Elmvale Community Church

10/13/2026

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭

10/08/2026

#3 The Church is the bride of Christ.

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.” – Ephesians 5:25-27 ‬‬

The Apostle Paul uses the marriage relationship as an illustration of the way Christ loves the church. Collectively, we are His reward.

We’re stronger when we stick together.

Loose, scattered stones do not comprise a building. As part of His holy sanctuary, we should be connected and situated on the foundation of Jesus. We’re held together by the mortar of His truth and our love for one another.

We’re more effective when we work together.

Jesus is no longer physically on the earth, but we can be His hands and feet. To accomplish our mission, we contribute our talents, time and tithes given by Him.

We’re more beautiful when we celebrate together.

A single flower is lovely, but a bouquet is splendid. A single instrument plays a tune, but an orchestra plays a symphony. We become a radiant bride when we love each other as Jesus loves us!

10/07/2026

#2 – The Church is the body of Christ.

“For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 12:12 HCSB

The Bible describes the Church using an analogy of the human body.

As the body of Christ, the Church is an organism, and each part has a specific function.

No one part can exist alone.

We each have gifts to use to strengthen and help other members of the body.

When we come to Christ, God gives us spiritual gifts, special abilities we use for the good of others (Rm 12:5–8).

Every member’s contribution is vital.

10/06/2026

Church, as God designed it, is essential to the Christian faith.

What is the Church?

“Church” is not a building, a club, or a denomination. The New Testament word for “church” is ekklesia, a “calling out” or “a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place.”

The Church refers to a Christian community.

As believers, we are all a part of the universal Church, “called out” to belong to Christ.

The New Testament also refers to the local church—specific groups of believers who gather together to “devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer” (Acts 2:42).

Church is important to God because He beautifully designed it for His children to care for one another and draw others into the family—the Church.

The Church is Important Because It’s God’s Plan

The Bible uses three metaphors to illustrate God’s plan for His church.

#1 – The Church is a gathering of believers where the Holy Spirit resides.

“Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.” – Ephesians 2:20 HCSB

The Church isn’t a literal brick-and-mortar building but a gathering of believers filled with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus introduced His building plan when Peter proclaimed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Mt. 16:15-16).

This truth—that Jesus is the Messiah—forms the foundation on which Jesus would build His Church.

With a play on words, Jesus said, “Peter, you are Petros, a rock or pebble. Upon this petra, this bedrock (this foundational truth), I will build My church” (Mt 16:17–18).

God is building something so strong that even Hell’s forces cannot destroy it.

The Apostle Paul told the Gentile believers in Ephesus that they were a part of God’s construction project—with Jesus as the cornerstone.

The Apostle Peter called us living stones (2 Pt 2:5). We’re all a part of a magnificent temple where God’s Holy Spirit lives (Eph 2:19–22).

By Margaret Kemp

10/05/2026

Just had to share! 💖

Oh yes, she does! And if she could shout it from the rooftops, she’d tell you about her Jesus there too. Although, knowing me, I’d get up there and need Him to help me back down 😂

He comes up in conversation because He’s part of the things I’m telling you about. How I got through every awful season, why I stopped believing every cruel thought in my head, how I’m learning to live without apologising for taking up space.

There are things I can talk about quite casually now that I once couldn’t say without crying. And I remember the prayers behind them, the days & nights I had no lovely words, just, “Jesus, please.” I remember opening my Bible because I needed something kinder and truer than what I was telling myself.

I still have pain, still have days when my thoughts run away with me, still bring Him things we’ve talked about many times before. But I’m getting to know the One who meets me there, and oh my, there’s so much to love about Him .

He’s a God who knows the heart and everything we carry within it, even the things we’re frightened to admit. He wants yours, mine, theirs. I keep talking about Him because I want people to know they can come to Him too, without having to tidy themselves up first.

And here’s the truth I keep coming back to, we don’t get a practice life and then another go once we’ve figured everything out. This one earthly life is the last stop before eternity. That makes the conversations matter,including the little ones over coffee, where someone finally feels safe enough to ask about Him.

So imma gonna preach in any way I can, through my writing, socials, my conversations, a voice message that goes on far too long, and hopefully through the way I love people too.

“As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” -Acts 4:20, NIV.

Jesus has loved me through things I’m still finding the words for. Of course I’m going to keep talking about Him.

Little Sparrow Loved

littlesparrowloved.com

10/02/2026

This is your reminder that every new day brings us a fresh chance to bring ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ right here on earth, just as it is in heaven.
We’re not here to live for ourselves. So, let's be human mirrors of Heaven, reflections of the One who created us to bring light to every person who crosses our paths.

Let's share joy with those who are hurting.

Let’s give generously of our time and money to the church we call home.

Let’s encourage others who are facing difficult challenges.

Let’s exhibit gratitude for our church family and the differences that make us beautiful.

Let’s spread kindness, compassion and forgiveness.

Let’s spark peace and harmony in our pews.

Let’s shine bright for newcomers and guests.

May we let Elmvale know what - or rather Who - we are made of.
Go, therefore, and give 'em heaven!

10/01/2026

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.””
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭4‬ ‭

“and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬ ‭

“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭17‬ ‭

“So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ ‭

09/30/2026

“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭

“For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬ ‭

“For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭14‬ ‭

09/29/2026

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ ‭

“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭4‬ ‭

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭

09/25/2026

The Birth of Perez and Zerah: Establishing the Messianic Lineage

This seemingly minor detail carries profound messianic significance.

Perez became the direct ancestor of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ, as Matthew’s genealogy confirms. The lineage implications reveal God’s redemptive purposes working through human brokenness. From an illicit union born of desperation and deception, God established the royal line leading to humanity’s Savior.

The scarlet thread that marked Zerah’s hand perhaps foreshadowed the blood that would mark salvation’s path.

Through Judah and Tamar’s story, readers discover that God specializes in bringing redemption from the most unlikely circumstances.

(Excerpts from this week’s posts taken from answeredfaith.com)