Give up! The title for this month‘s article comes from Jesus‘ telling of the Parable of the Growing Seed. "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon the ground, and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he knows not how" (Mark 4:26-29) As we enter an exciting new fall season at church, the seeds of  commitment, creativity and planning have been planted to produce an exciting new season in which we can all sprout and grow in our Christian walk.

It all begins on August 17 with our "Come one and all" Church Picnic at Fox un Park. Always a hit, the picnic this year will feature a "roast pig" as well as all the wonderful side dishes provided by the congregation. A Vacation Bible School "God‘s Big Backyard" reunion will help to highlight the day. Sprout and grow as family in Christ.

Ken Medema, alive and in concert, will join us August 23-24 for our first ever Tent Revival – to be held in the church, of course. (A tent would likely blow away with us in it.) Be guided by all the published information as you make plans to be part of this great mission in word and song. It will be life changing! Sprout and grow in your Christian commitment. By the way, August 24 is also Rally Day, and a day of new beginnings in Christian Education for children, youth and adults. Sunday Church School is just the tip of the iceberg of a curriculum encourging all of us to sprout and grow in the field of lifelong learning.

We‘re rolling now! A new worship service enters the scene at 9:45 a.m. on Sundays. Music fills the air as choirs return for a new season. Wednesday Night programming will take on a new flavor, starting with dinner for all at 6:00 p.m. Faith Works‘ projects, mission trips, a "Nothing But Nets" (for Africa) extravaganza at the Pepsi Center, are just a few of the exciting mission experiences which await us.

While the list could go on and on, all the many events, programs, services, mission and learning experiences are opportunities for you and me, girls and boys, women and men, this wonderful family in Christ to spout and grow in our
relationship to Christ, in our relationship with one another, and in our relationship with a vast community, which needs an introduction to the Lord of the harvest. There is a place for you in the growing field. I‘ll meet you there!

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