GOD IN EVERYTHING – Beginning and Ending

The month of June marks different things to people. For some, it is graduation time, which marks the end of something and a beginning of something new and better. For our youth in high school, it is the beginning of their finals or advanced placement (AP) exams. For our children in lower grades, it is
stepping up ceremonies. It is stepping up to newer responsibilities. Whether they are ending or beginning something, along with the Psalmist we remember and declare God’s goodness and faithfulness in the life of all of them.

June is also a lean month in terms of attendance at worship due to travel and other commitments.
Many churches with 2 worship services often opt to conduct one worship service either in the sanctuary
or on the lawn of the church. Conducting the worship service on the lawn often invites the community to
worship and, serves as a testimony to the faith that the worshipping community shares. This is a way
making the church see themselves with an outward focus.

June is a time when the church calendar reminds us that we are entering “ordinary times”. The vestment on the altar is changed to green replacing the vibrancy of red during the season of Pentecost. I always remind myself that there is nothing ordinary about Sunday worship. Green symbolizes growth reminding us of an opportunity to grow in our reading of scriptures, meditating while taking our morning walks and extending our time in prayer.

For us at AICC, June is a time to get ready for the church’s annual retreat during the last weekend in June and for the Vacation Bible School in July. This year’s retreat leader, Joseph Thomas, in his time with
the current church has helped them to have an outward focus by inviting the local community to come
together in worship. He believes that the church’s role is to be a “salt and light” in the community. The
Vacation Bible School (VBS) in July can be a great way to reach the community with the love and
kindness of Jesus by inviting friends from the neighborhood to the VBS.

June is also a time when pastors do something creative with their preaching. The “Summer at the Movies”
sermon series is a highly popular approach to preaching that uses blockbuster films to teach spiritual truths. This style of preaching offers a relatable, non-intimidating way to introduce biblical concepts to first-time guests. This can also help congregants and visitors to make cultural connections and help people see God in the ordinariness of life.

The popular Christian series “The Chosen ” has made quite an impact in the lives of many people
within the secular and the Christian community. In fact, many in the congregation have talked to me
about this television series and the interest it has created among the young people in their families. Some
pastors and teachers have made use of this TV series to create a Bible study guide, which is being used in
many congregations throughout the United States. They have grounded this study in scriptures and have
led their people to a deeper understanding of the Christian faith. Beginning in June and all the way thru
the summer, I, along with Pastor Dinakaran will use this study guide to create a sermon series. We can
show clips of the show and connect it to biblical passages which can further enhance our faith. It is my
prayer that this will make for an engaging experience.

Blessings as we journey through the summer.