ABOUT THE MOVIE:

Synopsis

What if… tells the story of Ben Walker (Kevin Sorbo), who fifteen years ago left his college sweetheart Wendy (Kristy Swanson), and his calling to be a preacher, in order to pursue a business opportunity. Now with a high-paying executive gig, a trophy fiance’, and a new Mercedes, he hasn’t considered a family nor felt the need to set foot in a church.

But God has other plans. While on a thrill ride outside the city, his new car mysteriously breaks down, and he’s visited by a tow truck driver named Mike (John Ratzenberger) who claims to be an angel sent to show Ben what his life would look like had he followed his true calling. Suddenly Ben wakes up in the middle of domestic chaos as his “wife” Wendy and daughters (including Disney Channel’s Debby Ryan) are getting ready for church, where Ben is the new pastor.

Before he can get back to his old life, Ben must first embrace this reality and discover the value of faith and family, and perhaps restore his love for those who were heartbroken fifteen years ago: Wendy…and God. In the tradition of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “The Family Man,” What If… is a story of finding your true purpose in life.

VIEW THE TRAILER:

ABOUT THE MOVIE:

Synopsis

What if… tells the story of Ben Walker (Kevin Sorbo), who fifteen years ago left his college sweetheart Wendy (Kristy Swanson), and his calling to be a preacher, in order to pursue a business opportunity. Now with a high-paying executive gig, a trophy fiance’, and a new Mercedes, he hasn’t considered a family nor felt the need to set foot in a church.

But God has other plans. While on a thrill ride outside the city, his new car mysteriously breaks down, and he’s visited by a tow truck driver named Mike (John Ratzenberger) who claims to be an angel sent to show Ben what his life would look like had he followed his true calling. Suddenly Ben wakes up in the middle of domestic chaos as his “wife” Wendy and daughters (including Disney Channel’s Debby Ryan) are getting ready for church, where Ben is the new pastor.

Before he can get back to his old life, Ben must first embrace this reality and discover the value of faith and family, and perhaps restore his love for those who were heartbroken fifteen years ago: Wendy…and God. In the tradition of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “The Family Man,” What If… is a story of finding your true purpose in life.

VIEW THE TRAILER:

Please plan to attend so that you can be informed and make an informed decision on behalf of your child(ren). They are our future.

Click on the image below to download the PDF

NOTE: Information was taken from www.stsd.org

The celebration continues with Resurrection Sunday Morning Prayer at 8:30 AM which is usually a silent event, but I’m betting that this Sunday it will not be so quiet. Someone, (it might even be me) will be rejoicing aloud at the picture on the devil’s face when he had to stop his three day long party because Jesus didn’t stay dead!

Then Resurrection Sunday School at 9:15 AM where I’ve heard we will be discussing the suffering of Jesus.  Now if you were like me when you were a child and thought it just wasn’t fair! This is your moment to put in your two cents and then have an opportunity to hear another perspective–“Why Did He Do It?  I Mean…Really…Why?”

Resurrection Service will begin promptly at 10:30 AM where we will joined by our guests the Teen Challenge choir who will share awesome testimonies as well.  I know this had to be the longest invite ever, but I’m just soooo excited and hope you are now too!

Blessings,

Pssst… If you’re thinking that you can’t possibly come because you have never been or haven’t been in awhile, or because you have nothing to wear don’t worry about it.  Jesus won’t care! He’s the one who went on the cross for you (and I don’t think He was wearing much on His long painful walk to Calvary.)  He’s the one who prompted me to write this note.  So when you come in, ask for Min. Dee…I’ll be saving you a seat.

Matthew 1:1-17
(Click on scripture to read)

In order to understand Biblical scripture it requires effort.  One must understand the names.  Encoded in each name is another story.  For e.g. Mathew (Gift of Jehovah).  In the book of Matthew, the first thing we see is that Jesus Christ is the Messiah.  Last week Rev. Norma brought forth the purpose of the Messiah.  This week I’m going to bring forth the Genesis of the Messiah.

His first coming was to save and to open up an access way so that you and I could be saved. He came on a donkey. His second coming will be as the Messiah.  He will descend the same way we saw Him ascend.

Abraham (Father of Many Nations), Isaac (Laughter), Jacob (The Supplanter)/Israel (One who prevails with God), Judah (to Praise), Perez (the breakthrough or the Breech) and Zerah (a rising as the sun).

When you praise God something opens. Closed doors open up like the dawning of a new day. You might have been locked out or shut up. however, the sun symbolizes a new day/season in your life.

Tamar (a palm tree)  A palm tree is a sign of victory.  When Jesus entered Jerusalem on the donkey they were waving palms at Him. They laid it on the ground for the donkey to walk on. Even though he was healding to Calvary and that appeared to be a defeat, there is power and victory in the resurrection.

Tamar’s first husband, Er (awake) God considered him evil.  His name suggests that he had knowledge of God and deliberately chose against God.

Tamar’s second husband, his brother Onan (strong) whose name suggests that he has the strength to go through adversity/unfavorable circumstances yet he chooses to practice birth control instead of have any children that would be credited to his brother so God killed him as well.

So Tamar was sent back to her father’s house to await the coming of age of Judah’s third son.  A childless widow twice over.

Circumstances have a way of making us believe that our promises will never come true.  Sometimes we get blinded by our circumstances because we live it on a daily basis.  Some give up.  Tamar didn’t give up.  She went out to get what God promised her.  Her name declared her victory.  She thought to herself, death doesn’t declare my victory. Inside of me there is a breech a breakthrough, inside of me there is a dawning of a new day.  I’m shedding my death clothes and going towards my destiny.

She was denied the third son based on her previous history. She knew there was the possibility of life inside of her. Sitting on the steps of the church with the veil, her father-in-law saw her and desired her. He knew there was something good and was willing to pay for it, give up pieces of his identity to get to it.

People, don’t buy the lies that come your way because of your history.  If you can see your circumstances as the temporary situation that it is, its time frame will be shortened. It won’t last all day.  There is a new day coming. Your breakthrough is inside of you, if you would just connect with the promise inside of you.

Sermon by Sr. Pastor Rev. Ray A. Ricketts
Notes by Min. Dee Stafford

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Sunday

8:30 AM Morning Prayer
9:15 AM Sunday School
10:15 AM Altar Prayer
10:30 AM Worship Service
10:30 AM Children’s Church

Wednesday

7:00 PM Small Groups

If you are in search of a home church, we pray that you will consider Calvary Temple to help you come to know and experience the love of Christ. If you are visiting from out of town we welcome you to worship with us while you are in the area.