The Value of a Human Person

We are living in a culture that measures the value of the human person by degrees of success and productivity. What is your title? How much money do you make? How many friends do you have? What are your accomplishments? How busy are you? What do your children do? But it is important for us to remember that as we grow older our ability to succeed in this way gradually diminishes. We lose our titles, our friends, our accomplishments, and our ability to do many things, because we begin to feel weaker, more vulnerable, and more dependent. If we continue to look at ourselves from the point of view of success, our condition is not a good one! Because of our strong cultural vision, it is a huge challenge to look at vulnerability not as a negative thing but as a positive thing. Do we dare to look at weakness as an opportunity to become fruitful? Fruitfulness in the spiritual life is about love, and this fruitfulness is very different from success or productivity.

This Saturday, October 18,
9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

We will continue our semester theme:
“Finishing Well” All men are welcome to attend!!!

Women of the PWC Community and your friends--
this is for you!

Women of Faith Bible Fellowship

This Saturday, October 18
from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Become part of this dynamic women’s ministry by growing in your faith and love of Jesus through scripture.

For those of you who have tickets

Casino Night & Dinner
@ PWC

Tomorrow,
October 18, 2025

5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

A night of music, games and friendship!!

Join us for Sunday Worship @ PWC

This Sunday, October 19 at 10:00 a.m.

The 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Make the in-person commitment to be there on Sunday! Praise and Worship Never Ends…..It Must Be Lived!

This Sunday, October 19
9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Please contact Helen Dipree for more information about the Children’s Ministry @ [email protected]

ADULT EDUCATION

This incredible series
continues this coming
Wednesday,
October 22.

Please note new starting time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

In Need of Pastoral Counseling?

Fr. Mike Lessard is available for pastoral counseling on Wednesdays at PWC. Please call the church office to make an appointment at 480-649-0300. 

Children’s Worship Service

Sunday, November 2
@ 10:00 a.m. in Building 4:12.

All are welcome!

At PWC
your tithing & generosity allow us to minister to so many who come through our doors with their spiritual, emotional, and physical needs.

Thank you for your tithing and
commitment to PWC!

From pastoral counseling to grief support, to bible study and adult education, to providing food through Matthew’s Crossing for families who are economically struggling, to Marriage Enrichment and our funeral ministry -- your consistent giving makes a difference, a big change in people’s lives!

Here are the different ways you can tithe to PWC:

• Mail in your gift to: Praise and Worship Center, 2551 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler, AZ 85225.

• Donate on our web page: Donation Form.

• Sign up for monthly giving with a credit card or voided check. Just call the office at 480-649-0300 or stop by the office.

Blood Pressure Checks take place at PWC on the first and third Sundays of the month from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Our medical team is providing the blood pressure checks.

Pizza & Preplanning

Understanding Your Options for Cremation & Burial Guidance on Securing Your Funeral Arrangements

Tuesday, October 21 or
Thursday, October 23

@ 6:00 p.m. Whitney & Murphy Bueler Mortuary
14 West Hulet Drive, Chandler, AZ

Call Ruben Damian @ 480-963-6351 to register.
You are welcome to bring a guest.
This event is free.

Arrive to Sunday service prepared to hear God’s word proclaimed!

The reading for this Sunday, October 19, the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time is 2Corinthians 6:1-13

Here is a synopsis and reflection of the reading:

In this passage, St. Paul speaks with deep urgency and tenderness. He appeals to the Corinthian believers: “As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain.” (v.1) These words remind us that grace is not a passive gift. It is meant to transform our lives and flow outward in love, endurance, and reconciliation. Paul continues with a powerful statement: “Now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation.” (v.2) He is echoing Isaiah’s prophecy, emphasizing that God’s saving work is not a distant hope but a present reality. We are called to live today as people redeemed by Christ—allowing God’s grace to bear fruit in our words, actions, and relationships.

Paul then lists the marks of true discipleship—not comfort or prestige, but endurance through hardship: “in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger.” (vv.4–5) Through all of this, he shows that genuine Christian ministry is marked by integrity, purity, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, and sincere love. It’s a life lived transparently before God and others, even when misunderstood or mistreated.

Finally, Paul turns from exhortation to affection: “We have spoken frankly to you... our heart is wide open to you... open wide your hearts also.” (vv.11–13) This is the heart of Christian community—mutual openness and vulnerability. Paul is modeling what it means to live out the gospel in relationships: not closing ourselves off out of fear or resentment, but loving freely as Christ loved us.

Spiritual Insights

Grace Calls for Response:
God’s grace is not static. It invites us to cooperate with it—turning away from sin, practicing forgiveness, and serving others. To “accept the grace of God in vain” would mean receiving His mercy yet refusing to be changed by it.
Now Is the Time:
We often postpone conversion or reconciliation—telling ourselves we’ll forgive, serve, or pray later. Paul reminds us that today is the moment of grace. God’s timing is always now.
Authentic Witness:
Paul’s list of hardships reveals that Christian credibility doesn’t come from worldly success but from faithful endurance. Holiness often shines brightest in suffering, patience, and steadfast love.
Open Hearts Reflect Christ:
Our faith grows when we risk loving others deeply. Closed hearts lead to isolation; open hearts invite communion and healing. To love as Christ loves is to let others see both our strength and our vulnerability.

Practical Applications

Live Grace Daily:
Each morning, ask: “Lord, how can I make your grace visible today?” This might mean forgiving someone, offering encouragement, or speaking truth gently.
Don’t Delay Reconciliation:
If there’s a strained relationship, take Paul’s words seriously—now is the acceptable time. Reach out. Write a note. Have the conversation you’ve been putting off.
Persevere in Difficulty:
When life feels unfair or burdensome, remember Paul’s example. Endurance in faith is itself a testimony to the world that Christ’s love sustains us.
Open Your Heart in Community:
Be honest with your faith community—share joys and struggles. Let others see how God is at work in you. Mutual openness strengthens the Body of Christ.
Serve Without Expecting Reward:
Like Paul, serve with purity and kindness even when misunderstood or unappreciated. God sees the heart that loves freely.

Please pray for peace in our world, in our community, and in our hearts.

We will see you on Sunday morning for service at 10:00! If you are out of town, please join us on Facebook Live.