Sunday is Coming!
Do you know that feeling you get when you are really invested in a good book or movie or TV show and then you arrive at the end and you are sad that it is over? This has happened to me on many occasions, especially when reading books or watching a tv series with my family. This weekend we will get to the last book in the Torah, and it feels a little bit like that. I’m sort of sad it’s done already …but really this was just the beginning of the Big Story of the Bible, so there’s the entire timeline of History still to explore!
In any good story, different threads of the plot are usually all tied up in a satisfying conclusion. It all comes together!
The Torah is kind of like that… however, we will also see that the Torah ends with a cliffhanger… (after you get through a few re-runs or flashbacks).
The 5th and final book of the Torah is Deuteronomy. The events of this book take place right before entering into the Promised Land. God reminds the Israelites of Who He Is, Who They Are, and How they should Live (those same 3 questions we have been exploring in this series). Much of the book seems like a review—important things that have already been said are repeated once more.
But here in Deuteronomy, Moses is now the main voice speaking to the people, retelling them what God had told Him in private, now preaching it publicly to the people. So while it is sort of a second telling, it’s not merely a “re-run” …this time it reveals How God’s Word is being passed on from one person to the whole assembly of people. It shows a progression of how the relationship between God and Moses and God’s People has expanded.
Remember that one of the “metanarratives” or big themes of the Torah is the developing personal relationship between God & Moses, and how God continually invites others into personal relationship with Him also.
We can furthermore see that Moses, the author and compiler of all these books of the Law, has gone through his own personal journey – He’s gone from one who struggled with his own identity as a slave who was raised in a palace, to a fugitive murderer fleeing into exile, then to a solitary life as a shepherd, then as one who is personally called by God to confront Pharoah and deliver the People of Israel.
If you’ve gone through major life changes, or job changes, maybe you can relate to Moses.
After Moses is used by God as the deliverer, He has another “job change” and becomes a leader and a law giver.
Keep in mind all of these different phases of Moses’ own life as we consider one main idea: Loving God totally!
Though Moses certainly had his own character flaws like everyone else in the Bible, He can serve as a good example to us of how we can Love God completely. In every part of his story in the Torah, Moses was committed to God’s plan. Now consider the words that Moses spoke to the people in Deuteronomy 6:6—
“You must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.” (NLT)
Moses certainly committed himself “Wholeheartedly” to God & His commands throughout all these different phases of life and different roles and responsibilities, and this is also what he instructs the people of Israel to do.
God took all of the different aspects of Moses’ passion and his past and used them to tell an even greater story! God can do the same in our lives when we surrender to Him as Lord, and love Him wholeheartedly.
How about us? How will we respond to the call of God? How could God use our past and our passions?
We can surrender our past to God, we can give Him our passions, recognizing that it all comes from God. Like Moses, we can submit our whole heart, soul, & strength to God in Love.
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.
--Deuteronomy 6:4-6
Jesus calls this the “Greatest Commandment,” and when paired along with Leviticus 19:18 (“…love your neighbor as yourself.”), he says “There is no commandment greater than these.” --Mark 12:31
This Sunday
8:25 Traditional Worship
We will share our welcome and announcements at 8:25, followed by a musical prelude for a time of quiet reflection.
Blessed Assurance #572
Be Thou My Vision #562
Faith is the Victory #727
Ancient Of Days
9:45 Sunday School for all ages.
Check out our Care Groups & Sunday School Classes on our website, or visit the welcome desk to learn more.
11:00 Contemporary Worship
Day by Day #718
How He Loves
How Deep The Father's Love For Us
Forever Reign
Church Picnic
Thanks to everyone who came out to the Church Picnic this year! An extra special “thank you” to all who helped to lead, organize, set up, bring food, and clean up! It was a successful day. A little rain cleared away just in time for a beautiful day at the park.
The winners of this year’s Corn Hole Tournament were Jason Nell and Sam Morton—Good job guys!
Fall Congregation Meeting
Our Fall Congregation meeting is set for November 1 and it will include elections for new officers for the 2027 year, a presentation of the 2027 budget, and several other ministry updates. The agenda will be distributed on October 18th.
*If there are topics you would like to recommend to the council for consideration to be included at the congregational meeting, please submit those requests to Council President Denny Fleagle by October 11th.
Spiritual Growth & Commitment Opportunities:
No matter what your situation or what phase of life you are in right now, we have some opportunities for you to grow in your faith together as a church family. Here are a few of them that are coming up soon:
- Membership Class
If you would like to learn more about our church, and to consider if church membership is a good next step for you on your faith journey, plan ahead to attend our Membership Class which we are offering on September 27th at 9:45. You can sign up in advance on the clip board in the gathering place if you have not already done so.
- Child Dedication
On October 4th, we will be including child dedication as a part of our morning worship. If you have a new baby or a young child you would like to present before the congregation for dedication in this special way, please speak with Pastor Rodney or sign up on the clipboard in the Gathering Place
- Weekend to Remember Discount Sale
Married couples, we want to let you know that Family Life is offering a special discount sale on tickets for Weekend to Remember. Now through September 21st, you can save 50% on the registration cost of this meaningful couple’s getaway that happens in February. Use our church code when registering to be sure to be counted towards our group—“shippensburgfirstchurchofgod” (no spaces). Scholarships are available. Learn more and Register here:
Weekend to Remember: Faith-Based Marriage Retreat
- Young Adult Fellowship Meals
Our Friday Night young adult fellowship meals have returned! All young adults (college students, recent grads, career focused, etc.) are invited to come out to the Annex on Friday evenings at 5:00 throughout the semester to enjoy a meal and a time of socializing.
We are also planning to host a special Sunday Dinner for our college students and all other young adults in Crossroads Station on October 4th.
(We had originally planned it for September 20th but decided to reschedule so we will not conflict with another young adult Disciple Makers ministry event that is happening on the same day at one of our partner churches).
We are looking for people to help out as cooks and servers and to bring deserts! If you would like to help prepare or serve for this special event, please contact our Discipleship & Next Gen. Ministry Director, Troy Shively (troy.shively@shipfcog.org ).
Fall Fest
The Community Harvest Fest is Returning on November 7th!
Like last year, we are partnering together with several other churches in our Shippensburg Community to host a fun filled evening of fall activities at the Shippensburg Fair Grounds. Featuring live music, games, free food, activities for kids, food trucks, and a cozy bonfire, this event is designed to bring us together for a memorable evening with our friends and neighbors. We will also have a Soup & Chili Cook-Off which will benefit a local ministry!
There are a lot of ways that you can be part of this special event! Visit the link to learn about how to get involved:
CommUNITY Fall Fest Volunteer Sign Up
Woman’s Bible Study update
The women’s Bible study led by Sonia Reed will not meet on Monday, September 21, due to Donna Rebuck’s memorial service.
For those who might not be aware, there are 2 different women’s Bible Studies that meet on Mondays that are open to all women who would like to attend. Feel free to contact the office to learn more.
Online Apparel Shop
Represent SFCOG at work or in the community!
We have partnered with Creative Engravings here in Shippensburg to set up an online apparel shop—you can custom order various shirts with our church logo embroidered on them. Select from 4 different styles (polo, t-shirt, long-sleeve t-shirt & sweatshirt) and several different colors. Items can be purchased online and picked up right here in Shippensburg at the Creative Engravings shop, or you may also reach out to us if you would like us to pick it up and deliver it to your church mailbox for you (select “Store Pick Up” and let us know when you receive notice that it is ready).
Visit the store:
Creative Engraving Plus, LLC| Ship First Church of God | CreativeEng&Apparel
We have been gradually rolling out a new database tool called “Church Center.” It will be utilized for scheduling, record-keeping, giving, and many other ministry functions. You will be hearing more about it in the coming weeks as we implement new aspects of this resource, such as:
- a directory feature,
- an online giving option,
- and upcoming changes to our Children’s Ministry check-in system.
- You may have already received an email with an invitation to join the Church Center Directory or to update your information. This is a great tool to enable ongoing connections, communication, and support for one another if you would like to “opt in” to this feature. It is up to each person & family to choose what information they wish to share with others within our church database. This information is secure and only accessible by others who are part of the directory.
(please note that our current “Instant Church Directory” app will eventually be phased out as we make the change to the new system)
- You may have also received some “Donation Receipt” emails or may receive them in the coming days as we begin entering weekly tithes & offerings into the database. You can access your records online and adjust your preferences regarding these emails.
You can learn more and start exploring Church Center by visiting this page on our website to create your own log-in or update your information.
Shippensburg First Church of God | Church Center
Communications Updates
Bulletins and newsletters are available for you as you enter for worship—you can find them right outside the main doorways into the sanctuary on a table or stand for easy access. Some are usually available at our welcome desk also, but we encourage you to keep access to our welcome desk (and our handicapped accessible seating) open and available for those who may need it.
*Be sure to check out our Activities Calendar and the Events page on our website to learn about more upcoming opportunities!
*If you or your small groups, committees, etc., are planning special events involving the facilities, please be sure to communicate with the church office so we can best accommodate your needs and coordinate planning details between various ministries—Thank You!
The latest monthly edition of our “FYI” Newsletter is available in the Gathering Place or as you enter into the Sanctuary. The FYI contains information about upcoming events, care group opportunities, giving and attendance information, and more.
If you have events or information you would like to communicate, communication request forms are available from the church office, in the Gathering Place, or online.
Let us continue to worship our Good Creator together in the Sanctuary or Online this Sunday!
Pastor Rodney Bistline
Shippensburg First Church of God
seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org
Helpful Links:
Online Messages (shipfcog.org)
Our Activities Calendar & Events
Care Groups & Sunday School Classes
Shippensburg First Church of God | Church Center
Weekly Bulletin (updated over the weekend)
shipfcog.net/site/shipfcog/shipnews/index.html
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