In college, Jacob was my biblical muse. He was a little brother. I was a little brother. He wrestled with God. I wrestled with God. Later on, I felt like Elijah was my muse. Elijah cried out 'God, I'm the only faithful one left...' For several years, that cry echoed in my heart. Later I finally paid attention to God's reply to Elijah. 'Not true. There are 7000 people out there who have remained faithful.' And I began realizing how much I idealized (and idolized) my own faithfulness.
This summer, we will explore 'callings' in the Bible: times when God reached out and dedicated someone to particular work for God. I want us to explore them for several reasons. Firstly, God's callings are varied. Secondly, God's callings are still happening. Thirdly, perhaps God is calling you. Fourthly, perhaps God is calling us as a congregation. It's possible your Biblical muse gets illuminated. Maybe Moses' story sounds familiar centuries later. Perhaps you'll discover 'Yes, I want to be like Mary: brave at a scary time, carrying the Lord in my body, close to my heart.'
July 1, we'll visit Abram. July 8, we'll visit Moses. July 15, we'll visit Isaiah. We'll visit Mary on July 22. July 29th is an ALL ages where we explore the calling of Jonah in four interactive parts! August 5 & 12, we'll visit the interconnected callings of Paul and Ananias.
We begin our prayer time these days with the prayer bell that compels our listening as much as anything else. I should have warned you that I believe that God's people are by definitions those who follow the callings God gives them. Hopefully, this summer, with all else that's going on, you can hear that still small voice of God.
Project Transformation Update:
It's been a busy first week at Project Transformation. By week's end we had 56 enrolled kids and a daily average attendance of 45. We have a very diverse population of kids representing 12 different area schools! Our food service is shaping up where already several of us are in the groove of feeding the kids.
Next week...reading with volunteers begins and Orchards UMC is up first. Please sign up to read Monday, Tuesday or Thursday (PT takes July 4th off). Sign up at <website>. We need 12 + readers a day. Thanks to those of you who have already signed up.
With a few extra kids than we expected there is a GOOD chance that we'll need additional readers throughout the summer. It's especially important that you get signed up and background checked, as we may be calling in reading reserves later in the summer.
The interns are shaping up nicely. They're finding their voices and their best teamwork skills very quickly. We are fortunate to have them.
Here's to another good week!
- Pastor Christopher
