Practice makes...progress |
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Greetings!
Despite all the changes this school year, some things remain.
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Students will attend classes, online or in person. Parents will get progress reports on their students.
Like any parent, my wife and I hope to see good grades and progress in our sons—academically, emotionally, socially. (We have a high school senior and a college sophomore.)
So we welcome the progress reports, conversations with teachers, and report cards, even if all contact will be on the phone or online this year.
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In a similar way, I believe God wants to see progress in us, as God’s children.
Think about it for a minute. What kind of progress have you made as a Christian over the summer or in the past year? If God were to do an evaluation of you, these might be the guiding questions:
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- Are you growing in faith, hope, and love?
- Are you turning away from the ways of sin, learning the teachings of Jesus and the words of Scripture?
- Are you claiming your identity and purpose as a beloved child of God, blessed to be a blessing?
We may not like the idea of God as a judge, but Jesus came as a Teacher, calling us to follow, so it seems reasonable for us to periodically ask ourselves (and each other) about how we are doing on the journey.
So how are you doing?
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This week we begin a new series at church on the practice of the Christian life. Our inspiration is coming from a delightful and challenging book called PRACTICING: Changing Yourself to Change the World. In the introduction, author and pastor Kathy Escobar writes: |
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I knew I wanted to live out the ways of Jesus in a tangible way that transformed not only my soul but also my relationships and the wider world around me. In a nutshell, I discovered the beauty of the word ‘practice.’ Real change in ourselves doesn’t come through a few minor tweaks in our behavior or from breezing through a book on practice. Practice is centered on deep inner work in our souls that propels us to habitually, intentionally, and repeatedly live out new, healthier ways over the long haul.
--Kathy Escobar, in Practicing, page 4
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Over the next six weeks, our sermons will focus on some non-traditional practices, like healing, advocating, including, and mourning. We also have small groups starting to reflect on these practices. Contact Associate Pastor Jeff Fox-Kline if you're interested in being in a small group.
While we ponder these practices, we can continue to improve in more traditional practices like prayer and scripture.
For a downloadable sheet with a morning and evening prayer for each day of the week, click Daily Prayer. To read the scripture passages for this coming Sunday, click here: Mark 2:1-12 or John 8:2-11.
I’ve never liked the phrase “practice makes perfect.” Perfection in anything is rare. A more realistic goal is progress.
Practice makes…progress. Students learn one day at a time. Christians learn and grow one day at a time.
I invite you to keep practicing being a faithful Christian, loving God and neighbor. The good news is that we are practicing together and God is with us always. Together we make progress in faith, hope, and love.
On the journey, apart-but-together,
Pastor Charlie
PS--Sadly we had to cancel our Drive Thru Donuts and Devotions last Sunday with the forecast of high wind and lightning.
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This was disappointing for everyone, although the people at The Beacon (a day resource center on East Washington Ave for people experiencing homelessness) were happy to receive 180 fresh donuts!
We are planning another DDD for Sunday, October 4. Stay tuned, and let's hope for good weather!
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CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
THIS SUNDAY AT 10:00
via ZOOM*
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Each year we elect Ruling Elders and Deacons to serve Covenant. Our Nominating Committee has a full slate of candidates who are ready to serve.
Click on the PCUSA logo for bios of the candidates and info about the meeting.
We need 75 members(10% of membership) to reach a quorum for our meeting. Please join us!
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If you have school supplies to donate for Glenn Stephens Elementary School, you can drop them off after the congregational meeting this Sunday. Pastor Jeff will be under the overhang to collect your supplies from 10:45-11:45. Thank you for your donations and time!
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VIRTUAL MISSION AUCTION
Supporting Education and Covid Relief
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The Guatemala Silent Auction is going virtual this year to benefit Guatemala scholarship needs and the COVID-19 Relief Offering. Start thinking creatively about how you can help by donating items with a value of $20+. Check out this flyer for ideas.
Donations: Oct 4-11
Bidding online: Oct 18-25
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