“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you”.
Matthew 28:18
These words come at the very end of Matthew’s Gospel just verses after the account of Jesus’ Resurrection on Easter morning and mark the handoff of the Savior’s earthly ministry to the disciples he has taught and trained. Jesus’ words embody both the church’s purpose and its marching orders. They are the inspiration behind our congregation’s mission statement:
“To Know Christ and Make Him Known.”
Beginning October 13, we will start a six-week worship series exploring how each of us can better fulfill our role as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Hymns, special sharing, selection of scriptures, and the sermon will all focus on a sequence of six words which we believe can help guide our spiritual growth in practical, tangible ways.
• We believe that Christ wants each of us to live a richly fulfilling life, transformed and constantly renewed by the inflowing of God’s grace. On the first Sunday, we will explore how that is possible in these busy, fractured times and find inspiration for how to receive and share God’s blessings.
• We will then explore the importance of gathering together with other committed Christians in an age of growing unbelief, loneliness, and social isolation. Themes of gathering and connecting will occupy the second two Sundays. We will learn how other members of the congregation have drawn strength and insight from their interaction with each other.
• As we move into the latter half of our series, our focus will shift from ourselves to the important work which Jesus asks us to continue on his behalf. We will see how serving in Christ’s name changes the world and provides hope for a better future and learn how our financial giving not only makes the work of the church possible but also holds its own intrinsic blessing as it teaches us to trust God.
• Finally, we will embrace the task of sharing the good news with others through invitation and example.
Highlights of the series include a service of Holy Communion on November 10 and a Cup of Covenant service on November 17. The latter will provide each of us the occasion to renew our baptismal vows “to participate actively in Christ’s church, serving God all the days of our lives.”