Shippensburg First Church Of God Blog Site: SFCOG Council Highlights and Updates for 9/17

Sunday is Coming!

What do these three things have in common?

A heavy Weight
A huge Debt
An impossible Target

Is this some new version of "Rock, Paper, Scissors" perhaps?

No, these are all metaphors for "Sin" that have been used throughout the ages and can be found in the Bible.

In the Old Testament, it was most common to think of sin like a heavy burden. By the time of the New Testament, most Jews thought of sin in terms of a financial price to pay. For the ancient Greeks, their concept of sin had origins with the metaphor of a spear or arrow missing a target—it was like the failure to meet an ideal standard. You can see this displayed in the imagery of the Old Testament and by the different words used by the Gospel writers (most notably Matthew and Luke).

With all of these different images, is it any wonder that in our day and age, we too, are not sure how to talk about Sin?

Scripture itself makes it clear that Sin is a complex problem that can't be solved with man-made metaphors or human wisdom. As much as we'd like to make it simpler, the Bible reminds us that it is NOT—and therefore, ONLY GOD can solve this problem!

To understand--and to remedy--the problem of sin, we first need to acknowledge that God must be invited to intervene.

Regardless of culture or circumstances, the implication--according to Jesus--is that Sin is something only God our Heavenly Father can forgive—

God lifts the burden
God erases the debt
God hits the target or defines the ideal

God did all of these things through the redeeming work of Jesus.

In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus instructs us to pray to God saying,

"forgive us…"

It is a request, and Only God can grant that request.

In the same way that "daily bread" and all good things come from our heavenly father, God is the source of forgiveness.

But in the very same breath, Jesus reveals a requirement for us—"as we also have forgiven…"

Notice how when we talk about sin in the context of Prayer--first acknowledging our own sinfulness--this actually has the potential to bring us together, not push us apart. And notice something else about the Lord's Prayer-- it is all Plural!

OUR Father… give US… forgive US... lead US… deliver US…

Prayer is meant to bring us together with God and with His People in all of these ways, and forgiveness is at the center of how we ensure that the togetherness continues!

I hope you can come together with us this weekend to consider this "simply complicated" aspect of Prayer!

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

-Romans 3:23-24

**Please continue to keep Pastor Gary in your Prayers.

He has shown many signs of good progress, but continues to be in Hershey Hospital. His family thanks you for your prayers and concerns.

Here are a few highlights from the September Council Meeting:

Discussion and action took place regarding Young Adult Ministry opportunities, and financial support.
Updates were shared and actions were taken regarding present council positions and November nominations.
An update was given regarding our ongoing internal financial audit.
Updates were shared and action was taken regarding CRS progress, including a revision to the deed, and congregational involvement to donate items for the kitchen.

Looking Ahead:

Next Weekend is "The Commands of Messiah" event and here's a question for you—

Did you know that the term "Christian" appears only 3 times in the New Testament while the term "Disciple" appears 269 times?

Learn about this and more at this special seminar taught by Dr. Arnie Fleagle from Aim High Ministries on September 22nd & 23rd. The Friday night session on will be from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm. The Saturday morning session will be held from 8:30 am to 12 Noon. Register in the Gathering Place, your Sunday School class, or call the office (so we are sure to have enough snacks for everyone!)

Our next church outing will be to Lake Tobias Wildlife Park on September 30th. Bring your friends and family, invite your neighbors, and join us for a day of wild animals. You can meet here at the church at 9:30 to caravan, or go directly to the Park. More information and sign-up sheets are in the Gathering Place and Sunday School Classrooms. Visit their website for location and pricing: Lake Tobias Wildlife Park

We look forward to worshipping together this weekend, in the Sanctuary or online!

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org