As we come nearer to the end of Summer, I find it is always a wistful time for me. Summer is my favorite season. Mowing grass in the hot sun. Swimming with friends and family. Waiting for the cool of the evening and walking outside after the heat breaks. Enjoying a change of daily pace. As Julie Andrews might sing, “These are a few of my favorite things.”
Last Summer my family visited Grace for the first time. It was my interview with the Staff and Session. It was the first time we all got to meet each other. The time between accepting the call here and today seems to have gone by very quickly. I think it is safe to say that we love being here with all of you. Grace has been a gracious host to our family. Now as we come to the end of this Summer I wonder who else is experiencing Grace for the first time?
Who is experiencing Grace, this local body of Christ, for the first time? What have they found? Some new friends? A church home? A place where they can connect with God? What do you remember about the first time you came to Grace? What stands out in your mind as the thing that made this church different than any of the others you might have chosen to attend? I hope that grace makes Grace different.
Did you discover grace at Grace? I often wonder who is here at Grace experiencing grace for the first time. Is it here that they are hearing for the first time that in Christ not only are your sins removed from you as far as the east is from the west, but also that you are fully dressed in His righteousness? Is it here that they are hearing that God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us that in Him we might become the righteousness of God? Where did you first hear of the grace poured out for you in Christ that allows you to stand as an adopted son or daughter of the King of the universe? What does it do to you to know that this grace is daily available to you? Grace is not only the motivation for daily living, but it is the power in daily living.
If this is the first time at Grace that you have heard of grace, then I hope you will take a step that will help you continue to discover grace at Grace. This Fall during our Sunday morning Adult Foundations there are two great options for you. One option is Discover Grace, our six-week class beginning September 8th that will help connect you to our community. Come hear about who we are and how to get connected.
If you’ve already attended Discover Grace, then make time to join our large class in the Worship Center. The theme for Fall is Worship in All of Life. The first six weeks is an in depth look at the person and work of Christ as the One whom we worship. We will explore the grace of Jesus Christ and how it is available to us.
It all begins Sunday mornings at 9:15am beginning August 25th. Come as you are, leave as He is. (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17)
in Him,
Tag