Recent sermonsWe probably all know some good news/bad news jokes. Lawyer to client, “I have some good news and some bad news.” “Please give me the bad news first.” “Well, DNA testing has proven beyond a doubt that it was your blood found at the crime scene.” Client asks, “Then what’s the good news?” Lawyer answers, “Your cholesterol is way down.”
The section of Matthew’s gospel we are looking at is, of course, far more serious but plays out almost like one of those jokes. Peter had “gotten” the good news. He knew and confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus had then declared him blessed and called him the rock. In the next paragraph, most likely a very short time later, Peter actually rebukes Jesus and in turn is referred to as “Satan”! What changed things so dramatically and so quickly? Peter understood that Jesus was the Messiah. But he didn’t understand what that really meant for Jesus or for himself. Many still don’t. Many see Jesus as the ticket to a stress-free, debt-free, conflict-free life. But Jesus talked about taking up the cross. We’ll think about that Sunday morning.
Last Sunday evening the elders gave me a night off. It was very helpful and much appreciated. So, Lord willing, this week we will get to Paul’s discussion of the offering for the poor in Jerusalem.
I will be taking a vacation week from as soon as I can get everything (or most) of what I need to get done this coming week, continuing over the weekend and it is looking like back for a meeting Tuesday night and back to “real life” Wednesday. So, no “Friday email” next week unless somebody else decides to send one.
At the congregational meeting last Sunday the congregation voted to move forward with the merger with New Hope and to leave the OPC to affiliate with the PCA to make that happen. We must have a second vote to ratify the decision to leave the OPC. The session is calling a meeting for Sunday, August 24 after morning worship at New Hope for the purpose of that second vote. One of the things I want to do before vacation is to get a letter out to all COPC members with some explanation of the process from here as best we see it and also to explain membership options for those who, to our deep regret, just cannot seem to see their way clear to stay with us in this.
Many of you have been praying for and asking about my mother. She is home from the hospital and getting a bit better every day. Yesterday she seemed a bit weaker than before, but otherwise pretty much like before her hospitalization. My brother and sister in law are spending a good bit of time with her, I have been down more briefly but at least once each day, and she has a visiting nurse and therapist coming several times a week. Thanks so much for your prayers and concern.
Let’s just fit everything in one email. Monday I had the honor of leading the funeral service for Carol Brickner. Please continue to pray for her family, especially her children and grandchildren and her mother. Also, it looks like a beautiful day for Erin Bovard and Dan Faith who will be getting married just a few hours from now. Please pray for them and the other newlyweds of our congregations. (So looking forward to leaving off that “s”).
I really enjoyed the last VBS evening. What a joy seeing God’s people from the two congregations enjoying what our Lord has done and given and together welcoming visitors. Other than maybe the ice cream and pie, we have the opportunity to do those things again as we worship Sunday at 10:45 and 5:30. Hope to see you there.
Jack
