Friday, September 5, 2025

Happy September! I pray that the first days of school were good for our students and teachers! Here are some thoughts from the Acts of the Apostles...
 
                  While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. (Acts 17:16  NIV)
 
Does your faith in Jesus cause you to be disturbed when you see people flagrantly disobeying Him? It should.
   
When Paul arrived in Athens, nothing could've prepared him for the level of debauchery and spiritual confusion he saw all around him. He'd visited some pretty ungodly cities, but the sheer number of idols in Athens struck his soul to the core. He couldn't just let these people stumble blindly in sin and ignorance -- He had to tell them the glorious truth!
   
In our "post-Christian" society, modern idols can be spotted everywhere you look. People are more enslaved than ever, yet they've convinced themselves that this slavery is actually freedom. Confusion and chaos are the new norm, and anyone who sees through the lies is discounted as a lunatic.
   
But despite how hopeless that sounds, it simply means the soil is ripe for planting the seeds of the gospel. People need to hear it, and we should be driven by our love of God to proclaim it. It's not enough to wall ourselves in and just pray -- we need to put feet on our prayers, boldly announcing our faith in this faithless generation.  
 
                      Whenever I'm discouraged by the sinfulness all around me, Lord, help me use this disappointment to fuel my passion for outreach. Help me build the world I want to see. Amen. 
 
+++ We return for worship this Sunday according to our fall schedule at 8:30am and 10:00am. Our 8:30am worship will take place in the Fireside Room, while our 10:00am worship will be in the Sanctuary. We'll be celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion on Sunday and we'll hear Jesus tell us about the true cost of being a disciple. My message is entitled, "Counting the Cost" and we'll be thinking about the cost of true discipleship. Our KIDZ CLUB ministry returns on Sunday, as well and the kids will be showing us what they've learned in our recent Vacation Bible School. Come and meet Navigator Jeff and his trusty dog, Scout during our Children's Moments. And if you're joining us on the church's Facebook page... our live stream moves to 10:00am this week. Following worship, we will upload the completed worship service to our YouTube channel as well.   

+++ On Sunday we will also be offering another Meal Ministry delivery. If you or someone you know could benefit from a meal delivery, please let Marilyn know as soon as possible!

+++ Next week the office will be staffed by volunteers each morning from 9:00am-12:00noon as Pam vacations.

+++ On Tuesday night, September 9th we have 3 meetings here at the church....

• Our Finance Team will meet at 6:00pm in the Fireside Room.
• Our SPRC will meet at 6:00pm in the Nursery Room.
• Our Administrative Council will meet at 6:45pm in the Fireside Room.   

+++ The Choir returns for it's first rehearsal of the new season on Thursday 9/11 at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary! 

+++ Next Saturday, September 13th is our Sleep In Heavenly Peace Bed Build in the parking lot. Please see Shelley to sign up via the web site link we have been asked to use. We look forward to another great day as we work to ensure that "no kid sleeps on the floor in our town." 
 
+++ And mark your calendars for another Dinner and a Movie Night on Friday September 26th. We'll be watching and discussing "A Man Called Otto" that evening and you can sign up outside the Fireside Room to get in on the fun and fellowship. 
 
Make this day a great day and let's get about the job of building the world God asks us to build!   
​Pastor Jack