Slideshow image

Hey church fam! I hope you’ve been basking in the beauty and simplicity of summer in ways that bring you and your family joy! Now that we’re post-wedding and post-youth roots work camp, I’m feeling like my summer is officially starting! Scott and I head to the cabin with our supper club this week. It’s tradition to spend a long weekend together over July 4th. It’s a little crazy, lots of kids and lots of snacks, but the fellowship is really special to us! No email from me next Monday for that reason!

Speaking of the Youth Roots Work Camp, Bobbie Davis and I had a great time with our Jr. High Crew on our “Service Sprint!” This group is a really fun bunch, they willingly put themselves in situations that were outside of their comfort zones to “make a difference by helping people.” We laughed a lot, played games and didn’t miss an opportunity to find some ice cream. During our devotional time we looked at some passages in Ephesians and how we are to operate as “kingdom workers.”

What a special Sunday we shared together yesterday as we celebrated the baptism of three of our church family members! I hope watching them publicly declare their faith reminded you of when you made that decision for yourself. Scripture commands us to be baptized and to go and baptize, have you been obedient to that command?

A reminder to our Roots Kids in 3rd-12th grade (completed)… you’re invited to be a Pastor for a day! If you’d like to spend a day seeing what Pastor Kevin is normally up to, you can sign-up for a Monday in July! You’ll meet in the church office at 9, and “clock out” at 3pm. Lunch is included! Sign-up in the Gathering Area!

Stay cool out there this week! Have safe and enjoyable July 4th celebrations! 

 

What WE’RE Learning This Week: A nugget of what our Lil’, Youth and Adults Roots heard this week

Lil’ & Bridge Roots Psalm + Big Idea: Psalm 23: God gives us PEACE even in hard times!

Youth Roots Psalm + Big Idea: Psalm 51: What is Sin?

How Every Generation Lives This Out: Talk as a family... Instead of giving peace in hard times, why doesn’t God take away the hard times?

 

What I’M Learning This Week: Sharing what I’m reading and listening to lately

I’ve been sharing about “The DIG” podcast hosting a simple, little Bible study through the book of Ephesians this summer. This week we start Ephesians chapter 2. (Monday’s episode drop will be delayed, FYI, but stay tuned!)

This chapter includes a verse that many of us are probably familiar with. There’s songs written about it, we quote part of it to encourage others, we exclaim it as a declaration of God’s power. 

Ephesians 2:1-3 start with …”you were DEAD in your transgressions…” The verses talk about how we “used to live,” in disobedience, “gratifying the cravings of the flesh.” Then comes verse four. 

BUT GOD. 

“BUT because of his great LOVE for us, GOD, who is RICH IN MERCY, made us ALIVE with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by GRACE you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:4-5, emphasis mine)

Read those verses over and over today. Let the power of the gospel humble and encourage you. BUT GOD.

 

Make Every Week Count: Parenting, Grandparenting & Spiritual Mentoring Resources

Something to Read: I had started listening to “Relaxed: Walking with the One Who Is Not Worried about a Thing” by Megan Fate Marshman on Audible a while ago and then saw there’s a complementing video study on StudyGateway (where the BELIEVE videos are housed). So far, it’s been a great and necessary read. One I wish I was reading while on the beach!

Something to Listen to: This church put the story of the Bible into song form for kids and it’s really sweet! “The Greatest Story Ever Told: The Bible” would be a great car ride addition!

Something to Follow: We love a good Jesus-tee! This site has some fun apparel, 4th of July themed and for the whole fam!

 

How Can You Pray? Prayer Requests and Praises from Roots Ministries

PRAY for Philip and Sheri Johnson, our Annual Conference Delegates. Pray for wisdom and discernment as they represent our church family!

PRAISE for this nation where we have the freedom to worship our King!