“Perfect Unity”

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

Colossians 3:12-17

I’m writing this at approximately 11:00 am on October 23.  16 years ago, at around 11:00 am on October 23, this above scripture was read as Sara and I stood in front of some family and friends, and made promises – no, vows – to God and one another to follow these words.  We promised to bear with one another and forgive one another, not just some of the time, but every time. 

When you’re standing there on your wedding day and you make these promises, it is easy.  You are so excited, so in love, and everything has been planned and managed down to the very last detail.  On your wedding day, things are as close to perfect as they will ever be.  Then married life actually begins.  No longer are you surrounded by people making sure you have everything you need and that you are exactly where you need to be at the exact moment you need to be there.  Flowers, rings, and music are no longer the top priority.  Real life steps in and all of a sudden, things become a lot harder.  All of this reflects a lesson we learn many times over – relationships are hard.

If relationships were easy, do you think the apostle Paul would have to tell us, multiple times, how we are to treat one another?  Many of the letters Paul writes to the various Christian communities outline how they are to treat one another– those they are choosing to be in relationship with.  He writes, many times over, that they are to bear with one another, forgive one another, and clothe themselves in love.  Being clothed in love means that love is the first thing others see when they see us. 

Paul basically commands this kind of behavior in our relationships because he understands that relationships are hard.  Inevitably, when we live in relationships with one another, we will fail.  We will forget to run the errand we were asked.  We will say the wrong thing, or not say anything at all when the right words are expected.  We will get hurt and hurt others.  In summary, we will fail to reflect Christ to those we chose to be in relationship with. And it is in these times that we need to remember these words – “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” 

In the days where our relationships are less than perfect, when we are less than perfect – put on love, which binds all things together in perfect unity.

Blessings, Chris

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday in worship our message is titled “Finding Approval.”  Our scripture reading for Sunday comes from 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, verses 1-4.

You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results.  We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his Gospel in the face of strong opposition.  For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.  On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.  We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.  

We will begin our service with the song My Lighthouse by Rend Collective.  Our hymns for Sunday include: Majesty, Worship His Majesty and Be Thou My Vision.  Additionally, our video hymn this week is Cornerstone, by Aaron Shust. 

Community Health Updates

We encourage you to remain vigilant in the practices of keeping not just ourselves, but those around us safe by wearing masks, keeping a safe distance from others and sanitizing or washing your hands as often as appropriate.  Remember, these practices are a way we show our love to our neighbor.  Additionally, if anyone who normally attends the 10:20 service would be willing to come to the 8:00 service, it would help us provide more room for new folks at the 10:20 service.  (Also, if you are worried at all about being able to socially distance at the 10:20 service, there is plenty of room to do at the 8:00 service.)

As the COVID-19 virus continues its presence in our community, we know that many of you are still not ready to come to worship. Please know that even though we don’t get to see you weekly, we still want to minister to you.  Every Sunday afternoon we will post a recording of our 10:20 worship service on our Facebook page and the message on our website.  We hope this helps you feel connected until we are able to gather again without concern. 

In addition to measures in place around COVID, we also encourage you to get a flu shot this year.  Below is some information on Flu shot opportunities in the area.

Columbia – Drive-thru Flu Clinics for anyone ages 6 months and older to receive a vaccination. South Providence Medical Park – A drive-thru flu vaccination clinic will occur every Saturday beginning Sept. 19 to Nov. 14 from 8 a.m. to noon on the east side of the building. Signs will direct traffic flow. 

Howard County – https://www.howardcountypublichealthdepartment.com/about1 – doesn’t have a drive thru clinic planned but has vaccines available through the county health department. 

Announcements

Hayride and Bonfire This Saturday! It is officially Fall!  Bring your families to the Haller’s on Saturday, October 24th for a hayride, bonfire and other fall activities.  The party starts at 5:00.  Hot dogs and s’mores provided by the education committee.  Please bring a side dish to share! 

Youth Group Lock-In – This Friday, Oct 30 – there will be a Youth Group Lock-In at the Church from 6 pm Friday to 10 am Saturday.  Youth Group members can invite one friend to attend with them.  All attendees must have a signed permission slip.  If you would like to donate supplies or volunteer for night shift, please contact Brian or Chelsea Jackson.

All Saints Remembrance and Celebration November 1 – We will remember our church members and family who have entered the Church Triumphant over the last year as part of our observation of All Saints Day on November 1.  The names we currently have included on the list of those to honor this year are: Alta Chipley, Marilyn Cochran, Betty Humphreys, June Marshall, Martha Schrader, William Stuart, and Mary Sue Vanderhoof.  If there are other family members to include in our remembrance, please send their name and a photo to Pastor Chris or the Church Office. 

Reception for Pastor Appreciation Month – There will be a reception for Pastor Chris & family for Pastor Appreciation Month following the 10:20 service in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, Nov 1. 

Roll Up Your Sleeves – With flu season beginning and COVID hanging around, blood and platelet donations continue to be essential to hospital patients.  Donors are needed to come together to help others in this time of need.  We will be hosting a blood drive through the American Red Cross Tuesday, December 1, from 2 – 6 pm in our Fellowship Hall.  Stay tuned for more information about this but please help spread the word.  If you would like to register to donate, please visit the online scheduler (you will have to search by our zip code – 65233). https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time   We are hoping for at least 20-25 donors at this event. 

Christmas Program Rehearsals Beginning – Practices for the children’s Christmas program will start November 1st and will be conducted during Children’s Church.

Events this week:

Saturday, October 24: “Active Faith” small group, 4 pm, McGruder’s Home

Hayride and Bonfire @ Haller’s Farm, 5 pm

Monday, October 26: TOPS, 9:30 am

Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, October 27: Women’s Small Group, 9:00 A.M., Church Lounge

Wednesday, October 28: Bible Study, 9:00 am, Church Lounge

Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall

Friday, October 30: Youth Lock-in, 6 pm – 10 am

Sunday, November 1: Daylight Savings Time Ends, All Saints Day

Closing Words of Wisdom:

“Those without enough love experience rage, but love drives rage away.” ― John Wesley