“It is God's will that you should be holy; that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God.  (I Thessalonians 4:3-5)

We live in a time when the exercising of civil liberties is of utmost importance.  Our political arena is greatly concerned with the individual's rights over his or her body and/or his or her relationships with others.  The issues which embody these concerns are abortion (the woman's right to choose), and same-sex marriages and unions.

For Christians, the central question is  “Who has the ultimate authority over my body and my relationships.”  Is it the government?  Is it the individual?  Or, is it God?  The scripture is clear that, as Christians, we “are not our own,” and “we have been bought with a price.” (I Corinthians 6:19-20).  Through Christ, we have been brought into the kingdom, empowered by the Spirit, and have been given a mission and an inheritance. 

Therefore as Christians, God has the ultimate authority over what we do with our bodies.  We should not expect the world to agree with this or understand it.  It is God's will for us that we be holy, and that we learn to control our bodies in a way that is holy and honorable.  We don't live by unbridled passions-or what we want to do with our bodies, but rather by what God has to say. 

As God has the ultimate authority over our bodies, it is his will that we be holy.  It is God's will that we avoid sexual immorality:  sexual activity outside of marriage (between one man and one woman) that often leads to the problem of abortion and same-sex marriages.  God does not will that we participate in these, but avoid them.

Let us think about what it means to control our bodies in a way that is holy and honorable.

Calling Out Additional Shepherds and Deacons

Over the past weeks, we have been praying about calling out additional shepherds and deacons for the congregation.  Please pick up the forms on the back table.  We encourage everyone to respond. 

• Use the forms on the back table for nominations.
  
• If you have no one to nominate, please indicate that also.
  
• Please put the forms in the box at the back of the auditorium
  
• All information will be kept strictly confidential.
  
• If you have not done so, please pick up a Green Connect Card that contains scriptures and notes concerning the Biblical qualifications.  If you have any questions, please see Charles or Mark.

To my friends & members of Monmouth,
    Thanks you for the lovely flowers.  They brighten up my room .  Everyone that came in my room thought they were lovely.  Thanks so much for your kindness and for your prayers.  They mean a lot to me.  To think that I was loved that much, for everyone to pray for me.  Prayers did work.  Thank you.
                                                            Alice Emmons

November Hostess of the Month Donna Brady