Author: Neil Smith

Sermon Podcasts now on Google Play

Neil Smith September 2, 2018 Announcement, Sermon

As the WCoC Sermon Podcast gains momentum both here at home, and on the international stage, we are proud to announce that over this past week, our application for a Google Play podcast channel has been approved.

This is great news because it now potentially doubles our reach to the world and allows a much larger audience the option to subscribe to the sermon podcasts.  This is the case because it now makes it much easier for Android subscribers to dial in to the podcast using native apps.  Previously it was sometimes necessary to install additional apps to access the Apple-based iTunes podcasts because of course the iPhone devices favor iTunes; whereas Google Play is favored by Android.

At the time of writing this article, the WCoC podcasts have had over 2,300 hits.  These have been largely in the US, but we have also seen high numbers of hits in some surprising countries including Japan (see previous article) and more recently a growing following in the Netherlands.

We hope that by adding Google Play as a new way to access our podcasts, we will continue to increase our listener base around the globe.

It is fascinating how this new era of internet technology has opened up new and powerful ways to share the word of God and the love of Christ Jesus.  Now Bob’s teachings can reach new brothers and sisters who may not otherwise have regular access to such high caliber sermons as delivered each week by our dear Minister Bob Kolodner.  We are so blessed to have him as our Minister and to have regular access to his wonderful teaching and guidance.

WCoC Minister’s Sermons Big In Japan

Neil Smith July 25, 2018 Church News

Well folks it seems that our esteemed Minister Bob Kolodner is breaking international ground and spreading the word in the far east, without even leaving the country.

So how does one pull off such an amazing feat of daring do?  The answer of course is Podcasts.

While looking at the year to date stats for Podcast listenership we discovered a page that shows not only how many listens the WCoC Podcast channel has enjoyed, but in which countries.  The big surprise was not just how many individual listens the channel has had since January 1st, but where they came from.  Here’s a breakout of the stats.

USA: 612

Japan: 130

France: 10

Russian Federation: 5

UK: 5

Other interesting places with only one or two hits included Ghana, New Zealand, India, Canada and even all the way down under, our friends in Australia.

So we have to wonder who our new friends are in Japan and all these other places that are tuning in to our humble podcast.  Whoever you are, welcome, thank you, and God bless.  We are pleased to have you joining our services and welcome you to our family.  We are blessed to have you all with us.

As a final thought, if that’s the numbers for just year to date, what about the all time number of listeners?  Good question.  We’ve been podcasting for just about two years now and so we wanted to know just how many people have enjoyed Bob’s lessons in total to date.  Can I have a drum roll please….

All Time Listenership 1,595.

Thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement in this podcast initiative.  Unfortunately we have seen some breaks in this service this year when key contributors have been unavailable to make, process, and post the recordings.  We will endeavor to improve on this for the sake of all our international and local friends.

 

 

 

WCoC’s Spring FPU Event

Neil Smith March 12, 2018 Church News

SuperSavingIt was a terrific start to the first Financial Peace University class for 2018 and was kicked off with the Super Saving lesson.  We learned about the importance of saving money, where, when and how to save, and the wonders of compound interest.  A wonderful example of saving and investing is the Ben and Arthur saving model.  In here we learned how two teenagers will retire as millionaires with different fortunes based on when they started, and how much they put in.

This lesson also introduces the 7 baby steps, of which saving is baby step 1 and also baby step 3.  Huh? Yes, there are two distinct savings events when you are working the Dave Ramsey principals for getting out of debt and growing wealth.

Baby Step 1 – Save $1000 for a starter emergency fund

Baby Step 2 – Run the debt snowball paying off debts smallest balance to largest balance.  Details for how this works in a later blog.SuperSaving_002

Baby Step 3 – Build on the starter emergency fund by saving 3 – 6 months worth of expenses in a money market account.  This is not an investment, its insurance: insurance against Mr. Murphy and family.  Therefore we do not worry about earning big interest on this – it just sits there near to hand and only used for a major financial emergency.

 

 

 

Financial Peace University – January Class Postponed

Neil Smith January 14, 2018 Announcement

Unfortunately we are postponing the January 21st offering of Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University until spring.

This decision was made due to such low interest at this time.

There is a signup sheet on the table at the back of the WCoC auditorium for anyone who is interested in attending the class in the spring.  Once we have a few people signed up we will go ahead and schedule a class.  So if you are wishing to attend this wonderful class about handling money God’s way, please be sure to sign up on that sheet: we would love to run another class and share this amazingly simple and practical method for taking control of yours, your children and even your grandchildren’s future.

You can also email Neil Smith to register your interest in attending Financial Peace University in the spring.

 

Financial Peace University Starts in 4 Weeks

Neil Smith December 29, 2017 Church News

Happy new year everyone. 

We hope you have a safe, wonderful and enjoyable 2018 filled with many blessings.  To help you in that endeavor, we are pleased to announce that Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University class is being offered by WCoC for the third time, in the Fellowship Hall starting January 21st at 2:30 PM.  This is a nine week course that could change your life and your future.

DaveRamsey_PhotoIf you have some financial goals for 2018, then this course will certainly be a great start to getting on track for meeting them.  Many members of this church, and also folks from the community have already joined us to study this material.

This class is education, and it’s fun too.  The class starts with a video featuring Dave Ramsey where he explains the concept for that week.  He’s a great presenter and very entertaining. After the video, we all break out into small groups to perform exercises and discuss the topics discussed in the video and explore how they will help you to financial peace.

We hope to see you there on January 21st.  Sign up at Dave Ramsey’s web site, or at the back of the auditorium on Sundays between now and January 21st.

The Beauty of Contentment

Neil Smith November 12, 2017 Sermon

2017-11-12 Bob

In this week’s lesson, Bob continues his theme of living free from worry and helps us find that most precious and illusive state of mind: contentment.

Working from Genesis, Philippians and Timothy, Bob draws on some wonderful scripture that helps us find the secret of being content.

Philippians 4:10

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Click here to hear the podcast of Bob’s sermon ‘The Beauty of Contentment”.

Congratulations class of Fall 2017 FPU Graduates

Neil Smith November 5, 2017 Church News, Community

FPU_Graduation_Fall_2017_SmallAnother successful Financial Peace University class completed it’s ninth and final lesson this week.

And we are so excited for everyone who joined us and learned the Dave Ramsey Baby Steps – a framework for financial success that over the last 25 years has proven effective for countless millions of families across the United States and around the world.

We are proud to offer this course to everyone in our church family and in our community.  The information this course teaches changes lives, as it has already for our dedicated Fall 2017 class members seen here above.  Our thanks to each of you for making this class so much fun to lead.  Your enthusiasm, questions, and support for each other was inspiring to see.  We wish you every success and a speedy path to Baby Step 7.

Our thanks also goes out to our church Elders, Bill Powell and Eddie Perez for their support and participation in this endeavor: Eddie for being our Co-coordinator and making this class possible in the first place, and to Bill and his wife Fran for being with us throughout the course, offering their support, wisdom, candor, and insight during those critical small group breakout sessions.

We are already planning a January 2018 class and hope to be able to offer this course many more times in the future – God willing.  Until then…

Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,

      like a bird from the snare of the fowler.

Proverbs 6:5 – NIV

Why So Worried?

Neil Smith November 5, 2017 Sermon

Bob_Why_So_Worried

In this week’s lesson, Bob talks about the things that we worry about: what makes us anxious.  He then shows us how Jesus helps us to worry less through scripture.  Reading from Matthew and Philippians, Bob gives us some wonderful scriptural tools to think about when we feel anxious about the future.

Matthew 6:25 – 27

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Philippians 4:4 – 7 (some scripture to live by)

Rejoice in the Lord, I will say it again, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Click on the read more button to listen to this wonderful message.

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