“God! His way is perfect; the Lord’s word is tried and true. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.” 2 Samuel 22:31
Dear Friends:
This summer, we’re trying something a little different. Beginning officially this Sunday and throughout the summer, we’re taking a dive into the life of David and his rise to power. We all know about power and how power can raise us up for good and how power can corrupt. With the challenge of power always before him, we encounter David in the Old Testament books of 1 and 2 Samuel and Kings. David, the youngest of eight fully equipped young sons of prominent patriarch Jesse, is least likely to rise to power. But, as David emerges from the sheepfold, is anointed by God through the prophet Samuel, he befriends betraying king Saul, slays a giant, soldiers with unprecedented greatness, shepherds God’s people as king over Israel, assembles warriors, commits adultery, viciously murders the innocent, and unites two rivaling kingdoms, prays mightily to his saving God, all along jockeying for power: David’s power verses God’s power.
Why do we read the story of David? Taking a dive into the life of David, hopefully will draw us deeper into our own lives, our own struggles for power and our relationship with God in the midst of it all. As well, we learn in the biblical narrative of a man fully devoted and faithful in his dependence upon God alone. At the same time, we learn of a man slain with sin. David’s story is our story of self help verses God’s help. When do we turn to God as we struggle to fight our giants and overcome our obstacles? How do we see God working in our lives as a protector and provider? Why is a relationship with God necessary in a world of self-help? We’re calling our summer series, The David Series.
BRING YOUR BIBLES on Sunday. Yes! BRING YOUR BIBLES! We’ll romp through the story of David slaying the giant Goliath found in
1 Samuel 17(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 43-49. Go ahead, read the story ahead of time. Jot down your questions. Underline those words or phrases that leave you wondering. We’ll worship at 8:30 and 10:00. Then following 10:00 a.m. worship, for 30-45 minutes, we’ll gather in the back of the worship space for Table Talks and take a look at the story. Along the way, we’ll post ongoing conversation and debate about David’s power struggle with God.
David’s roller coaster ride through life is never without God, rich with celebration and sadness, success and failure, courage, jealousy, lust, faithfulness and betrayal. In our study of David, how is God asking us to examine our own story with God? I look forward to sharing the David Series with you!
Also, you may be new or nearly new in our life as Epiphany. Attend a brief Newcomer gathering following 10:00 a.m. worship on Sunday. Get to know a few people. Learn how you can find a home with Epiphany!
Then, Sunday afternoon, please, all are invited to be our guest at our home for our annual Deck Party 5:00-7:30 p.m. Bring a chair. Park across the street at Pender Methodist Church lower lot and gather on our deck. Kids, play on the community playground out back and we’ll have water toys ready too. Food and beverages for everyone!
May our summer together be a time of transforming generosity as we grow in our time as Epiphany.
Many blessings,
Hillary