Perhaps, as you read this post, you are going through a particularly challenging season in your life. But there is good news in the midst of those hard seasons of life. God promises to be with us at our deepest point of need. What is your valley now? Maybe you are feeling discouraged or frustrated or anxious. We all have our needy areas in life. We all have our fears. I have my struggles, too, just as do you.
God doesn’t want you to live in denial. He doesn’t want you to put on a fake smile with Him when your heart is breaking inside. Jesus knows your trials. Jesus knows your temptations. Jesus knows your unfulfilled aspirations for yourself and for your loved ones. He is inviting you to bring your needs to Him. Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, at our deepest point of need.
In a recent post in the Daily Walk Bible, I read these encouraging words from Hebrews 4:14-16. Listen to these words.
“So then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
The God of all creation whose name is Jesus Christ (Immanuel, God with us) wants to meet you at your particular point of need. I’d like to take a calculated guess. Even if right now you are bogged down with your own sense of need to the point that you do not feel God’s love and care, I imagine that you are able to look back to a day when God was with you, and you felt His presence.
I urge you to open your life to Jesus Christ. Let Jesus Christ – Immanuel, God with us – touch you at your deepest points of need. He wants to walk through your peaks and valleys with you! He wants to be with you in those challenging seasons of life, as well as in the seasons of great joy and expectation!
Sunday Worship
Pastor Glen is continuing a series of messages on the Great Commission, specifically Matthew 28:16-20. This Sunday’s sermon is entitled, “I Am With You Always,” based upon Matthew 28:20. Please read Matthew 28 once again 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.
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 Ailene Wright, our nursery attendant!!
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. May God pour out His blessings as we respond to His grace and goodness!
We are excited to offer the wonderful eleven-week class, Training2Send. The purpose of this class as described on the website: “To provide reproducible training that teaches the foundational, biblical doctrines necessary to make disciples. The goal of Training2Send is to produce trainers, individuals, who will go and disciple others while continuing to work to multiply the Kingdom.
Please keep all those participating in this class and those who are training in your prayers!
July & August Birthdays
Bill Watkins and Ted Brown (7/31); Beth Keyes (8/14); AnnaBelle Severs (8/18); Josh Lucas & Glen Holman (8/20); Tim Stewart (8/21); Noah King (8/23); Dianne Stewart (8/31)