Hey Friends…
Who wants some hope and good news? As the temperatures rise, pools open, schools wrap up, and a three-day holiday weekend marks the beginning of summer, our moods turn brighter. So, that’s nice. But I’m talking about something far more substantive. I’m talking about a hope, endurance, encouragement, and promise that overflows no matter the circumstance. Instead of shopping for a super deal on new car financing at Toyota’s Memorial Day sale, would you like to be given—just handed for free—abundant hope, encouragement, joy, and peace? Well, does God have a summer kick-off deal for you!?!? I’ll tell you more about it in Deeper Thoughts below… But first… we have some back-to-back weekends of summer joy! · Ladies: TOMORROW Saturday, May 25… 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. – Join us for breakfast and a prayer walk at Morven Park in Leesburg. Click here for more details! · NEXT Sunday, June 2, we officially kick off our summer with a few exciting happenings: o We will honor a number of graduates for completing incredible milestones—high school, trade school, university, graduate school. We think we know everyone in our church who has graduated this year, but just in case we’re missing someone, would you click here to email Sherri names of anyone who you know is graduating this year? o Then we’ll open the Word of God to launch our next Sunday teaching series-- “God’s Game Plan—Beginning, Middle, End: A Study in Biblical Prophecy.” This will be a compelling summer series to understand all the nuts and bolts, hopes and wonders of the prophets, the end times, the return of Jesus Christ, and the hope of His people! o We cap off the weekend with a powerful Worship and Prayer Night: Sunday evening, June 2… 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. (or whenever God is done!) – Join us for an unscripted evening of worship, togetherness, and prayer as we seek God for our church family, God’s direction for us, and God’s provision for our growth and capacity challenges. We will guide you through the experience and make it safe and relevant no matter where you are spiritually. The movement of the Holy Spirit will be thick, God’s presence very tangible. Don’t miss it! · The summer fun continues the following weekend: o Men: Saturday, June 8… 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. join us for another quick but mighty breakfast and challenge to become greater men of God! o And then let’s party at our Summer Kick-off Celebration and Carnival – Sunday, June 9… 11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Join us right after church for food, fun, fellowship, games, and activities. This will be super-fun for the kids with relay races, competitions, and games. This is also for the entire church family to gather for food and fellowship in the pavilion! (Rain date will be June 23.) OK…that’s it today for you email skimmers and those who prefer to pay full price for everything. BUT… Some Deeper Thoughts… Let’s not miss the real meaning of Memorial Day, shall we? While it’s easy to have our eyes on all the fun and enthusiasm of summer’s beginning, this Monday has a far more important purpose than 50% savings at your favorite retailer, or relaxing backyard barbecues, or splashing around the newly opened pool. Memorial Day was created in 1868 to honor the fallen U.S. soldiers who gave their lives to preserve our Union in the American Civil War. Slavery was also ended through the outcomes of that terrible conflict, unquestionably the most important step towards human rights and justice in our nation’s history. Over the years, Memorial Day evolved to honor all American women and men who have given the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of freedom around the world. I emphasize the word “given” on purpose. None of us have earned our freedom. We have been given it by someone else. Their cost to give it to us was often incredibly extreme. The same is true of everything we have in Jesus Christ. It has been given to us. For free. But at a monumental cost to the giver. Here’s some hope and good news: “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness…” (2 Peter 1:3). There’s more: “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope…” (1 Peter 1:3). Who wants a living hope? Well, there’s more! Romans 15:5 reveals that God “gives endurance and encouragement.” But wait! There’s more!! He also gives us a “spirit of unity… so that with one heart and one mouth” we can experience God’s fullest identity (His glory) in our lives. Can you hear my swell radio announcer voice as bold colors splash across your TV screen? Not only is He giving you all this stuff for free… but He will fill you right on past the brim, spilling goodness all around you!! “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). Living hope. Overflowing hope. That sounds like a pretty good deal, does it not? Look, if you need a new mattress this is a good weekend to go buy one. The mattress store is giving you a deal. But friends, seriously… you don’t need to go shopping for what God is giving away entirely for free and in overflowing abundance. He cries out in Isaiah 55:1, “Come, all you are thirty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy, and eat…without money and without cost!” Hope. Encouragement. Joy. Peace. Endurance. Promise. Unity. All of it absolutely overflowing. Given to you by God. Done. Invoice printed. No charge. Oh... and free delivery, too. All we must do is simply answer the door (you can see that fine print in Revelation 3:20). This Sunday, we wrap up our 21-week intensive study of the Book of Romans--“Uncharted Territory: Taking Life Where You’ve Never Been.” We will see from Romans 15 and 16 layer upon layer of the specific (and very practical) things God has abundantly given to us in Jesus Christ. The gift is absolutely free. But we do have a part to play: You can’t get your Memorial Day savings if you don’t go to the store. You can’t receive God’s overflowing provision if you don’t come to Him for it. So, let’s open the Word together and understand the gift and how to pick it up. It is a powerful word of hope. Overflowing hope. This will be fun to explore with you! Sunday morning, 10:00 a.m. in-person (always best!), or online live-stream for you out-of-town vacationers! Can’t wait to be with you whom we love so much… Chris Eads Mt. Hope Pastor Friend
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