Weekly Update 05/04/2022

Good afternoon,

In Acts 21, when Paul gathered with the church at Jerusalem––recounting what the Lord had done among the Gentiles––they all glorified God together. If you missed Sunday's sermon on that text, you can read/watch it here: (Christ, the Church, and the World, Acts 21:15-26)

I hope that you've been as edified as I have over the past few weeks by what the Lord is doing at South Woods. I mentioned a few things Sunday, but I merely scratched the surface. During our elders meeting Sunday afternoon, we spent a little time sharing some other things the Lord was doing in our midst. Chris then spoke, as he often does, apples of gold, "This is evidence of Jesus being among us." I couldn't have agreed more.

One such thing you may not know about is a new class meeting during the Bible Study Group hour, led by Bill and Cindy Starr. Each week at 9:00 they gather to focus on prayer, praying for missions, missionaries, our BSG teachers, our worship services, and for one another. Pastor Phil joined them this past Sunday and reported back to the elders how profitable it was for him.  Even if you join that group to pray once a month or so, our hope is that this might be another opportunity for the body to intercede for one another and the nations. Like the church at Jerusalem in Acts 2, we want to be devoted to the Apostle's teaching and to prayer.  

This coming Sunday we'll pause our Acts series, but not pause Paul, to take a look at 1 Thessalonians 2:1–12. That passage includes one of Paul's most visceral illustrations, describing his love for the church as that of a nursing mother tenderly caring for her own children. Pray for me as I study that letter over the next few days.

Sometimes I read the bulletin in my office and then pump my fist while no one's looking. Mostly that's when I see something Jim's picked out that fits perfectly with the sermon. This week it was seeing the VBS dates (July 13, 14, and 15). Do put those dates down on your calendar! My kids have been so looking forward to its return.

Tonight we'll gather to eat at 5:30, and then at 6:30 the teenagers will begin Greg Gilbert's study "Who is Jesus?," the adults will press on in thinking through "The Mystery of the Holy Spirit," and our younger kids will be meeting with their faithful teachers.

We'll look forward to seeing many of you again tonight!

Matt
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