See You Soon

 Many thanks for the nice send-off for Josanne and me yesterday. Thank you to those who got the cake and everyone who made it possible. We appreciate you, we love you, and we’ll miss you all. We’ll be back before you know it. In the meantime, I want to say thank you again for those who’ll be filling the pulpit, for Rick Boschulte for being the main point of contact, and to all of those who are stepping in to use their gifts in extra ways. We’ll be back before you know it.

There are several things coming up, so make sure you read this E-Gram thoroughly. Remember to continue to pray for those on our list, and those who are experiencing temporary illness just now. And I would ask again that you pray for Josanne and me that we will be able to hear clearly God’s direction for this time we will be away.

God bless you all, Brian

My name is Paul Walles and I will be filling in while Pastor Brian Johnson is on sabbatical. Over the past few years, I have preached at North Danvers multiple times and look forward to being with you all again. In consultation with Pastor Brian I have developed a framework for the Sundays I will be with you to be preaching. My plan is to share some ways to understand the Biblical teaching in the book of Acts.

In the book of Acts the apostle Luke recorded the growth of the early church.  The message of God’s love in Jesus was taken to people in places where Jesus had never traveled, and to people who had never heard of Jesus.  The accounts in Acts tell us that people everywhere were hungry for the kind of life that was offered in Jesus, and there were those who responded eagerly to the invitation to become His followers.  For all the successes of this early evangelistic outreach, there were constant challenges.

The challenges that early church faced are remarkably similar to the challenges the church still faces as it attempts to be faithful in Christian practice, in witness and evangelism.  There are cultural barriers that must be overcome.  There are misunderstandings that must be addressed.  There are selfish human tendencies that must be confronted.

During July and August we will consider a sampling of the accounts from the book of Acts, not simply to be better informed, but that we might be more effective in staying on task in our own walk with Jesus and in our call to offer Jesus to others.  To be effective our eyes must be open to the challenges that continue to confront us, so that we will not fall prey to their undermining power.

Our text for Sunday, July 7 will be Acts 1:3-8 with a primary focus on Luke’s recording of Jesus’ words, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses . . .” (Acts 1:8)

The sermon title will be, “A Mandate for Witness.”

Please be in prayer for our time together, taking time to prepare yourself for worship by considering this coming Sunday’s text.

I do anticipate a good time of fellowship as we open ourselves to the presence of God with us.

Blessings to you all.

Paul Walles

Scripture readings for next Sunday

Acts 1: 3-8