And just like that lazy days of summer are gone and a new school year arrives. It’s the very definition of the word “oxymoron” to talk about the fall programs beginning in the suffocating heat of August. But it’s true! Everything is cranking up.

 

Here’s a preview. This Sunday, August 4, will be our final single service. As worship concludes, we’ll be celebrating the ministry of Barry Phillips with a festive reception.

 

August 11, we return to our usual three services. That’s a good time to check out a service you don’t normally go to. I encourage us to all be “multi-lingual” in our worship expressions. I’ll be starting our fall series on Revelation. I’ve never preached through the entire book before. I’m eager to engage this premier worship book with you. 

 

Adult and children’s Sunday school also resume on the 11th. This is a great time to make a commitment to deepen your discipleship by joining a class. Our teachers are passionate and engaging.

 

Opportunities to serve are also coming up. Did you know our programs require over 500 hours of child care each month? We could really use more loving volunteers of many generations to give a few hours a month looking after our little ones. Soon, we begin mentoring at Gardere Community Christian School through our Kids Hope USA program. You can also get involved in encouraging a teacher or reading to students at McKinley Elementary. 

 

Looking ahead, we have a great opportunity to grow close together by sweating together! Beginning September 5, we will be constructing our 8th Habitat House! All kinds of volunteers are needed from skilled builders to snack providers, from earnest pray-ers to grunt workers at my skill level! It’s a great feeling to work with a new homeowner in creating a house. 

 

As ever, know that I love being your pastor and I’m eager to share in life and ministry with you this fall.