Today’s Meditation;
Lost people are more amazed at our silence than offended at our message.
~Alvin Reid
Welcoming Guests and Announcements – Pastor Ross
Hymn Sing – Congregational Hymn Pick
Prayer Concerns – Pastor Ross
Backpack Blessing
Pastoral Prayer – Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer, Lord’s Prayer
Scripture Reading – 1 Peter 3:13-16 – Pastor Ross
Message – What Brought You Back?
Communion – Pastors Linda, Ross & Dave
Benediction – Pastor Dave
1 Peter 3:13-16 – New Revised Standard Version
13 Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good?
14 But even if you do suffer for doing what is right you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear and do not be intimidated,
15 but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you,
16 yet do it with gentleness and respect. Maintain a good conscience so that, when you are maligned those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.
What brings us back to church? How to encourage & respond to people who return to church. Getting know newcomers, with winsome witness, sharing an authentic desire for deeper connection. When people return, they’re looking for something the church can provide. We want to help them find that gift of faith, hope and love.
We share hardy & resilient hope. IT is easy to place our hope in things fragile/can be taken from us: money; career; retirement/future. The hope God gives us fuels our hospitality. We want others to experience it. God does not want us to hide it. Our hospitality allows others to meet God.
Being hopeful about what God is doing and giving to us. Grateful for what God provides for us in our worship & in this church. We are showing and sharing our spiritual home. Our spiritual home at Lakeview provides what a house does: a place of refuge from the world; nurture- that prepares us grow up spiritually, take on world; family we can turn to when life is messy. Lakeview is a place that recharges our hope.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you…for the hope that you have. What is inside of us that others will see & want to know about? One answer is the hope God has given us. The hope that we are not alone in our troubles. The hope that God is greater than our difficulties. The hope that in Christ God is constantly working on our behalf.
Let us know what you would like to sing in Worship this summer!