- Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16
This past weekend we started a new series on the Old Paths. Ray kicked the series off with the topic of our work. Ray startled me at the end when he referred to us as “partners” in the family business. Then I found this quote by J.I. Packer:
“You come to realize as you listen that God is actually opening his heart to you, making friends with you and enlisting you as a colleague—in Barth’s phrase, a covenant partner. It is a staggering thing, but it is true—the relationship in which sinful human beings know God is one in which God, so to speak, takes them onto to his staff, to be henceforth His fellow workers and personal friends.”
When we grasp that all of our work is for God and with God, it can change our dimly lit cubicle into a corner office with a window. A window…where we can finally see our calling as redemptive and wrought with meaning. - Jack Smith, a long time member passed away and we celebrated his life this past Tuesday. Jack for many years volunteered at SRPC in the “tape ministry.” This was back in the days before the internet, downloads, CDs and iTunes. Jack wanted others to hear the gospel. We had the privilege of hearing from Jack’s “adopted” son, Jim Preston. Jim recalled the darkest time in his life and his first days at SRPC. He recalled how in Pastor’s Class, Jack and Pat Smith befriended him and announced that they would “adopt” him as their adult child. “This,” said Jim, was what allowed him to heal—closing…“I love you, Dad.”
- Pastor’s Class and I Corinthians classes just started. It is not too late to join one of them by clicking on the link or registering at the Guest Services Desk this weekend.
- The Family Mission trip to Montgomery, Alabama has over 107 signed up. If you would like to join the crowd please email Blair Commons.
- The American Folk Festival tickets are on sale now for Sunday, April 28 at 6:30pm. A great opportunity to bring your friends and enjoy some fun music. Don’t miss it.
- Celebrate Recovery will celebrate its 5th anniversary on the 26th of this month. This is quite a milestone for this ministry. The average life-span of a Celebrate Recovery ministry is less than two years. Congratulations to our CR leadership team!
- I talked to a young mom this week who told me her husband, who used to come to church once a year maybe, left Easter service and said, “I finally get Easter.” She then related to me her moments of joyful confusion over the last year, where she has had many thoughts like “Who is this man?” and “Who kidnapped my husband?” As she told me, her voice was shaking with amazement and thankfulness.
- This weekend our Old Path is “Truth-telling.” Brandon will lead us in this ancient path and help us to find rest for our souls.
Adam
