Weekly Newsletter – December 1, 2025
đź“–Sunday Recap
James closes his letter with a strong reminder: real faith isn’t fragile—real faith endures. He shows us four marks of enduring faith, and each one calls us deeper into a life that rests on God, depends on God, and strengthens one another.
1. Real Faith Refuses Ungodly Priorities (James 5:1–6)
James condemns wealthy oppressors, not because they have money, but because money has them. Their security was in what they owned, and it blinded them to the needs around them.
For the believer, this is a warning and a comfort.
God sees injustice, and God will deal with injustice.
But it also forces us to ask: Where is my hope resting?
Enduring faith refuses to build life on anything temporary—wealth, comfort, possessions, or control. Instead, it keeps eternity in view and invests in what lasts.
2. Real Faith Waits Patiently on God (James 5:7–12)
James tells believers, “Be patient… stand firm.” That kind of patience isn’t passive—it’s endurance. Like a farmer waiting for rain, we wait for Christ while still faithfully doing what He’s called us to do.
Waiting is hard, especially in suffering, but James points us to the prophets and to Job. They stayed with God. They obeyed in hardship. And God was compassionate and merciful toward them.
Enduring faith looks like believers standing together, encouraging each other, refusing to grumble, and trusting that Jesus is near and Jesus is faithful.
3. Real Faith Prays in Every Circumstance (James 5:13–18)
James covers the full range of life:
Suffering? Pray.
Joyful? Pray.
Sick? Pray.
Struggling with sin? Pray.
Need support? Call for believers to pray with you.
Prayer isn’t a last resort, it’s the regular rhythm of a life that trusts Jesus. And James emphasizes something we often ignore: we’re meant to pray with each other, not just for ourselves.
A praying church becomes a strong church. A connected church. A healed church.
“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Not because we’re powerful, but because God is.
4. Real Faith Helps Others Stay on Track (James 5:19–20)
James ends with a picture of spiritual responsibility: believers watching out for believers.
People drift. Usually quietly, slowly, one compromise or one absence at a time.
James says real faith doesn’t ignore that—real faith goes after them.
Not to shame them, but to rescue them.
Not to pry, but because we’re family.
Not because we’re strong, but because we love them.
Enduring faith is never lived alone. God designed His church as a community where people check in, carry burdens, encourage, pray, and hold each other close.
James ends his letter by calling us to a faith that doesn’t collapse under pressure but grows stronger because of it.
A faith that puts priorities in the right place.
A faith that waits patiently.
A faith that prays continually.
A faith that looks after others.
That’s the kind of faith that endures, and the kind of church God uses in powerful ways.
Happening This Week
Sunday
- 9:00am – Worship
- 5:30pm – Thrive (Youth Only)
- 6:00pm – Adult Small Groups
Annual Church Holiday Meal
Wednesday Dec 3 @ 630pm
Join us for our Annual Holiday Meal on December 3 at 6:30 pm at the church. It’s always a special evening of fellowship, good food, and time together as a church family. We hope you’ll join us and share in the celebration.
🗓️ Mark Your Calendar
Congregational Meeting — December 14
We’ll hold a brief congregational meeting immediately following the morning worship service on December 14. All members 16 years and older are encouraged to attend. Sample ballots are available in the back of the sanctuary.
Thrive Christmas Program — December 14
Join us on Sunday, December 14 at 5:30 p.m. for our Thrive Christmas Program. It’s a great chance to celebrate together and support our kids. Cookies will be served after the program.
Men’s Breakfast – December 20 @ 7am
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service – 12/14 @ 6pm
🙏 Prayer Requests
Please be praying for:
Harper Newport – Surgery
Jeff Cralle – Recovery
Keaton Schuh – Pregnancy
Gavin McDowell – Cancer
Family of Shirley Fisher
Angie Hayes – Health issues
Merel Finn Jr. – Cancer treatments
Cherry Anderson – surgery recovery
Jennifer Skodinski – surgery recovery
Dale Weber – cancer
Ginger Boewe – strength
Jeff Scott – broken hand
Joey Parisher -deployment
If you have a prayer request, contact church office at 618-456-8563 or fill out a card on Sunday.
See you Sunday!