October in Maine

Some news from the last few weeks at New Hope...

• As the lead pastor at New Hope is currently on sabbatical for the next couple months, I have now stepped into a fuller role--also having been welcomed as a new member and ordained as an elder at New Hope two weeks ago. I will be preaching all except one Sunday each month, and am also working with a church member in leading a men’s Bible study through Genesis.
• We will begin a new sermon series on Ephesians in a couple weeks, as well as a new Sunday School class on “Culture and God’s Word.” In this class, each week we will look at different advertisements or other cultural messages (such as Sprite’s slogan “Obey your thirst”), and then evaluate it against Scripture. I hope we can grow in discernment, so that instead of simply absorbing the messages of the majority culture, we can learn to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5b, NIV) Sprite’s slogan, for instance, reinforces our culture’s tacit assumption that we should first follow our own desires (“just listen to your heart”), as opposed to being ruled by God (which is actually the only way we find true freedom). 
• As the soccer coaching season is drawing to a close soon, I am beginning to look into other options for part-time employment during the winter. I’m talking to the local tennis club, as well as looking into springtime coaching positions as well. So far, it’s been refreshing to have changes  in my focus each day—writing sermons or visiting in the morning, and then coaching in the afternoon. It’s a great mix, and opportunity to connect with others in the community!