Church, have you been processing whether you are at “one day” or “day one” after hearing the preached Word from Reverend James Turner, Jr. There is a difference between saying, “One day I am going to…” and deciding that today is day one. One day keeps the possibility in the future. Day one recognizes that God has given us another opportunity to begin.
As we continue to sit with the preached Word, take another look at the fig tree. Before you decide that something cannot produce, dig around it. Before you walk away from what appears unfruitful, give God room to work. There may be some areas of our lives that need to be cultivated, fertilized, pruned, and nurtured. Dig around your dreams. Dig around your relationships. Dig around your ministry. Dig around those places where you have almost given up. Then stand back and see what God can do. What appears barren today may still have fruit within it.
Our Wednesday Night Bible Study will focus on Galatians 5:16–26 (NRSVUE) under the theme “Fruit Worth Producing” – Walking by the Spirit and Cultivating a Life That Reflects Christ. Paul challenges us to examine what our lives are producing. When we walk by the Spirit, there should be evidence. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control should increasingly become visible in how we live and how we treat one another. Church, let us cultivate fruit worth producing.
This Sunday is the first Sunday in October, and we will gather at the Lord’s Table for Holy Communion. We come together in remembrance of Jesus Christ, who made the ultimate sacrifice for us. As we receive the bread and the cup, let us remember the magnitude of His love, examine ourselves, and give thanks for the grace extended to us through Christ.
Please continue bringing in items to support our Thanksgiving Basket Ministry. Through your generosity, 500 families will be impacted this Thanksgiving season. Every item matters. Every contribution matters. Every person who participates helps New Hope demonstrate that our faith is not confined to what happens inside the sanctuary. Thank you for helping us put love into action.
This Sunday, we will also begin taking preorders for T-shirts and sweatshirts featuring our new church logo. The logo will be printed on heather grey apparel. T-shirts are $15, and sweatshirts are $25. Please remember that only items requested during the preorder will be available, so be sure to place your order if you would like one.
Finally, every Sunday is a good Sunday to invite someone to worship. Someone you know may be waiting for an invitation. Someone may need encouragement. Someone may need community. Someone may simply need to know that there is a place where they can encounter the love of God and the fellowship of God’s people.
Church, let today become day one. Dig around the fig tree. Cultivate the soil. Walk by the Spirit. Produce fruit that reflects Christ. And give God room to show you what God can do.
Let’s Keep the charge of the Lord!!!
With faith and expectation,
Reverend Aaron Tinch
Pastor
