Global Day of Prayer: May 23, 2010

The Church On The Rock Sarasota family will be joining together with our North Campus family and nearly 40 other local congregations in a joint local expression of the Global Day of Prayer this coming Sunday, May 23rd at 10am.

You’re invited to join us at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Convention Center as we unite with other local believers to pray as One Body for God to revive His Kingdom and transform our communities! This 10am gathering will take the place of the normal 10:30am service at our Sarasota campus.

The Sarasota-Bradenton International Convention Center is located at 8005 15th Street East along the eastern side of the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

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“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.” Acts 2:1

This celebration marks the 5th year that believers have gathered together in the Manasota region on Pentecost Sunday for the Global Day of Prayer. This is an historic occasion, however, as it is the first time the local congregations have agreed to join together on Sunday morning for this purpose. This means that many congregations which normally meet for weekly services on Sunday morning are sacrificing their usual gathering time for this expression of unity. Previous local Global Day of Prayer gatherings have taken place in the afternoon.

This gathering has been organized as a statement of unity and an effort to bring together the congregations in Sarasota & Bradenton in agreement for God’s Kingdom to expand in this region. Learn more about the local gathering at the official Global Day of Prayer Manasota website.

Leaders expect over 500 Million Christians worldwide to gather in public arenas, private homes and similar prayer and praise gatherings in local communities across the globe. Learn more at the official international Global Day of Prayer website.

We will resume our weekly meetings with a Wednesday evening worship service on May 26th at 6:30pm and the following Sunday, May 30th at our normal 10:30am time.

2 quick reminders for you today.

Time Change

Daylight Saving Time begins tonight! It’s time to “Spring Forward,” so set your clocks ahead 1 hour before bed tonight.

Family Fun Day in Palmetto

We will not be meeting in Sarasota tomorrow. Instead, join us at 10AM in Palmetto (please note the time is 10am instead of 10:30am) for outdoor worship!

Be sure to dress casually and comfortably and bring a chair! After worshiping together with the entire COTR family, we’ll be having a good old fashioned dinner on the grounds. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided, but we’re all bringing side dishes (bring some extra!).

The rest of the day will be full of fun and games — lots of stuff for the whole family.

If you’ve never been to our North campus in Palmetto, you can find it at 1401 14th Avenue West in Palmetto. Click on the map below for printable directions!

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We’ll see you there tomorrow! (And we’ll be back in Sarasota at our usual times Wednesday and Sunday.)

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.” (Psalms 37:23)

Are you looking for direction? Do you need guidance? Pastor Jesse DiMartino shares a word of encouragement just for you in today’s video devotion. He’s also joined by special guest, Joe Corcoran — a recent addition to the Church On The Rock family — who has a powerful testimony of God’s goodness and guidance.

Look to the Lord today and let Him order your steps!

“And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’ So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.” (Galatians 3:8-9)

Pastor Jesse DiMartino returns with guest David G. Johnson in this week’s video devotion to continue the message from last week out of the life of Abraham. You are called and equipped by God to be a blessing!

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Pastor Jesse & David share how God intends to bring the blessing of heaven through you into the lives of those around you. Be encouraged today!

Seek God for the City 2010

Forty Days to Palm Sunday,
February 17 to March 28, 2010

In drastic days, pray great things.

God is about to do the best things He’s ever done in history. That’s why we’re seeking Him for whole cities.

• A tool in the hands of your church to connect with your city in life-giving prayer. This 40-day prayer guide will be used by thousands of churches during the forty days leading to Palm Sunday.
• Opens fresh ways to prayer. Each day gives you a creative way to pray God’s heart from Old Testament and New Testament scriptures.
• Pray beyond yourself for people in every part of your community and each nation on earth.

Before He acts, He wants to be asked.

Pray your way into something great!

“I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:2)

Pastor Jesse DiMartino shares along with special guest, David G. Johnson, about the word God spoke over Abram in Genesis 12. Through that promise, God changed Abram’s identity and empowered him to become the “heir of the world” along with his seed.

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The word to you today is that God has called you and given you an identity: you are the heir of the world and you are a blessing!

“As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” (2 Samuel 22:31)

Pastor Jesse DiMartino shares today that, “You can be confident in the Word of the Lord concerning your life.”

Also in today’s message: important prayer updates regarding outreach to Haiti… and Pastor Jesse speaks a blessing over you! Don’t miss it.

“For He established a testimony in Jacob… which He commanded our fathers, That they should make them known to their children; That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children, That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments;” (Psalms 78:5-7)

Pastor Jesse DiMartino and his daughter, Ali, share about her recent experience battling pneumonia. Let this and other testimonies become reference points in your life regarding the character and nature of God. Call to mind His goodness and faithfulness and receive His best for you!

In Matthew 6, Jesus said, “When you pray…,” “When you give…,” and, “When you fast….” Pastor Jesse DiMartino shares about the power of the disciplines of prayer, giving and fasting.

Have you written out your vision for 2010 yet?

Click here to download the outline that Pastor Jesse refers to in today’s video devotion.

You’re invited to join us in prayer each weekday from 6am-7am at the Church on the Rock Sarasota campus. And be praying about the firstfruits offering on Sunday, January 31st.

Week of Prayer and Fasting 2010

Pastor Jesse has called a church-wide fast this week as part of the “Living In First Place” January firstfruits initiative. The purpose of this fast is to honor God and to be prepared to walk in His power through 2010.

You’re invited to participate by fasting at least 3 days this week. You may choose a water fast, a juice fast, or a “Daniel fast.” Descriptions of these different types of fasts and recommendations for how to choose which is best for you were distributed today. If you need a copy of this information, please contact the COTR Sarasota office at (941) 377-6401. you can download it here.

Regardless of what kind of fasting you choose, you are invited to participate in special corporate prayer this Monday through Friday from 6am-7am. We look forward to seeing you!

Also, if you missed Pastor Jesse’s message from today, you’ll want to get your hands on a copy. He provided significant insight into fasting that will be a blessing to you.