November 06th, 2017

In Such a Time as This

From the devastating hurricanes to the horrific acts of terrorism and murder, these last few weeks have held more than their fair share of heart-breaking news. It is hard to find the right words to say or the right things to do as we react to such news. So how are we as people of faith to respond in such a time as this? There are certainly no easy answers - nothing that will instantly fix the hurts and tragedies of our world - but we cannot stand idly by either.

​One good place to start, I think, is something so simple we often overlook it. Just as we talked about in church on Sunday, Be Kind. Be Uncommonly Kind. When you encounter folks whose lives have been turned upside down, be kind and help them. When you hear news even from far off places that weigh heavy on your hearts, be kind to your neighbors, friends, and family and let them know how much they mean to you. When you meet a stranger whom you know nothing about, be kind because you never know how it might change their days or even their lives. Will it change the world? Through the power of God at work in the world through us, it just might. Be Kind. Be Uncommonly Kind.

​Blessings on the journey, Jim

Sunday's Sermon Snippet

Come and See!: Be Kind (Matthew 5:3-16, Galatians 5:22-23)
​In the Beatitudes at the beginning of his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus laid out a vision of the kind of people that are blessed: the poor, the hungry, the meek, the persecuted, the grief-stricken. Once we push past the familiarity and truly consider what Jesus is saying here, we find that this is fairly shocking. How could these folks be blessed? Today, our culture thinks of the rich, powerful, bold, strong, victorious as those who are blessed. But we are to be different, aren't we? We are to be salt of the earth. Like salt used in a recipe to draw out the good flavor of the other ingredients, we are to draw out the goodness of the world rather than fall in line with the blandness that hides it. So how do we do this? How are we to be different? Paul listed for the church in Galatia some of the virtues that define the fruit of the Spirit living in us. These virtues include things like kindness - things that none of us would argue with as good things to have in our lives. Yet Paul tells us that these are fruit of the Spirit and that there is no law against having these virtues. This means that these things, as simple and good as they are, do not come naturally to us and that we have a hesitation in holding to them. When faced with a server with a sour mood at a restaurant, we are likely to react in kind with a harsh attitude and a small tip. What would it be like to react in patience and kindness - to recognize our own shortcomings, to assume the best about the person (perhaps they are having a bad day), and to pray for them? How might we be kind - uncommonly kind - in such situations? What difference might it make if we intentionally showed kindness to those around us? How might it change our world? As we consider how we share the gospel of Jesus Christ, how we let our light shine into a dark world, let your kindness be your witness to the way that God changes lives for the better. 

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Shoebox Packing Party

​Join us this Sunday following worship for our Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Packing Party! Come downstairs to the fellowship hall and pack a box of goodies for a special child. There will be no Sunday School this week, so pack a box and stay a while to visit!

Living in Community

Thanks to Jeff, Gretchen, and Lauren for serving communion in worship on Sunday!
​Thanks to Bruce, Tony, and Michelle for reading our Scripture!
​Thanks to Jason and the praise band for doing such a wonderful job in Linda's absence!

​Prayers of Christian sympathy for Linda and her family on the loss of her brother.
​Please pray for Dianna as she recovers this week.

​Please pray for Brad as he heads this Saturday
​on a mission trip to help those affected by the recent hurricanes.

​Bring your food items for our Harvest Table this month in support of our community food pantry.

This Week at Port Church

Bible Study cancelled this week
​
Wednesday, November 8
9:00 - 11:45 am - Office Hours
6:00 pm - Wednesday at the Port

Thursday, November 9
9:00 - 11:45 am - Office Hours
​7:00 pm - SPRC Meeting

​​​Sunday, November 12
9:30 am - Worship - "Come and See: Be Kind!"
​Bring items to share with those who are hungry for our Harvest Table!
​11:00 am - Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Packing Party
Sunday School cancelled
​12:00 noon - Finance Meeting
​2:00 pm Football at Town Park
​6:30 - 8:00 pm - Financial Peace University Class

Looking Ahead

OCC Shoeboxes due November 19th
​Thanksgiving Family Game Night, November 21, 7 pm
​Charge Conference - November 29th, 7 pm
​Christmas Program with the Spotswood Choir - December 10, 7 pm