This Sunday is going to be special for many reasons. First, we get to celebrate the risen Savior. Second, we get to remember and honor those who have served our country so that we can worship freely in the land of the free. There will be a special reading and videos as part of the services this Sunday. Third, we will be receiving new members. If you would like to join, please email vaughn@columbusfirst.org. Fourth, we will unpack what it means to find hope through suffering. The main Scripture for this final week in our “Hope” sermon series is Romans 5:1-11. Romans is one of my favorite books in the Bible and Romans 5 is one of my favorite chapters in it. Paul unpacks why Christians can rejoice in our sufferings. On Memorial Day weekend we remember our loved ones and we celebrate those who served our country. In doing so, we remember that all gave some and some gave all.

This coming week, twenty-four of us will be traveling to the Holy Land. I can’t wait to sojourn with those who will walk where Jesus walked, remember their baptisms in the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized, and go deeper into the Biblical story. We will be praying for you and covet your prayers for us. I will be capturing videos to share with our Columbus First family later this fall and making regular posts of our trip on my social media while we are there. (I hope you will travel vicariously with us by following my Facebook page). While we are away, all pastoral cares and concerns can be sent to elizabeth@columbusfirst.org. We have a great team of folks who are available to support our church family in every way.

There are several experiences that I hope you will mark your calendars for that will be coming up in future months. First, I hope our entire church will be children’s staff and volunteers for VBS week, June 16-19th. Second, I have agreed to be one of the preachers for the Tabernacle Camp Meeting, July 13-20. More information will be coming out soon on the daily morning, afternoon, and evening worship services. Third, I hope you will mark your calendars now for the kick off of Wednesday nights on August 20th and for the kickoff of Men’s Bible Study and Pastor’s Bible Study on August 27th. Three things are for sure. God has done great things. God is doing great things. The best things are yet to come!