Rebuilding Our Broken Lives

When we hear stories of personal failure like the story of Governor Andrew Cuomo recently, we have a variety of feelings.  How could that person do such a thing?  What were they thinking?  But, when we examine our own lives carefully, we recognize our brokenness – our own failures and sin.

What in your life seems broken?  Perhaps, you have experienced a significant loss, a change in your status or ability.  Perhaps your health has changed or a loved one is going through a stressful time. Perhaps you are experiencing brokenness in your relationship with God or because of sin you have been estranged from God and/or others.  The list goes on and on of the ways in which our lives may be broken.

Some of you may be rebuilding the trust in your marriage; or you may be trying to rebuild your career; or your finances; or your sense of confidence.  And you’re starting to wonder if you’re dealing with an impossible situation.  But Luke 1:37 says “NOTHING is impossible with God!”  God specializes in impossible situations!  In Acts 9:13, Ananias said about Saul, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.”  He was in essence saying, “There’s no way he’s ever going to become a follower of Jesus!”  But God made the impossible possible.

On the road to Damascus, God brought that evil man, Saul, to his knees, and Saul became the great Apostle Paul.  We read in Galatians 1:17 that after Paul became a Christian, he went to the land of Arabia, where over the next few years, God rebuilt his life.  And he went on to become perhaps the greatest Christian leader the world has ever known.

The good news is that God can do the same thing for you and me, as we repent of our sin, confess our moral failures, as well as acknowledge other brokenness, and trust the Lord to rebuild our lives!  

Sunday Worship

Pastor Glen is continuing his sermon series this Sunday focusing on the Seven Churches of Revelation.  This Sunday’s message is “A Church That Sleeps,” based upon Revelation 3:1-6 and the Church in Sardis.  Please read this text in preparation for worship!

We will also celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.  We encourage you to examine yourself before receiving the Sacrament per 1 Corinthians 11:27-32.

Tithes and Offerings

An offering plate is available when you enter the sanctuary.  Additionally, online giving opportunities are available on the website.

Nursery

We are pleased to offer a nursery for children through pre-school.  The nursery is in the Sunday school area, and there is a check-in area at the door of the nursery.  We are very grateful for the ministry of Aileen Wright, our nursery attendant!!  Since our insurance policy has changed, all adults with our Children’s Ministry and Nursery are required to have COVID-19 vaccinations and wear approved face masks while working with children.

OUR VISION: To see Jesus Christ become the hub of every home in our community and beyond.  It is a big vision, but we serve a BIG God.  We believe that God will greatly use our efforts for His glory. And it all starts with prayer.

We don’t want to even attempt to see Jesus Christ become the hub of every home without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.  And that’s why we begin with prayer.

Pray & Go is an opportunity for members of our church to walk and pray for the people in the homes (at first) in the Pelham neighborhood, as that is the neighborhood where our church is located.

As we pray for the people in the homes, we will leave a door hanger with information about our church, including an opportunity for people to respond by an email if they would like for us to pray specifically about an issue in their life.

We will NOT knock on doors or ring doorbells.  We will simply walk in pairs, PRAY and share the door hangers.  The most important thing we can do to reach our community for Jesus Christ is to pray for the people in our community.  Join us in participating in this exciting ministry!!  More will be shared on Sunday about how you may join in this ministry!  Let’s attempt GREAT things for God!

The Session has launched a capital campaign to provide for both additional costs of renting our facility and saving to purchase our facility.  We covet your prayers as we continue to provide needed ministry to our members, those in the Waynesboro community, and beyond.

Join us in praying that God will guide us as we take next steps into the future with anticipation of the many ways He will use us to be an ongoing blessing in our community and beyond.  A Session member will contact you in the near future to participate in this campaign. More than FIFTEEN visits have already happened with encouraging responses!  God will pour out His blessings as we respond to His grace and goodness!

Outdoor Worship Service and Church Picnic

Mark your calendars NOW for our All-Church Worship Service and Picnic September 26th!  We will meet at Lake Forest Lodge (21 Page Hollow Lane – 2 miles past Sherando Lake Entrance).  We will begin at 10:30 a.m. for worship followed by the picnic lunch.    The church will provide meat and drinks.  Please bring side dishes and desserts to share, as well as lawn chairs!

 

Senior Choir – An Invitation from Harold Coiner

As you know, COVID-19 has interrupted human activity, not just here but worldwide.  Things seem to slowly be getting back to “normal”.

I have been toying with the idea of starting a senior choir.  Senior choir does not mean silver hair or NO hair, just folks who enjoy singing.  Right now everything is in the planning stage and nothing is set in stone.  Rehearsal would be once per month, along with singing once per month, unless a special occasion arises.  The idea is to sing old songs not used much any more.

I will be glad to listen to suggestions, music selections, time of rehearsals, or personal requests, and the like.  After Labor Day would be a good time to start; however, this new variant of COVID may put this idea on hold.  Please share with me your interest or suggestions at (540) 447-0434 or buckomh@aol.com.  Thanks so much!

Contagious Disease Preparedness Plan

The Session recently adopted a Contagious Disease Preparedness Plan to support our church family, as well as our visitors.  We want to be supportive of our entire church family, as well as our community in this season of increased cases of COVID-19, including the delta variant.  The plan has been sent to our members for reflection and feedback and is available at the church.

September Birthdays

Arnie Doyle (9/4); Harold Coiner (9/6); Aileen Wright (9/9); Kristen Holman (9/11); Pat Layne (9/13); Russell Fisher (9/14); Kerry Keyes (9/16); Dede Hamilton & Marje Sass (9/26)