Dear Church:

This past Sunday was such a meaningful start to our sermon series on the healing passages in Luke. Thank you for your openness to the movement of the Spirit. May God’s presence continue to rest on us in the days ahead. This Sunday we will focus on the healing of the demoniac in Luke 8:26-39.

Other things happening in the life of our community this week include the start of a new small group study of Philip Yancey’s book Prayer. This is the spiritual discipline we are focusing on during our healing sermon series and I hope this study will prove to be a helpful complement. Join us at the church (on the first floor) Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. beginning this Weds.

Also, Young Adults and College Students, you are cordially invited to my home this Saturday night at 6 p.m. for dinner. I plan to have pizza but another options too. Please RSVP to me if you intend to come.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Dana

Dear Church – we begin a new focus this month in the Gospel of Luke: we’ll be looking at the stories of healing we find there. We will also be praying for the healing that we need to experience in our own lives as well as in our community and our world. As we move from a focus on the spiritual discipline of hospitality to that of prayer, please continue your practice of inviting and welcoming people into your homes and into your heart. Consider this week who you might like to host at your dinner table soon! Also, you will have a chance to extend as well as enjoy the hospitality of others this coming Sunday as the lunch bunch heads to Bobby’s Dairy Dip after the service. All are welcome.

Lastly, in light of our new focus on the spiritual discipline of prayer in the weeks to come, my small group will begin a book study of Philip Yancey’s Prayer. Alongside the book study, we will look more deeply at the prayer book of the Bible, the Psalms, as well as learn about different ways to pray. All are welcome to join us at the church on Wednesday nights beginning this Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Dana

Friends – This coming Sunday we conclude our summer sermon series on hospitality. We turn this week to the familiar and beloved story of the prodigal son found in Luke 15. When you are able, take a look at that entire chapter this week, and may you be reminded of the lavish and extravagant love God has extended to you. (And may you be inspired to extend that kind of love to others in turn!)

I look forward to worshipping with you Sunday and welcoming back all of our students. We’ll take some dedicated time in the service to offer a blessing and our prayers to our students as well as all of our teachers and professors.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Dana

Dear Church —

We move to Luke 9 this week and reflect on Jesus’ feeding of the 5,000 in verses 10-17. Take some time to read thru that passage this week in preparation for worship on Sunday. You might also reflect on our passage from last week, Luke 7:36-50, and consider how you can offer radical love and hospitality to someone this week when they least expect it (just as the prostitute in the story does for Jesus.)

By the way, the Muthian family arrived safe and sound from India yesterday. Yeah! And please remember Dean Cole as he heads to Guatemala again this Saturday.

Other events upcoming in the life of our community include:
CREATIVE WORSHIP TEAM: This Saturday, July 10, from 1-3 at my home. Please RSVP to me.
NASHVILLE SOUNDS GAME: Is Thursday, July 15th starting at 7:05. Please see the folder in the foyer to sign up or contact Holly Lowe at hnlowe@mail.trevecca.edu /309-267-8894.
CHURCH BOARD MEETING: Sunday, July 18, following worship.
BACK TO SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY: Help us offer hospitality to our neighbors! Please contact Holly Lowe if you can assist in planning for this event to be held on Saturday, September 4.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Dana

Dear Church: —

We have begun our summer sermon series on the meal passages in Luke. Thanks to Brent McMillian for his good words this past Sunday about remembrance and communion (the place of ultimate hospitality.) In the midst of this series, we are trying to emphasize the spiritual discipline of hospitality and you will have a great chance to do this on Monday, June 21, when we prepare the apartment for the refugee family we will be adopting thru World Relief. Here is the plan:

Meet at the Highlands Apartment complex office at 5:30 p.m. (4646 Nolensville, which is at the corner of Haywood Lane and near O’Reilly Auto parts). We will work from 5:30-7 setting up the apartment and shopping for food, etc. Call or e-mail Michael Evans for further details at evans.michael.scott@gmail.com or 396-7364.

Other things happening in our community this week include a special brunch to honor Beau and Meagan Harris who will be moving to CA this coming week. We will also honor our wonderful dads for Father’s Day. So bring your favorite donuts, bagels, muffins, casserole, fruit, or juice to share and we’ll gather on the first floor following worship.

One last item: there is a creative worship team meeting at my home this Saturday from 1-3. Please RSVP if you plan to come. I’d like to get a head count so I can prepare.

May you have a blessed week.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Dana

SMALL GROUPS at Blakemore happen at various times.  Here is a list of current groups that are meeting:

Sundays at 9:30 in our ‘Upper Room’ (call PJ at 978-239-7243)

Wednesdays at Pastor Dana’s at 6:30 (call  Dana at 297-5722)

Wednesdays at Brent and Marcy McMillians’ home beginning at 6:30 (call Marcy 500-2570)