September always introduces us to a new church year. Here is a preview of our Sundays in September, with highlights of early October as we get this church year underway. Let others know – and remind folks who have not been gathering with us lately – that we offer Sunday morning fellowship and learning groups for all ages from 9:15 to 10:15 with worship beginning at 10:30.
During September, we will bring non-perishable food and goods to support Nourish Up.
All deacon panels, resource teams, and task forces gear up for the year ahead. We will also promote CROP Walk and prepare for our potluck lunch on October 6.
Sunday, September 8: Our Leadership Team will present the list of 2024-2025 leaders for church approval. We will also ordain new deacons in worship, always a meaningful service. I will offer a brief homily entitled ‘A Recipe for Church Vitality’ based on Acts 2:38-42.
Sunday, September 15: Our day begins early as we celebrate 30 years of Hope Chapel at 8:00 AM. Hope Chapel is located at 125 E. Wadsworth Place, Charlotte, NC 28206 and ministers to people living through a season of homelessness. At 10:30, we welcome Dr. Todd Still to the St. John’s Pulpit. He is Dean of George Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. His message title is, ‘A Church that Keeps First Things First’ is based on 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. After worship, Women of the Church will gather in Broach Hall for their Annual Luncheon.
Sunday, September 22: After a summer focused on ‘The Kind of Church Our World Needs,’ I will ask a pivotal question with my sermon: ‘Does God Need a Church?’ Scripture is 1 Peter 1:22-2:10. After worship, we will celebrate Haley Blackwell’s ministry among us with a reception, as we commission her, Austin, and Finn to Wichita Falls, Texas. The Personnel Resource Team asks that you contribute to a Love Gift Offering for the Blackwell family.
Sunday, September 29: This will be a big day. We will welcome a guest youth and children’s choir, worship around the theme of investing our gifts and energies in God’s mission and then host lunch for several other churches before we all collaborate to pack 20,000 meal kits through a global initiative called ‘Rise Against Hunger.’ My sermon, ‘And Bring Your Stir Stick,’ will teach you how you can be shaped by principles taught in Hebrews 10:23-25.
OCTOBER BEGINS WITH A POTLUCK LUNCH
Some of you remember frequent potluck lunches and dinners in churches of yesteryear.
On Sunday, October 6, we will gather in Broach Hall for a potluck lunch between worship and CROP Walk. The program for lunch will include a report from Church Council on the CONVERGE information gathered last spring.
Here is how the potluck works.
- The church budget will pay for the meat.
- If your last name begins with A – L, you bring a vegetable.
- If your last name begins with M – Z, you bring a dessert.
See you there! Let us get this new church year started.
