July 20, 2023

News from Isabel Acheson for issue of July 20, 2023

Sunday July 16 found many of the congregation finalizing plans and preparations for the annual Day Camp for ages 9-15. Through the week, morning sessions take place in the church, and most afternoons, the skills sessions take place elsewhere. A bus is obtained for the week to transport the campers as needed.

This year the Day Camp closing program is to take place at Stephenfield Park and will double as the kick-off for a Church Family Camping weekend. On Sunday the 23rd, there will be no service at the church in Somerset. It is to take place at the Tent Loop being occupied for the weekend.

The worship team was Pastor Jeff Peacock and Michayla. They looked after announcements, leading singing and a reading. The usher was Clayton Kimber and the Prayer Focus was led by Erik Picard.

The hymns included “Because He Lives”, “Herein Is Love”, “In Christ Alone”, then “The Heart of Worship”.

The Summer Sermon Series “Coffee Cup Verses” continued with Joshua 1:9. The book of Joshua comes right after the Books of the Law that begin the 66 books of the Bible. It is a historical narrative beginning as the Israelites complete their 40 year Wilderness Wanderings and are on the brink of entering the Promised Land.

In the reading used, Joshua 1:1-9, God commands Joshua to take up the leadership from Moses who has died. Joshua is to get up and go, to take possession of the land that God has already given the nation.

“Be Strong and Courageous” is a repeated phrase. The people are not to rely on their own strength, but are to go forward with confidence in God to enable them and to provide for them.

Pastor Jeff offered warnings that certain phrases in the text are at risk of being misapplied as people take out of context specific directives that are aimed at a certain people in a certain time.

However, there are general premises to be applied for the present time: to be strong and courageous in living the Christian life, to be careful to do all that Scripture teaches, to live with faith that God has called each one to Him and will enable each one to fulfill their calling.

Pastor Jeff closed with prayer and led the singing of the Doxology.