Under Construction: Building a Life of Faith
By Rev. Rhonda Blevins
My youngest son is enjoying a couple of different summer camps this year, which brings back memories of my childhood summer camp experiences. Perhaps the strongest memories are songs that we sang at camp, like this one:
He’s still working on me, to make me what I ought to be. It took Him just a week to make the moon and the stars, The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars. How loving and patient He must be, ‘Cause He’s still workin’ on me!
Isn’t it wonderful that God is still working on each of us, helping us to become all that God knows we can be? As people of faith, our growth in Christ is an ongoing project, never fully complete “until that day” (2 Tim. 1:12).
There’s a “ten-dollar” word for this I learned in seminary—it’s the word “sanctification.” There’s a past tense to our salvation—“justification.” There’s a future tense to our salvation as well—“glorification.” But right now, Christ’s salvific work in us is this process of “sanctification.” At this moment, Christ is working in us to make us holy. Thanks be to God!
We are an imperfect people. I am an imperfect pastor. Despite our imperfections, God is forming us as holy people. As we continue to study the book of Ephesians together, let us remain ever open to the Spirit’s work in our lives as individuals and as a Christian faith community, “built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.” (Eph. 2:22
That’s why (at least in part) I’m calling our current sermon series, “Under Construction: Building a Life of Faith.” As we are about to enter a time of construction in our sanctuary, it’s a good time to remember that our lives, if we are truly following Christ, are always in a state of renovation.
Love and light,
Stained Glass Window Removal
“Drop Your Drawers”
Bible Study: Every Sunday & Thursday
Minister of Education, Joe Creegan, offers two ways to study the Bible and explore faith: Adult Sunday School at 9am on Sundays AND Thursdays in-person at 11am in Classroom 1. All are welcome to these small group studies!
Every Sunday in July you can bring new packages of underwear and socks for school-aged kids that shop at the Clothes to Kids store before Pinellas County schools begin this Fall. Please shop for socks and underwear for kids ages 2 -17. If you don’t have time to shop we will happily accept gift cards to Walmart/Target, or cash and shop for you. The bin will be inside the church door. If you are donating cash or gift cards, please bring to the church office marked “Drop Your Drawers”. As always, we thank you for your generosity and desire to help! If you have any questions, please contact Pam Ora or Adrienne Archer.
Fermenting the Faith
Men’s Breakfast, Second Tuesdays
JULY 9 @ 9AM: Meet with the Champs to enjoy a hearty breakfast, fellowship, and Christian discussion. Leave with a full belly and soul. $10 suggested donation. Did you know? You can purchase a Chapel Champs shirt on our website! Visit chapelbythesea.net/ chapel-store to order yours today!
JULY 11, 7PM: Join us at the brewery for some deep conversation around faith and theology. Nate Ryan, facilitator. All are welcome! This month we’re at Caledonia Brewing (587 Main Street in Dunedin). Please contact Nate Ryan at ndryan1138@gmail. com with any questions.
New Directory!
Blood Drive
JULY 14TH, 10:30AM:
Hop on the BIG RED BUS and donate blood! Time slots available from 10:30am-1:30pm. Donors will receive a $20 eGift card, OneBlood tote bag, and wellness checkup.
This month we will begin portraits for our new church directory. Photo dates are July 22nd and 23rd, and for our snowbirds, November 8th and 9th. Please plan to participate to create our historical record of members. Sign up in Friendship foyer. Volunteers needed. See Dan Brafford with any questions.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Back to School Pool Party
AUGUST 11, 10AM:
Kick off the back to school season with a pool party and backpack blessing! Pastor Rhonda will bless the backpacks during service at 10am. Following service we will have a pizza party, then meet at the Rec Center (across the street) for a pool party and refreshments. Tell your neighbors and come join the fun!
Did you know we host several weekly meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous? AA meets Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 6pm. If you or someone you know needs the support these groups offer, you will find a warm welcome in classroom 2.
Renovation Update
Plans have been resubmitted by our architect following comments from the City; they are under review and will be resubmitted to the City soon for permitting. The pipe organ is in its final stages of rebuilding/refurbishing at the organ builder’s workshop. The stained glass window project is coming along nicely at the glass-builder’s workshop.
