In His Image

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. - Genesis 1:27 NIV

This is the written account of Adam’s family line. When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God. He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them “Mankind” when they were created - Genesis 5:1&2 NIV

From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; - Acts 17:26a NIV

Our nation is wrestling with one of the most horrific sins mankind has ever wrestled with. The prejudice, hatred, bigotry, persecution, and violence that is committed because of the color of someone’s skin is appalling. The Book of Genesis shows us that we were created in the image of God. This was intentional. God chose to have each and every one of us bear His Image. When we commit ourselves to sin against our brothers and sisters of a different color, we are sinning against God. There is no rational reason, justification, explanation, scientific precedent, or Biblical teaching that condones this sinful nature.

Luke the Evangelist teaches us in the Book of Acts that God did not create different races of men to inhabit the world. The Bible does not even use the word race in reference to man. We are all descendants of one man. We are one human race of many nations, colors, cultures, and languages. As those who hold the Word of God precious, we have to stand up and embody this truth in our lives.

There’s a song that I learned and loved as a child that I believe is desperately needed today. We all have heard it. It is time that we listened to it and put it in our hearts.

Jesus loves (died for) (rose for) all the little children

All the children of the world

Red, brown, yellow, black and white

They are precious in His sight

Jesus loves the little children

Of the world

My prayer is that we love with the love of Jesus and eradicate this horrific sin that is plaguing our nation.

With love, 

Pastor Joshua Ogle

Today is a Time for Miracles

I am not a woman of Great Faith. . . I am a woman of little faith in a Great God! (Kathryn Kuhlman)

Faith increases in times of desperation. God’s answer to our desperation comes from the power of miracles! As we look at all the miracles in Scripture, we see that before each miracle, there is desperation. Miracles are supernatural interventions by God into situations that would not otherwise change, even the most desperate situations. We who believe in miracles accept them because we have evidence of them. Those who disbelieve in miracles, deny them because they have been taught a doctrine against them being for today.

When Jesus began His ministry, it was a ministry of miracles and when the church began her ministry in The Book of Acts, it was also a ministry of miracles. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the disciples discovered that the same miracles they observed in the Life of Christ were demonstrated through them by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In Acts 1:3, Jesus spoke to His disciples of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God; A spiritual Kingdom with tangible, visible manifestations. When Jesus said in Matthew 3:3, “The Kingdom of God is at hand,” it was a declaration of war on Satan and his kingdom. Jesus coming was clear. 1 John 3:8 - “The Son of God was manifest that He might destroy the works of the devil.” Jesus’ death on the cross sealed His ultimate victory over the realm of darkness and assured the world that God’s Kingdom would continue to expand until the day Jesus would return.

At Pentecost, with the coming of the Holy Spirit, the disciples existing together, were merged into the mystic fabric of the church of the living God and infused with power. By using that same power we are to continue to declare and demonstrate the principles of the Kingdom. That has not changed!! Take the miracles out of the Book of Acts and there is little left. I believe that because the promise of the Holy Spirit is to the “End of the Age,” and because the Holy Spirit is still active and at work in the church, that miracles were not only for yesterday, but they are for today and tomorrow, should the Lord tarry.

There is a Miracle in your Mouth,

Pastor Jo Ann Angelo

Pentecost Together

Hey Tab Family,

As I began to think and pray about Pentecost this year, all I could hear was “Pentecost Together.” About 3 years ago on June 9, 2017, the Church of WNY did an event called Pentecost Together. Churches from all over Western New York gathered together to bring unity and partnership to His church in this region. I reminisced about that day in my mind and even went back and watched the video (http://churchofwny.com/pentecost-together/). What a beautiful time as we gathered on a united front to see the church of WNY have the fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit as one church.

As I really began to press in and ask the Lord what He was saying in all this as we aren’t able to gather like that right now, I received a revelation that it’s not about a gathering with thousands lifting him up; although it was wonderful and I miss it. The Holy Spirit knows no boundaries and He is not confined to a building. He is all around us, in us. What took place in the upper room is still resounding today. The Holy Spirit that was there that day is still with us today, wherever we are. You will receive power not in a specific building, not in a specific place, but right where you are. Peter, after he was filled that day, passionately spoke the prophecy in Acts 2:17-21. It’s still being fulfilled!

I want to encourage you today that the Holy Spirit is still moving. He is still capable of doing all that He promised! The church is a people, not a building. So let’s come again for Pentecost Together; not in a place but in spirit and truth, believing and receiving that God is still doing what He said He would. Holding to the word that states He will pour out His Spirit on all people! Thousands can still lift Him up together and see all the Lord has promised and the Holy Spirit moving in power. Let’s press in together..every man, woman, and child..like never before to see what the Holy Spirit will do like never before. (2 Chron 7:14) I long to see what God will do when His people come together without walls but in humility, prayer, seeking, and repentance. He will MOVE!

In His Name,

Jenn Cupicha

Children's Pastor