Shippensburg First Church Of God Blog Site: Someone Else's Mail

Sunday is Coming!

I’m heading to Bible Quizzing Nationals this afternoon, so this is coming to you a bit sooner than usual this week…

If someone had access to all of your personal communication, what would they learn about you?

If someone read through all of your texts and DMs and e-mails, would they see multiple versions of you?

If someone followed you home, what would they discover about your life behind closed doors?

If a stadium camera suddenly projected your life onto a giant screen, what would be revealed?

Recent events in the world suggest to us that many people have things they are trying to hide…

There is a crisis of integrity in our world. That means that leadership is also in crisis, and trust is at an all-time low.

This Sunday we are going to begin a new series considering what it means to set an example for the world by living as people of integrity.

To do this, we are going to read someone else’s private mail…

I am referring to a personal note that the Apostle Paul sent to another leader named Titus. It’s a small letter addressed to only one person, but it has been preserved throughout history and handed down to the Christian Church as a masterclass private lesson about living with integrity and leading through Christlike service. The letter begins as follows:

1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,

4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

There are some very important themes mentioned right away in the greeting: Faith, Knowledge of the Truth, Godliness, and the Hope of eternal life which was promised before the beginning of time. While this is a personal letter, it was probably intended to be read publicly, but either way, we will see that Paul’s consistent integrity shines through, and this is what he is writing to advocate to the People of Crete, under Titus’s care.

One thing that stands out to me: in his private correspondence, Paul speaks in the same way that he does publicly. He is not demeaning or overly harsh. It’s the same Paul who greeted the Romans, Corinthians, etc. While he holds the formal title of “Apostle” he also refers to himself as a “Servant” and appeals to Titus as “my true son in our common faith.”

The particular reason that Paul is writing to Titus can be found in verse 5:

The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.

Titus was given the job to “put things in order” for the Christian Community on the Mediterranean island of Crete. In this letter we will see that the Church is meant to have a clear sense of structure & order. We will also get a picture of what leadership and integrity should look like for all believers.

Now let me point something out that makes the “Order” and leadership structure of the Church very different from the world, which can be seen in Paul’s own introduction in 1:1—Paul’s Main Title, even before “Apostle” is “servant of God.”

Looking through the writings of the other apostles (such as Peter, James, & Jude to name a few), we can see many others who also use “servant of God” as a formal “title” in their introductions.

This can be traced directly back to the teaching of Jesus Christ, the official head of the church—in Matthew 20:25-28, we read,

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

(Every Gospel has a similar statement, including John’s inclusion of the act of Feetwashing)

According to Christ Himself, in His Heavenly Kingdom, leaders must be servants, not “overlords,” taking the lowest position to benefit others. After 2000 years of church influence on the world we kind of take the idea of “servant leadership” for granted now, but it remains a radical idea that is in direct contrast to the way people of power operate apart from Christ.

Like the gentile rulers that Jesus was referring to, many of our world leaders still “lord it over” others. Jesus says, “Not so with you.” Christians are called to be different from the world.

Another contrast of note is that Leadership in the Christian Community is not based on power or wealth or credentials, but on things like integrity and obedience and self-control. We will look at some of these specifics throughout this series, but this fact means that leadership in the Church is no longer something limited to a select few who claw their way to the top, but is now a possibility for any person who humbly stoops down to serve, living according to the Way of Jesus—Way of the Servant.

That means any of us can be leaders! Regardless of wealth or status or ethnicity or gender or age or education, etc. (see Galatians 3:23, Colossians 3:11, etc.). Part of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus is to also be making other disciples through our example of Christlike Servanthood.

Do you see yourself as a leader? This world needs good, humble, Goldy leaders who live with integrity!

In the rest of this short letter to Titus, Paul will go on to talk about this in more detail—we will be wise to learn from it.

The essential part in all of this is to reflect the mercy, kindness, and love of God, as revealed in Christ Jesus our Savior. Skipping to the end of the letter, in Titus 3:3-7, Paul reminds us about what matters most when it comes to Christian Community and leadership and accountability—

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

As we think of personal responsibility, and leadership in a Christian community, and our role in society as People of God, let us remember that Salvation comes through Jesus Christ our Savior, not because we’ve got it all right or because we are worthy, but because of God’s Unending Love.

If we believe in Jesus, we are “reborn” as heirs of a Heavenly Father with an Eternal Kingdom! We become citizens of Heaven, which is put in Order not by self-serving overlords, but by a self-sacrificing savior!

Whenever we serve in Humble Christian Love, the “hope of eternal life” breaks through into this present world!

This Sunday

8:30 Traditional Worship

My Faith Has Found a Resting Place #528

Open My Eyes That I May See #563

Living for Jesus #605

Ask Ye What Great Thing I Know #535

We continue our Summer Special Music series, with a solo by Tim Wright

9:45 Sunday School for all ages

Check out our Sunday School classes and other Care Group ministries on our website, or visit the welcome desk to learn more.

11:00 Contemporary Worship

Glorious Day

Death Was Arrested

Trust in God

Goodness Of God

Contemporary Spotify Playlist

In both services this Sunday we will also hear a report from our Youth Mission Team about there trip to North Carolina!

Bible Quizzing Nationals

Our Bible Quiz Team is currently at the Annual National Competition at Camp Sonrise Mountain in Western PA. Please keep all of the teams in your prayers as these teenagers hide God’s Word in their hearts and as their teams travel from around the denomination.

Young Adult Highlights

Our Young Adult ministry has been continuing to meet in various ways this summer, and there have been some wonderful opportunities for these young men and women to pray, to support one another, and to enjoy fellowship together. Highlights include a bonfire, and a trip to Sight & Sound!

Hot Dog Day

Last week on National Hot Dog Day, we partnered with the Presbyterian Church and others involved with the “Love Our Town” initiative to serve Free Hot Dogs to our community. Even though it was a rainy evening, over 200 Hot Dogs were grilled at the Annex and distributed to our friends and neighbors, with several going to families at the Community Cares Shelter.

Church Membership Class

Our next Membership Class is going to be on August 10th at 9:45. This one-time class will tell you more about our church and what membership at SFCOG entails. Please sign up on the sign-up sheet in the Gathering Place, or contact Pastor Rodney for more information (feel free to reply to this email).

Summer Bible Studies

Ladies in Step are having some special activity nights throughout the summer. The next will be Fabric Basket Making on July 30 from 6:30-8:00 in the Annex. Please RSVP to Joyce Hornbaker to help with planning for materials.

A summer Men’s Bible Study and Prayer Time is being held at the home of Jerry Underkoffler. This will take place every Wednesday morning at 8:00-9:15 until the end of August. Coffee cake will be served each week with coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Please inform Jerry if you plan to attend.

Living Stones Activities

Cowan’s Gap Potluck Picnic and Swimming Tuesday, July 29 10:15 AM

Location: Cowan's Gap State Park, 6235 Aughwick Road, Fort Loudon, PA 17224

Arrive at Annex by 10:15. We plan to return no later than 5:00 PM.

We will use the church van, carpool, and vehicles to haul lawn chairs and food.

Church will provide: Water, sliced cheese, ketchup, mustard, relish, onions, and will grill your meat

What to Bring: meat you would like to have grilled, roll or bread for your sandwich(es), a side dish to share, your drink, lawn chairs (if you desire), and swimming suit (if you wish to swim)

Register: The Gathering Place, Sunday School Classroom, or call the church office by July 20^th. Please indicate what side dish you plan to bring, and if you wish to ride in the church van, carpool from the Annex, meet us at Cowan’s Gap.

Harrisburg Senators Game and Fireworks Friday, August 29 5:00 PM

Location: FNB Park, 245 Championship Way, Harrisburg, PA 17101

Leave Annex (Church van and carpooling) at 5:00 PM.

Serving and Community Partnership Opportunities

This is Shippensburg Fair Week! Head out to the fair to say hello to friends and neighbors and support our local farmers, artists, organizations, & vendors!

Our Outreach Committee is now collecting Toothpaste and Children’s Tylenol for Circle of Love ministries. Donations can be placed in the appropriate place in the entryway of the Sanctuary that is closest to Crossroads Station. In addition, Circle of Love is always in need of financial donations, which can be delivered directly to their location at 150 Reading Road, Shippensburg, PA.

To learn more, contact (717) 372-1112 or circleoflovegiveaway@gmail.com

Local Women’s Conference

Crossroads Station will be the location for the “Joy in the Journey” women’s retreat August 1 & 2. This event is open to all women and is seeking to bring together ladies from across our community for fellowship, prayer, and spiritual growth. Various women’s ministries and speakers will be represented, including our own Women’s Alliance Tribe. To learn more and to register online, visit this link:

Women's Retreat Registration: 8/1-8/2

Communications Updates

*Be sure to check out our Activities Calendar and the Events page on our website to learn about more upcoming opportunities!

The July edition of our “FYI” Newsletter is available in the Gathering Place or the center section of the Sanctuary. The FYI contains information about upcoming events, care group opportunities, giving and attendance information, and more.

If you have information you would like to communicate, communication request forms are available from the church office, in the Gathering Place, or online.

Looking forward to worshipping with you in the Sanctuary or Online this Sunday!

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org