1. Do I Really Need Church? October 14, 2012

2. “And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power…” Matthew 10:1

3. How important is church really?

4. “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:28

5. God created the church so I could belong to the Body of Christ “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:18

7. We exist to transform lives in the DC metro area through an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ founded upon the life and teachings of the Orthodox faith.

8. “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods… Acts 2:42-47

9. …and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47

10. 1)Community/fellowship 2)Worship/prayer 3)Doctrine/spiritual growth 4)Sacrifice/giving 5)Evangelism/witnessing The Five Pillars of STSA

11. Community Growth Worship Giving Witnessing

12. COMMUNITY Limitless Acceptance Authentic Community

13. “so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” Romans 12:5

14. Life & Leisure Groups

15. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. Acts 2:44-47

16. WORSHIP Transformational Communal Worship Passionate Pursuit of God

17. “I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD." Psalm 122:1

18. Prayer team

19. SPIRITUAL GROWTH Christ-like Integrity Faith-filled Vision

20. “that we should no longer be children,…[but] may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ” Ephesians 4:15

21. Membership Classes

22. SACRIFICE/GIVING Irrational Generosity Faithful Stewardship of Talents/Gifts

23. Tithing & Volunteering

24. WITNESS/EVANGELISM Personal Call to Evangelism Genuine Love for Community

25. The Well & The Website

26. “You that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven” Matthew 16:18-19

27. Who’s in?