Our congregation is comprised of people from diverse backgrounds and life situations. However, we all have one very important thing in common: We are sinners saved by the Grace of God through our allegiance to Jesus the King. If you are seeking a deeper relationship with God or looking for a church home, we welcome the opportunity to talk with you.
The Children’s Ministry is hosting a community Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19th, at 10:00 am right here at the church building.
We’re opening it up to everyone – friends, family, neighbors – the more the merrier! We anticipate a fun-filled morning of springtime joy and festive searching.
We’re asking for donations of plastic eggs, candy (individually wrapped candies are best!), and small Easter baskets. Any contribution, big or small, will be greatly appreciated and will help us create a truly memorable experience for all the children. If you’re able to donate, please drop off your items at the church office by April 15th.
A Day of Fellowship, Saturday, April 26th, at the home of the Bidwell’s, 3290 Creek Stable Rd, Noon to 3:00pm. Hot Dogs and Hamburgers will be served or bring your own meat. Please RSVP by signing up in the foyer or contacting Troy (850) 445-7636 or Erin (850) 445-1100.
Starting in January, there will be a combined Wednesday evening class covering the book, Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman. A pastor’s journey from being a fan of Jesus to a committed follower, with tools to examine relationships with God, determine if following Jesus or rules, pray like Jesus, and live for Him. Not a Fan invites you to make Jesus not merely the object of your admiration, but the very center of your life.
Join us at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Discipleship in John’s Gospel is not about information so much as it is invitation. It is an invitation from Jesus to “come and see” who Jesus and is and what he is all about. It is also an invitation to follow. The word “disciple” appears in the Gospel of John more frequently than anywhere else in the Bible. Through intimate encounters with Jesus, as well as profound statements by Jesus about himself, we will come to see that discipleship is defined by transformation, relationship, abiding, and mission.
Title: Beginning the Journey of Discipleship in John’s Gospel
Text: John 1-21
Big Idea: Introduction to the Gospel of John and a preview of its theme of discipleship.
Title: “Curiosity and Invitation: The Beginnings of Discipleship”
Text: John 1.29-51
Big Idea: Jesus’ call is not a command, but an invitation. Jesus invites seekers into relationship, meeting them where they are as they begin to rediscover themselves through discovering him.
Title: “Reborn: The New Life of Discipleship”
Text: John 3.1-10
Big Idea: Discipleship begins with a new beginning. It requires surrendering our old assumptions and allowing God to reshape how we understand reality and our place within it.
Title: “The Satisfaction of Discipleship”
Text: John 4.1-30
Big Idea: Following Jesus requires facing our brokenness, letting go of our painful past, and allowing him to heal our deepest self. We can, then, serve as witnesses to his grace.
Title: “Commitment Over Convenience: The Cost of Discipleship”
Text: John 6.22-40, 52-71
Big Idea: Disciples follow when the teaching is hard and following is costly. While many may show up for what Jesus gives, disciples stay for who he is.
Title: “The Journey Towards Clarity”
Text: John 9.1-12, 24-34
Big Idea: As we follow Jesus more closely, we begin to see more clearly. Disciples grow in courage as they walk in the light.
Title: “Discipleship as a Resurrected Reality”
Text: John 11.1-6, 17-44
Big Idea: Discipleship requires following Jesus beyond the veil of death. Jesus enters and transforms our grief.
Title: “Walking in Light: Choosing Faith Over Fear”
Text: John 12.20-36
Big Idea: Discipleship requires a deceive response. To follow Jesus is to step out of darkness into light, trusting him even when the path ahead is unclear.
Title: “Following the Pathway of Love”
Text: John 13.1-20, 34-35
Big Idea: Discipleship is fundamentally defined by our love for others. To follow Jesus requires sacrificial service and humility.
Title: “Abiding in Him”
Text: John 15.1-17
Big Idea: Discipleship is sustained not by striving harder, but by abiding in Christ. As we remain connected to him, our lives are shaped by love and resist spiritual burn-out.
Title: “Oneness in Love, One in Mission”
Text: John 17.6-26
Big Idea: Jesus prays that his disciples would be formed into a unified community marked by love, truth, and shared mission. Discipleship is never merely personal; it is deeply communal and outward facing.
Title: “Running Toward Resurrection Hope”
Text: John 20.1-6
Big Idea: Resurrection enables and animates discipleship. Without the resurrection discipleship loses its ability to change lives. Even when confusion and grief remain, disciples move toward hope, trusting God is at work beyond what they can see.
Title: “Believing Without Seeing”
Text: John 20.19-31
Big Idea: Discipleship is grounded in resurrection faith. Jesus meets us in doubt and fear, calling us not to certainty, but to belief that leads to life and peace.
Title: “Restored and Sent”
Text: John 21.1-19
Big Idea: The risen Jesus restores broken disciples and recommissions them for mission. Discipleship continues not despite failure—but through grace, forgiveness, and renewed calling.
Starting in January, there will be a combined Wednesday evening class covering the book, Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman. A pastor’s journey from being a fan of Jesus to a committed follower, with tools to examine relationships with God, determine if following Jesus or rules, pray like Jesus, and live for Him. Not a Fan invites you to make Jesus not merely the object of your admiration, but the very center of your life.
Join us at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Psalm 1 Brueggemann, pp. ix-xvii
Psalms 15, 119 Brueggemann, pp. 1-8
Psalms 8, 33, 104, 145 Brueggemann, pp. 8-15
Psalms 37, 14; 111, 112 Reading:
Psalms 13, 22, 35, 86 Brueggemann, pp. 17-28 (Ch. 2)
Psalms 74, 79, 137, 139 Brueggemann, pp. 63-81 (Ch. 5)
Psalms 88, 89, 109 Brueggemann, pp. 29-41 (Ch. 3)
Psalms 32, 50, 51, 81
Psalms 30, 34, 40, 138
Psalms 2, 18, 47, 72, 93, 96, 114 Brueggemann, pp. 43-52
Psalms 23, 27, 91 Brueggemann, pp. 52-62
Psalms 103, 113, 117, 135, 146-150
The Bible does not romanticize restoration. Rebuilding is slow, difficult, and costly. The story of Ezra-Nehemiah follows the life of one community looking to rebuild their home and temple, inch-by-inch, in the aftermath of crisis. Facing opposition from without and fracture from within they learned what it means to belong to God and to one another in such a broken community, and that progress is often punctuated by cycles of regress. Inspired by this story of post-exilic restoration, we will reflect on our own community here at Meridian Woods. What do we need to rebuild here? What lies in shambles that needs restored? Are there things that simply need torn down? What challenges do we face now, and how can we meet them head-on together? Perhaps most importantly: how do we develop a shared work ethic that moves us toward our calling together? Digging deeper into discipleship is not a private, individualized pursuit. It is a communal journey undertaken with others who have a mind to work.
Title: God-Inspired Vision: When God Stirs the Heart (Ezra 1.1-4; 3.1-13)
Title: Adversity and Perseverance: The Long Interruption (Ezra 4.1-5; 4.24-5.2; 6.13-22)
Title: The Ready Scribe and the Gracious Hand of God (Ezra 7-9)
Title: Prayer-Driven Action: What to Do with Bad News (Neh 1-2)
Title: Confronting Opposition: Remember the Lord and Pick Up the Trowel! (Neh 4.1-23)
Title: The Enemy at the Gate and the Enemy Within (Neh 5-6)
Title: The Book, the People, and the Dedication (Neh 7.73b-8.18; 9.1-5; 12.27-30, 43; 13.10-31)
In this series, we will examine the subtle but dangerous forces that pull followers of Jesus off course. From the paralyzing pull of the past to the fracturing effect of divided loyalty; from the crushing weight of worry and fear to the soul-shrinking trap of comparison and the breathless pace of busyness—each distraction promises something but ultimately delivers us away from Jesus. As part of our year-long journey of “Digging Deeper into Discipleship,” this series invites us to identify what has captured our gaze, lay aside every weight, and fix our eyes once again on the author and perfecter of our faith.
Title: Jordan Barr | The Distraction of Looking Back (Ex 16.1-8; Num 14.1-11; Gen 19.26; Lk 9.57-62)
Title: Jordan Barr | The Distraction of Divided Loyalty (1 Kgs 18.17-21, 36-40; James 1.5-8; 4.1-4)
Title: Michael Moore | The Distraction of Worry (Matt 6.24-34; Phil 4.4-7)
Title: Jeff Douglas | The Distraction of Fear (Matt 14.22-33; 1 Jn 4.18)
Title:Reggie Minor | The Distraction of Comparison (Jn 21.20-22; Lk 18.9-14)
Title:Jordan Barr | The Distraction of Busyness (Lk 10.38-42; Num 11.10-15)
We hope that what you see here will encourage you to come and worship with us at the Meridian Woods Church of Christ. Meridian Woods is a church that was established as an outreach to the college campuses in Tallahassee, but has become so much more.
We have ministries that reach people of all ages and backgrounds, sharing with them the good news of Jesus Christ. In the next few pages you will find information about answering many of the questions you may have.
To create an atmosphere where people from all walks of life can serve God in genuine unity (Calling); to follow wholeheartedly the will of God as He transforms us through the Holy Spirit, His Word, and prayer (Commitment); to connect people, (Action) Each as a means to glorify God.
We believe that God is the creator and ruler of the universe. We serve One God who has a Tri-Nature: God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit. Because of His great love for us the Father has provided salvation for us by giving His Son to be a propitiation for our sins.
See Gen. 1:26, 27, 3:33; Ps. 90:2; Matt. 28:19; 1 Pet. 1:2; 2 Cor. 13:14; Col. 1:15. 1 John 4:10
We believe Jesus is the Son of God. He came to the earth as God in the flesh. He was born of a virgin and lived a sinless human life. He gave his life as a perfect sacrifice to atone for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. But death could have no mastery over him. He arose from the grave on the third day. He is the only man to have power over sin and death. After his resurrection he ascended to Heaven to reign at the right hand of the throne of God. Someday he will return to the earth to retrieve his disciples and take them to heaven.
See Matt. 1:22-23 Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Heb. 4:14-15; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; Rom. 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Tim. 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; 1 Thes. 4:13.
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the indwelling presence of God in the believer. His work is to make people aware of their need for Jesus. The Holy Spirit is a member of the Godhead. He produces spiritual fruit in and give spiritual gifts to believers to build up the church. The Holy Spirit regenerates, seals, and sanctifies the believers. He resides in every Christian at the moment of salvation when one is born of water and of Spirit in the baptism. He provides the believer with power for living, understanding of spiritual truths, guidance and prompting for doing what is right. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us. He uses the inspired Word as one of his tools and never contradicts what has been written.
See 2 Cor. 3:17; John 16:7-13; 14:16-17; Acts 2:38; 1 Cor. 2:12; 3:16; Eph. 1:13, 5:18, 6:17-18; Gal. 5:25; John 16:8-11; 1 Cor. 12:3,12: 7; Titus 3:5; Rom. 15:16; Gal. 5:22,23.
We believe that the Bible is the God’s word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. In all religious matters, the Bible is the final authority. It is the only authoritative voice of God on the earth. Because it is inspired by God, it is His truth without any inaccuracies or internal contradictions.
See 2 Tim. 3:16, 1:13; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; Psalm. 119:105,169, 12:6; Prov. 10:5.
We believe that people are made in the image of God, to be like Him in character and nature. But because of sin mankind has lost or ignored most of their “God-like qualities.” Human beings are the supreme object of God’s creation. Man is the reason God designed this universe. Although every person has a tremendous potential for good, each has been marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God-called sin. Man’s sin separates him from God-causing most of life’s problems and pains.
See Gen. 1:27; Ps 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6, 59:1-2; Rom. 3:23, 6:23.
We believe that salvation is God’s free gift, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by uniting to Jesus Christ as God’s sacrificial offering for atonement, can anyone be saved from the penalty of sin. When one turns from a self-ruled life and turns to Jesus through the faith expression of baptism, they are united to God’s sacrifice and are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one is born again.
See Rom. 6:23, 5:1, 6:3-5; Eph 2:8-9; Acts 2:38; Gal. 3:26-27.
We believe that people were created as eternal beings who will exist forever. All will either exist eternally separated from God because of personal sin, or eternally with God because his forgiveness is accepted. Those eternally separated from God will be punished forever in Hell. Those in the eternal presence of God will rejoice in Heaven. Both Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
See Matt. 25:31–33, 41–46; Luke 13:24–28; 2 Thess. 1:8–9; Rom. 5:21; Rom. 6:23; Rev. 21:4.
Fitting the perfect mold of a Church Administrator is Melinda Singleton, who has served in this position for over twenty-five years. In this capacity, Melinda is the hub for all things administrative within Meridian Woods Church of Christ. She ensures that the office runs efficiently, as she assists the Ministers, Elders and Members of the body with their needs. From the first moment you meet Melinda, she will make you feel welcomed and special. This is particularly important as Meridian Woods reaches out to community.
I will turn my life over to God by REPENTING of my sins and being immersed in BAPTISM.
“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:3-4
I will seek God by faithfully attending WORSHIP services at Meridian Woods.
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another” Hebrews 10:23-25
I will seek God’s will and guidance in my life through PRAYER.
“And pray in the Spirit on ALL occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18
I will make studying the BIBLE a priority, and participate in BIBLE classes and LIFE groups.
“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16
I will protect the unity of Christ’s church and support the leadership or our EDLERS.
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification.” Romans 14:19
“Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden.” Hebrews 3:17
I will serve this congregation and the Lord by discovering my talents, equipping myself to use those talents for God, and developing a servant’s heart. I will invest time in ministry and helping others.
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10
I will invest my money in the work of this Church by giving in proportion to how God has materially blessed me.
“But just as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us – see that you excel in this grace of giving.” 2 Corinthians 8:7
