Summer in Canandaigua is a glorious season. Sunny skies and warmer weather. Sure, Wegmans is a bit more crowded, but the seasonal energy in and around town is palpable. So what do you have planned? Will you spend more time on the lake? Perhaps a hike? Are you preparing for travel to another region? How about time with family and friends? Most of us find energy in such plans.
When it comes to your faith, what are you looking forward to this summer?
As we continue to explore Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi, we find Paul in a similar mode of deliberation and anticipation. But he is not making plans for time at the lake. He is in prison. And his preparation involves caring for the people he loves, the Christians in a church he planted. While his circumstances are not ideal, he approaches the task with joy.
Look at how Paul describes this work, “one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal.” In June, we walked with Paul as he grappled with his situation. After much deliberation, Paul was willing to submit himself to hardship and suffering. He was willing to model Jesus as he explained in the Christ Hymn. He then moved to an active pursuit of forgetting the past and leaning into faithful obedience, open-handedness, and gratitude for all that God is doing through his life.
As we live in these summer months, God does not require us to sacrifice fun, family, travel or leisure. But in all of this, is our mindset God-centered? Are we seeking Him? Are we pursuing Jesus in the middle of it all?
So how can we do this? First of all, engage God’s Word this summer. I have included the passages below. Read them slowly as you prepare for worship each week. If you are in town this summer, let me encourage you to join the church family for the combined summer service at 9:30 AM each Sunday morning. And finally, as you enjoy this special season, bring God into your time on the lake, in the woods, with family, or even on your travels. Seek God as the psalmist writes in Psalm 5:3, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” Enjoy this season and keep moving forward in your faith.
Worship Schedule
-
July 05 - The Christ Hymn: Part 2 (Philippians 2:5-11)
Additional Readings: Psalm 97:1-7, Romans 10:9-13 -
July 12 - Our Work, God’s Work (Philippians 2:12-18)
Additional Readings: Deuteronomy 32:1-4, John 15:1-8 -
July 19 - Living Examples (Philippians 2:19-30)
Additional Readings: Psalm 112:1-9, 2 Timothy 2:1-7 -
July 26 - Garbage and Glory (Philippians 3:1-11)
Additional Readings: Psalm 73:23-28, Galatians 2:15-21 -
August 02 - Pressing On (Philippians 3:12-4:1)
Additional Readings: Psalm 84:1-7, Hebrews 12:1-3 -
August 09 - The Peace That Guards (Philippians 4:1-9)
Additional Readings: Psalm 34:1-8, Matthew 6:25-34 -
August 16 - The Secret of Contentment (Philippians 4:10-20)
Additional Readings: Psalm 23:1-6, 1 Timothy 6:6-10 -
August 23 - Where the Gospel Goes (Philippians 4:21-23)
Additional Readings: Psalm 67:1-5, 2 Corinthians 13:11-14 -
August 30 - Mission Sunday (None)
Additional Readings: Psalm 96:1-9, Isaiah 6:1-8
