Update for October 10, 2007
Bryan Hooper
Dear Friends,
Fix this picture firmly in your mind: Jesus, descended from the line of David, raised from the dead. It's what you've heard from me all along. It's what I'm sitting in jail for right now—but God's Word isn't in jail! That's why I stick it out here—so that everyone God calls will get in on the salvation of Christ in all its glory. (2 Timothy 2: 8-10, The Message translation)
Paul (well, probably not Paul, actually, but that's another email!) writes these words in his second letter to Timothy. What impresses me about them is the single-minded focus on Jesus Christ and his resurrection. It was this focus that allowed the early Christians to endure incredible hardships. Imagine the frequent persecutions from all directions. Imagine the imprisonments, the beatings, the suffering. Hope was found only in the promise of Jesus' resurrection - a promise that could not be imprisoned or tortured or restrained.
This week, as we continue our collective journey, I invite you to focus on the significance of our faith. Pray for our church, and for our members, and for our guests. Pray that our church reclaim the focus of the earliest Christians, so that we might share the grace and mercy of our God freely and without reservation.
You are in my thoughts and prayers this week, and I hope to see you on Sunday.
Blessings,
Bryan
Upcoming:
Choir Rehearsal: Thursday, October 11, 7:30 p.m. in the Parlor
UMW Fall Gathering: Saturday, October 13
Worship with Us: Sunday, October 14, at 10 a.m. Scripture: Luke 17: 11-19
Adult Forum: Continue study of Jeremiah - all are welcome! 11:30 a.m. on Sunday
Staff-Parish Relations Committee: Monday, October 15, 7:30 p.m. in the Parlor
Study Group: Tuesday, October 16, 12:30 p.m. in the Parlor
Education Committee: Tuesday, October 16, 7:00 p.m. in the Office
Outreach Committee: Tuesday, October 16, 7:30 p.m. in the Parlor
Lay Leadership Committee: Wednesday, October 17, 7:00 p.m. in the Parlor
--
Rev. Bryan Hooper
br...@umcofhartford.org
Check us out on the web! http://umcofhartford.org/