Scripture of the Week:
“This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” – Nehemiah 8:10b
Hello Church Family!
In her book Good Enough, Kate Bowler talks about how in an age where everything we do has to be for a reason (I’m reading because it’s good for my mind! I watercolored this so it could be displayed! I’m golfing for my health!) it’s especially important to do some things for no reason at all, except that they bring joy. The Bible teaches us that joy is always available to us through the Lord, but sometimes the struggles of the day and the utilitarian mindset that’s locked in our brains make it difficult to access that joy. So in her book, she includes this blessing: “Blessed are we, the responsible, who take a nonlinear path. Who, as the poet Wendell Berry says, “every day do something that won’t compute.” Who knows that right when life gets heavy or hard or too much, we must carve a path to delight. Who do something for no reason whatsoever but for joy.” I hope you have a chance this week to do something that makes no sense at all, except that it helps you experience the delight of being alive in the Lord.
You may know that SNAP benefits are projected to be unavailable as of this weekend due to the government shut down. If you are in need of assistance to get some groceries, please speak to me or Pastor Eric on Sunday and we have a way to help.
Charge conference (the annual business meeting of the church) is this Sunday, at 1 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Administrative Board members will be voting, and all church members are welcome to attend. I want to make sure you’re saving the date for November 16th! We’ll be having a potluck lunch together (bring whatever you want!), and then we’ll be packing Thanksgiving in a Bag. This is a missions event that is good for all ages, and I hope the whole family will come along and help extend our dinner table to our NIA friends.
One other thing. We heard at our cottage meetings that folks wanted spiritual connection and growth throughout the week, in the form of small groups. We promised at State of the Church to send out a survey asking for the dates/times/locations/formats that would allow you to participate. Small groups are one of the best ways for us to grow in our knowledge of God, and I highly recommend everyone participate in one, whether it’s a Sunday School class, the Tuesday Pastor’s Study, a neighborhood small group, or some other way.
This Sunday is one of my favorite worship services of the year. It’s a day to pause and be grateful for the people God has put in our life. Everyone in worship will have the chance to light a candle in memory of a loved one this Sunday, whether they passed away recently or 50 years ago. It can be a really healing act of worship. I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday.
Pastor Lindsay