Back to School

Thank you to everyone who was able to donate to our “flash” collection of Back-to-School items for Solanco Neighborhood Ministries and The Lighthouse Youth Center. 

I’m not quite ready to fully deal with this, but with Trent beginning his senior year of high school we are looking at the last “First Day of School” for our family.   We have been having “First Days of School” since 2007!  The days are long but the years are short! 

As momentous as the beginning of another school year is for the next generation, the Scriptures tell us that learning is a life-long pursuit, not something that ends in our teens.  Consider Proverbs 1:5:

Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. 

We are called to listen, ask questions, seek understanding, and learn from those who have wisdom. Learning and education, whether it is part of a formal curriculum or is a part of our “everyday” learning is a good thing.  It’s good because learning and education can both expand our knowledge of God's creation and help us develop the skills and understanding needed to serve Him and others well.  We should not only encourage the next generation to take their formal studies seriously, we should also be committed to being life-long learners as well!

However, the Bible also reminds us that “book” knowledge by itself is not enough.

Proverbs 9:10 tells us:

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

The reality is that we can accumulate degrees, facts, and information and still lack true wisdom.  That’s because the Scriptures declare that we are not seek learning to just fill our minds.   We are to seek learning that also shapes our character. Our goal should not be to just acquire as much knowledge as possible but to live wisely, discern what is true, and use what we learn in ways that honor God.  As James 1:5 reminds us:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Over the next couple of weeks our students (and some adults!) will be experiencing the first day of school.  Some will get their education through homeschooling, some through cyber-schooling, others through private school, and still others in the public schools.  There are many ways to receive a formal education, and how someone best learns varies from person to person.

There is one thing that is true for every man, woman, and child, however - the greatest education we can receive is learning to know and follow Jesus Christ!  Please join me in praying for all involved in Back-to-School this week.  Pray for the students, the parents, the teachers, the support staff, the administrators and the school bus drivers.  Pray for their safety, pray for their learning, pray for good decisions, and most of all pray for their spiritual journey.

Here’s what’s happening:

1. TONIGHT - 8/13 – Youth Group

2. SUNDAY – Summer Coffee Fellowship.  Join us at 9:30 for a light snack and a cup of coffee before the service.  We are still in need of someone to provide the snack next Sunday (8/23).

3. 8/23 – Worship in Woods Night at 6:30 pm.  We will be gathering in the woods for a Hymn Sing!  Please bring lawn chairs and a snack and drink to share (if possible). 

4. 8/29 – Youth Missions Project with Good Neighbors Home Repairs.  Projects will include a deck in Nottingham and a roof in Cochranville!

5. 8/30 – Baptism Service at 6:30 pm at the Hoover Pond.

6. 9/13 – Corn Roast at the Kreider Home after the worship service

7. 9/20 – Double Nickels

This Sunday we are looking at the Book of Nahum.  The prophecy of Nahum is short and to the point.  Frankly, at times it is a little unsettling to read.  Nahum talks about God’s jealousy and anger and wrath towards the city of Nineveh.  We’ll look at why God included it in the Scriptures, why the Israelites valued it and how it actually contains a message of hope!