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News and Upcoming Events
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Collect for the weekO God, the protector of all who trust in you,
without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply
upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so
pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Readings for Sunday, August 2nd / Proper 13
2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a
Psalm 51:1-13
Ephesians 4:1-16
John 6:24-35
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A letter from the Archbishop of Canterbury regarding the General Convention of the Episcopal Church.
CLICK HERE
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The
Chronicles of C.S. Lewis - Conference at Northland Church - August
14-15. You can check out more about the conference by clicking here
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We are collecting School Supplies for the Methodist Children's Home over the next few weeks. This is a project of our youth group and spearheaded by Jose Rodriguez. For more information contact Jose via email at:
jose.rodriguez.fl@gmail.com
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The overwhelming, unending love of God in Christ Jesus.
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Dear Friends,
I am a little stuck - I cannot get beyond the Ephesian 3:14-21 passage from Sunday. "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith-that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:14-21 ESVS)
I commend to you my sermon on this text from Sunday (audio file on our website). In reflecting on it over the past week I was several times overtaken by tears of joy in gratitude for the love of Jesus in my life. I sensed deeply His presence and the comfort of his love. This was not just a theological or academic exercise but a tangible, real and powerful knowledge of His love for me.
I know in this world we are easily bruised and beaten up. Life throws a great deal at us, some of which is painful. There is a comfort given to us in Christ Jesus - simply His love. There is an intimate knowledge of God's love - what Paul is praying for us in these verses. This love which is ever present is accessed and experienced by faith. We must believe and take hold of this love - to grasp it and swim in the deep river of God's grace and compassion.
When I was in High School I lived close to some cliffs on the Chattahoochee River. During the summer we would go and hang out at these cliffs. I remember the first time I jumped off in to the cold river flow. It was a hot summer day and I sweated as I climbed to the perch. It was scary as I looked down about 40 feet. I had watched person after person jump emerging from the water unscathed. I finally got up the courage and took a leap. It was exhilarating as I plummeted into the cool and refreshing water. It took a little faith to step out but the reward was worth it. After that first time I climbed and jumped those cliffs probably another 100 times over the years. A mere shadow of the picture of the joy, comfort and thrill of jumping into the River of God's love.
Sarah Edwards who I spoke of in my sermon, the wife of Jonathan Edwards the great American theologian and leader of the first Great Awakening had an experience of God's love where she recounted...
"I was aware of a delightful sense of the immediate
presence of the Lord, and I became conscious of His
nearness to me and of my dearness to Him."
May God grant us this kind of knowledge of His love, day by day... His nearness to me and of my dearness to Him This knowledge will carry us through any storm or struggle in this life. I pray I never get "unstuck" from this truth! Come on in the water's just what you need.
Living in the deep love of Christ where blessings abound!
The Rev. Jon Davis+ / Vicar |
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Annual Retreat / August 21-23
at the Mission HouseMark your calendars for our annual retreat. This year we welcome Steve Fry. Steve is a dear friend of Fr. Jon (and others) and was with us on our inaugural retreat in August of 2006. Steve is a gifted author, singer, songwriter, worship leader, pastor and more. He has a passion for the Kingdom of God and communicates a call to follow Christ with enthusiasm. You can learn more about Steve from his website at http://stevenfryministries.com or check out the church where he serves as Senior Pastor... The Gate make plans now to attend - you will not regret it! | INCARNATION RETREAT SCHEDULE
(meeting at the Mission House)
Friday, August 21
Supper at 6:30pm
Session 1 at 7:30pm
Compline at 9:00pm
Saturday, August 22
Continental Breakfast at 8:00am
Session 2 at 9:00am
Break
Session 3 at 10:45am
End with Noon Day Prayers at 11:45am
Sunday, August 23
Session 4 as a part of our morning worship at 10:30am
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