Sunday’s Coming, and so are many exciting ministry opportunities, including Vacation Bible School!
All Aboard! Our VBS theme this year is “Rocky Railway,” and our Children’s Ministry team has been hard a work preparing! The Sanctuary has already begun transforming into a scenic mountain train depot!
Speaking of Railways, did you know that the longest trip you could go by train in the USA is from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA, which takes you by way of Texas. The entire route would take about 65 hours, covering 2,728 miles, visiting 7 states in 3 days.
Interestingly enough… that’s similar to the distance between Jerusalem & Rome – A distance the Apostle Paul traveled (by ship, not by railway) to share the Gospel of Jesus. We will continue our “Post Cards” series this weekend, considering some of the personal letters that were sent by Peter and Paul, some being carried great distances.
How far would you go to share the Good News? How about down the street? Or across your office? Across the political aisle? Across the table with a friend?
Consider what Paul says in Romans 1:11-15 about his motives for going to such Great Lengths for the Gospel:
I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.
Paul says not only does he “long to see” the Roman Christians to be “mutually encouraged“ but also, he feels “Obligated” to preach the Gospel in Rome.
The Greek word for “obligated” can also mean “Indebted.” Paul suggests that we also “owe it to the world” to share the Good News! The Gospel does not belong only to those of us inside the Church—it also belongs to those who don’t yet know the Good News of Jesus. It is a debt or a payment that we must deliver to the people around us, through our words and our actions. It takes effort, but when we come together, we can see the Power of the Gospel at work in our own lives and in our community!
This Sunday during our worship together, we will celebrate some signs of God’s Power at work like this in a variety of ways. We will welcome 18 New Members, we will pray over those serving next week at VBS, and we will hear more about Men’s Alliance, a new ministry starting here in Shippensburg. I hope you can join us!
Here is some more information about each of these Wonderful Opportunities:
- Please join us in welcoming these new members:
Morgan Bard, Nicole Bard, Taylor Bard, Todd Bard, Karyn Brubaker, Wayne Brubaker, Tarik Carlton, Sara Cramer, Stacy Gutshall, Lauren Kegerreis, Michelle Komora, Barb Miller, Jaden Negley, Heather Rowe, Keith Rowe, Patti Slozat, Donna Underkoffler, Jerry Underkoffler.
- Vacation Bible School begins Sunday evening and goes until Thursday. Every night the program begins at 6:00, but there is a meal available for families at about 5:30. There will be a closing program on Thursday evening, around 7:40—all are welcome to come see what our Children will learn. It's never too late to register kids, even if you can’t make it all week. Pre-registration is available online: Rocky Railway VBS :: VBS Pro :: Group Publishing
- Men’s Alliance will meet every Saturday at 7:00am at 100 Dykeman Road, Shippensburg, PA 17257 (the American Legion grounds, near Dykeman Springs). It features an outdoor exercise workout, and a devotional time around a camp fire. Men of all abilities are invited to support one another both physically and spiritually on a weekly basis. Learn more at Join — Men's Alliance (mensalliancetribe.com) (look for Tribe KEEL).
Highlights from the June Council Meeting:
- New Members were approved by council.
- Discussion about the nominating process began for officer candidates. The Nominating Committee will be convening to prepare for our annual election this fall.
A few other helpful links:
- Small Group Opportunities Care Groups (shipfcog.org), Sunday School Classes (shipfcog.org)
- Online Giving Online Giving (shipfcog.org)
- Online Worship Online Messages (shipfcog.org)
Have a Blessed Week and see you Sunday!
Pastor Rodney Bistline
Shippensburg First Church of God
seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org
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