Submitted by Pastor Steve:

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go 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 I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:16-20

This is the great commission, our marching orders from Jesus. I'm excited. This year we are taking another step towards improving our program of formation, making disciples, submitting to Christ, teaching to obey, for all ages. In the adult Sunday school we are going to 8 week periods so that people have an easier time of moving from class to class. The content of the classes have been carefully created so that we provide a good foundation for life as disciples. Keli and Dana Fisher have now stepped in as Children's Sunday School Superintendents so that Kelly Cooley can be freed up in her management of the overall children's ministry. We are including a children's worship this year where we will take the children to teach them how to worship and worship with them in a way designed especially for them. Our Wednesday evening service has now matured into an intimate worship setting where we concentrate on developing as mature Christians. I am going to launch this year of discipleship with a sermon series entitled "The Attitude of the Beatitudes" which will begin on September 12th.

Take advantage of this opportunity to engage your faith and deepen in your spirituality. Take a couple hours on Sunday to center your life on God. Recommit yourself. Now is the time to grow as individuals and as an authentic community of faith.

And now is a great time to invite a friend who may want to grow spiritually and come into relationship with Jesus Christ.

Submitted by Vicar Steve:

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men) - remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:11-13

For almost 25 years I have had the pleasure (or sometimes just the task) of evaluating the performance of my employees. As my employees have improved their work habits and personal traits, I have delighted in reminding them of the "good old days" when they lacked confidence, struggled with decision making, or couldn't remember some of the simplest procedures. Some have even thanked me for bringing to their attention those deficiencies that used to result in their substandard work. You see, over the years I've come to realize that most employees truly want to be the best they can be - they WANT to fulfill the mission of the organization - so, both positive reinforcement and little constructive criticism are welcomed.

Over time, just as employees desire to change in order that they might more fully fulfill the mission, we also change as members of the Body of Christ. With God in us and us in God, we cannot help but be transformed a little at a time in accordance to the will of God who has promised us this life in Christ. We are both criticized and reinforced by the Holy Spirit; our spiritual "evaluations" come in the form of Law and Gospel through our active participation in our families, in our congregation, and in the world. We change in loving and obedient response to the One who loves us.

But the One whose behaviors and attitudes we attempt to imitate did not sit in cushy chair in a cushy office; no, not at all. He fed the poor and he ate with sinners. He upset the status quo and he comforted the oppressed. He broke the rules and he established new commandments. Finally - after all that wonderfully loving work - he carried his own cross through the streets of town and up the hill to the place where he would be terminated for simply doing his job.

What a blessing it is to be formed in the loving Christ