Shippensburg First Church Of God Blog Site: Stillness & Fullness. SFCOG Updates for 10/22

Sunday is Coming!

Do you need some more stillness in your life?

This weekend, we will look at what is perhaps the most famous Psalm, Psalm 23.

The 23^rd Psalm is often heard at funerals, when we contemplate the end of life… but really it offers a poetic vision of how to experience the fullness of life here and now. It shows how “Life to the Full” that can be found through Jesus, our Good Shepherd. Central to this, is the theme of quietness and stillness, no matter where the pathway takes us--

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Consider all the expectations or demands we face in our society—employers expect us to show up, be on time, clock hours, work hard, be productive, have a good attitude, and put on a happy face through it all, even if you’re tired, exhausted, and spread thin… Our schools, neighbors, church groups, friends, & family members may have additional expectations or demands for us.

In contrast, what does our Shepherd expect from us?

Well actually, we first see that He is the one that gives us everything we need, we lack nothing, there are no demands!

…the only demand God makes of us, according to Verse 2: “He makes me lie down”

Wouldn’t you love to go to work or school and find out that the only item on the agenda was “Nap Time” ??

That’s it, that’s the assignment for today—go lie down in green pastures. That’s your work order—take a nap.

The Hebrew more closely says-- “He causes me to lie down” It’s not that God demands it, but He creates the space, the opportunity, and the circumstances where it can happen. In God’s presences, He makes rest possible.

Jesus also says in Matthew 11:28,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

If we follow Him, Our Lord will lead us to safety and stillness, where we can comfortably rest. Yes, we may traverse dark valleys and pass by enemies along the way, but His Goodness and Love will follow us through it all.

In obedience to our King, our Shepherd, we must follow him, and he wants to lead us to quiet places. Verse 3 tells us, “He refreshes my soul.”

Do you need refreshed today? I know I do!

Join us in worship on Sunday (or online) as we take some time to be refreshed in God’s Presence, reflecting on His Word and His leading.

Upcoming Events

On October 29^th, we will celebrate Mission Sunday. Phil Schiavoni will bring an update from CCO ministries and a word from Scripture. There will also be a combined Sunday School time in the sanctuary. That afternoon, the Cumberland Valley Mission Celebration will be held at the Carlisle First Church of God from 3:00-4:30, followed by a light meal.

Our Church Bonfire has been rescheduled for Saturday, November 4 at 5:00 pm. This will be held at Winsome Farm in Newville and there will be something for everyone, including food, activities, and contests. For more information, see the sign-up sheets in your Sunday School class, the Gathering Place or the children’s ministry area.

Congregational Meeting is November 5^th at 6:00pm. Join us to hear exciting updates about Cross Roads Station, the annual budget presentation, and participate in elections.

On November 12, at 2:00 on a Sunday Afternoon, we will be having a “Kitchen Shower” to provide furnishings for the new Kitchen at Cross Roads Station. You can help us prepare our new kitchen by taking a “raindrop” from the umbrella located in the Gathering Place. There are many different items in different price ranges that need to be purchased to stock the kitchen.

Christmas Preparations

We will be having two sessions of Grief Share’s “Surviving the Holidays” ministry. This one-time event is designed to support individuals who are facing these holidays without loved-ones who have passed away. The dates are November 2 and December 4, and both sessions will cover the same material. More information can be found in the Gathering Place.

Keep packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child so we can reach our goal of 600! National Collection Week will be November 13-20. Our shoeboxes will be dedicated during our worship on November 19.

Poinsettia order forms can be found in the Gathering Place, Sunday School rooms, and near the Childrens check-in area.

Our annual Christmas Market will be held on December 2 from 4:00-8:00 in connection with the Shippensburg Christmas Parade. Vendor spaces are still available!

Prayer Updates

Pastor Gary will face a very involved procedure in Hershey Medical Center this afternoon at 3:00.

Pray for healing, safety, strength, and wisdom for his family and doctors, and that his body will respond well to the procedure. It will still be a very long road to recovery.

We trust that our Good Shepherd will lead us on the right paths, for His name’s sake, and that his goodness and love will follow us—each of us—until we dwell in his house forever.

Let us find rest in Him today.

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org