Christ in your life.

By the way - we have enjoyed more online views of both the LIVE webcast and on-demand sermon replays these past two weeks than ever before. In fact we have crossed a significant number as more people have watched us online than those who are attending on Sundays! Wow! We will continue to reach people for Christ in whatever way He provides!

Housewarming Party at Walkers. I love parties, don't you? How delightful that our first weekend back we have the opportunity to party together with all of you. 

Eddie and Brandi and their family moved into their new home this past summer. It's much closer to the school where Eddie works and where their children attend, so it's great for all those after school activities. They have also recently finished the new bedroom remodel for Kailey.

The party begins at 5pm and lasts until 9pm. We have put their new address in our weekly bulletins and, if you're their friend on Facebook, the address is also on the Event page. But if you still need it - no problem! Just email Brandi.

They plan to have a big bonfire. There will be hot dogs, chips, drinks and Smores over the fire! They will have cornhole set up so you can play. You can come and stay the whole time or just pop in and visit for little bit. Easy Peasy!

Some of you have asked what they still might need for their home? Honestly, Brandi says, no one needs to get them anything at all. But in case you are still insisting on warming them with a present as well as your presence, a gift card to Menards (or a store like that) would be the best possible option.

Featured Artist This Sunday - Our worship team has chosen music by Danny Gokey, an American singer and former church music director from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Danny was also the third-place finalist on the eighth season of American Idol.

Danny says about his music...”I want to be a positive voice, a voice that connects, a voice that unifies, a voice that finds common ground. I’ve experienced hopelessness and loss. I’ve experienced having nothing — and now, having things in my life that I love so deeply I believe that my story has purpose.” That purpose for him, and for all who open themselves to Danny Gokey's music will be a great blessing for us this Sunday. Don't miss it!

Kids & Christmas. Our kids Christmas program, “Super Christmas,” will be presented on December 17th. (That's less than 2 months away - can you believe it?) Why are we mentioning this now? There is a good reason - The kids already know their roles as super heroes and now they need costumes. We’d like to suggest to our parents that you look for costumes to go on sale after Halloween. OR possibly you might want to buy their super hero costume NOW to use both for Halloween AND for the Christmas program. See how we're looking out for you? We thank Tamara Engstrom for planing ahead and working with our kids for this special presentation.

We Want Your Input. Since we're thinking about Christmas anyway, I thought I might mention to you that Christmas Eve is on Sunday this year. As we make plans for our church service that day we would like your thoughts.

Would you prefer to attend a Christmas Eve candlelight service at our regular 11:00 AM time OR at 5:00 PM?

In this week's printed bulletin we will include a short survey form so that you may express your preference. Please fill out the short survey below and tear it off and put it into one of the baskets on the communion tables. We’ll let you know what the majority prefer after we've collected this for a couple weeks.

Let's keep praying! Loni, Jenny, Jack, Aimee, and Mari never stray far from our thoughts and prayers. Thank you all for your prayers for Mary Kay and me. Believe me - pastors need your prayers more than you'd ever imagine! Love you all much. Hope to see you soon. Pastor Mark

Neighborhood Meal Resumes Tomorrow

Good Friday morning Church Requel!

Neighborhood Meal Saturday. The Point of Grace will see lots of activity this weekend. Tomorrow night we serve our neighborhood a free, hot meal. It’s been a few months since we have offered this meal, so a few reminders are in order. First - thanks much to Sheri for her leadership in making this possible. Sheri is a gracious, giving person - especially around meal time. If you ask her, she’ll tell you about some hungry moments in her own personal history.

Let’s be a great team around Sheri tomorrow night. Show up at the church by 4pm. We begin serving meals at 5pm. Also - if you’d like to bring a dessert to share, that would be wonderful! We usually wrap it up by 6:30pm. Let’s be good hosts to those who live around our church.

Todd Pierce Returns Sunday Morning. Thank you all for receiving Todd so well last Sunday morning. This weekend Todd returns to wrap up his 2-week mini-series. 

This Sunday Todd will talk about “The More Beautiful Question” Have you ever noticed how many times Jesus answers one question with a more beautiful question? One that resonates to the very center of the human experience? Know-it-alls who “HAVE all the answers” can actually turn people off. How much greater it to “BE the answer” by struggling alongside others until you both discover the more beautiful question. Sounds like a great talk!

GREAT NEWS! We had more people tune into the online LIVE worship service on our Facebook page than ever before. At one time or another 90 people watched during the live webcast. Isn’t that terrific?!  Join us Sunday - either in person or on the webcast - as we learn to ask a more beautiful question.

Housewarming Party - Saturday Oct. 21st. Plan to join your Church Requel friends and family at next Saturday’s housewarming party at the Walker’s. 

You may come anytime between 5pm and 9pm. Stay as long as you like. The Walkers are offering a wonderful fall gathering with food, drinks, cornhole and a bonfire. Sounds like so much fun!

We will offer the address at church this coming Sunday. If you can’t make it to church and want to know where the Walkers live, just ask Brandi in an email.

Let’s keep our prayers going for Jenny, Jack, Aimee, Mari and Loni. Love you all much! Pastor Mark and Mary Kay

Todd Comes To Church Requel

Good Friday morning Church Requel!

You are in for such a treat this Sunday! My brother, Todd, will be filling in for me at Church Requel. He is such a wonderful preacher!

A few years ago I asked my Dad about the difference in preaching styles between Todd and me. (I know - a totally unfair question to ask him, right? But then, Dad is a wise owl!) Dad told me that when I preach, people want to get out their pencils and take notes. I was feeling pretty good about that answer. Then Dad went on. But when Todd preaches, people put their pencils away and just sit back and listen to the stories. Yep, he’s that good!

Todd and I are so close to one another. One cannot tell one brother’s story without telling the other brother’s story. Thirty-five years ago I was visiting Todd at Mount Vernon Nazarene College (yes it was a college back in the day, not a university - but we just called it the “Naz.”) Todd had a pretty big smile on his face, so I knew something special was going on.

He introduced me to his new girlfriend, Amy Herzog. We spent an afternoon together and had the best time. Being Todd’s big brother, I knew he was onto a really good thing in his life. But I also knew something else. Todd also had another girlfriend up in Akron, back where I lived at the time. So I decided to help out my little brother.

As Todd and I were getting ready to leave and say goodbye to Amy - I mean we were literally in the car waving goodbye - I rolled down my window and asked Amy if she wanted to go with us and spend the weekend at my house. Amy didn’t even hesitate. She said “yes” and hopped in the car. Just like that. No packing. No stopping to get bags. It was such a happy moment! I’ll never forget the stare I received from Todd.

That’s just one of the many things I love about Amy. And why she is such a great match for Todd. She’s always up for an adventure. Just the kind of partner that Todd needed, because life with him was going to be quite the adventure!

Todd and Amy pastored several churches - both Nazarene and Vineyard - over their 28 year pastoral career. He served churches in Michigan and in Southern Ohio. Together they eventually founded the Mason Vineyard Church.

Todd and Amy became the parents of three - and so far - the grandparents of two. Todd is such a joyous grandpa! Joy is a good word to describe Todd. He takes great joy in everything he does. His preaching. His family.

Even my family! Back in 2013 Dave and Jessica were married and Todd, my sister Kimberly, and I had a great party with the whole family. What a blast!

Kingdom Jeopardy. So what kind of party are YOU in for if you come to Church Requel this Sunday? The title of Todd’s talk is “Kingdom Jeopardy.” Have you ever noticed that one good question is worth a thousand pat answers? We like answers because answers give us a sense of being right, and we like to think we are right. Questions make us feel uncertain, and we don’t like feeling uncertain. However, easy answers can actually jeopardize spiritual growth. How so? Well I suggest you show up for Church Requel Sunday morning at 11am as we discover Kingdom Jeopardy - where all the answers are questions!

REMEMBER OUR SPECIAL SECRET! Remember what I told you to do this Sunday. You weren’t at church last weekend? Ask someone who was there. You will have so much fun!

Neighborhood Meal - Saturday October 14th. Great news! The neighborhood meal is back on again at Church Requel. We serve our next meal one week from tomorrow. We will need volunteers to arrive by 4pm and plan to serve until 6:30. People will show up to eat at 5pm. We would also appreciate your donations of desserts to share. Thank you so much for serving our community and being Jesus’ hands and feet!

Housewarming Party - Saturday October 21st. You all are invited to the Walkers’ new home from 5pm to 9pm. Come for a wonderful fall evening with food, drinks, cornhole and a bonfire. Where do the Walkers live? Show up on Sunday. There just are some things we shouldn’t put out there on an Internet newsletter.

We’re still praying for Loni, Jack, Jenny and Amie. Miss you all much. Love you all much! Pastor Mark and Mary Kay.