Pastor's Top 3

Friends:

I introduced Sunday the Fruits of the Spirit as a Summer sermon series (Galatians 5:22-23). I realize that the congregation has studied this before, it was a theme when I started in 2020 in Faith Formation. And that was 4 years ago! In praying about a summer sermon theme, I felt called to use the Fruits of the Spirit! 

Mainly, these "fruits" are what we bear out in the world as being a disciple of Jesus Christ! We receive them first from God, I believe, and then give them out to the world around us! "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" are what God would have us give to the world as "first fruits" of who we are as we live out the Christian life. 

The first one is "Love" and then there are 8 more. What we will do is simply have that specific fruit lifted up in the sermon that Sunday, and then there will be a handout sheet in the lobby/narthex on your way out. These sheets will have a few Bible verses that use the respective fruit of the week, and other references for our spiritual growth. I will also use this in the Midweek Moment and possibly in this devotion for your Top 3. Fear not, there is no book, and the Adult Education class and Faith Formation (Sunday night) will continue their respective studies. (Btw, Jim Patton announced yesterday that beginning on June 9th they will have "Coffee and Conversation" which sounds very enjoyable in the 10 a.m. Sunday morning gathering of adults in the library. Everyone is invited and welcomed).

Another reason it fits so well is there are 9 Sundays for the Summer not counting June 9th (I will be at Synod Assembly) and July 21 (Joint worship with Faith with Bishops visit). So, something like:

June 2 Intro the series and Love

June 16 Joy

June 23 Peace

June 30 Patience

July 7 Kindness

July 14 Goodness

July 21 Bishop Visit

July 28 Faithfulness

August 4 Gentleness

August 11 Self-Control

    TOP THREE THINGS TO KNOW FOR THIS WEEK OF MAY 20TH:

1) Blessed Memorial Day weekend! Our worship service is Thursday, the 23rd, at 7. Faith will have their normal service at 9 a.m. if you can get to Avon and back safely!

2) The Wednesday night Bible Study is on summer break until August 7th. 

3) Due to the Holiday weekend, there is no Clothes Closet this week nor is there Mat Making on that Monday. Remember those who have gone before us and rest yourselves this week, thank you!