Artwork: “Earnestly Desire the Spiritual Gifts” & “Spirit Come & Consume Us”

This fall, our series in 1 Corinthians has focused much of our attention on the spiritual gifts. To that end, we’ve enjoyed hosting a workshop on the Spiritual Gifts and releasing a Park Church Music single by Becca Griffis.

These shared efforts have shared artwork: an image of a building under construction with a “murmur” of birds flying overhead. The intended meaning is simple: in 1 Corinthians 14:12, we who are “eager for manifestations of the Spirit” are charged by Paul to “strive to excel in building up the church.” Likewise, in John 3:8, Jesus tells us, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Though our individual lives feel much smaller, the Church in whole is not. How grand is the scope of what the Spirit is building up? In the same way, though we can’t visualize the wind, how do God’s people move like a flock of birds, born of One who works even higher? However, as with all artwork, this is just one interpretation. What does it make you think?

Ministry Partner Highlight: Scarlet Hope

This past Sunday, we had the opportunity to hear from Cassidy, the Director of Scarlet Hope Denver, about the work they do in Denver. If you missed her invitation to action and partnership, you can re-watch her announcement above.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to love our neighbor through the joys of life and through its pains. We are called to be there in times of righteousness and in times of injustice. At Park Church, we encourage everyone who calls Park home to live this mission. As always, we are inviting our community to participate, loving and serving our neighbors by getting involved with one of our Missions Partners. Scarlet Hope is a great example of this kind of opportunity!

Mission and Action:
Scarlet Hope seeks to love and serve those who are in the adult entertainment industry and to share Jesus with those who are exploited and trafficked.

Who is Served:
Scarlet Hope serves those in the adult entertainment industry and often connects with and serves those who are being trafficked.

Why is it Important:
There are 65+ adult entertainment establishments in Denver. Colorado is ranked 15th in the U.S. for highest volume of signals to made to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Learn more about trafficking and exploitation in Denver. (Source Scarlet Hope).

Ways to Serve:
There are opportunities to serve with Scarlet Hope’s Outreach (going into clubs to share Jesus and care for the women there) or by providing meals taken to the clubs.

Give:
You can give by visiting Scarlet Hope’s website.

1 Corinthians 15:1–34: The Cross & the Resurrection

The culture of our city has the power to shape us in more ways than we might know. When Christians conform to the desires, values, and practices of their city, it creates real problems in the church. In 1 Corinthians, Paul writes to a messy church experiencing all sorts of city-shaped problems. To confront these problems, Paul reminds the church of who they are in Christ and calls them to live with a Christ-shaped vision for life.

1 Corinthians 14:1–5, 26–40: Prophecy

The culture of our city has the power to shape us in more ways than we might know. When Christians conform to the desires, values, and practices of their city, it creates real problems in the church. In 1 Corinthians, Paul writes to a messy church experiencing all sorts of city-shaped problems. To confront these problems, Paul reminds the church of who they are in Christ and calls them to live with a Christ-shaped vision for life.

1 Corinthians 14:1–28: Tongues

The culture of our city has the power to shape us in more ways than we might know. When Christians conform to the desires, values, and practices of their city, it creates real problems in the church. In 1 Corinthians, Paul writes to a messy church experiencing all sorts of city-shaped problems. To confront these problems, Paul reminds the church of who they are in Christ and calls them to live with a Christ-shaped vision for life.

1 Corinthians 13:1–13: The Primacy of Love

The culture of our city has the power to shape us in more ways than we might know. When Christians conform to the desires, values, and practices of their city, it creates real problems in the church. In 1 Corinthians, Paul writes to a messy church experiencing all sorts of city-shaped problems. To confront these problems, Paul reminds the church of who they are in Christ and calls them to live with a Christ-shaped vision for life.

Praying for Missions Partners in Lebanon

On Sunday, October 6, we highlighted the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, where our Global Missions Partner, Marwan Aboul-Zelof, and his family live. Marwan helped plant City Bible Church, an English-speaking church in the heart of Beirut, Lebanon. As the conflict rages around them, we are calling our community to pray for Marwan, his family, their church, and peace in Lebanon.

Below you will find a resource guide to pray through, in addition to other ways to engage. Please lift up our brother Marwan and pray for safety, protection, and peace.

Pray & Engage

Prayer Resource: Prayer & Lament for Lebanon

View & Download Guide

October 1 Podcast with Marwan

Marwan recently was a guest on The Check-in Podcast by the Telos Channel. In the episode linked below, he shares more on the conflict, additional ways to pray, and more context into what is happening in Lebanon.

On Spotify:

On Apple Podcasts:

For the Nations CCB Group

Stay up-to-date on Marwan, City Bible Church and our other Missions Partners by joining the For the Nations Group on CCB.

Join CCB Group

1 Corinthians 12:12–31: The Body & The Gifts

The culture of our city has the power to shape us in more ways than we might know. When Christians conform to the desires, values, and practices of their city, it creates real problems in the church. In 1 Corinthians, Paul is writing to a messy church experiencing all sorts of city-shaped problems. To confront these problems, Paul reminds the church of who they are in Christ, and he calls them to live with a Christ-shaped vision for life.