This Sunday should prove to be an interesting one. John Talley will be leading us before God in worship, and as we worship, we will be going through one of the Psalms in a corporate way, where lots of people will be invited to participate by reading and/or praying. As John was describing this plan to me earlier today, I got excited by the Godwardness of it, as well as how it has the potential to involve many members of the congregation in worship. After worship, we are going to light some incense candles, put on our Buddhist robes, hold our hands in that certain way, shave our heads, chant a few bars of “Om for Dummies” and talk about Meditation. Okay, I’m just kidding about that whole sentence, except for the part about meditation. Many times in scripture, we see Godly people spending time meditating on the Word of God, but now that practice seems to be more common among other religions, hippies, and odd people. The fact is that meditation is Biblical, is useful, is edifying, is God-honoring, and is an important and relevant activity for the people of God living today. In a fast paced world full of reality television, online temptations, troubling news reports, and difficult family situations, meditation on God’s Word offers a respite from worldliness, and a refreshing drink of truth and goodness. Lest anybody think I am out on a limb with Shirley Maclaine and other New Agers, I am not speaking of the kind of meditation that empties the mind of everything, but rather the kind of meditation that fills the mind with God’s Word. This is an Old Testament AND New Testament practice, and I think it will be a fun topic to discuss, complete with a time of Q and A. Come join us!

Also this Sunday, the youngish adults small group is kicking off a new series that you should come check out. It will be a short video and discussion driven study called Uprising, a work by Erwin McManus. This series focuses on how to find the calling and destiny that God has for each person. We will watch some video, read some scripture, and then discuss things in a round table type format. I think it will be fun! In addition, we are planning on having some class fellowships and fun times in order to get to know each other better, and experience true fellowship. Come join us Sunday morning at 9:45 for coffee, and then small group - I think you won’t regret it. Here’s a blurb on Uprising, “Find your true purpose and destiny in the pursuit of the passion and character of God. Be a part of a revolution that changes a life of imitation and mediocrity into one of passion and character . . . a radical revolt that will forever change the world!” What age does youngish include? We don’t really define it - you decide! (Note: it is very possible that this small group, which currently meets at the church on Sunday mornings at 9:45, will soon morph into a home group, that might meet at a different time and place.)

Don’t forget, as well, that Genesis, our small group for all who would want to lead and minister at Agape, will be this Sunday night at 6:00 at our house, next to the church building. We have great food, fun, fellowship, prayer and discussion, so I hope you will be able to  come join us!

Finally, if you are interested in becoming a member at Agape, we will be having a new member’s class and fellowship coming up soon. Let me know if you are would like to attend!

See you Sunday,