Friends-
There is a phrase that I hear in church circles, including ours, that I would like to suggest that we lose. Here it is: "I don't want to step on anyone's toes." While that sounds good, sounds like we are not wanting to offend, not wanting to hurt anyone's feelings, I suggest something else is going on.
See, I think in the dance of life that we are in, and more particularly the dance of following Jesus, it is inevitable that we step on each others toes. We are still learning the dance, for Pete's sake! We don't (or shouldn't) step on each others toes intentionally. It's just going to happen from time to time.
The something else that's going on is usually fear of some sort, and that's not all bad, but we are a faith community, not a fear community. Not wanting to offend is good, but fearing that someone will disagree is like fearing the sun will come up. It's gonna happen.
How we handle those disagreements is very important. They call us to speak the truth in love, to be humble, to put the other first. They don't call us to avoid all conflict.
If we make love our aim, we need not fear stepping on each others toes. So let's lose that phrase! Let's take some risks! Let's be joyful. And if we do step on toes, let's apologize- and keep on dancing!
Have a great month!
Gary
Sundays- Every Sunday: Worship Service - 10:30 am.
9/4 - Communion Sunday with Hill family providing music.
9/11 - All Church Picnic/Potluck after worship.
Mondays- 9/12 - Bible 101 - New 6 week study on the book of John from 7-8 PM at Colleen's home. Talk to her if you are interested.
Wednesdays- Every Wednesday: Bible Study - Trying something new for this month, as an experiment. The Wednesday night adult study group will meet from 6-7:30 PM at the church, for topical studies in the month of September. We will not be serving dinner, so eat in advance if coming. We will have some light refreshments. This might be a great time to check out this great opportunity! We will evaluate the changes at the end of the month.
Thursdays- Every Thursday: Sanctuary is open for prayer and quiet reflection from 7 -8 PM.
9/15 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Fellowship Room.
9/22 - Community Dinner Serving at 5:30 PM at Poplar Grove Methodist Church. Talk to
Sandy Free if interested in helping or eating. Open to anyone.
Other News
All Church Picnic/Potluck - Plan on staying for a picnic/potluck after church on Sunday September 11. Fried Chicken will be provided for a main course. We are asking everyone to bring a dish to pass to go along with the chicken. We hope to picnic out under the oaks. Do you have a fun lawn game you could bring for some games after the picnic?
Welcome to Walter Hitchcock and Cassie DuCett as new members of the church. They joined on August 28.
Well Update - Our pizza fundraiser was a huge success. What a spectacular evening! Thanks to everyone who helped in some way. We were blessed with beautiful weather! A check has been sent to World Vision for $5,268.74. This included our pizza event, many individual donations, the jar of coins, and a portion of money previously collected. The jar of coins had over $400 in it! Remember that our donation will be doubled by a World Vision donor.
There is a phrase that I hear in church circles, including ours, that I would like to suggest that we lose. Here it is: "I don't want to step on anyone's toes." While that sounds good, sounds like we are not wanting to offend, not wanting to hurt anyone's feelings, I suggest something else is going on.
See, I think in the dance of life that we are in, and more particularly the dance of following Jesus, it is inevitable that we step on each others toes. We are still learning the dance, for Pete's sake! We don't (or shouldn't) step on each others toes intentionally. It's just going to happen from time to time.
The something else that's going on is usually fear of some sort, and that's not all bad, but we are a faith community, not a fear community. Not wanting to offend is good, but fearing that someone will disagree is like fearing the sun will come up. It's gonna happen.
How we handle those disagreements is very important. They call us to speak the truth in love, to be humble, to put the other first. They don't call us to avoid all conflict.
If we make love our aim, we need not fear stepping on each others toes. So let's lose that phrase! Let's take some risks! Let's be joyful. And if we do step on toes, let's apologize- and keep on dancing!
Have a great month!
Gary
Sundays- Every Sunday: Worship Service - 10:30 am.
9/4 - Communion Sunday with Hill family providing music.
9/11 - All Church Picnic/Potluck after worship.
Mondays- 9/12 - Bible 101 - New 6 week study on the book of John from 7-8 PM at Colleen's home. Talk to her if you are interested.
Wednesdays- Every Wednesday: Bible Study - Trying something new for this month, as an experiment. The Wednesday night adult study group will meet from 6-7:30 PM at the church, for topical studies in the month of September. We will not be serving dinner, so eat in advance if coming. We will have some light refreshments. This might be a great time to check out this great opportunity! We will evaluate the changes at the end of the month.
Thursdays- Every Thursday: Sanctuary is open for prayer and quiet reflection from 7 -8 PM.
9/15 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Fellowship Room.
9/22 - Community Dinner Serving at 5:30 PM at Poplar Grove Methodist Church. Talk to
Sandy Free if interested in helping or eating. Open to anyone.
Other News
All Church Picnic/Potluck - Plan on staying for a picnic/potluck after church on Sunday September 11. Fried Chicken will be provided for a main course. We are asking everyone to bring a dish to pass to go along with the chicken. We hope to picnic out under the oaks. Do you have a fun lawn game you could bring for some games after the picnic?
Welcome to Walter Hitchcock and Cassie DuCett as new members of the church. They joined on August 28.
Well Update - Our pizza fundraiser was a huge success. What a spectacular evening! Thanks to everyone who helped in some way. We were blessed with beautiful weather! A check has been sent to World Vision for $5,268.74. This included our pizza event, many individual donations, the jar of coins, and a portion of money previously collected. The jar of coins had over $400 in it! Remember that our donation will be doubled by a World Vision donor.
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