You have probably heard the adage that if you want to know what someone’s priorities are, look at their checkbook and their calendar. I think this is probably true for a church as well. In looking at our church calendar for the month of August, I have to conclude that we are certainly a church who prioritizes having fun together! This month’s events include game nights, taco dinners, ice cream parties, a pool party, and more! I hope you will join us for some of these fun and meaningful events.

Colossians 3:17 instructs us, And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

In this same spirit, our church covenant states: As we aspire to keep Jesus at the center of our lives, we are Rooted in Faith, and Growing in Love. We promise to strive to keep Jesus at the center of our lives by nurturing and developing our own understanding of Jesus’ life and teachings and demonstrating that understanding as we interact with others in the congregation and the larger community.

The fun activities on our church calendar are not just for entertainment, but they are to help us further connect as a community of faith, as a group of people who share the value of keeping Jesus at the center of our lives. These activities are also an opportunity for us to invite others into this community, to be a part of the love, grace, and joy that we experience here.

Last Sunday night, we had our largest attendance yet at “Young” Adult Game night, with 21 adults and 9 children participating. This has become a much-anticipated event each month. One church member shared that attending game night helped confirm her decision to join the church, because she felt comfortable and welcome.

On August 18, we will invite students to bring their backpacks to worship for the Blessing of the Backpacks. We will offer a prayer for students, teachers, and school staff as the new school year begins. We will also provide a backpack tag as a reminder of the love and support of our church family.

Also on August 18, our deacons will host an ice cream social for the church, inviting all of us to gather for sweet treats and a fun evening together in the fellowship hall at 5 pm.

My hope is that all of this – the games, the backpacks, the ice cream – will all be for Christ. In worship this month, we are using a portion of a prayer attributed to St. Patrick as part of our series on Colossians. May this prayer be reflective of the spirit of our church family:

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

 

— Pastor Jennifer Rygg, 8/6/19