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SEPTEMBER 2018
From Connection to Community
As we move into a new church year, one of our we care for you that we emphases will be on forming and strengthening the are determined to share relationships we have as a community of faith. In a high- with you not only the ly connected society, it may seem like this should be a gospel of God but also low priority. We have never been more connected to our own selves, because others than at any other point in human history. Through you have become very social media, I now know what my “friends” eat (includ- dear to us.” (2:8). To put ing photos of everything they’ve ever ordered), where it more directly, the call they get their haircut, where and when they workout, to faith is the call to where they went for vacation (and a photo of every sin- community. We are only gle thing they did while there), who they bumped into sharing our faith when while walking home… all more information than I need we are sharing our lives. Dr. Michael Bos to know! The call to be a community is not an option or bonus Don’t get me wrong. There’s an for being in a church. It is at the heart of aspect of this that I love. But I’m who God calls us to be as a church. At left asking the question: does all Marble, we strive to be a place where every “...the call to faith of this connection lead to comsingle person is seen for who they are—in is the call to all their strength and weakness—and munity? I think the answer is “No.” At the same time that we are more community.” embraced for where they are. As we enter connected than ever, we are also a new church year, let’s work together to lonelier than ever. In 1980, 20% of us embody God’s vision for the church: to be reported feeling lonely. Today that number has risen to a place where people experience and express the trans40%. In the United Kingdom, the epidemic of loneliness forming power of Christ’s love through the sacred bonds is so great that they created the government position we share. “the Minister of Loneliness.” Prime Minister Theresa Here’s the catch. To do this, we need to be together. May said, “For far too many people, loneliness is the We need to know each other. We need to serve sad reality of modern life.” together. If you’ve been wondering when to take that Even those who seem known by all suffer from step and join a small group or ministry, now is the time. loneliness. Tom Hanks once said that everybody has It’s time to move from being connected to being a things that chew them up, and for him it has always part of the community. been loneliness. Kurt Vonnegut said, “What should young people do In our highly connected society, loneliness will contin- with their lives today? Many things, obviously. But the ue until people find their way into relationships in which most daring thing is to create stable communities in they love and are loved. I’ve been thinking about this in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.” connection with a moving passage in 1 Thessalonians. May God continue to grow our faith, strengthen our Paul wants the people in Thessalonica to know that the community, and use us to change and transform lives. faith he proclaimed to them is bound up in the relationships he has with them. He said to them: “so deeply do
SEPTEMBER 2018 SUNDAY WORSHIP, 11AM SEPTEMBER 2
SEPTEMBER 16
SEPTEMBER 30
Dr. Michael Bos Senior Minister preaching
Part 2 of Sermon Series
Part 4 of Sermon Series
SEPTEMBER 9
SEPTEMBER 23
#WEWO:
Part 1 of Sermon Series
Part 3 of Sermon Series
Every Week
Dr. Bos’ series is based on your answers from August’s survey
That Nagging Question Sister Carol Perry
Life’s Greatest Challenges Life’s Greatest Challenges
Life’s Greatest Challenges Life’s Greatest Challenges WEDNESDAY WORSHIP, 6:15PM