In Focus Church
Focal Lines

Becoming a Messianic Congregation

We are in the midst of some exciting days here at In Focus. For the past several years the Lord has led us on a journey of discovering our Hebraic roots as Christians. The discovery process has proved to be one of both joy and disappointment. There have been joys such as reading the Scriptures from an Hebraic viewpoint and seeing truths we never saw with our westernized Gentile eyes. At the same time, however, we discovered that some of our Christian practices and beliefs had unbiblical origins. All in all, the journey has been one of growth in our understanding of God's Word, our identity in Christ, and how God is bringing believing Jews and non-Jews together as the "one new man."

I appreciate the participation of our members and friends of In Focus in the small group meetings that were held for the purpose of discussing the upcoming transition we are making into a Messianic congregation. The outcome of each of the four meetings was the same. There was the full approval of the transition and a readiness to move forward as a Messianic congregation. The positive response of the congregation confirmed what the Elders believed they had heard from the Lord. It was time to make the shift from certain traditional Christian practices and line up with the true Biblical heritage of our faith. In making changes such as worshiping on Shabbat rather than Sunday and celebrating the annual Feasts of the Lord, we become more of a Messianic congregation than continuing to be a traditional Christian church.

Thus, with the unity of the Elders, full support of the congregation, and in obedience to the Lord's will, In Focus Church will be making the transition into a Messianic congregation. The complete change will be made during the last week of July. The last Sunday service will be held on July 25th. The first Shabbat service will be held on Saturday, July 31st. Please make a note of these dates.

Along with the move to a Shabbat service, there are two other additions to our weekly schedule. On Tuesday evenings, we will have a Yeshiva for adults, youth and children. Yeshiva is the Hebrew word for a school or place for Bible study. On Tuesday, August 3rd we will begin meeting for the first time. The adults will be studying the book titled, Boundary Stones.

The second addition to the weekly schedule is that of a Shabbat meal on Friday evenings. All of our members are encouraged to participate in a Shabbat meal each Friday evening as an individual family with guests or singles and couples getting together for the meal. The purpose of the Shabbat meal is two fold. It first becomes a spiritually enriching way to begin the day of rest. Then secondly, it serves as a Focus Group where fellowship, Bible study and prayer can be shared. As a way of "kicking off" our new practice of having a weekly Shabbat meal, on Friday, July 30th the congregation will meet together for a "covered dish" Shabbat meal where we can all celebrate our new beginnings as one.

What we are doing as a congregation will be viewed by some of our Christian friends and family as something drastic and unnecessary. There will be many questions asked and most will begin with the word, "Why?" I am sure there will be criticism given, as well. I believe we have already counted the cost and are well prepared for what people may say. The peace and joy in our hearts which comes from knowing we are being obedient to our Lord's guidance can not be dampened by the disapproval of others.

I have the feeling there are many Christians in Rome and Floyd County that the Lord has been revealing their Hebraic roots to. They have a stirring within them that has been in us. Our congregation will be a place where Jews and non-Jews can worship together as the Apostles did in the first century. With all this in mind, I can't help but feel that the Lord has brought us to this point for such a time as this. Get ready! We are about to fulfill our destiny.

Shabbat Meal
On Friday, July 30th at 7:00 p.m. we will have our first Shabbat meal as a Messianic congregation. Let's all get together to welcome in the day of rest and share in the joy of our new beginnings. It will be a "covered dish" meal. The Shabbat meal has been conducted for hundreds of years as a way of beginning the day of rest God established at the time of creation. We will be joining with millions of observers around the world as we gather at sundown, light the candle and break bread together in the name of our Lord. Make all the necessary arrangements to adjust your schedule to now include Shabbat each week. You will be blessed.

First Shabbat Worship Service
The last Sunday worship service will be held on July 25th, and the first Shabbat worship service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 31st. A new order of service that will reflect a Messianic approach to worship will be introduced. The fact that we have already been blowing shofars, singing Hebraic music, doing Davidic dance, and wearing the Tallit may cause you to wonder what else is there? You'll have to come to find out. This will be a great opportunity to invite family and friends to join you in worship. Shabbat is the original day of worship and now we have the privilege to freely honor the day as we should.

Rabbi Sekulow to Come
On Sunday morning, July 18th Rabbi Scott Sekulow of Beth Adonai Congregation in Tucker, Georgia will be with us. The Elders have invited Rabbi Sekulow to come address the congregation concerning what we have to look forward to as we become a Messianic congregation. Rabbi Sekulow was with us on Founder's Day 2010 and also led in our congregation's Passover Seder in March. This can prove to be a very beneficial service as we hear directly from a Messianic Rabbi about the key issues that relate specifically to Messianic congregations. Following the address, there will be a question and answer period when you can ask the Rabbi a question. All of our members are encouraged to be present for this special service.

Sunday Nights in July

Making a Smooth Transition
As In Focus Church makes the transition into becoming a Messianic congregation, there are some particulars that need to be covered to assure a smooth transition. Since we will no longer be identified with Protestant denominational traditional Christianity, what can we expect our congregation to be like? Since none of us have been members of a Messianic congregation before, what is to be expected of us? When people begin to ask you, "what do you do and don't do at your church?" What will you say? What will you learn at the Yeshiva? How do you conduct a Shabbat meal? All of these questions will be answered on Sunday evening July 18th at 6:00 p.m. This will be our last Sunday evening class.

Yeshiva to Begin
We have had Yeshiva for the youth on Sunday mornings and a Sunday night Yeshiva for a combined class of adults and youth. With our upcoming change in schedule, Yeshiva will be on Tuesday evenings for adults, youth and children beginning on August 3rd. For the adults, the book titled Boundary Stones will be used as the text. Where does the Torah fit into the life of a Believer today? How do you explain law and grace? These and other questions you have will be answered. The format for the Yeshiva will be that of a small group to allow for discussion rather than that of a lecture presentation. Each member is asked to read the book and attend the Yeshiva so we can as a congregation move forward with the same understanding of what we are doing. The Boundary Stones book will also serve as a new members orientation class in the future.

Church-Wide Fellowship
For our July fellowship, we are going to have a Salad Supper. You can be very creative with your salads. The church will provide salad basics: Spring Mix, Spinach, and Romaine Lettuce. We are asking you to bring your favorite ingredients to make a salad. Then, you will be able to put your own salad together. OR if you would like, you can bring a salad, such as a fruit salad, taco salad, pasta salad, and on and on. The possibilities are endless! Bring your favorite salad dressing also. We will also serve tea and water. Come for the fellowship at the home of the Smith family on Sunday, July 25th, at 6:00 p.m. We will have directions to their home at 187 Tate Estates Rd. The swimming pool will be open for those who would like to go swimming.

Looking Ahead to the fall feasts

September 9th and 10th - Feast of Trumpets

September 17th and 18th - Day of Atonement

September 23rd through 29th - Feast of Tabernacles

Shabbat Shalom!

The theme and purpose of the radio program is to help Christians discover their Hebraic roots. Dr. Coyle will use both the Old and New Testaments to demonstrate how the roots of the Christian's faith grow from deep within rich Hebraic soil.

Have lunch with Dr. Coyle every Saturday. When you sit down for your noon lunch on Saturdays, turn on the radio to WCCV at 91.7 FM and listen to "Shabbat Shalom!" Tell your family and friends about the program.

The topics for July are:

You can listen to earlier programs by checking out the podcast. Go to www.infocuschurch.com and click media, then audio, then podcast. Choose the title of the program that you are interested in.

Love offerings for the radio program are appreciated.

SOAKING SERVICE

Tuesday Evenings

7:00 PM

Altar of Incense

on Tuesday, July 6th

Looking Ahead in July