college ministry
The experience of reading through the Old Testament as a new convert , and even a seasoned believer , is an interesting one . There is a lot of plowing , of pushing through seemingly meaningless genealogies , foreign place names , weird rituals , and blueprints for everything from tables to temples . It can be quite boring at times if we are completely honest . The reading can feel redundant , repetitive , and even forgettable . There are the moments of curiosity when we read the meticulous attention to detail – the kidneys go there , the blood is splattered here and smeared on the priest ’ s right ear , thumb , and big toe ?! God can appear hard and severe commanding the slaughter of nations , the dashing of babies on stones , and the stoning of the man who picks up sticks on the Sabbath . Doubts in his goodness are often stirred . The whole is filled with many strange characters . Often the righteous are odious while the wicked inspire compassion .
But then in the midst of all this , there are moments of illumination when suddenly we see the face of Jesus shining in the most unexpected places . Of course the righteous are odious and the wicked inspire compassion because Christ has mercy upon the wicked and clothes our detestable ways in his righteousness . In his light it is clear , the smallest reliance upon our own work in the Day of such salvation is deadly , even if only equivalent to the gathering of twigs . He has been hard and severe on his Son so that he might be merciful to us . Any who reject such mercy dash themselves on the hard severity of that mercy . We realize God is in the details for our sakes , numbering even the hairs on our head and all the more so as it relates to that once-for-all sacrifice for our sin which , according to the psalmist , outnumber such hairs :
“… My iniquities have overtaken me … they are more than the hairs of my head .” ( Ps . 40:12 )
Truly we find that in and through all these writings , stories , and rituals God the Father has been bearing witness to his Son . As we read , it was there all along and we had not seen it . He who is suddenly so clearly there now , was there then , and will be there again .
Why do I share this ?
Because I think that life and ministry are like this . They are filled with a lot of plowing , repetition , strange curiosities , and a sense that nothing is happening . But then there come moments when we realize Jesus is , has been , and will be at work . So it is with the college ministry . Just recently one of the college students mentioned that the carriage house has been their favorite place in Savannah , and another sat at our table listening to and rejoicing in the Gospel .
These moments encourage us to continue . We keep on plowing through the boredom of repetition , in the midst of curiosity , and doubts , and confusion with heightened expectation and hope , knowing that he whom we have seen will come again . And such hope and expectation change everything as we , with the Spirit and the Bride , cry : “ Come Lord Jesus !”
And when we say it , we mean everything that it implies .
We cry , “ come here now ” in our lives and among our friends , family and neighbors , come and remind us that even we Gentiles are swept up in the covenant love of the LORD who brought Israel from the house of Egyptian bondage and come , demonstrate as a foretaste now what will be on that final day – God in Christ by the Holy Spirit saves .
Thus with expectation and hope in the promise of the Lord ’ s blessing , we will continue to have Saturday coffee at the carriage house , regular lunch gatherings on Sunday after the morning service , and we plan to add a monthly meal for any interested SCAD students ( which , if it grows , may need more than one host !).
Children ’ s Ministry
Please be in prayer for our families at Independent Presbyterian Church as they start a new year . With the snow melted and everyone back at their school work and extra curricular activities , please pray a hedge around them . It is so important and defining for children to have family time at home without the distractions of hectic schedules . Let us all pray that God would give them opportunities to fellowship , eat , and worship together .
Would you please pray for those that teach our children in Sunday School and Children ' s Church ? What a blessing to have faithful members that come along beside our parents to teach our children . Thank you Linden Helmly , Sue Hinely , Charlie Martin , Bev Van Grouw and the host of others that teach our Children ' s Church .
Amy R . Martin
– Evan Gear
MEMORIZATION RECOGNITION
Congratulations to Julia Grace Miles and Ruth Ann Sutton who have completed Level 1 of the memorization program . They recited word perfect the Ten Commandments , the Lord ’ s Prayer , and the Apostles ’ Creed . They will be recognized in one of our Sunday worship services where they will receive an award of achievement as well as a gift card and candy . Please take a moment to congratulate them .
MESSENGER FEBRUARY 2018 PAGE 3