Friday, August 30, 2024

On this last couple of days of August, I offer you these thoughts after re-reading some of the Book of Hebrews.....

                     "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be
                          richly rewarded."     (Hebrews 10:35  NIV)  

An opportunity arises for you to pray with a stranger. They have a need; and you know the Answer. Their eyes are on you; they are waiting. What hope do you have to offer them? Never before have the fields been as ripe for harvest as they are today. So the question for today is....Will you labor with the Lord to bring light to a dark place?   
   
I believe that we don't lack for opportunities to share Christ, but we often lack the confidence. Even if you could never see yourself praying with a stranger, could you let them know that you will be praying for them? Could this be the first step you need to help develop your confidence? Peter lacked confidence, but he was transformed from a cowering follower to one of the boldest leaders in church history. Paul asked his readers to pray for his boldness to increase. Paul prayed that his disciples would have confidence in Christ and the boldness required to share the Gospel. Throughout the New Testament, we are encouraged to grow in confidence and boldness as we share our testimony. Today, I will pray and ask the Lord to give you confidence to reach out with His love -- even if only in a small way.  
   
So the next time you have an opportunity to pray with or for someone, when you're asked to do something outside your comfort zone, or you're not sure if you're on the right track... join me in praying, Be my confidence, Lord. Amen.  

+++ This Sunday, September 1st is the last week of our summer worship schedule with one worship service at 9:00am in the Sanctuary. We will be celebrating the 15th Sunday after Pentecost and we will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion, as well. There is also some wonderful Special Music planned for us, as well! I will be finishing my summer sermon series, What Would Jesus Do.... as I review several of Jesus' "Keys to a Useful Life". If you're not able to join us in person in the Sanctuary, prepare your communion elements at home and join us on the church's Faceook page for our "live-stream" at 9:00am. We will, of course, upload the completed worship service to our YouTube channel when worship is completed. However you are able, we look forward to worshipping with you on Sunday!   

+++ Coming up this week....

• Monday is Labor Day and the church office will be closed.  We will reopen on Tuesday morning.
• Worship at Summerfield Village is on Wednesday, 9/4 at 9:30am.
• The first Choir Rehearsal of the new season will take place on Thursday, 9/5 at 6:30pm.  See Dan with any questions!

+++ Next week, on Sunday 9/8 lots of things are happening!   Our worship times will return to 8:30am (in the Fireside Room) and 10:00am in the Sanctuary. The choir will return at the 10:00am worship service, and Kidz Club restarts and will enjoy the last installment of our summer VBS program, Food Truck Party! We will all have a chance to meet DJ Cupcake, the Master Chef, and our apprentice chefs in worship and enjoy some of the music the kids enjoyed so much! Following worship next Sunday, we will also deliver our monthly Meal Ministry meals to our friends in the church community. 

+++ We have recently been made aware of a new program offered in our community called "GoGoGrandparent". This county run program provides free transportation for folks 60 years or older. Four one-way trips (or 2 round trips) are offered per month.... but folks must be registered with the Onondaga County Office for Aging. There is information available on the table across from the office door also!

+++ Our Sleep In Heavenly Peace bed build is on schedule for Saturday, September 14th in our church parking lot. We have slots available at both the 9:30am-11:00am shift and the 11:30am-1:00pm shift. PLEASE CONTACT SHELLEY to get the web link to register with Sleep in Heavenly Peace. All registrations are being done online this year and we can help you register if you need it. We have an energetic plan to build 40 beds for kids in Central NY on this day and we need YOUR help (and maybe the help of a few of your friends) to do that! Thanks for being a missionary in this way!     

Make this day a great day and always remember to pray, Be my confidence, Lord.  Amen.   
​Pastor Jack