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The Tale of Two Kings(Really Three) Good Morning, Church Family. Sunday's sermon was from 1 Kings 12: Israel Rebels Against Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:1-15) 12 Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king. 2 When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard this (he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), he returned from[a] Egypt. 3 So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel went to Rehoboam and said to him: 4 “Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.” 5 Rehoboam answered, “Go away for three days and then come back to me.” So the people went away. 6 Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How would you advise me to answer these people?” he asked. 7 They replied, “If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.” 8 But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. 9 He asked them, “What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?” 10 The young men who had grown up with him replied, “These people have said to you, ‘Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter.’ Now tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist. 11 My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.’” 12 Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam, as the king had said, “Come back to me in three days.” 13 The king answered the people harshly. Rejecting the advice given him by the elders, 14 he followed the advice of the young men and said, “My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.” 15 So the king did not listen to the people The stories of Rehoboam and Jeroboam, along with many other kings in the Old Testament, indeed provide important reminders about leadership. Throughout the Old Testament, there are accounts of various kings who ruled Israel and Judah, and their actions and decisions often had significant consequences for their kingdoms. Some of these kings were faithful, obedient to God's commands, and led their kingdoms well. They are recorded positively for their leadership and their dedication to following God's guidance. However, a significant number of kings in the Old Testament allowed pride, power, and fear to lead them away from God's ways. This disobedience and self-centeredness often led to self-destruction for the kings themselves and suffering for their kingdoms. Their stories serve as cautionary tales about the pitfalls of leadership when it is not aligned with God's principles. Pastor Lynne said she should have named this sermon "A Tale of Three Kings" because Rehoboam and Jeroboam represent worldly kings with worldly desires, but we follow a righteous and countercultural King. In Christ, we find a servant leader who challenges the norms of the world. He exemplified humility, compassion, and selflessness, consistently putting the needs of others before His own and redefining leadership by emphasizing love, service, and sacrifice. In Christ, we discover that true leadership is not about lording over others and getting them to do what we want them to do but about uplifting and serving them. Through Christ, we learn that true leadership is about uplifting and serving others, supporting and encouraging them, and placing their needs and well-being before our own desires. We can be power brokers and lead by force, manipulation, and justification like Rehoboam. We can listen to the opinions of those around us, conform to the culture, and slip into people-pleasing instead of God-honoring like Jeroboam. Or we can lead like Jesus. We all are leaders, even if it is just in the line at Costco. Even at Costco, we are being observed by others; even at Costco, we represent God and His Kingdom values. How do we interact? Are we courteous? Thoughtful? Helpful? Kind? How do we talk to people? Do we smile? Do we see those around us through a heavenly lens and from a kingdom mindset? Or do we see competition, annoyances, incompetency, and obstacles? Are we set apart or just like everyone else? Are we countercultural or conformed to culture? As Christians, we are all called to be followers and servants in the ministry of the Gospel. This divine calling should transform our perspective and behavior. People will follow us; we will follow others. Who is following us? Who are we following? Are we letting Christ lead us? Jesus says in Philippians 2:3-4, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourselves." As followers of Christ and ministers of the Gospel, we are tasked with recognizing the intrinsic dignity, value, and purpose of every individual, while our mission is to share the Gospel and uplift and support all people in their journey toward thriving and fulfilling God's divine plan for their lives. It is not about us; it is about Him. Who do you follow? For more infomation visit:
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Registration Closes at 6pm
In addition to the wonderful time of fellowship, we'll enjoy a meal of hamburgers, cheeseburgers, bratwurst, coleslaw, and potato salad. For dessert we will celebrate an ALL-CHURCH DESSERT POTLUCK, so bring your favorite dessert with you! Noon – 2pm, Palm Court. This is a catered event. Registration deadline is 6pm. For more infomation visit: http://clp.church/events/annual-all-church-picnic/2023-11-05
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Quilt Raffle!Support the Capital Campaign Committee Quilter, Nancy Montgomery, has made a beautiful queen size quilt and graciously donated it to the Capital Campaign Committee. The queen size quilt is multicolored and done in a Tesseract pattern. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase during the Wednesday night dinners and on Sundays in the breezeway. Tickets are 1 for $10 or 3 for $25, and all monies will be going for the Capital Campaign. The drawing will take place on Sunday, November 19th, during the annual meeting. For more infomation visit:
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Volunteer Opportunity at St. Mary's this Saturday!Saturday, November 4, 2023 Join us this Saturday at St. Mary's Food Bank on November 4. We will meet at 11:15 am in the church parking lot and carpool to the St. Mary's Food Bank facility in Phoenix. We will be serving from 12 – 2pm. Register at clp.church, sign up in the Breezeway on Sunday or call the office at 623-935-3411. Wear close toed shoes and shirts with sleeves. For more infomation visit: http://clp.church/events/volunteer-opportunity-at-st-marys/2023-11-04
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November Fellowship DinnersRemember to Sign-up for New Month. Registration is Open! Join us for a nutritious and delicious meal with all the fixings and dessert before we head to adult studies (Thrive!), children's choir (CLP Kids Choir), the children's worship service (Overflow!), and choir rehearsal. Nursery is available for children up to age 4, and all school-age children are welcome in Overflow! This is an 'all church' invitation to fellowship, food, and fun. At CLP, we value commUNITY! For more infomation visit: http://clp.church/events/november-fellowship-meals/2023-11-01
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2024 Budget Q & A MeetingSunday, November 12, 2023 WHEN: November 12, 2023, at 10:15am WHERE: In the Sanctuary immediately after the 9:15 am service WHY: To address the 2024 budget prior to the annual meeting on November 19th
At this meeting the Board Treasurer Suzanne Allen will present the 2024 annual operating budget. Suzanne along with other Board Members will be available to answer questions about the budget or any other topic you wish to discuss. At the back of the sanctuary there will be paper and a pen for you to write down any question you may have. Please drop these questions in the basket provided and they will be addressed anonymously. You will receive the annual report by email OR it will be available in the church office prior to this meeting. Your Board looks forward to meeting with you on November 12th.
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One Service with Installation of the Reverend Kristofer McCoyFollowed by Annual Meeting |
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2024 Pledges as of October 13, 2023
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Thank you!
Fall Festival was an amazing success! Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make it a success. We had so many people who helped from the trunk volunteers, candy donations, face painters, safety volunteers, candy runners and youth leaders. Thank you so very much!! |
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Congratulations and Thank you, Adam!Adam Foster Adam Foster from Scout Troop 90 recently planned and completed a landscape project for The Church at Litchfield Park to fulfill requirements for his Eagle Scout award. He was assisted by other members of his troop, family, and friends. Master landscaper Lisa Hegarty, CLP Master Plan chair Ken Martin, and facilities manager David Drake contributed design suggestions and supervision. Thank you Ted Greene for all your help and expertise. Ten lantana and ruellia bushes along with five Pistache trees were planted on church property north of the parking lot along West Fairway Drive. For more infomation visit:
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Thank you for Raising the Roof!
We have something BIG to celebrate! The Raise the Roof fundraiser was beyond successful. Here are the details: The Church at Litchfield Park raised $5095! Experience Mission raised $6786! These contributions were generously doubled with a donation of $11881 from an independent charity fund donation. The remaining $6238 was also donated from the charity fund donation by an anonymous donor to total the $30,000 needed for the roof project. Way to RAISE THE ROOF! Thank you to the 2023 Experience Missions Team and thank you Church family!
For more infomation visit:
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Thank you, Georgia Splinter!
The Prayer Room (small office and prayer space next to Fireside rooms) now has a beautiful original piece by one of our very own local artists! If you haven't had a chance to visit the Prayer Room, please come in and sit a bit. Thank you for sharing your talents! For more infomation visit:
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Construction Around the Church
Construction is starting on the street just south of our church. This has several impacts with the notable ones being that the exit driveway out of the Souers Hall parking lot changing. The old driveway will be blocked off and partially removed after the new driveway exiting west is opened. That new exit will direct you north to Fairway Drive. Please DO NOT try to use the new streets in Litchfield Square. And thank you for your patience as the construction work continues.
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Volunteers Needed For The Shop@CLPSaturday Help Wanted For more infomation visit:
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Support the CLP mission......to love and serve all people in Christ! For more infomation visit:
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The Church at Litchfield ParkWe strive to love and serve all people in Christ! SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES OFFICE HOURS 300 North Old Litchfield Road For more infomation visit:
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