Weekly Note from Pastor Allan
September 13, 2024
​
Friends,
It is an exciting season in the life of MBC. A new year of Sunday School kicked off this month, including a commissioning of all Sunday School teachers in worship last Sunday. In addition, we discussed a covenant with SS teachers, students, and parents last week. If any students or parents were not able to attend last Sunday, be sure to stay in the Sanctuary after worship briefly this week so that we can discuss the covenant with you before transitioning to Sunday School.
Of course, even more exciting is the Deacon Ordination planned for this Sunday morning as a part of worship. Bonnie Collier and Lindsey White will be ordained to serve as deacons at MBC after being nominated and affirmed during the Quarterly Business Meeting last Sunday. As a part of ordination, we will participate in the laying on of hands. The laying on of hands is a practical way of expressing the mystery of God’s presence in consecrating Bonnie and Lindsey. It is an opportunity to offer a blessing over each of them, asking the Holy Spirit to be with them. In ordination, both Bonnie and Lindsey are being set apart as servants of the Lord, and the laying on of hands invites the Holy Spirit to be with them in service.
The Ordination of Deacons will take place at the end of the worship service. In worship, we will also continue our study of James. The scripture lesson this week is James 3:1-12, which is an encouragement for one’s words to be align with one’s beliefs. How can we be more sensitive to our words? How can our words be a source of encouragement and compassion? This is an appropriate message for deacons as well as the entire congregation. Someitmes, we feel the need to offer words when the words are not actually helpful. Some refer to that as being a “talkaholic”, where you say words that you know will cause harm. The title of the sermon is “Talkaholism”.
Please be reminded of some upcoming events at MBC. There will be a Church Clean-Up Day on. Saturday, September 28. On Sunday, September 29, there will be a Fifth Sunday Fellowship Luncheon. The annual Homecoming service of worship will take place on Sunday, October 6, with lunch following worship.
Please remember that the Alma Hunt Offering for Virginia Missions is being collected this month. A video sharing more details about the offering was played in worship last week, and we will have a March for Missions for this offering on Sunday, September 22.
In addition, be reminded that Men’s Breakfast meets Saturday, September 14, at 8 AM at MBC. Ladies Night Out meets Thursday, September 19, at 5 PM at Rhett’s.
I hope you have a wonderful week. Please be in prayer for all deacons of MBC as they faithfully serve the Lord and the congregation.
Blessings,
Allan
