Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

We are solidly into the season of "May Madness" around here, as college students are graduating, younger students are finishing up their school year, and everybody who possibly can have a concert, end-of-year ceremony, or championship game is doing so all at the same time. Please be praying especially for our graduating college students -you probably remember what a season of change that is. May God guide each of them into the next adventure He has for them!

This Sunday, we are entering week 3 of our Gifts of Grace study. This Sunday, we will take a close look at Romans 12:1-8. The chapter opens with a familiar verse: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2). What does the pattern of this world look like? Just turn on the news to see - it looks like division and strife, selfishness and pride. And what does God's world look like? It looks like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and the rest of the fruit of the Spirit.

When God transforms our minds and our hearts, only then are we able fully to understand how and why He has gifted us. Our gifts are not for selfish gain - they become about gaining ground for the Kingdom of God. They are not about division, they are about unity and serving one another. When we use the gifts of the Spirit through the fruit of the Spirit, the Body of Christ becomes a beautiful demonstration of God's love.

As we continue to talk about our gifts and explore what they are, Paul reminds us, "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment" (Romans 12:3). He encourages us to be wise in our understanding of our gifts, to learn how to use them well, and not to take them for granted. Just as we need to avoid undue pride, we also need to avoid undue insecurity. They are gifts He has given to the whole church and they are not to be hidden but rather used for His glory.

If you would like to take an online version of the spiritual gifts assessment we usually use, you can access it with this link: 

Spiritual Gifts Survey   We will also have copies of it available at church if you would like a printed copy. 

We look forward to walking alongside each of you as you discover how God has uniquely gifted you as part of the Body of Christ.