September 7, 2022
How Does Your Garden Grow?
This year they won. The rabbits, deer, chipmunks, raccoons, and squirrels all worked together to decimate my garden. Even with my usual netting and fencing they found ways in and out for their nightly buffet. I think I got two tomatoes from my 36 plants.
But all I have to say is, “Game on!” Next year I will add to my defenses with sturdier fences and hard-core netting and maybe even robotic drones to protect my precious veggies.
Sometimes change is necessary to get your desired results.
And we’re finding that that is especially true for the church. Sometimes we have to adjust and find new ways of being the church together. Coming out of Covid and re-calibrating to a “new normal” have been part of our daily conversation as a church staff and for our leaders.
We’re changing things this fall with a whole new approach to Christian Education and keeping the new worship schedule we adopted this summer. We will be ramping up fellowship opportunities and finding ever new ways to increase our digital presence.
Lots of things have changed over the past couple of years. But all I have to say is, “Game on!” The church has always been changing and adapting. Some would say it is what makes us the church. I think it is what keeps us alive.
In Christ,
Pastor John D. Morris
Additional Questions for Chapter 1 of The Story
The book has six questions on page 473 to aid in your discussion. But here are a few more.
1) Remember how the Gospel of John tells us that “In the beginning was the Word”? Notice how each day of creation begins with God’s word, “And God said . . . . “ How is God speaking to you today and how is God re-creating you?
2) In this version of the Bible, the text says that Adam could find no “suitable helper.” The NRSV translates this same word as “partner.” Do you think Eve was Adam’s helper or were they more like partners in what they did?
3) Which of the three – Adam, Eve, or the Serpent – received the worst punishment from God for their sin?
4) Does it bother you that the LORD would not accept Cain’s sacrifice? Would that make you angry too?
5) What do you think is heart of the covenant between God and Noah?
This year they won. The rabbits, deer, chipmunks, raccoons, and squirrels all worked together to decimate my garden. Even with my usual netting and fencing they found ways in and out for their nightly buffet. I think I got two tomatoes from my 36 plants.
But all I have to say is, “Game on!” Next year I will add to my defenses with sturdier fences and hard-core netting and maybe even robotic drones to protect my precious veggies.
Sometimes change is necessary to get your desired results.
And we’re finding that that is especially true for the church. Sometimes we have to adjust and find new ways of being the church together. Coming out of Covid and re-calibrating to a “new normal” have been part of our daily conversation as a church staff and for our leaders.
We’re changing things this fall with a whole new approach to Christian Education and keeping the new worship schedule we adopted this summer. We will be ramping up fellowship opportunities and finding ever new ways to increase our digital presence.
Lots of things have changed over the past couple of years. But all I have to say is, “Game on!” The church has always been changing and adapting. Some would say it is what makes us the church. I think it is what keeps us alive.
In Christ,
Pastor John D. Morris
Additional Questions for Chapter 1 of The Story
The book has six questions on page 473 to aid in your discussion. But here are a few more.
1) Remember how the Gospel of John tells us that “In the beginning was the Word”? Notice how each day of creation begins with God’s word, “And God said . . . . “ How is God speaking to you today and how is God re-creating you?
2) In this version of the Bible, the text says that Adam could find no “suitable helper.” The NRSV translates this same word as “partner.” Do you think Eve was Adam’s helper or were they more like partners in what they did?
3) Which of the three – Adam, Eve, or the Serpent – received the worst punishment from God for their sin?
4) Does it bother you that the LORD would not accept Cain’s sacrifice? Would that make you angry too?
5) What do you think is heart of the covenant between God and Noah?