10/13/23
Two painters were asked to paint a picture of peace. One painted a gorgeous sunset over calm water. It looked quiet and had a calming effect. The other painter painted a picture of a storm. The sky was dark. Lightning, thunder, and dark clouds hovered overhead. Waves were crashing against the rocks. It was quite a chaotic scene. Except for one corner, at the bottom of the picture, there were two huge rocks with a little bird between them. What was the bird doing? Holding his head up, singing! What a picture of peace! Where God’s protection overrides your anxiety.
What do you do in the face of anxiety? Fear and doubt can cause you to drift in so many directions. If you’re not careful, you may find yourself veering away from God, crashing against the rocks, as the waves overtake you. Or you can be like the bird. As long as he was sheltered by the huge rocks, what did he have to fear?
“We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul…”
Hebrews 6:19
The same is true for those who follow Jesus. We have THE Rock, a mighty fortress is our God, the One in whom we find security, safety, and peace. The One who is our bridge over troubled waters.
So, when your boat seems so small and the ocean seems so wide, remember that the hope of your salvation, Jesus Christ, is with you in the storm. Hope acts like an anchor for your soul, but instead of anchoring you downward, hope anchors you upward, to Heaven. And this anchor doesn’t make us stand still, but hope causes us to move forward in spite of any anxiety we may have. So, how does one go from being anxious to being anchored?
Join us this Sunday as we continue the sermon series: Lost and Found. This week’s sermon, Anxious or Anchored, will help you to find peace in the midst of the storm!
Anniversary Picnic! After an abbreviated worship celebration this Sunday, we will head over to Faust Park’s Pavilion (near the playground) and have a good old-fashioned church picnic! Wear your church t-shirts (we still have a few if you didn’t purchase one yet). The church will supply bbq meats, just bring a side or bring yourself!
55 for 55 Our anniversary fundraising goal is $55,000 in honor of 55 years of faithful service and generosity. And while we’re making progress, we have a ways to go! I invite you to consider how you will participate in giving. Whether it’s $5, $500, or some multiple of 5, no gift is too small (or too large!). There is a line for 55 Anniversary giving on our e-giving site, or you can write “Anniversary” on the memo line of your check. We will culminate our 55th Church Anniversary celebration on Sunday, November 5, with worship and dinner. Let’s celebrate 55 for 55!
Children’s Sabbath will be observed on Oct. 22. We will lift up our children and youth, and they will be part of the worship celebration, as we live into our vision of empowering new generations! Bring all the kiddos you can and let’s show them how much they are loved.
Trunk or Treat on Oct. 22, 3:30-5:30pm. Sign up, show up, and serve up some treats to the kiddos! We usually have a couple hundred kids come out, but don’t worry we’ll have extra candy on hand! And if you would like to donate candy that would be great too.
WOW Bible Study! We have 2 new classes from which to choose – Lea Doyel will lead a class on forgiveness, and Rod Harris will lead one based on outcasts in the book of Luke. Both classes will run for six weeks. Dinner is at 5:45p (potluck) and classes are from 6:30-7:30pm.
Next State of the Church will be on Saturday, October 28, 10:00am.
Stay in the Know! Don’t forget to pick up this month’s information at the Welcome Center or the Coffee Station. Just our way of helping you to stay in the know!
Worship With Us ~ Sundays at 10:00am
In-house:
14237 Ladue Rd.
Chesterfield, MO 63017
or
Online:
Sunday School for all ages at 9:00am!
Blessings,
Pastor Linda
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