July 17, 2011 "One TRULY Sent: Belong as Children of God"

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This Sunday is the 5th Sunday after Pentecost, in this "teaching season" of the church year. This week we continue to look at what it means to "be one truly sent by God" specifically looking at Romans 8 where St. Paul states in verse 19: "the creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed."  This refers to the end of time but we as "Children of God" are able to share what has been revealed to us in Holy Scripture. We therefore are talking about what it means to be the "Children of God" revealing to the world what our Lord has done, is doing and will do. Our Old Testament lesson from Isaiah 44:8 where Isaiah quotes the God of the universe saying to us: "Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.” We have the privilege of being His witnesses. The Gospel lesson are the very words of Jesus when he declares in Matthew 13:43 "then the righteous (us) will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their father. He who has ears, let him hear!" We are going to make the sermon time a "God-sighting" time. I am asking everyone to prayerfully consider as you have experienced God, as His child, over the last few months doing amazing things that you would feel comfortable sharing with us. My sermon will be short and we will have the time to share! Also we are going to move the prayers to after Holy Communion, during our worship time to experience the intimacy of the "real presence" of Christ and pray, praise and give thanks during this time of worship. We are hoping to set up a training time to have more prophetic words in worship and this will better facilitate this experience of the Holy Spirit moving in the midst of Christ's body, the Children of God, in worship together. Holy communion is an "altar call" of sorts when we come to the Lord to know with all of our senses the forgiveness of sins and the power to live as Children of God!
See you on tomorrow!

Thanks in advance to those who help lead the worship and serve every week! If you want to share on Sunday please let me know!

Love in Christ,
Pastor