Recent sermonsYou may have noticed the olympics. Hard not to, eh? (Yes we vacationed in Canada.)
Whether you are a bleary-eyed die-hard fan or someone with very little interest in them - like, say, me - you have seen some, been caught up in the drama, even been awed by the amazing abilities of the athletes. I have watched some of the events and thought to myself, far more often than when watching a magician, “How do they do that?” Of course I know a major part of the answer to that is years of disciplined training and practice. They have all made sacrifices for the sake of working toward a goal. I have been most impressed with those who speak of their goals not in purely personal ways but in terms of the team and even the country. Inspiring to hear that the sacrifice was about something bigger than personal satisfaction or a contract with Wheaties.
A few weeks ago we went from Peter’s great confession to Peter’s grievous objection. He was blessed by the knowledge that Jesus was the Messiah but not at all pleased to hear what that meant in terms of suffering and sacrifice toward a great goal. But Jesus not only spoke of his own path but also ours as he calls each one to take up his cross and follow him. What does that mean? I just read last night of a school in our area training people for ministry. The article mentioned that students were required to live a biblical lifestyle and the examples they gave were that men must have short hair and long pants and women can’t wear make-up and must wear skirts or dresses. Not sure what translation they’re working from but I am sure Jesus is calling us to something deeper than a fashion statement. But what? We will try to work that out Sunday morning.
Sunday evening missionary to India Phil Fiol and his family will be visiting and presenting an update on the work there.
I can not tell you how moved, pleased, and honored I am by the unanimous vote by the New Hope folks last week about moving ahead with the merger. A tremendous help and affirmation. This week COPC will meet after the morning worship for the purpose of taking a second vote on leaving the OP in order to affiliate with the PCA to facilitate the merger. There have been some questions about this meeting. The OPC Book of Order requires a second vote in order to leave. This meeting is not directly about the merger; that issue was discussed and voted on affirmatively in our last meeting. This meeting is only to ratify the vote to leave the denomination as the next step toward doing what we have already voted to do. The Presbytery will again be represented and will speak to us. Also OPC Regional Home Missionary Larry Oldaker will be there to begin discussions with any who want to remain in the OPC and are interested in beginning a new OPC mission work. We don’t know for certain that there are such people or how many there may be, but in any event an affirmative vote this week opens the way for all of us to move forward as we see our Lord’s leading.
Summer is winding down, schools have started or will soon, plans for Fall are well under way - Sunday school, youth groups, home groups, and more. Many opportunities for service and growth but it all begins with the Word and worship. Sunday at 10:45 and 5:30. See you there.
Jack
