One thing I want to report on is how I’ve done with taking the “leap of faith” reading scripture daily for my own spiritual formation. I did a pretty good job, even on vacation. I started reading a chapter or so of Acts the first thing every morning and now I’m into Romans. Two things I discovered: it really helped to tell you and my wife that I was doing this and to not bite off more than I could chew. I’m spending five minutes or so reading while the coffee is brewing. I’d be interested to hear what are some of the “leaps of faith” you’ve taken this summer and how you’re doing.
I’ve come back to some great things happening at EPUMC. The parking lot has been torn up and the first layer of asphalt has been applied. It looks great. The word is that the second and final layer will be added the last week of August. We are hoping it is before Wednesday, Aug. 31, the day we’ve planned to have a party and celebrate completing the “Great Things are Happening Here” projects. If the top layer is not ready to park on, park on the street or in the lot to the east of our parking lot. We’ll start things off at about 6 p.m. with a potluck picnic and then have a short program saying thanks to couple of people who have given a lot of time to these projects this summer.
This Sunday we begin a sermon series I’ve been waiting all year to preach. Don’t you think it’s a good sign when the preacher is excited to preach? The series is called “Overcoming Barriers.” We’re going to be talking about what are some of the barriers that church people put in the way for those who are no longer a part of a church community. You’ll have a couple of barriers to walk around when you get here to get in the mood. I’m excited about this series in part because the questions came from conversations I’ve had with people I’ve met outside of church, who when they found out I was a pastor, had something they had to say to me.
We are so blessed here at EPUMC. Let’s continue to work together to discover the ways God is using us to invite others to the fullness of life we have come to know in Jesus Christ.
Keep the Faith,
Pastor Dan