Summit News!
A WORD FROM BROTHER JOE
My dear Summit Family, I feel like I’m getting stronger with each passing day, and I thank you for your thoughts and prayers. I’m still tied to what they call a “wound vac”, which I was introduced to due to the infection I developed after my surgery. It has been attached to my leg for a few weeks, but I hope to tell it “good-bye” within the next 7-10 days. My in-home therapists are working me hard and building up my stamina. I’m trying to be obedient to my doctors and not jump back into my regular work schedule before they recommend. Thus, I will be back soon, but not too soon. Please pray for wise discernment for me and my family. I really miss preaching, and I miss all of you! I’m tired of watching our worship service by “live-streaming” instead of being there “in person”! I hope to hug your necks, and even kiss a few cheeks before long!
This week I spent time with a person who was really burdened with “worry” about their circumstances in life! You’ve often heard me say, “God never promised smooth sailing, just a safe landing.” All of us, Christians and non-Christians, have problems. It’s not “IF” they come, it’s “WHEN”! But, brothers and sisters, everyday we (not just “you”; I said “we”) need to take off the “blinders”, which keep us focused on OUR problems, and take a close look around us. The first day after open heart surgery they make you get out of the hospital bed and walk! Walking down the halls was not only good exercise, it was a great lesson in how blessed I am to not be dealing with the physical and mental problems I observed in many of the rooms I passed. Many of the patients there were dealing with much more than I was!
Please don’t think I am minimizing the difficulty and pain your circumstances and problems bring. I’ve, personally, experienced difficulty and pain throughout the many years God has given me to live. I’m saying, put everything into PERSPECTIVE. Observe others who might have more severe, and more serious, problems than yours! And, the world where we often use that word called “deserve”, believe me, is an area we don’t even want to enter, when dealing with this subject. Let me tell you about just one family I talked with last week; just one individual; I hope I can keep this anonymous yet be completely honest. This brother in Christ, a grandfather, has been fighting life-threatening cancer; his wife has recently suffered, through an accident, a broken back; their daughter-in-law, living in their basement, was found deceased at age 51 last week; their son just got out of prison, and he’s lost his sight; he’s blind; and by the way, there’s a 13 year old son of this younger couple who will now need to be raised by, who do you think, these grandparents! Yet, during our conversation, this brother said, “God is so good, brother Joe! He’s carrying us through!” We talked a little while longer and when I hung up the phone I thought, “And, some of us think WE have problems?!” IN ALL THINGS GIVE THANKS, family! We are ALL SO BLESSED!!
Let me close with two quotes from two of my favorite Christian devotional writers. Oswald Chambers says, “WORRY is an indication that we think God CANNOT look after us.” J.C. Ryle reflects “Jesus Christ is not only the Son Of GOD mighty to SAVE, but the Son Of MAN able to FEEL!”
Christ meant it when He told us in His Word: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Approach God boldly and confidently, knowing with every pain you suffer that Jesus is the High Priest who hears, knows and understands how you feel. GOD REALLY DOES CARE ABOUT US! Don’t fail to be in your seat at worship this Sunday. Pray for Pastor John and the wonderful message God has placed on his heart, just for you. You will be blessed! Be assured all of you are in my prayers! See you soon. Love through Christ, Bro. Joe
SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE
8:30-9:00 am –Fellowship time in the Welcome Center
9:00 am –Bible Study classes for all ages
10:00 am—Worship Service
SAVE THE DATE – ALL CHURCH PICNIC THIS SUNDAY!
Make plans to join us for an All Church Picnic, September 16th, Noon-2:30 PM.
If your last name begins:
A-M: Please provide a side (relish tray, coleslaw, potato salad, beans).
N-Z: Please provide a dessert and/or fruit.
Don’t forget a serving utensil;
Please precut items and please keep your food items cold and/or hot until the picnic.
MEN’S MONTHLY BREAKFAST
The Men’s Breakfast is held the second Saturday of each month. All men are invited to attend.
MISSION PROJECT: OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD MONTHLY DONATIONS
In AUGUST we will be collecting school supplies for our Operation Christmas Child boxes. (pencils, sharpeners, erasers, pens, crayons, notebooks, rulers, etc.) There are decorated boxes in the front lobby of the church and in the welcome center, to place your donations.
