Our scripture for this week's sermon contains Stephen's death and the widespread persecution of the church that followed!  Oh, Great!  Just what we need for a summer text.  Well, YES, it is the perfect text for this summer because never in my lifetime has there been more unrest and insecurity in our world; multiculturalism, religions vying for dominance, widespread violence, the fear of religious persecution etc.  It is easy to wonder, "What on earth is God doing!" The answers are still unclear on this, but the Lord we serve is not unclear; he is righteous and faithful to his people.

                Case in point, in our scripture this Sunday, the early church (The Way) has been enjoying unprecedented growth and joyful ministry.  Such growth has not gone unnoticed; for good and evil.  Their faithfulness now will be tested by the sin in the world.  Persecution is coming.  Our text starts with the death of Stephen, one of the first deacons.  To the end, his life was a beacon of Christ to those around him.  But his fall ignited a purging fire straight from the Jewish Temple.  The Pharisee's champion?  A man named Saul.

                In my sermon last week, I likened Acts to a recipe for a faithful church;  the first three chapter's outlining the ingredients of Christ's people and chapters four and eight outlining some of the pitfalls that arise to jeopardize her continued vitality; disunity, entitlement and this week, adversity - including persecution! Yet, as we look deeply into this text, Acts 7: 59-8:8, we see that God uses each of these challenges to draw  Christians then and now, out of their comfort, out of Jerusalem into the world; fulfilling God's purpose as recorded in Acts 1:8. Proving that God is still in control, even in the troubles of faith.

                This fact of faith reminds us that this Summer's worship has deeper purpose too, as BPC-K discerns its response to Christ's call in Acts 1:8.  Mark your calendars now because on Sunday, October 2, 2016, the session will be calling all the members of BPC-K to meet after church to take this summer recipe and discern how God is moving in our midst.  We will look at the ingredients, the pitfalls and the instructions Christ has given His Church here.  May our hearts be unified to take the next steps in Christ's ministry in Kannapolis, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, the United States and around the world.  Will you begin to pray with me for God's guidance as we desire to do his will?  I pray so . . . Blessings, Ellen