“And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

 This summer, we have ventured in the wilderness through our summer sermon series. The past seven weeks have drawn our focus into what we should do when we encounter the wilderness (or places and times of temptation, testing, and further growth with God). At any given moment, someone in our community is navigating the wilderness. Whether it be tension at work, difficulty at home, a new diagnosis (or the flare up of an old one), the loss of a loved one, or a new relationship, we are called to be a community of faith.

These two verses from Hebrews remind us of the ways we can be a community for one another, regardless of where we find ourselves. We all should be showing love and doing good deeds, but it doesn’t end there! We should also be provoking one another to do the same. Just like how joy and excitement is contagious, let our love and service to others spread like confetti and spur others to act.

It’s also important for us to be together! I think we all remember what the pandemic was like and how so many of us needed encouragement. We have a greater understanding of how vital human connection is. There are lots of opportunities this month to gather and to encourage one another:

• Homecoming – our sister church will be holding their annual special worship service and meal on August 16th at 11:15.

• Mission Project at Talbert Chapel – let’s break bread together with Talbert Chapel UMC, Jeffersontown UMC, and people from around the Annual Conference August 14-15 from 8:30-3:30. We will also help do mission work around Talbert Chapel’s campus.

• Visioning Meeting – August 19th from 6-8 – dinner is provided as the whole church gathers to reflect on where God is calling us.

• VBS for adults – August 25-27 from 6-8 we are hosting Vacation Bible School… for ADULTS! As we focus on three simple rules of faith, we will craft, play games, preform skits, and gain a greater understanding how to live out our faith.

• Summer Book Club (last one!!) – come and encourage one another as we discuss our new book “Restored: Finding Redemption in Our Mess” by Tom Berlin on August 22nd at Drane’s at 9 am!

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Let us provoke one another this month to good deeds,

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Rev. Tess Welch