There are many things that bring me joy: a perfectly grilled steak, a beautiful vacation, time with my family, and any time the Tennessee Vols come away with a win (in any sport!). These are all good gifts from a good God. But as you and I both know, none of them fully satisfy or last forever.
You can eat too much steak and get the “meat sweats.” Vacations end, and eventually, you must come home. Even the permanent vacation of retirement does not solve the ache for a meaningful life. Family is a wonderful gift, but even our closest relationships can disappoint, and none of us escapes the pain of loss. And, as great as Coach Vitello is, even he cannot bring home a baseball championship for the Vols every year.
These joys are real, but they are not ultimate. They were never meant to carry the full weight of our longing. They are reflections of a greater joy, signposts that point us to the One who made them and made us.
This fall, we are going to walk together through the book of Philippians, a letter the Apostle Paul wrote while he was in prison. Beaten, rejected, and suffering - yet his words overflow with joy. How is that possible? Because Paul had found a joy that was not rooted in his circumstances but in something deeper and stronger: knowing Christ.
Whether you are full of joy today or feel like it is just out of reach, I hope you will join us Sunday mornings and invite a friend, neighbor, or coworker as we explore what it means to find joy that truly lasts. I am looking forward to learning, growing, and experiencing this together with you in the weeks ahead.
I also want to share a few updates to our Sunday worship that will begin on August 10 as we launch this new series. These additions are meant to deepen what we already do in worship and enrich our time together as we seek to “worship the Lord with gladness” (Psalm 100.2).
First, we are going to sing a little more. While neither Scripture nor our Book of Church Order tells us how many songs to include in a worship service, we are commanded to sing: “Sing to the Lord a new song… Sing to the Lord, all the earth!” (Psalm 96.1). Singing lifts our hearts, forms our faith, and unites our voices in praise. So each week, we will begin with two or three songs that help us adore and rejoice in God together. More singing means more joy.
Second, you will see our ruling elders taking a more visible role in leading the Prayer of the Church. Rather than regularly leading the Invocation, they will now guide us in the Prayer of the Church. This is not only a meaningful part of our worship, but also a way our elders fulfill one of their key responsibilities: shepherding the flock through prayer (Acts 6.4, James 5.14). I am grateful for their heart and voice in this ministry.
Third, and this may be the most awkward for some of us introverts… we are going to start passing the peace of Christ - a brief time in the service to greet one another in the name of the Lord. Now before you panic or start planning your escape route, this is not a holy kiss (Romans 16.16), at least not in our cultural context. It is a handshake, a smile, a “peace be with you,” or “good morning.” It is a moment to recognize that we do not worship alone. We belong to a body, a family, a community. You might even end up meeting someone new or - brace yourself - sitting somewhere other than your usual spot (do not worry, I am not trying to get fired in my first week).
Each of these small additions in our Sunday morning service is meant to deepen our worship and remind us that joy in Christ is not just a personal feeling - it is something we share as a people united in Him.
I cannot wait to walk through this sermon series and worship with you.
In Christ,
Pastor David
