PASTOR'S NEWSLETTER

1 John 1:1-2:2
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

Christians long to share their faith with others and have good reason to do so. Once we have heard God’s word; been touched by the witness of Jesus’ life, and come to know the Holy Spirit, the only thing we can do is share our relationship with others. Something about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ makes us want to tell people about it.

First John describes in vivid terms what motivates us to speak about our relationship with God: God is the light that brings us out of darkness. God brings us from darkness into light! This is the amazing news we must share. First John says God does this not once or twice – but as many times as we need. We are believers, members of the fellowship of believers, who live in the light; still we sometimes fall away from God into sin and darkness. But each time that happens, we have a strong advocate in Jesus who, if we confess our sins, is faithful and just, who forgives us and brings us back into the light.

We share because we are blessed to be part of this strong fellowship with God in Christ. We share to fulfill our joy. God’s heart glows when we live out our witness to the light in ways that touch those around us. God’s light and forgiveness – given to the whole world – makes our hearts glow too.

Timothy B. Warner
The Upper Room Disciplines Devotional Book

JULY COMMUNION 

July 28 (AM)

March Greeters
JULY GREETERS
Andrea Smith
Vanessa Shoemaker

 Special Need: Greeters are Still Needed! 

We still could use 3 or 4 more people.