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A New Start |
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Location: Blogs Brad's BlogMid-Week Missive |
 | | Posted by: Brad Miller | 8/7/2008 1:34 PM | Greetings on this sticky day!
As much as the weather says otherwise, summer is winding down. School started for some Georgia counties this week and will start for almost everyone else next week. Vacations are winding up. College football teams are starting to practice. Halloween decorations are out in some stores. Baseball season is winding down … much too quickly for the Detroit Tigers. There is no getting around it: summer is almost gone.
For me, the end of summer is a bittersweet time. Bitter because of the end of the more relaxed atmosphere of the summer; sweet because it means that the programs of the church are about to crank up for another year of witnessing the love and grace of Jesus Christ in our lives! It all kicks off this Sunday with “Promotion Sunday” for our school aged children. Instead of our normal Sunday school classes, all ages – children and adults – will gather in the fellowship hall at 9:45. We will begin with coffee and donuts, the promotion ceremony for those kids who are moving up to the next level of Sunday school; an outreach project (filling backpacks with school supplies to be donated to refugee children) accompanied by a Bible Trivia game where all ages can show off their knowledge, some video of the kids, some singing and good fellowship. What a great way to kick-off the new program year!
In the 11:00 worship this week, I will be beginning a sermon series entitled “We Call Ourselves Disciples: An Exploration of our Faith Traditions” that will focus on the beliefs and practices of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and our faith witness. This week’s sermon is entitled “The Good Confession” and looks at the issues surrounding the Disciples tradition of being a “non-creedal” church. The scripture lesson is Peter’s response to Jesus when Peter was asked, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter responded with what we know today as the “Good Confession” – “You are the Messiah” – which is the basis for the only test of fellowship we Disciples ask of new members: “Do you believe that Jesus is the Messiah, Son of the living God, Savior and Lord?” The scripture lesson for Sunday is Matthew 16:13-19.
And then as we move through the fall things really begin to pick up steam! Coming soon are a “Garden Party” hosted by the BCC Garden Club, our annual church wide picnic, pumpkin sales, the 2nd Annual “More Hands for God Day” on October 25th which unites all area Disciples congregations in a day of service to our brothers and sisters, Youth Sunday, our observance of Lent, Christmas Tree Sales and Christmas Eve. And besides these very few high points, there are lots of other things going on: there will be the ongoing work of the special committee looking at the possibility of building renovations; there will be the continuing blessing of Sunday morning Bible Study and occasional special topics Bible studies; there will be uplifting worship with Praise on Peachtree and our sanctuary worship; there will be fellowship and fun through things like Dinners for Eight, Third Sunday Fellowship Pot Lucks, and maybe even a few surprises! All to God’s glory and honor!
Yes, summer is slipping away. But I cannot help but turn my attention to the “sweet” side of that bittersweet reality: the end of summer means a new beginning, a new church year! And I, for one, can’t wait!
Announcements:
Our congregational response to “Participating in the Miracle of Abundance” continues to be very successful. The folks at the Oglethorpe Food Pantry want me to send along their thanks for our efforts. So, remember, when you leave the house on Sunday morning, make it a habit to pick up 2 or 3 cans of food along with your Bible!
This week we cleaned out the big box in the narthex hallway that was filled to the rim with good clean clothes. We took about 6 bags worth to the St. Vincent De Paul Society. While thankful for all the contributions, we are unable at the present time to be a collection point for used clothing. Please contact St. Vincent DePaul or the American Kidney Foundation if you have clothes to donate. One of these two agencies is usually able and willing to take your donations of gently used clothing.
Due to scheduling conflicts,, the Marriage Enrichment Retreat scheduled for August 24th has been cancelled…for now. Watch for alternative plans in the future.
For your prayer list
Please keep Letha Morris in your prayers as she settles into her new home at Sunrise Assisted Living. Her new phone number is 770-972-0602. She sounds happy wanted to let everyone know how much she misses them. Her mailing address is: Sunrise at Webb Gin, 1375 Webb Gin House Rd., Lawrenceville, GA 30045.
Please keep Carol Cronin, friend of George and Barbara Hurst, and Margaret Thompson, friend of Daonne Caldwell as they both face serious surgical procedures this week.
I hope you can join us this Sunday as we once again celebrate the Lord’s Day together!
Be peaceful,
Brad
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