“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV)

Learning to be gentle is so important for a follower of Christ. Gentleness defuses conflict. It disarms critics. It’s persuasive. It’s attractive. It communicates love.

Most importantly, gentleness makes you more like Jesus. Matthew 11:28-29 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (NIV).

Wait. Does this mean that the stress and pressure you’re feeling in your life are because you are not gentle? Yes. Because the Bible says that the more Christ-like you become, the more gentle you become and the more at rest you will be.

Do you want to be at peace? Do you want to be like Jesus? You can’t just walk out your door and force yourself to be gentle. You can’t manufacture gentleness, because inside you’re still going to be under stress. It’s got to be an “inside” job. It has to be the fruit of God’s Spirit inside you.

I don’t know what burden you are carrying, but I do know the answer to your stress. Jesus wants you to take his yoke upon you. This means he’s going to bear your burdens with you.

And when you let Jesus share your burden, you will walk with him in a close relationship. You will learn how to be gentler and humbler. He will exchange your stress and pressure for his rest and peace.

Talk It Over

• What does it mean to take Jesus’ yoke upon you?
• Have you or someone you know ever used the excuse that you’re just not a gentle person? What other learned traits do we sometimes treat like they are inherent?
• Have you become gentler since you became a believer and received the Holy Spirit? What other differences have you seen in your life?
  
  

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

All Church Lunch: Please join us as we say goodbye to Pastor Mike and Kelly. We will be collecting a love offering and cards, as well as having a church potluck in the FLC immediately after service on April 10. Please bring two sides and a dessert, if you are able!

Men's Lunch: Men meet for a time of food and fellowship every 1st Tuesday of the month at noon at Flat Tire Diner (4700 Old Hickory Blvd, Old Hickory).

Sage Retreat: MidSouth District SAGE Retreat will be held April 4-6th. Click here to see the flyer. A sign up sheet will be at the connection table in the lobby.

Women of Joy Conference: OH Women, please join us October 7-9th in Pigeon Forge to worship and fellowship together.

Men's Conference: OH Men, please join us on May 5th to hear Tim Tebow speak. A sign up sheet will be at the connection table in the lobby.

Youth Bunch to Lunch will be every 2nd Sunday. Teens will meet after worship for lunch and fellowship.

WORKERS ARE NEEDED! Please let us know if you can help in the following areas:

• in the Children's Department.
• to serve as ushers and greeters.
• to volunteer in the food pantry.

CHURCH CENTER: You are invited to join us on the Church Center app! Church Center is a place to connect with small groups and church events, send messages to your group, update your profile, and more! Download from the App Store and connect today. If you have trouble with setting up or updating your profile (make sure your contact information is correct!), see Jenn Houchin.

Food Pantry: The Old Hickory Nazarene location is open by appointment. Please text or call Pastor Mike at (239) 257-8035. Volunteers and non-perishable donations are needed.

Coffee Shop: Uncommon Grounds is open every Monday-Saturday from 7:00 AM-2:00 PM. Invite a friend and use this great outreach to introduce the church to your friends.

GYM: Our gym will be open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8:00am for anyone who wants to walk.

 

BIBLE STUDIES

SUNDAYS
Debbie Woodard leads the Young Adult class in person and via ZOOM for anyone who would like to join.
Meeting ID: 868 1977 8952
Password: Bible101

Kenneth Ray & Gracie Smith lead the Friendship Class in person for anyone who would like to join.

Brice Rupert leads the teens class (grades 6-12), Joey Cook leads the kids class (grades k-5), both in person at 9:00am. We have kids classes for all ages.

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP begins at 10:00am in the sanctuary. The services will continue to be live streamed on Facebook and our website home page for those unable to be with us in the church building.

OH|KIDS CHURCH. K-5th grade kids will gather in the sanctuary at 10:00am for worship then go downstairs for OH|Kids church.

TUESDAYS
Coffee & Community Bible Study every other Tuesday at 9:30am in the Coffee Shop. Next meeting is on March 29.

WEDNESDAYS
YOUTH GROUP meets from 6-8pm. The first hour will be games and snacks and the second will be the Bible study.

Wednesday Night Bible Study with Debbie Woodard is on Facebook Live (from Debbie's page) at 6:30pm.

THURSDAYS
Richard leads prayer and devotional on Thursdays at 7:00 PM via ZOOM for anyone who would like to join. You are invited to join the Thursday Night Prayer Group on the Church Center App. You can quickly submit a praise or prayer request and be in prayer for others as requests come in.
Meeting ID: 894 2501 3143
Password: Prayer605