Be Intentional This Summer

You always know when summer is here. School is out, kids are playing outside, and you can smell charcoal from the grill as you walk through your neighborhood at night. Sure the days are hot, but the warm brings refreshment with it as you sit outside in the evenings. At the same time, summer brings a certain temptation. Anytime there is an opportunity for leisure and refreshment, the evil one will bring the temptation to focus inward and to neglect what the Lord is doing around us. Therefore, with the summer approaching us, let us consider how we might make the most of this season to see, display, serve and honor God.

First, See God in the Beauty of Outside. This is not a difficult concept to put into practice. It is simply a call to enjoy God’s creation. Take a walk at night, sit on your porch, do some gardening, or take a nap in a hammock. If you go to the beach, the lake or even a park, take time to marvel at creation and remember as Psalm 19:1 says that “the heavens are telling of the glory of God.” Consider the long days of summer with the bright sun and warm weather a foretaste into the eternal desires of our heart for the new earth that awaits us. 

Second, Display God through Connecting with Others. It is also not uncommon to drive down a street during this season and see a group of friends in the backyard of a house enjoying a warm evening. Summers are great for connecting with people. In this regard, take advantage of being involved in a Bible study or home group, or simply take some time to have someone over to your house. But in all of this, here is the key:  use this time redemptively. Ask questions, encourage and generate spiritual conversations.  Summer time can often be a relaxing time with friends and family. Take full advantage of getting together with others, but be intentional about those gatherings.

Third, Serve God through His Church. Formal ministry within the church always looks different over the summer. Awana, our monthly Sunday night prayer service, and some of our home groups are all on a break. At the same time, we have a soccer camp the week of June 29th-July 3rd and Vacation Bible School the week of July 6th-July 10th. Though there is a slower pace at church, there are still great opportunities to serve. Look to make the most of the summer by getting involved in the different outreaches.

Fourth, Honor God by Remaining Consistent. It is easy in the summer time to get off track with devotions. Vacations come, families visit, nights are sometimes late and it is easy to push aside time in the word of God. Instead use the summer to grow in consistency with the Lord. Since summer time is often used for relaxation, use the times of rest to refresh your soul. Talk a walk and pray, read your Bible in the shade, switch up your normal time with the Lord. This season could also be a time where you commit to memorize a certain passage of scripture or read a certain book of the Bible. 

As people of God, we ought to seek to live all of life with purpose. In fact, life with purpose is relaxing in itself. It is stressful to look back and see time that was wasted. God has created us to live, dedicating ourselves to the pursuit of his glory. Therefore as we live through this summer, live as 1 Corinthians 10:31 says in that “whether, then, you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson 

Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson

Fighter Verse for the Week

"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger..."
- Ephesians 4:26

Announcements:

Membership Matters Class: Beginning Sunday, May 3rd, there will be a Membership Matters Class for those interested in joining FBC. This will be a 4 week class (5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/24), meeting at 9:15am during our Equipping/Sunday School hour. You can find out more about our membership process HERE.

Soccer Camp: Mark your calendar. This year, we will host a soccer camp in connection with Sports Crusaders on Monday, June 29th-Friday, July 3rd. There will be two sessions. Session 1 will be for those who completed kindergarten – completed 2nd grade from 9:00-11:00am. Session 2 will be for those who completed 3rd grade – completed 6th grade from 1:00-4:00pm. Cost is $25. You can register HERE.

Vacation Bible School: Mark your calendar. This year, we will host Vacation Bible School on Monday, July 6th-Friday, July 10th from 5:45-8:00pm. Dinner will be served at 5:15pm. Check out this year’s theme HERE. You can register HERE. We also need lots of volunteers. Sign up sheet will be up soon…

Family Discipleship Guides: These guides are designed to help equip parents further engage with what our children and youth are learning. You can find a guide for AWANA, HERE and for our Youth, HERE.

Men’s Study: Our Men’s study meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday nights at 8:00-9:15pm. The book for this study will be The Case for Christ. See Clint Blankenship for more information.

Building Remodel: If you would like to give to our remodel fund, there are commitment cards available in the welcome center. Feel free to pick up one and return it to one an available basket. If you would like to give a one time or a reoccurring gift, you can do so HERE and select “building remodel.” You can also give through one of the offering boxes at church. Be sure to mark your envelop, “building remodel.” Check out a video highlighting the work done so far.

Food Pantry: The food pantry is currently in need of some food items. For a complete list of food pantry needs, click HERE.

Awana Bible Club

Awana is officially on summer break. Clubs are typically held on Wednesdays throughout the school year. Dinner is at 6:00pm with Awana Clubs starting at 6:30pm. Children can be registered HERE.

Equipping Hour

We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “A Survey in Church History” meets in the Sanctuary, a study in Hebrews in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the Old Testament meets in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.

Giving

To Give Online, Go HERE. 

You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030

Home Groups

Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.

Prayer

An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE.

Prepare for Sunday

Guide for Worship can be found HERE.