Thoughts for July

Summer Lovin

Last month, on June 15, the sermon was called, “Summer Lovin.” I used Hebrews 10:19-25 as the basis of the sermon and gave suggestions on how to keep that “summer lovin” going, how to use summer as a time of relaxation and reconnection and practice our faith. As we begin July and the heart of summer keep these key points in mind.

Faith in Practice

1. Receive, Experience God’s love

--Vs. 22, “Let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled cleaned from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

--What this is saying is that because we have been forgiven and made new through Jesus…because we are fully loved by God, we are to receive that love, take in that love, believe in that love, experience that love.

--If this is something you struggle with, this summer I invite you to say to yourself daily, “I am created in the image of Love. I am loved.” And when you see bird, a flower, think how much God loves and cares for those things and how much greater God loves you…give yourself some summer lovin.

2. Boldly Follow the Way of Jesus

--Vs. 23, “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.

--Hebrews 10:23, is saying hold fast to the confession you made at baptism—that you will follow and live the love of Jesus, the greatest commandments: “love the Lord your God with all you heart, mind, soul, and love your neighbor as yourself.”

--If this is a place where you need some work with your faith, this summer I invite you to pray for someone you are having a hard time loving…but not only pray for that person but go out of you way to do something nice/kind for them.

--Or serve at Community Table one Saturday or bring food for the blessing box.

3. Encourage the family of faith.

--Vs. 24-25: “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.”

--Intentionally gathering together on a regular basis is important. When we don’t, it can be hard to remember that we aren’t alone and that we do faith with others, and that we need each other to more fully experience the love of God.

--This summer there are so many different ways to encourage and support each other, and so many different ways to be together:

1. Visit our special friends who can no longer come to worship and other church activities.

2. Pray for the church, the softball team, the General Assembly, the campers going to Craig Springs.

3. Attend a softball game, write notes/letters to campers, go to the monthly Lunch Bunch

4. Attend worship, particularly when others are sharing their summer experiences.

Every time we practice our faith we act with love and hope!

Prayerfully,

Wendy