Dear Caldwell,
We are in for a beautiful weekend here in Charlotte … and a big day Sunday at Caldwell. Sunday marks the launch of our Discipleship Season, a three-week period when we take stock of our individual gifts, talents and resources and commit them to joining God in building the Kingdom of God in earth.
As you may have read in the CGN! Newsletter, our theme this year is “Hope and Renewal,” taken from the words of the prophet Isaiah. In the 40th chapter of his prophecy to the the children of Israel in exile from their homeland, he reminds them of the source of their hope, saying, “Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.” This message of hope fits us at Caldwell. We are still “dreaming,” as so many in the Bible do, about what path God would choose for us and our ministries in the coming years. While we “wait” we have hope … and hope renews our strength for service to God, each other and our city.
We will begin talking, praying and thinking about all of this Sunday in worship as we “release” whatever negative things hold us back and offer the best of who we are to our Lord as disciples. One of the ways we practice our discipleship is by sending a representative team to minister to our brothers and sisters in Guatemala. We will commission that team on Sunday, too. Before worship, the Adult Christian Education class continues its exploration of the Heidelberg Catechism, a statement of faith from our past that can still speak to – and provoke – us today.
Please also make time to stick around immediately after worship for a Discipleship Service Fair in the Fellowship Hall. This will be a chance to tour booths representing the major areas of volunteering. We hope it helps everyone find a place of service. This is the first such fair and the session is excited about hosting you.
Sunday night at 6 we continue our worship with a special Service of Healing. Many of us carry burdens, some known to others, some unknown. We may be grieving a loss, suffering ourselves or worried about a friend or loved on. This special service will combine music, scripture and the liturgical act of being anointed with oil as a healing balm.
Finally, several of you asked for a copy of last Sunday’s sermon on the Truth. It is posted on the Caldwell website at:
http://www.caldwellpresby.org/docs/sermons2013/130922_Dogma_Mystery_Goodness_and_Truth.pdf
What a privilege to be pastor to such an engaged, worshipful and welcoming group of disciples!
In Christ,
John