It’s always good to be together!  Each Sunday that we are able to get to church and worship the Lord is a blessing.  We especially know that when something keeps us from being able to come.  I know Linda feels that way and appreciates the concern you show when she isn’t able to make it.  We were missing a few others too, and I want you to know that we notice when you’re not there.  We’re not complete without you.

There’s always a blessing in store for us when Priscilla shares from her heart, and last Sunday was like that.  When things get personal we don’t put it online, but you can here the teaching part on the podcast.  Pastor David gave a great message on how our church, though small, can do great things through the power of God using the story of Gideon from Judges 7.  Check out the podcasts and let us know what you think of the change in sound quality.  I purchased a new recorder because the old one was becoming unreliable.  It produces better files but I’m not sure they really improve on the audibility of the speaker.

In preparation for another engagement later this month, I’ve been studying the topic of mercy.  What comes to mind when you hear that word?  Doubtless many of us who have been in church for years will think of God’s mercy toward us, or maybe Jesus’ words from Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”  Depending on the version of the Bible you read, you may find the word used in several different ways.  The King James often uses it where newer translations use “lovingkindnesss, faithful love, or loyal love.  So we’re going to focus on the most prevalent meaning and the one most precious to us as children of God.

God offers us mercy.  That is, we are spared the punishment we all deserve.  Mercy doesn’t mean much to us until we come to the place where we realize we need it.  Sometimes even after we have been there, we get caught up in the life of the church and we forget we still need it.  We learn all the right things to do, and if we think we’re checking off the to-dos at least most of the time we think we’re doing alright.  I don’t say that we need always be in fear of judgement.  God tells us there’s no condemnation for those that are in Jesus, but when we forget how much mercy we have been shown, we lose the capacity to truly show it to others.  We can only appreciate the mercy of God when we understand that we need His mercy.

Read Ephesians 2:1-10 and let’s explore God’s word together.  See you there!