Dear members and friends of Messiah:

THE BOOK OF FAITH initiative!  What is this all about? 

Its about committing ourselves to more frequently and more meaningfully opening up our Bibles.   For those who joined me in reading Pastor Kelly Fryer's book:  RECAPTURING THE E(for evangelical) WORD, and for those who heard me preach on June 29th - just a reminder of those 3 questions to ask ourselves as we read passages/stories/upcoming or past Sunday's assigned texts:

• What do you see GOD doing in this passage?
• What do you hear GOD saying to you personally in this passage?
• What do you hear GOD saying to us as a church in this passage?

Having just one person to share these thoughts with would also be helpful.  Try it when committees, circles, meetings of any kind take place.   A willingness to wrestle with questions like these as we learn to listen to God's voice together, is one key to reclaiming ourselves as truly EVANGELICAL people.  After all, to be evangelical people is to have a good word to share with others.  And how can that WORD come THROUGH us unless it has first come TO us?

One great way God's Word comes to the kids of our church and community is through the joyous experience of VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL!   I look forward to another exciting and creative week.  This year our theme is:

• POWER LAB:  Discovering the miraculous power of Jesus.

The week is Monday-Friday - July 21-25 with closing on Friday PM and a service of celebration on Sunday, July 27 (11:15 contemporary service - Luther Hall gym).   Sign up your children, grandchildren, friends, neighbors and/or yourself as a helper right here on the website or call the office, or pick up a registration form at church.  This is a wonderful way to build the faith of our children.

May God bless you this summer with opportunities for rest, recreation and appreciation in and for His glorious gift of CREATION.

In Christ's Service

Pastor John Yost