The Fruit of the Spirit

Good morning,

Just a quick check as it has been a busy week here at the Bridge and we still have two nights of VBS to go!  The weather has definitely been a challenge the past couple of nights.  Last night I joked that it is my fault, since I am teaching on the end times in the adult class and God decided to give us a glimpse of what it will be like!

I am fond of saying that within the church calendar Easter is the most important week, Christmas is the most beautiful week, and VBS is the most exciting week.  It is exciting for me to see the next generation excited to sing songs, play games, do crafts, and (most importantly) learn about Jesus. 

This year’s theme on the “Fruit of the Spirit” seems especially appropriate, because we are living in a time when love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control are in short supply.  We, as the church, must exemplify the Fruit of Spirit to the next generation, because if we don’t no one else will.

Thank you to everyone who is working so hard to make VBS happen.  I know that we are growing weary, but I promise that the investment that we are making in the lives of the next generation is worth it!

Here's what’s happening:

1.                Tonight – VBS at 6:30 pm.

2.               Tomorrow Night – VBS at 6:30 pm.  The schedule for Friday is a bit different.  We will be having the “closing” service at 7:30 pm and invite everyone, especially parents, to join us for the celebration.  Snacks and fellowship time follows the closing!

3.               This Sunday is a busy one!  We’ll have a coffee fellowship time from 9:30 until 10 am and then celebrate VBS during the worship service.  We’ll also be having a brief time of prayer and commissioning for the missions team.  Following the worship service the Double Nickels have their monthly luncheon.

4.               The missions team leaves for North Carolina on Saturday the 19^th.  They hope to be leaving the church around 7 am.  I will be leading a time of prayer for their trip before they head out and everyone is invited to join us for that send off.

This Sunday we will be studying the life of Matthew.  Tax collectors in our culture are largely anonymous people, but that was not the case in ancient Israel.  EVERYONE knew who their tax collectors were...and everyone hated them and considered them “lost causes.”  We’ll be looking at why Jesus calling Matthew to be a disciple was so scandalous and why there is no such thing as a "lost cause" to Jesus.  If you know of someone who is feeling like a “lost cause” or love someone who is straying far from God’s will, invite them to join you at the Bridge on Sunday.

Scott