Summer Worship Series begins this Sunday

Last summer we read Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians because it was the appointed reading for six weeks in the summer. It got a boost because many members had recently been to Ephesus on the “Footsteps of Paul” tour. We were pleased by how many of you appreciated the chance to devotionally pray through just one book of scripture for a few weeks. You noted that it was rewarding to know prior to worship what reading would be the focus of our music and preaching, and to prepare yourself to both worship and be fed. You shared that you talked about it with others, both intentionally and informally, and the booklet we created was helpful to you as a focused starting point. In short, you told us that it was good to grow together.

Starting this Sunday, July 13, we will read from another letter of Paul’s, the Letter to the Colossians. It’s shorter, just four chapters. Like so much of what is attributed to Paul in the New Testament it is theologically rich, both grounding in who we believe Jesus is, namely the Christ, and encouraging to live in and as Christ. The next four weeks our second readings in worship will be from Colossians, but ironically reading in worship from only three of the four chapters. (Teaser: what are we leaving out?). Music and preaching will focus on those readings. This week it will be Chapter 1, verses 1-14. Take a moment to read those verse before Sunday and perhaps offer up a prayer that God will use this Scripture to bless you and all of us.

We again have created a devotional booklet, which includes the readings and the omitted verses all in one place, as well as some background about the young Church in Colossae. We’ve included some prayer/reflection/discussion questions that we hope might open us to the Spirit’s insights and direction. You can download the booklet here or on our website, which might be helpful to you this upcoming Sunday. And we’ll have copies in the narthex for you to pick up.

Here’s what really excites me in Colossians. I rarely say “Jesus Christ.” I try to say “Jesus, the Christ. I know the historical Jesus, but Christ was not his last name. He was and is “the” Christ. He’ll be described in Week Two’s reading as the very “image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible….” (Colossians 1:15-16). I trust and put my hope in Christ. It’s really nice, from time to time, circumstance to circumstance, especially when we have a little time, to remember who is in charge of this mess. I’m looking forward to reflecting on that this summer. A timely reminder that I hope will bless you as well on this journey.

Grace be with you.*

Pastor Jim Wilson

*Ok, I ripped that off from Paul, his last words of his note to the Colossians. But I mean it also.