Time Break and Run, as in: "We're Outta Here Baby!!!"

Yep, sure enough, it's time for the good old "Church Summer Slump!!!" Attendance Optional. Let's see, how do I put this: NOT!!! Not Here. Not Us. No Way!!! We've got too much really important stuff on the horizon to buy into the whole "Optional Church Syndrome" business. You don't think so? You need some convincing, you say. Well, say then, try these on for size.

1. VBS June 22 thru 26 - A Major Ministry Event for Us!!! (And we'd love to involve you!)
2. Mr. Conner Hall is here for summer ministry internship. Hey, here's an idea for you...invite him to Sunday lunch! Talk with him about his ministry plans and dreams, and just offer him some words of encouragement. (And it's never too early for him to learn the important pastoral skill-set of eating fried chicken!)
3. Then, there's the New Roofing Project...
4. O yeah, that WHOLE CONSYTRUCTION THING begins on the New Worship Center!!! Way Wowee and Big Doin's!!
5. AND ON TOP OF THAT, we're actually planning to open our doors each and every Sunday of the whole summer!!! We'll be offering up a full compliment of exciting ministry menu items: Sunday School, Worship, Children's Ministries, Nursery...you name it, we're gonna be doining it!!!

But none of the stuff I've mentioned above, while important, really hits the target of what we're up to. Our real purpose is fulfilled in a far more personal way. Our slogan says it all: GOD HAS US HERE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE: GO DO IT! Ministry is what you and I are called to do as we live our lives in the community we call home. We're here to make a difference for Jesus...and that's true even in the summertime. Jesus is counting on us to look enough like heaven to invite people to the party and that's true even in the hottest of weather conditions.

Now, the thing is, as with any job that matters, preparation is important. Too important to be left to happenchance. And preparation is what we do every time we get together to worshipl. We are engaging with the truth of God when we study together, as an example. Fellowship is strength-building, and our job is too important to be 97-pound-weaklings, as it were. Service in the Church is good for us and helps us maintain our sense of priority on God's purpose for our lives. But the biggest reason is that our God is too big to just leave the left-overs of our lives to...even in the good Old Summertime!!!

There you have it. No Summer Sloump allowed. This summer invite your friends to Church. Find a place to plug in and serve! It'll be great training for this fall when we kick things up a notch. But most of all: GOD HAS US HERE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE: GO DO IT!!!

God Bless you as you serve Him this summer!

Pastor Harold
Email: harold@grangevillechristianchurch.org