Hello!
Have you ever had one of those mornings where you don’t quite feel awake or at your best yet? You come into the kitchen to start the coffee pot or toast a bagel and nothing happens. Pressing and re-pressing buttons you start to get frustrated, slam your hand down, and curse the machine. Perhaps you‘re awake enough to go check the circuit breaker, but still not feeling very lucid like you‘re having a bad dream. “How could a toaster just stop working?” you wonder. Then, in a moment of clarity, you get it (or maybe your spouse helps you get it)…it’s not plugged in! What a difference it makes to simply have the plug connected to its source of power.
Friends, our souls–our spiritual selves–need to be plugged into God’s Holy Spirit, if we are to fully experience our best self and receive power we need for Jesus-like living. Of course, our lives are more complicated than a small kitchen appliance. But there’s nothing difficult about connecting with God. Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will be open. Over the next five weeks in worship, we will seek to understand more deeply the Holy Spirit and the role of the Spirit in our individual lives–like to comfort us in troubled times–and in our life as a church–like power for mission. This Sunday we will talk about how the Holy Spirit builds the Body of Christ and brings us to life. We’ll be reading Ezekiel 37: 1-14, a compelling word for the church today.
This Sunday is also a special time to get connected with one another. Recently, I read a story from a woman who was trying to get connected at her local church. She didn’t think that there was a “niche” for her because every need seemed to be filled. And the things that she really wanted to do weren’t even offered. Eventually she got up the nerve to ask the Pastor if she could start small group. The Pastor was thrilled and only regretted that this woman got the impression that there was nowhere for her gifts and service to be used. There are always needs (believe me)! Getting connected is a two-way street…it takes church leaders approaching individuals to participate AND it takes individuals being willing to voice their interests and questions. Please take to heart this invitation to join us this Sunday, September 13, for worship at 10:30am and special coffee hour following the service. Let’s get connected this fall!
Peace,
Pastor Amber
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-Calling those with the gift of organization! We need some help organizing the Children‘s church room and office. Either daytime, weekends, or evenings will work. No experience with children necessary!
-CHANGE FOR KIDS! For the next 3 weeks we will be collecting loose change to go to our CRUM Kindergarten. The preschool initiated this fundraiser and we hope you will support it too! “Charity begins at home.” So, search your cars and couch cushions before you come to church!
