Connect Day this Sunday!
Dear Calvary Family,
Kicking off the series entitled A Vision of Hope, the sermon last Sunday was all about how the church is a family being changed by the Gospel. We are truly a family that is better together as we love like Jesus across all cultures and generations.
One of the illustrations from last Sunday was the difference between a meal at home and a meal at a restaurant. We often approach church like a meal at a restaurant. We want the best table at the best time for us. We want to order exactly what we feel like eating and if we like the service enough we will give a tip on our way out the door.
But the church should be more like a family meal at home. We all pitch in to help buy and prepare the food. We know that we need to cook what will be best for the family as a whole. We pool our resources as one family. And then we all have a way that we serve whether it’s shopping or cooking or cleaning the dishes.
This reminds me of 1 Peter 4:8-10 that speaks to how we should act towards one another as believers.
Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.
We need to be growing in community with one another and also serving together. The amazing part of that is that we will receive incredible benefits along the way.
Being in a group helps you to grow and experience the love of God through the people of God as we learn together from the Word of God.
Serving on a team helps us to bond with the people we are serving with and gives us a way to use our gifts for the Kingdom of God.
You have an opportunity this Sunday to find ways that you can JOIN A GROUP or SERVE ON A TEAM through our Connect Day in the Lobby immediately after the 9:00am service. Please come expectant to get involved and to live out the commands and benefits of 1 Peter 4:8-10.
This Sunday we will also continue our Vision of Hope series with a special guest speaker named Tommy Nixon who leads an organization called the Urban Youth Worker Institute. He was the founding pastor of One Life City Church and a nonprofit organization called Solidarity that works to strengthen urban communities. We will be blessed and challenged by Tommy to love like Jesus across all cultures and generations.
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
Eric Wakeling