It was Florida in mid-August.  Malia, Jeremy, I and my Dad stood outside in weather so hot you’d melt were it not raining.  We had bought “personal fans” at Walmart—but they only succeeded in blowing hot air on us.  Yet, despite the roar of thunder, flash of lightning and overwhelming heat—we had a blast on our family vacation to Disney (Epcot) and UniversalStudios (Harry Potter!).  We were together.   I cannot remember the last time we had so much fun with my Dad—despite the heat, humidity, storms and lines.  We laughed, ate junk food, saw the sights, we played…even as we melted, waited in long lines, stood with sore feet and suffered from a bit of nausea from that last ride!  Life is like that, it’s full of adventures which are full of delight paid for by a bit of suffering.  Each of our four days of vacation was filled to the brim with life, love and celebration.  At the end of each day, we were exhausted—but happy, and we looked forward to the next day’s adventure.

 

We are entering into a new church season, full of adventure.  Adventure as we start new programs and reinstitute old ones.  Adventure while we continue to grow in our welcome, while still defining who we are.  Adventure while we work through the process of finding new members in our Ministry Staff (Settled Senior Pastor and Music Director).  Some of us are entering a new stage in our education, some a new stage in life, some a new home, job, or beginning retirement. Adventures full of delight paid for by a bit of suffering.   It would be very easy to start to look at the storm, complain about the heat, or be discouraged by the waiting (as if in another line).  It would be easy to become overwhelmed by the negative and lose sight of all the joys of the journey.  Life is what we make it; it is full of sorrow and joy—but you get to decide what it important to focus on--the heat of the sun or the fun of the ride.  So, in this next season at our church, I hope you take delight in the time we have together and the wonderful things we can do together.  Today is a wonderful chance to live, and Tomorrow brings another adventure! 

 

Here’s some of new adventures I’ll be leading:

The Men’s Prayer Breakfast at “That Place” (across the street from the church) at 7am the first and third Wednesday of the month, starting September 15.

Youth Church!  Two times a month the Youth have their own church service: first preparing then ministering to each other!

Walk Through The Bible:  Starting Sunday, Sept. 19from 9:45-10:15am, we will be doing a new Bible Study class that takes you through the books of the bible and discusses history, theology and applications for today.

TGIW:  During our Wednesday nights (starting Sept. 29^th), we will have a new series on “God through the Ages”—with topics like:  Egyptian Magic And God’s Miracles, Plato’s Philosophy And Paul’s Faith In Discussion, Greco-Roman Gods Vs. Jesus,  The Lost Books Of TheBible…  it will be quite the adventure!

 

Come!  Join fully in the Adventure!

Pastor Todd