 When I'm reading my Bible, I often come across a passage that speaks to me in a powerful way. On those occasions I'll often reach for a highlighter to mark the verses for future reference. At other times, I'll read a section that bores me or makes me uncomfortable. In those cases, I'll grab my black Sharpie marker and block out the offensive verses so that I won't have to deal with them in the future. I hope you realize that I'm joking about the Sharpie! However, most of us are guilty of virtually "redacting" portions of Scripture for any number of reasons. Some parts just seem boring. Some appear irrelevant to us. And there are the passages that make us uncomfortable. So we just skip over those portions of the Bible and stick with our favorites. The problem is that we end up missing part of what God has to say to us - and we're the lesser for it! This Sunday, September 29th, we'll be kicking off our next IMMERSE Bible reading experience as we read through the books of the prophets together over the next 8 weeks. You can pick up a copy of the volume "IMMERSE: PROPHETS" at church for $10 or you can purchase a copy through Amazon (there's also a Kindle version available if you prefer). The benefit of using the IMMERSE volume is that it contains the books in the order that we will be reading them (different from the order they are in your Bible) which reflects their chronological order. In addition, all chapter and verse breaks have been removed so that our reading experience becomes more fluid and similar to the books' original form. IMMERSE volumes also contain informative and helpful introductions to each book which helps to set the context for each prophet's message. Each Sunday I'll be selecting the sermon text from within the previous week's reading. There are lots of resources available at www.immerse.covchurch.org/prophets  We'll finishing off September with a BBQ Potluck this Sunday following worship. The meat and drinks will be provided while you can bring a side dish, salad, or dessert to share. Even though the forecast looks to be chilly, we'll adjust as needed, so plan on being a part of the fellowship!
I enjoy a good mystery, whether it's a book or movie. There's a lot of fun trying to solve the case right alongside the detective. But the key to cracking the case is to be observant of the details. Take a look at this brief Youtube video and see how observant you are: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubNF9QNEQLA This Sunday, September 15th, we'll be continuing in our series focused on REACHING OUT to our world with the Good News. However, you can't share the Good News unless you notice the people around you who need to know it. I hope you'll be able to join us as we consider how Jesus models this life for us.  And I hope you'll choose to come to church a bit earlier in order to participate in our Sunday School time before worship (9:45-10:15). I'll be leading a class on how we can naturally work with the Holy Spirit in creating the kind of friendships in which spiritual conversations happen naturally with others. Everyone from teenaged and up are invited to be a part of this discussion-based class. The class will be based on the book "God Space" by Doug Pollock and I highly recommend everyone purchase a copy. (I'll have some available for $5, but you can also purchase a hard copy or Kindle version on Amazon). However, you will still get a lot out of our class and discussion even if you don't have a copy of the book. I hope you'll be able to join us! Bless Our Schools SundayThis Sunday we will also take time in our worship service to pray a blessing over our schools and all of the students, teachers, and administrators. We want to encourage all of you who work in our schools to come this Sunday and consider inviting another of your co-workers to come along. We won't ask you to come up front, but we want to pray God's blessing over you and your schools in the coming year.
This Monday, September 16th, will be the kickoff for a new Mom's in Prayer group. Each Monday morning from 9:00-10:00, all women are invited to meet at the home of Lisa Whatley to pray for the Methow Valley School District staff and students. Contact Lisa for more information [email protected]  When it comes to getting motivated, which do you prefer: the carrot or the stick? The carrot is a reward awaiting you for having done something. The stick is a threat of something negative you'll experience as a consequence for not performing. It's interesting to consider how different people approach their life as a Jesus-follower. Some attend worship, spend time in God's Word, pray, tithe, serve, and share the Good News of God's love with others all out of the joy and blessings they receive from these spiritual practices. Others do these things out of fear of being punished by God or others should they fail to act "like a Christian should". This Sunday, September 8th, we'll begin a series we're calling "REACHING". It's all about sharing the Good News with others in our world. We'll be starting out with the question of what should be our motivation for witnessing.  This fall, during our Sunday School time before worship (9:45-10:15), I'll be leading a class on how we can naturally work with the Holy Spirit in creating the kind of friendships in which spiritual conversations happen naturally with others. Everyone from teenaged and up are invited to be a part of this discussion-based class. The class will be based on the book "God Space" by Doug Pollock and I highly recommend everyone purchase a copy. (I'll have some available for $5, but you can also purchase a hard copy or Kindle version on Amazon). However, you will still get a lot out of our class and discussion even if you don't have a copy of the book. I hope you'll be able to join us! Sunday School Kickoff Speaking of Sunday School, we'll be celebrating the start of our classes this Sunday with a PANCAKE TAILGATE BREAKFAST! Come to church at 9:45 and enjoy pancakes at tables in the parking lot right outside of Fellowship Hall. It's our way of celebrating that our new year of classes will be starting. During the worship service, we'll be sharing about our Children's Ministry plans and acknowledging those who have volunteered in different ways over the past year. And following the worship service, there will be special gifts for all the kids and their families! All Church BBQ Potluck
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Pastor JeffThoughts about living as a Jesus follower and life at Community Covenant Church Archives
December 2020
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