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Joplin First Church of the Nazarene

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Joplin, MO
Joplin First Church of the Nazarene

Joplin First Church, founded in 1921, has served Joplin for over 100 years. Sunday School@ 9:30a.m. with Worship Service@ 10:45a.m.

Our mission is to lead people into holy love, discipleship, and Spirit-empowered service with Christlike holiness shaping who we are, how we live, and how we serve our city. Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting@ 6:30p.m. https://tithe.ly/give?c=1772834
Third Sunday every month is Potluck following service.

09/13/2026

Are You Sheepish? — Part 3
Psalm 23 | Pastor Shana

Today we closed out our Are You Sheepish? series with a simple reminder:

We are the sheep. He is the Shepherd.

Our Shepherd provides. He leads us to green pastures and still waters—even when we don't see the work He is doing behind the scenes.

Our Shepherd restores. When a sheep becomes downcast and cannot get back on its feet, a good shepherd goes looking for it. The same is true for us. When we're struggling, exposed, or unable to pick ourselves back up, the Shepherd sees us.

As we approach one year since the Naz Discipleship Place opened, we're seeing that restoration firsthand. One of our original guests, Tiffany, has seen God restore her relationship with her grandchildren. God is still in the restoration business!

Our Shepherd also corrects and protects.

“Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.”

Hebrews 12 reminds us that God's discipline is evidence of His love. His correction isn't meant to destroy us—it produces righteousness and peace in those willing to be led by Him.

So why are we so reluctant to be sheepish?

Why do we wait until we're desperate before allowing the Shepherd to lead?

Let the Shepherd shepherd.

He provides.
He protects.
He restores.
He corrects.
He loves.

And we can confidently say:

“The LORD is my shepherd.”

09/06/2026

Waiting on the Lord | John 15:4–8
Pastor Christy

Sometimes what was missing from our childhood—love, comfort, peace—follows us into adulthood. Before we know it, we can pass the same brokenness to the next generation.

Broken hearts. Anxiety. Addiction. Resentment. Pride. Shame. Guilt.

But what was passed down to you does not have to be passed down through you.

Jesus said, “Abide in me, and I in you.” (John 15:4)

When we can’t carry the weight anymore, God invites us to bring it to Him. Through Jesus Christ, there is forgiveness, freedom, and a new way forward.

Surrender all of your life to Him. Abide in Him. Let His Word become etched into your heart—and start walking in the freedom He gives.

If you haven’t surrendered it all to Him, do it today.

08/30/2026

🐑 ARE YOU SHEEPISH? — THE DWELL DECISION

We all follow someone. We were designed to look for a leader. And the nature of sheep is to follow.

But here’s the question: What follows you?

Psalm 23:6 says, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…”

If we are truly following the Shepherd, goodness and mercy ought to be evident in the steps we leave behind.

What would our coworkers say follows us?
Our classmates?
Our spouse?
Our children?

Look closely at your last few steps. Do you see goodness and mercy? If not, adjust your path.

Sheep stumble. But sheep who follow remain willing to be guided, corrected, and protected by the Shepherd.

David was confident: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me.” But he was also conscious of just how good God had been to him: “My cup runneth over.”

We don't deserve it. We didn't earn it. We simply remain grateful for the goodness and mercy of our Shepherd.

Then David makes his decision:

“I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

Every sheep has a dwell decision.

Not just when we're beside still waters.
Not just when we're lying in green pastures.
But even when the path leads through the valley of the shadow of death.

So, are we following Jesus only as long as it's convenient and comfortable?

Or have we reached the place where we can say:

I have decided to follow Jesus.
No turning back.
Count me in.

08/23/2026

Are You Sheepish? Part 2 — The Path 🐑

“The Lord is my shepherd…” — Psalm 23

Following the Shepherd doesn’t mean every path will be green pastures and still waters.

Sometimes the path goes through the valley.

Nobody chooses the valley over the pasture. But being Sheepish means desiring His presence more than our pleasure.

“He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” — Psalm 23:3

We may not understand the path. We may not like the path. But surrender is the ultimate sign of being Sheepish.

If His presence isn’t there, I don’t want to go. A land flowing with milk and honey without the Shepherd isn’t a place for me.

And sometimes we look back at the hardest seasons and ask, “God, where were You?”

Only to discover those were the moments He was carrying us.

The Sheepish have tasted the green pastures, but they also may walk with a limp from what they’ve been through—with the Shepherd right beside them.

We don't always get to choose the path. We do get to choose whether we'll follow the Shepherd.

The path may be difficult, but the Shepherd is faithful.

🐑 Keep following. The path has a purpose.

08/22/2026

Get out here to the Back-to-School Bash before these adult kids tear up the bounce house! 😂
(See video in comments)

🌭 Free hot dogs, chips, and juice pouches
🎟️ Free door-prize raffles
👕 Free clothing giveaway
🏰 Bounce-house fun

Located in the Gym due to forecasted rain.
Everything is FREE—bring the family and come see us!

📍 Joplin First Church of the Nazarene
2124 Utica St., Joplin, MO

08/16/2026

Powerful message from Pastor Shana today — “Are You Sheepish?” 🐑

One thing really stuck with me:

We are called to be ewes, not shepherds. There is only ONE Shepherd.

“The LORD is my shepherd…” — Psalm 23:1

A ewe doesn’t determine the path. She trusts the shepherd enough to follow where he leads.

If we have truly surrendered something to God, we have to allow Him to shepherd us through it.

We cannot give something to the Shepherd and still insist on holding the shepherd’s staff.

He leads.
He provides.
He protects.
We follow.

Maybe the question for us today isn’t simply, “Are you sheepish?”

Are you willing to be shepherded? 🐑✝️

08/03/2026

Want some ribs like these?

The Naz Shelter and Outreach Center will be hosting a BBQ and Baked Goods sale fundraiser on Saturday, August 8th.

2124 Utica St 12PM until 6PM or sold out!

Suggested Donation:
Full Rack of Ribs + 2 Large Sides - $30
Half Rack of Ribs + 2 small sides - $20
Pulled Pork Sandwich + 1 small side - $10

100% of funds will go toward supporting the shelter and The Discipleship House Recovery Program. Please consider supporting these worthy causes!

08/02/2026

God will never say anything that contradicts His Word.
God won't tell you to compromise your convictions. He won't call sin acceptable. He won't lead you away from His truth or His people. His voice is always consistent with His character and His Word.
When there are countless voices competing for our attention, the safest place to tune our hearts is to the voice of the Good Shepherd.
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." — John 10:27

Don't build your life on what feels right. Build it on what God has already said.

Address

2124 Utica Street
Joplin, MO
64801

Telephone

+14176233455

Website

facebook.com

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