September 06th, 2020

Greetings, everyone! Here we are at Labor Day weekend, the traditional end of summer. The promise of harvest, cooler temperatures, and brilliant fall colors all grace the horizon. I, for one, consider that cause for rejoicing. Evidently so did the psalmist, as these words testify: "Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy? He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him." (Psalm 126:5-6).

TOMORROW is THE LORD’S DAY

• Sermon Series. Speaking of harvest time, we begin a new sermon series on Sunday focused on the Old Testament book of Ruth. We have not taken up an Old Testament book since we closed out Genesis over 15 months ago. It is fitting that this series falls around our fall harvest time since this little book is traditionally read in the synagogue on the second day of Shavuot (Pentecost) which is the spring harvest festival. The story itself takes place at harvest time during the days of the judges in Israel (hence its placement after Judges in the canon). I am thrilled to begin this series with an overview of the entire book tomorrow. Just 85 verses in length, Ruth can be read aloud in under 14 minutes. We will be taking a "bird's-eye-view" in this first message to see the context and themes in broad brushstrokes before we dive into it chapter by chapter in the coming weeks. I am anticipating 6 or 7 weeks in Ruth and then we will, Lord willing, consider one of the Gospel accounts.
  

• Bible Study. We are one week closer to our full schedule of Bible Study opportunities for all ages. A great number of these take place on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am, but there are also others that happen at alternative times, live or via ZOOM. Tomorrow you will have the opportunity to "sign up" for one or more of those opportunities that begin soon. Nursery (birth - 3), Preschool (age 4 - K), Grades 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7-12 will all begin on September 13, along with several options for adults. Please take time to visit with the teachers, consider the different study options, and visit various classes through the month of September. By October, everyone should be settled in for the next year or so of Bible study. Classes remain open for new attendees throughout the year, of course.
  
• We will start receiving the Rheubin L. South Missouri Missions Offering tomorrow and throughout the month of September. Visit mobaptist.org/mmo or follow this link or videos about what your gifts through MMO mean. Please prayerfully consider how the Lord would have you give o support missions in our state.
  
• As you prepare for the Lord's day, please take a few moments and read, meditate on, and inwardly digest these Scriptures which will frame our corporate worship tomorrow:
  

Fighter Verse: John 10:10
Call to Worship: Psalm 149
Scripture Reading: Romans 13:1-14; Matthew 18:15-20
Assurance of Pardon: 1 Peter 2:24
Sermon: Ruth 1-4
Benediction: Numbers 6:24-26
Call to Worship: Psalm 149
Scripture Reading: Romans 13:1-14; Matthew 18:15-20
Assurance of Pardon: 1 Peter 2:24
Sermon: Ruth 1-4
Benediction: Numbers 6:24-26


THIS WEEK church office will be closed on Monday due to the Labor Day holiday. Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday. On a personal note, I will be in Bolivar on Friday, September 11, for our eldest's junior violin recital which was postponed from the spring. (Some of you have asked about whether it will be livestreamed, and yes it will at 3 pm that day. I will have more information about it on my Facebook page).

• COUNTRY HARVEST is a one-day event this year on Saturday, Sept. 12. We encourage everyone to participate in the events and activities in our community festival that has been going since 1995. Visit this link for the schedule of activities. The theme is "God Bless America."
  
• POSTPONED: MACH 4 Men's Ministry has been postponed to October 10 due to Country Harvest being bumped forward one week. We will be the host church in October.
  

COMING UP


Sunday, Sept. 13: Back to Sunday School, 9:30 am
Sunday, Sept. 13: Church Council at 5 pm followed by Member Meeting at 6 pm
Sunday, Sept. 13 - Sunday, Sept. 20: Week of Prayer for Missouri Missions
Wednesday, Sept. 23: See You At The Pole, 7:30 am at south entrance to MHS; also for the community at large at 8:30 am at the DeKalb County Courthouse flagpole
Saturday, Sept. 26: Day of Prayer for Revival and Spiritual Awakening, 10:30 am - noon, on the south lawn of the courthouse. Join us in this community day of prayer as we seek the Lord, confess our sins, and ask for God's hand of blessing on us.

ICYMI Last Sunday’s Message Church Discipline and Exclusion, Part 2, 1 Cor. 5


BONUS
Perhaps you have heard the terms "privilege," "critical theory," "intersectionality," and other terms associated with race, gender, and sexuality, but but don't really have a grasp on their meaning or current usage. Watch or listen to this episode of Thinking In Public with Al Mohler as he interviews mathematician and writer James Lindsay about his new book Cynical Theories, written with Helen Pluckrose. (a little over an hour in length)


See you in church!


Grace and peace,


Pastor Greg

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