American Falls Community Church

02/06/2026

A reminder of our new Lord’s Day Schedule...

Prayer Meeting 9:30AM
Sunday Worship 10:00AM
Fellowship Meal 11:45AM
All church Sunday School 12:30PM

Evening Service, 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month at 5:00PM

02/03/2026

Our new Schedule starts this Lord's Day (see below).

We WILL have our evening worship starting at 5:00pm. Light refreshments and fellowship to follow.

Schedule:
Prayer Meeting 9:30am
Worship service 10:00am
Fellowship Meal 11:45am (every Lord’s day)
All church Sunday school 12:30pm
Evening Service 5:00pm (2nd and 4th Sundays)

01/29/2026

Upcoming Changes!

Starting Sunday, February 8th our Lord’s day schedule will change. Please see below.

Prayer Meeting 9:30 am
Worship service 10:00 am
Fellowship Meal 11:45 am (every Lord’s day)
All church Sunday school (Christian Education) 12:30 pm
Finish 1:30 pm

Also, we will be holding two Evening services starting in February. These are going to be held on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at 5:00 pm (February 8th and 22nd)

01/11/2026

Join us at 6PM for our evening service.

12/14/2025

Join us for our evening service tonight at 6PM.

11/08/2025

Dear AFCC,

This week, we found out we have a leak in our main water line at the church. Because of the nature of the issue and the age of the pipe the elders have decided to replace about 40 feet of the pipe. Unfortunately, this means our water needs to stay shut off until the work is complete by a plumber.

The water may be shut off, but we have a plan for tomorrow (and we've tested our plan). We will have enough water in the pipes to flush toilets, wash hands, etc., because we know the people who live next to the church! We are going to "borrow enough water" to get us by. Stay tuned for how this all came about -- we'll briefly tell you the story during announcements.

We will also have enough pre-filtered water (think water bottles) for drinking water and the coffee will be brewed with pre-filtered water as well. Please avoid drinking water directly from any taps out of an abundance of caution.

Parents!

Parents, please note there is a 6 foot trench from the church's foundation all the way to the shut off valve near the street (see attached). There is a temporary, orange fence around this trench, but it will not hold the weight of a child if they lost their footing. Thus, we are asking that NO CHILDREN go near the trench tomorrow at any time, for any reason. Even though they may be capable of safe observation, we are asking our teenagers to stay away, so as not to cause the younger children to "be like the older kids" and go near the trench.

Please speak with your children before arriving at the church and let's all make sure we consider the safety of our young'ins tomorrow. If you see any child near the area, please interrupt and shepherd them to where they should be.

Yours,
Pastor Nick, for the elders

10/05/2025

Today's Sermon, Ephesians 2:1-3.

a Reformed Church) preaching through our sermon series through the book of Ephesians.

09/04/2025

Adult Sunday School

Dear Church,

A common way Christians explain what it means to be a Christian is something like, “It means to have a relationship with God.” They may even say something like, “Christianity is about relationship, not religion.” Have you heard anyone say that before?

The reality is that every person who has ever lived has a relationship with God. To say it negatively, no one is without a relationship with God. And, for the record, everyone is religious – but that’s another topic for another day!

The question, then, is not if we have a relationship with God but what kind of relationship do we have? The doctrine of total (or radical) depravity should remind us that we are not in a right relationship with God and we are incapable and powerless to initiate such a relationship with God. He is holy, we are not. He is righteous, we are not. He is good, we are not.

Therefore, we need to back the conversation up one more step. We ought to ask ourselves, given our sinful nature and sinful deeds, how a holy God can commune with an unholy people? There is an infinite chasm between us and God because of our sin – how can that chasm be bridged?

Answer: God condescending to meet with us on His own initiative. Answer a little more fleshed out: God condescending and committing Himself to us by grace through the Person and work of Jesus Christ. This is commonly called Covenant Theology (although I'm not trying to define it for us just yet).

The elders have chosen Covenant Theology as the adult Sunday School topic for this Fall. Covenant Theology informs the way we think about God, ourselves, the Bible, substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ, the sacraments of baptism & the Lord’s Supper, how we are to live our lives, and how we should view ourselves together as a church.

In a sentence, Covenant Theology is not peripheral to our theology and life, it is vital.

The elders and I look forward to this important study with you! Don’t forget to attend the prayer meeting at 9:15am before Sunday School at 9:45am.

In Christ,
Nick

04/19/2025

Tomorrow, on Resurrection Sunday we will have brunch at 10AM followed by our 11AM Worship Service. That evening we will gather for a meal and Hymn Sing at 5PM, please join us for a day filled with worship!

03/03/2025

Dear saints of AFCC,

This coming Sunday is “Coffee & Conversations” at my home, 2pm. Come!

We will be discussing how to listen to a sermon. This is a not a joke, nor is it meant to be a rebuke! It is meant to be an initial conversation to remind or equip you regarding how you can do your part in coming to worship prepared, ready, and eager to hear your God speak to you through the preaching of His Word.

We will use the Westminster Larger Catechism Q&A 160 as our guide during our conversation (see that question and a few others below). But before you read those, read the next short paragraph from the Directory of Public Worship (DPW) – the DPW was another document that the pastors and theologians produced when they assembled and wrote the WCF & catechisms.

“The public worship being begun, the people are wholly to attend upon it, forbearing to read any thing, except what the minister is then reading or citing; and abstaining much more from all private whisperings, conferences, salutations, or doing reverence to any person present, or coming in; as also from all gazing, sleeping, and other indecent behavior , which may disturb the minister or people, or hinder themselves or others in the service of God.”

The public worship of God has always been, is, and always will be very serious business! The wise group of pastors who wrote the words above cared deeply about how their congregations prepared for worship, how they participated in worship, and how their worship propelled them to godly living between worship services. And since we're talking about this, you probably already assumed (rightly) that I care deeply about these things too!

Below are the questions from the Larger Catechism that we’ll use to guide our discussion on Sunday.

Until then, serve your King wherever He calls you this week!

Pastor Nick

———

Q. 157. How is the Word of God to be read?
A. The holy Scriptures are to be read with an high and reverent esteem of them; with a firm persuasion that they are the very Word of God; and that he only can enable us to understand them; with desire to know, believe, and obey, the will of God revealed in them; with diligence, and attention to the matter and scope of them; with meditation, application, self-denial, and prayer.

Ps. 19:10; Neh. 8:3-10; Ex. 24:7; 2 Chr. 34:27; Isa. 66:2; 2 Pet. 1:19-21; Luke 24:45; 2 Cor. 3:13-16; Deut. 17:19-20; Acts 17:11; Acts 8:30, 34; Luke 10:26-28; Ps. 1:2; Ps. 119:97; 2 Chr. 34:21; Prov. 3:5; Deut. 33:3; Prov. 2:1-6; Ps. 119: 18; Neh. 8:6, 8.

Q. 158. By whom is the Word of God to be preached?
A. The Word of God is to preached only by such as are sufficiently gifted, and also duly approved and called to that office.

1 Tim. 3:2, 6; Eph. 4:8-11; Hos. 4:6; Mal. 2:7; 2 Cor. 3:6; Jer. 14:15; Rom. 10:15; Heb. 5:4; 1 Cor. 12:28-29; 1 Tim. 3:10; 1 Tim. 4:14; 1 Tim. 5:22.

Q. 159. How is the Word of God to be preached by those that are called thereunto?
A. They that are called to labor in the ministry of the Word are to preach sound doctrine, diligently, in season, and out of season; plainly, not in the enticing words of man’s wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power; faithfully, making known the whole counsel of God; wisely, applying themselves to the necessities and capacities of the hearers; zealously, with fervent love to God and the souls of his people; sincerely, aiming at his glory, and their conversion, edification, and salvation.

Titus 2:1, 8; Acts 18:25; 2 Tim. 4:2; 1 Cor. 14:19; 1 Cor. 2:4; Jer. 23:28; 1 Cor. 4:1-2; Acts 20:27; Col. 1:28; 2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Cor. 3:2; Heb. 5:12-14; Luke 12:42; Acts 18:25; 2 Cor. 5:13-14; Phil. 1:15-17; Col. 4:12; 2 Cor. 12:15; 2 Cor. 2:17; 2 Cor. 4:2; 1 Thess. 2:4-6; John 7:18; 1 Cor. 9:19-22; 2 Cor. 12:19; Eph. 4:12; 1 Tim. 4:16; Acts 26:16-18.

Q. 160. What is required of those that hear the Word preached?
A. It is required of those that hear the Word preached, that they attend upon it with diligence, preparation, and prayer; examine what they hear by the Scriptures; receive the truth with faith, love, meekness, and readiness of mind, as the Word of God; meditate, and confer of it; hide it in their hearts, and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives.

Prov. 8:34; 1 Pet. 2:1-2; Luke 8:18; Ps. 119:18; Eph. 6:18-19; Acts 17:11; Heb. 4:2; 2 Thess. 2:10; Jas. 1:21; Acts 17:11; 1 Thess. 2:13; Luke 9:44; Heb. 2:1; Luke 24:14; Deut. 6:6-7; Prov. 2:1; Ps. 119:11; Luke 8:15; Jas. 1:25.

02/27/2025

In the announcements this past week, we included questions 81 & 82 from the Heidelberg Catechism to help us all prepare to come to the Lord's Table during worship this Sunday.

I summarized those questions this way: we should come repentantly -- and when we come repentantly, we should come expectantly, for the Lord will commune with us! In this post I'll add, if we don't come repentantly, we should not come at all!

The Westminster Larger Catechism expands on what the Heidelberg provides, giving Christians additional and helpful ways to:
1. prepare themselves before they come to the Lord's Supper, 2. understand what is required of us as we are receiving the sacrament of the Lord's Supper in the worship service
3. understand what is required of us after we receive the Lord's Supper (see below for questions).

In other words, according to the pastors and theologians who wrote the Westminster Larger Catechism (using Scripture as their infallible guide), we are not to come to the table flippantly, without considering the significance of the meal, or unprepared. So may we all prepare well, receive the bread and wine in faith with joy & thanksgiving, and put the spiritual benefits of the Lord's Supper into good use after we feast!

Preparing and looking forward to communing with the Lord with you!

Pastor Nick

———

WLC 171, 174, 175

WLC 171: How are they that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper to prepare themselves before they come unto it?

Answer: They that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper are, before they come, to prepare themselves thereunto, by examining themselves1 of their being in Christ2, of their sins and wants3; of the truth and measure of their knowledge4, faith5, repentance6; love to God and the brethren7, charity to all men8, forgiving those that have done them wrong9; of their desires after Christ10, and of their new obedience11; and by renewing the exercise of these graces12, by serious meditation13, and fervent prayer14.

1. 1 Cor 11:28,
2. 2 Cor 13:5
3. 1 Cor 5:7; Ex 12:15
4. 1 Cor 11:29
5. 2 Cor 13:5, Matt 28:28
6. Zech 12:10; 1 Cor 11:31
7. 1 Cor 10:16-17; Acts 2:46-47
8. 1 Cor 5:8; 1 Cor 11:18,20
9. Matt 5:23-24
10. Isa 55:1; John 7:37
11. 1 Cor 5:7-8
12. 1 Cor 11:25-26,28; Heb 10:21-22,24; Psa 26:6
13. 1 Cor 11:24-25
14. 2 Chr 30:18-19; Matt 26:26

WLC 174: What is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper in the time of the administration of it?

Answer: It is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, that, during the time of the administration of it, with all holy reverence and attention they wait upon God in that ordinance1, diligently observe the sacramental elements and actions2, heedfully discern the Lord’s body3, and affectionately meditate on his death and sufferings4, and thereby stir up themselves to a vigorous exercise of their graces5; in judging themselves6, and sorrowing for sin7; in earnest hungering and thirsting after Christ8, feeding on him by faith9, receiving of his fulness10, trusting in his merits11, rejoicing in his love12, giving thanks for his grace13; in renewing of their covenant with God14, and love to all the saints15.

1. Lev 10:3; Heb 12:28; Psalm 5:7; 1 Cor 11:17,26-27
2. Ex 24:8; Matt 26:28
3. 1 Cor 11:29
4. Luke 22:19
5. 1 Cor 11:26; 1 Cor 10:3-5,11,14
6. 1 Cor 11:31
7. Zech 12:10
8. Rev 22:17
9. John 6:35
10. John 1:16
11. Phil 3:9
12. Psalm 63:4-5; 2 Chr 30:21
13. Psalm 22:26
14. Jer 50:5; Psalm 50:5
15. Acts 2:42

WLC 175: What is the duty of Christians, after they have received the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper?

Answer: The duty of Christians, after they have received the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, is seriously to consider: How they have behaved themselves therein, and with what success1; if they find quickening and comfort, to bless God for it2, beg the continuance of it3, watch against relapses4, fulfil their vows5, and encourage themselves to a frequent attendance on that ordinance6: but if they find no present benefit, more exactly to review their preparation to, and carriage at, the sacrament7; in both which, if they can approve themselves to God and their own consciences, they are to wait for the fruit of it in due time8: but, if they see they have failed in either, they are to be humbled9, and to attend upon it afterwards with more care and diligence10.

1. Psalm 28:7, Psalm 85:8; 1 Cor 11:17,30-31
2. 2 Chr 30:21-23,25-26; Acts 2:42,46-47
3. Psalm 36:10; Song 3:4; 1 Chr 29:18
4. 1 Cor 10:3-5,12
5. Psalm 50:14
6. 1 Cor 11:25-26; Acts 2:42,46
7. Song 5:1-6
8. Psalm 123:1-2; Psalm 42:5,8; Psalm 43:3-5
9. 2 Chr 30:18-18; Isa 1:16,18
10. 2 Cor 7:11; 1 Chr 15:12-14

01/15/2025

Dear AFCC,

May the Lord bless you richly as you do all things for His glory today!

As I mentioned last Sunday, our Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF) study is heating up! We are currently in the heart of the gospel as we discuss saving faith (a couple weeks ago), repentance, and good works. Shortly thereafter, we’ll study important sections of the WCF that are often understudied and can be misunderstood in Christendom.

Since the content of the remaining chapters are so important, and to provide better continuity each week, we will study the WCF in Sunday School only going forward. But what about Wednesday nights? Glad you asked…

Starting this evening, we will take some time to “Go Deeper” into the sermon from the previous Sunday. I will provide some questions each week to keep the conversation going. Applied, or practical theology is often neglected amongst Christians and in Christian churches. “Going deeper” together will help us think through how God’s Word affects our daily living.

The elders and I hope that we all will learn better how to live before the face of God as we glorify and enjoy Him, together.

Please come tonight at 7pm as we go deeper together!

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Nick