How many of you have ever spent any time in caves or caverns? Any spelunkers? Perhaps some of you have taken a tour of one of the many caverns in our area – Grand Caverns . . . Luray Caverns. I can remember going to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky as a boy. When we were deep within the cave, the guide had all the lights turned off . . . I couldn’t see my hand right in front of my face. With the lights, you could view some really neat formations.
Psalm 57 is identified as a Miktam of David when he fled from Saul in the cave. In the first six verses of this psalm, we see examples of David implicitly trusting God as he is hiding in the cave. We read in v. 1, “. . . for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.” David describes his trust as taking refuge in God. When you are going through hard times, where do you find shelter? David uses the picture of baby chicks who take refuge under their mother’s wings when a predator threatens them. They are entrusting their lives to their mother’s protection.
When we lived in Kansas, there was always the awareness that tornados could happen at any time. So, people knew where to find shelter. Some families had actual storm shelters . . . or at least knew where to go when a storm was coming!
David has confidence in times of trial. He goes on in v. 3, “He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me.” Even when he is backed into a corner with nowhere else to turn, he declares in v. 4, “My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts.”
David ultimately did not rely on the cave as his place of refuge. He did not rely on human means. David is hiding in a cave; but he didn’t see the cave as his refuge. He saw God as his ONLY refuge. He saw beyond the cave to the Lord. The point is, David hid in the cave, but he didn’t trust in the cave; he trusted in the Lord.
When you are going through hard times, may you rely on the Lord and not on the things of this world!!
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 Endures,” based upon Revelation 3:7-13 and the Church in Philadelphia. Please read this text in preparation for worship!
Piano Dedication
During the worship service we will also be dedicating our new Yamaha Grand Piano. We are very grateful to God for the member of our church, who gave this incredible gift! Orville Bame will be our guest pianist.
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.
Men’s Bible Study
Our Men’s Bible Study will begin again on Tuesday, September 21st at Panera Bread in the Community Room. We meet from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m.; however, men generally arrive early to purchase breakfast or a drink. We will continue our study of the Letter to the Romans. ALL MEN ARE WELCOME!!
We will have a Kickoff picnic on September 14th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Jake and Deborah Kleinschuster’s home (1139 St. Davids Lane in Waynesboro). THANK YOU, JAKE & DEBORAH!! This picnic is just for men in the fall. Men are encouraged to bring a vegetable, salad, dessert, or other. Meat and drinks are provided by our hosts!! If you plan to come, please contact Deborah at 540.447.0041, including what you will bring.
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!! If you have not done so already, please sign up to participate in this ministry! Bob Simmons is our coordinator! 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. 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
Kristen Holman (9/11); Pat Layne (9/13); Russell Fisher (9/14); Kerry Keyes (9/16); Dede Hamilton & Marje Sass (9/26)