Living Wisely
Dear friends and members of Grace Baptist Church of Blue Bell,
I hope this pondering finds you and those you love doing well. Before introducing the scripture and sermon theme for Sunday’s worship, I want to communicate two important announcements to you. First, since Montgomery County is now experiencing substantial community transmission of COVID, we will follow CDC guidelines which recommend mask-wearing indoors for all people attending worship, regardless of vaccination status. While I am disappointed we are having to wear masks again, I know it’s the right action for us, because we have immunocompromised individuals in our congregation as well as children under 12 who are not yet able to be vaccinated. Wearing a mask in worship (except for those speaking or leading singing) is a way to love and care for one another.
Second, I want to remind you of the opportunity to shower our office manager Trish Simpson with cards of appreciation and congratulations in honor of her 25th anniversary of serving Grace Baptist Church. Cards can be sent to the church or left on Trish’s desk. Trish began her service at Grace Baptist in July of 1996. Plans are being finalized for a time of appreciation for Trish at an upcoming worship service or fellowship gathering.
Last Sunday, I was away with my family on vacation. We were blessed to spend time with one another at a campground in Cape May County. This is our 3rd year staying at the campground. The boys have begun to look forward to this tradition and all that we manage to do. For those who want to share in the joy of our vacation, Janet has shared pictures and a few videos on our Facebook pages.
While I was away on vacation, Pastor Jack Ross gave a message “How to Talk Like a Christian” based on Ephesians 4:25-5:2. This passage is part of a larger passage of scripture, (Ephesians 4-6) which exhorts its readers to live in a certain way considering God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, which is the focus of Ephesians chapters 1-3. This Sunday we’ll continue to listen to the ethical instructions of Ephesians, in particular Ephesians 5:15-20, where we read, “Be very careful then, how you live—not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” This Sunday we’ll explore this exhortation and the ones that follow it and ponder how we might apply them in our lives today.
See you on Sunday,
Pastor David