Recently, I read a statement by Eugene Peterson about how Christ changes our hearts and our lives. He said, “The holiness of Christ gets inside us, and when it does, it changes us. Christ’s gaze penetrates and purifies. He doesn’t look at us, he looks into us. When he does, we’re changed.” Have you ever experienced that sense that the spirit of Christ is seeing through you and changing your heart? I have noticed that this experience can turn my frustration and impatience into gratitude.
The Grace campus has certainly been lively this week, with 105 VBS children, 48 youth volunteers and 32 adult volunteers. Your church staff has worked to make this week a blessing to many families. This Sunday, we will celebrate highlights of the week and our prayer is that we see many new families in worship. You can help by coming to worship and looking for new people and welcoming them. This is something we can all do every week to grow God’s kingdom.
By the way, next week several of our youth and two adult volunteers will be at the Warren Willis summer camp for the week. I am so grateful for our United Methodist camp and the many lives that Christ has transformed there over the years.
This Sunday, June 18, is also Father’s Day, and we will have time in the service to recognize and celebrate fathers. The scripture passages are Leviticus 18:1-5 and 1 Timothy 6: 20-21. One of our youth, Amelia Hendrix, will be sharing a message entitled “Lessons I Learned from My Father.” This is a wonderful opportunity for us all to hear a message from and learn from the perspective of one of our youth. You will be blessed by the many aspects of this service!
I look forward to seeing you Sunday! Please try to arrive a little early and look for new people to welcome!
Steve Hart