The Pulse | October 15, 2021
Upcoming Events:

10/24
Children's Ministry Vision Meeting

Guatemala Mission Info Lunch

10/31
Baptism Sunday

Tale of Two Masters Formation Forum
October 17
Sermon Series: Lost in the Dream
Genesis 43-45 {various} | Mark 10:35-45
Silver Cupgate ~ Rev. Nick Comiskey

8:30am {live stream} + 11:00am
Weekly Reflection
In the final verses of Psalm 39, the author begs God to leave him alone. “Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more.” (v. 13) What a line! The psalmist’s admission that he experiences God as cruel may not be good theology, but it’s honest, and true to human experience. If you’ve ever perceived that God has allowed (or even facilitated) suffering to come into your life, you’ve probably vented in a similar way. 

The opening verses of Psalm 40 bears witness to a happy resolution. After an extended period of anxiety and despair, the author has found his footing and regained composure. 

I waited patiently for the Lord;
  he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
  out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
  and gave me a firm place to stand.

Last Saturday it rained over five inches before 12pm (and a few more after). I spent most of the day in Dorothea Dix Park racing my bike. I gained a new appreciation for the hazards of mud and the blessings of dry solid ground. 
The imagery of the Psalm 40 is memorable because life often feels “muddy.” We feel stuck in disappointing jobs. We can’t get traction in our relationships. Every time it feels like we’re moving forward, we slip and fall. The promise of this passage is a rock on which to stand, and to quote the Apostle Paul (out of context), “that rock is Christ” (1 Cor. 10:4). Whether we encounter Him directly in worship and prayer, or in the community of God’s people, God’s grace is always moving toward us in Jesus. He is the divine highway leading us out of the mire and into the true, good and beautiful life.

This Sunday we’re continuing our sermon series on the life of Joseph and wrapping up Tribes and Tongues - our Formation Forum on ethnic diversity. I’m knee deep in prep for both! I hope to see you there as we draw near to God together. 

P.s. Forgive the self-promotion, if you like the Psalms, check out the upcoming season of a podcast I do with a close friend. We’ll be reflecting on the Psalm appointed for Sunday worship in our lectionary.

Nick
What's Happening at Apostles
Children’s Ministry parents+ volunteers ~ Join us on October 24 to hear about the vision and plans for Children’s Ministry this year. There is a lot to share! We will introduce the new curriculum, how we want to support the spiritual investment you make in your kids at home, community-building events, and more!
There will be a Guatemala Info Lunch on October 24 at 12:30pm (after the second service) for anyone thinking about joining the team in June 2022. This trip is open to individuals or families, rising 7th graders to adult. You don’t need Spanish, and you don’t need any special skills. You just need a desire to serve the treasures in Guatemala City. 
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