Weekly Devotional

“Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” Acts 10:47. First, Peter had to be convinced to even go to the home of a gentile—even one that was as devout as Cornelius. God’s people had always been just the Jews. But even Jesus, knowing that the kingdom would soon be open to all by faith, was willing to go to another centurion’s house in Mark 8 but was kept from it by that soldier’s great faith. How the believers with Peter must have marvelled as the apostle shared the gospel with Cornelius and his household—and were even more surprised when the Spirit allowed them to speak in tongues and extol God! Already having used the keys of the kingdom to open the door of the church to the Jews in Acts 2, Peter now used them to admit the first gentiles eight chapters later, even remarking that they had received the Spirit of God “just as we have.” Notice, though, that this was only the second time that God chose to give His Spirit before baptism (stated here as the way in!). What about all the many conversions between Acts 2 and 10 who had only received the gift of the Holy Spirit when they were baptized? 

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“But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty, and many are those who hate me wrongfully. Those who render me evil for good accuse me because I follow after good” Psalm 38:19-20. I grew up with Wile E. Coyote never ceasing his pursuit of Road Runner. Falling off cliffs or having the latest ACME order blow up in his face were not reasons for the predator to desist. Evil is relentless. This is David’s experience … and perhaps yours as well. As the Road Runners in this dark world, we look out at the Coyotes’ reckless hate that never stops and question how we can go on. But, if you remember from the cartoon, the Road Runner was never focused on he was the target. He just lived and survived, but instead of happenstance, followers of Christ survive because we trust in a good God’s intervention. Yes, the world will hate you just because you “follow after good,” but we are wise to adopt a Road Runner perspective in the way we allow the wickedness around us to affect us. To add in other animals to this illustration—we must be as shrewd about evil as serpents (not purposely walking into the traps like Road Runner often did) while being innocent as doves!      

Wednesday Afternoon Bible Study

We will start back with our Wednesday afternoon Bible study on October 4th at 1PM.

Centennial Form

We are asking each member at 36th Street to fill out a Centennial information form.

Please click this link to access the form:

https://form.jotform.com/220774339453157

Also, if you know of former members or others connected to 36th Street in any way, please give them this link and request they fill out a form.

This is an automated form, so all you have to do is click 'submit'.

Thank you!

ONLINE GIVING IS NOW AVAILABLE (TITHE.LY)

We are now able to accept contributions and donations online. 

YOU CAN MAKE A CONTRIBUTION OR DONATION HERE:

https://tithe.ly/give?c=1322070

DO YOU HAVE A MEMBER ACCOUNT?

Attention:  36th Street Members

Our website contains much useful information for you as a member of the 36th street congregation.  We are updating and improving www.36thstreetchurch.com on an ongoing basis.

In order for you to take advantage of the full (members-only) benefits of the site, you need to set up a personal account on the site.  It's easy to do - just go to the homepage of the website and click on the 'MEMBERS' tab and select 'REGISTER' from the drop-down menu.  You will need to complete the form there and set up a username and password.  Your request will be forwarded to a web administrator, who will review the form and set you up in the system.

We encourage you to access the website and see how it can benefit you.