Connections of Hope
Hello everyone...here are some thought about "church", and then some news about this Sunday and our new ministry efforts!
Don't GO TO CHURCH!
That's right! Toss that thought around for a moment! There is actually a problem with followers of Jesus "going to church", or even "belonging" to a church, or "being a member". It all has to do with our understanding of what church is all about! One key point is... it's not all about you!
"Church" involves you making a committment to other people! "Going to church" is not what is asked of disciples in the Bible. A believer is asked to "be the church" with others.
Here are a few identities or understandings about church for you to reflect on and wrestle with...
Church is not... a place where certain religious things happen, and there is a particular culture and certain rites that God wants to see.
Church is not... a vendor of religious goods and services. Not even a place for you to come every now and then and get a little motivational boost.
Church is... a body of people on the journey of being Jesus' disciples.... together!
Each person is on their own personal walk of being a disciple. We then have this wonderful opportunity to come together as the local church and support and encourage each other, to hear God's Word of love and forgivness clear and alive, to be refreshed and renewed by God's Sacraments, to team up and impact the world around us.... together!
Church isn't about being a member somewhere for 5, 10, 20, 30, years... it is about a committment to other people. Basically, you are making a committment to other people and saying that "I'm going to show up" so that we can "worship" as a group. "I'm going to team up with you" to do some things that help other people. I'm going to committ my "stuff" and my time... to being "church together" with you.
I encourage you to think about being a disciple of Jesus and then to wrestle with your own committment to "being church" with others. When I think of the wonderful people that team up together to make Hope happen it's exciting to me to be a part of "being church" together with disiples that want to grow spiritually and want to team up together to impact the world around them. It is an honor to "be church" with you!
Foundations for Living "Lunch and Lessons" this Sunday
Right after worship this Sunday will be our new spiritual life program that has lunch and some learning! As we said after the last session, we will adapt and evolve and grow in how this program happens. The topic this Sunday is less academic than last time and there is a little discussion time built in as well. We'll use a few very funny, Christian, short skits by the Skit Guys. After each one the tables can use a guide to talk through some of the themes. It should be a good fellowship, discussion, and learning time for us all! Plan your schedule and your meal planning to include staying after worship this Sunday!
It is a pot luck lunch some people made comittments to bring things but there is still room to bring more if you can. ALL are welcome!
3rd Sundays - Prayer and Card Ministry
We recieved nice feedback about our new ministry on the 3rd Sundays of sending cards to people and praying for them. This program too has room to grow and flourish. Next time, we'll have more cards ready in advance and spend a little more time in prayer. We'll also send you home with a list to pray for these people all week long and ask them to communicate any prayer requests they have. So... during the next couple weeks if you know of someone that we can send a card to use the "prayer request" forms in the pews and we'll build the list. Keep aware of someone in the community that had a baby, a death in the family, a challenging event, a new home, got laid off, got a promotion,.... It is a great new ministry to connect us with our community!
Rides 2Worship: UConn students, or anyone not driving, please feel free to call or email if you need a ride... there are people willing to come pick you up and bring you to Worship!
God's great and wonder-filled peace to you today!
See you Sunday! Pastor Joe
we try to keep the News updated, and also trying to get some new info and new sermons on the web site... keep checking!
