Slideshow image

Last Sunday we were able to worship outdoors for our annual Southern End Celebration Sunday. The rain held off and we were able to worship in the beauty of the Grove. We are now transitioning into our fall programming with our return this week of our 8:15 am traditional service, 9:30 am Sunday School and 10:30 Contemporary service. Our adult Summer Sunday electives are over and so our normal adult Sunday School classes will resume as we continue the Believe Series.

Ruth was back to the doctor to have the stitches out of her foot this week and the doctor is pleased with how it is progressing. Ruth remains frustrated with the level of pain, but she is able to walk without crutches and with a regular shoe, and she began driving again. It has been a long summer for her and with this foot but hopefully we have finally turned a corner. Thanks to so many of you for your encouraging notes, thoughts, and prayers.

We are in Harrisburg today visiting our daughter Molly. She recently began her fifth year of teaching 2nd grade, and so far she has been encouraged by her students. Our daughter Tessa and her husband Everett are in Arizona for a wedding this weekend returning home late Sunday evening, so we won’t see them. Ruth has also begun changing the decorations from summer to fall, as we are on the doorstep of autumn and of course, the Solanco Fair.

By the way, there is still opportunity to sign up for the milkshake stand on Wednesday, September 16th, or to be in the booth we will have at the fair. As we seek to enhance our community outreach, this is a great way to serve in our community and invite others to become a part of our church family. Look for the signup sheets in the gathering area.

On Sunday, we will resume the Believe series as we consider the virtues of our Christian faith. These include the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23 but others as well as we invest ten weeks in learning of the Christlike virtues that we are to live out each day. I can tell you there are some challenging messages coming on things like self-control and patience that will make these final weeks of Believe so important. This week we focus on love that is, without question, the most important virtue for followers of Jesus Christ.

Let me close with this: My devotions this week included chapters 13-15 of the Gospel of John. John 13 is the feet washing story that we hear at Love Feast, but it also includes a key text that will be a part of the sermon Sunday. In John 13:34-35, Jesus gives His disciples the new command to love one another. We will dive deeper into what it means to have the virtue of love in our lives but for now, please remember this: The most defining virtue of followers of Jesus Christ is their capacity to love. We love because God first loved us (I John 4:19).

Have a great holiday weekend, I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday in the sanctuary as we celebrate our God and His amazing love. Remember my friends, it is Friday…but Sunday’s coming!

Pastor Kevin