The Shepherd - July 2024

Happy summer to you all! I pray that this has been a season of rest and play for you, and I have been blown away by the exciting things that have already taken place in our community this summer. In the past month, we celebrated an excellent youth choir tour, had a wonderful joy-filled week Vacation Bible School, and were able to revisit many of John Wesley’s sermons during worship together.

During the month of July, we will be walking through the book of Jonah together during worship. This book from the Hebrew bible is only 4 chapters long, but is an amazing and thought-provoking exploration of God’s heart for the nations, his calling in our lives, and the need to love our neighbors (even those who are our enemies). As Andrew will be out on the second half of his paternity leave from June 30th-July 23rd, I am excited to be able to preach through this book with you!

If you have not read through the book of Jonah recently, I invite you to do so as we prepare our hearts to receive God’s word.

I give thanks for all of the wonderful ministries taking place this month, including our Church’s mission trip to Epworth by the Sea and being able to host Grow Day Camp for elementaryaged students in our community. God is doing great things through our church!

Finally, please join me in welcoming Charles and Julie Bowen who joined our church in June. And we were excited to baptize Patrick Jackson, age 10, and have him officially be incorporated into God’s holy Church!

Grace and peace, Rev. Connor Bell