Wednesday Nights

Join us for baked chicken, buttered corn, green beans, strawberry shortcake on August 26th at 5:00 p.m. in Morgan Hall! You can RSVP with the link below. Following the meal, we invite you to get connected in a small group (from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.) or in a musical ensemble (see the times below). Here's what you will find available:

• Bible study with Pastor Steven Norris titled, “Invitations to Abundance: How the Feasts of the Bible Nourish Us Today” in the Hardee Hospitality Room

• Topical study with Louisa and Quimby Melton called "Beyond Good Intentions: Embodying Generosity with Wisdom" in Education Building Room 108 (note the room change)

• Bible study in the book of James with Chase Hassey in a new group for men called Man to Man, located in Education Building Room 104, Cheatham (note the room change)

• Women's book study in Gentle and Lowly with Sandra Long in Bramblett Chapel (note the room change)

• Grief support group with Jackie Lee, Cindi Leedy, and Hope Wood in Education Building Room 301

• Parents’ group with Michelle Norris and Scott Welborn located in Education Building Room 307

• ReCreation group with Becky and Justin Keiser located in the weight room (Family Life Center)

• Musical ensembles: Handbells at 4:30 p.m. in the Handbell Room (2nd floor), Orchestra at 6:00 p.m. in the Instrumental Room (2nd floor), Sanctuary Choir at 7:00 p.m. in the Choir Room (2nd floor), and Connexion Praise Team in Morgan Hall (6:30 p.m. for vocalists and 7:00 p.m. for the band)

• Children's Ministry (KIDMIN): Nursery care for ages birth through 3 in the Weekday Education hall; Music and Missions for PreK4-Kindergarten on the Weekday Education hall at 6:00 p.m. and for grade school (1st-5th grades) on the second floor of the Education Building

• Student Ministry activities for grades 6-12 in the Student Center (basement) beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Grace Notes

a weekly blog written by Senior Pastor, Steven Norris

A Tale of Two Churches

“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” Jesus spoke these familiar words while cleansing the temple, borrowing them from the prophet Isaiah. In Isaiah’s vision, God’s house was meant to be a place where outsiders were welcomed and people were drawn together in worship. 

As I walked the Camino de Santiago, I was frequently drawn to the churches along the way. Like a magnet, they invited me to step aside from the trail, sit quietly, pray, and reflect. Unfortunately, in many smaller villages, I found the church doors locked. There were simply no priests or volunteers available to keep them open for pilgrims. 

When I entered Rabanal del Camino, I noticed a church near the path. To my delight, the door was open. Inside were beautiful golden altarpieces, religious icons, and a lovely chapel that seemed to promise respite for weary travelers. Yet a large set of iron bars prevented us from entering the worship space, protecting the treasures inside from damage or theft. 

About a hundred meters farther down the road stood another church. I approached somewhat skeptically, expecting more of the same. Instead, a sign on the front door reminded visitors of the chapel’s purpose: “This is a house of prayer. Please enter accordingly.” 

Inside, I found a simple chapel with sparse decoration. There were no golden altarpieces or elaborate statues. Plaster was falling from the walls, and a single crucifix hung behind a simple altar. What I found there, however, made me want to take off my shoes. 

The sign had spoken the truth: this was a house of prayer. I felt as though I were standing on holy ground. The walls seemed to carry the whispered prayers of countless pilgrims who had paused there to seek the Divine. Monks from the adjoining monastery deepened that sense of welcome as they took time to pray over and bless each pilgrim who entered. 

The contrast between those two churches stayed with me. Preservation is not wrong. Sacred spaces, art, and history are worth caring for. But what happens when protecting the institution becomes more important than practicing its mission? What happens when our concern for buildings, traditions, or systems keeps people created in God’s image at a distance? What happens when we guard what is inside so carefully that we forget whom God is inviting through the door? 

I did not want to leave that second chapel. My prayer there had been rich and renewing. As I stepped outside, I met two women from South Korea who had also found refuge. They were eating fresh cherries from their packs and, despite our language barrier, offered some to me. It felt like one final, edibleblessing. 

A house of prayer for all nations: pilgrims from different countries, welcomed into the same sacred space, receiving prayer, sharing food, and encountering grace. Perhaps the church is most faithful not when it has the most impressive treasures to protect, but when it keeps making room for people to encounter the living God. 

We are excited to provide your student opportunities to learn more about God's Word and work here in our own town and around the world. If your student has not gotten involved in our Sunday school classes or Wednesday night activities, then we invite you to check out our programs this week. Sunday school for all age groups begins at 10:15 a.m. Contact Lori Welborn for preschool and grade school children's program information. Contact Seth Brown for middle and high school student program information.

If you have gently used book bags, rolling bags, men’s shoes, or men’s clothes that you would like to donate to the Caregivers Clothes Closet, then please drop them off in our Welcome Center (Hill Street side of the church) or in the Family Life Center in the bins marked Clothes Closet. Thank you!