Summer’s Almost Here
Pastor Jason Summer is right around the corner: hot weather, cool pools, bright sun, lush mountains, beautiful oceans, incredible destinations, excited friends and family. It is that time of year when so many of us are ready for a break from the daily, weekly and monthly routine. It’s time to play. It’s time to celebrate and enjoy one another and God’s creation.
And yet, typically church attendance drops off at this time of year. Now it’s totally understandable. We are all traveling, vacationing, resting, and relaxing. We are doing activities that our body, mind, and soul need (in fact, need us to do more often)!
I want to affirm all the trips and vacations and times of rest and renewal. And as we approach this time of year, I also want to encourage you to consider your faith journey for the next 2-3 months:
- How can this summer be a time of spiritual renewal for you?
- Will you come home from vacations more exhausted than when you left, more spiritually disconnected than when you left?
- Will you be intentional about your faith journey this summer or will you let slip the opportunity for a Spirit-filled Summer with your church family pass you by?
- What role will you family of faith play in your life this summer? And how can you stay connected to your church this summer?
I could ask many more questions…but my pray is that you will stay connected to Hood, that you will not miss more than a Sunday here or there (I will miss you!), and that you will all grow spiritually because of your church family.
I am not offering a guilt trip (I’ll even be missing a Sunday in July). But I am asking each one of us to be mindful that the summer is an incredible opportunity for warmth, excitement, beauty and renewal within the church just as it is within the rest of your life. I pray your church will be included in your vacationing plans…you never know what Summer fun awaits you on Sunday morning at Hood!
If You Missed Last Sunday’s Sermon…
Read or Listen to From Captive to Captivating – Acts 2:1-21
God’s Words for This Week
Genesis 1:1-2:4a – God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good… (NRSV, v.3-4a)
Psalm 8 – When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? (NRSV, v.3-4)
2 Corinthians 13:11-13 – Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up. Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure. (The Message, v.11)
Matthew 28:16-20 – Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (The Message, v.19)
This Week at Hood
Wednesday, June 7, 4:30 pm – Prayer & Inspiration
Wednesday, June 7, 6:00 pm – Choir Practice
Thursday, June 8, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Pastor Jason available for conversation at the Cellar (108 N Wilson Ave)
Sunday, June 11, 9:30 am – Men’s Breakfast at Bojangles (Cumberland St location near Hood)
Sunday, June 11, 11:00 am – Worship
Sunday, June 11, 2:00 pm – Edna Smith Birthday Party, All Invited (Fellowship Hall)