Join us for Sunday morning worship at 10:30 AM in August as we consider what the Path looks like for the Church in the 21st century. The story of Lewis & Clark and their Corps of Discovery will inform our reflections about our way forward.
Ice Cream Competition Winners
Congratulations to Judy Wilkey, our 2018 homemade ice cream winner! In third place was Carol Hardman‘s peach ice cream, and our runner up was Afton Stout‘s red velvet cake ice cream. The People’s Choice Award went to Jeff Mathis and his gluten-free delight ice cream.
National Night Out at Bridge Park
A Note from Ray Dunn
A special thank you to our church family and friends for your prayers, calls, and cards of encouragement. My new heart valve is working great and I am feeling better daily. Marlene and I hope to get to the mountains by the end of August.
Blessings,
Ray Dunn
A Note from Ruth Crawford
My heart is filled with the deepest gratitude for you - my Church Family. Your prayers, cards, phone calls, visits and food have meant so much to me these last years and have sustained me through difficult times. Your prayers for my son, Jimmy Crawford, during the time of his bereavement and his cancer surgery and treatment, have brought me such comfort. He was able to come see me for my 95th birthday. What a joy that was. Thank you so very much. Ruth Crawford
Hope for the In-Between Times
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you, I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John 14:27
I genuinely wish that it was not true. But it is. As we walk along the Path, we will encounter danger.
As we’ve identified in worship these last weeks, the Bible is littered with stories about how the faithful encountered trouble along the way. Peter was thrown in prison, where he awaited his impending execution. Paul’s journey to Rome made little progress and nearly took his life. Nehemiah was trying to rally the Jews to rebuild Jerusalem’s city walls when they encountered sabotage. Jesus tells the story of an individual who was attacked while traveling on the path and was left for dead by robbers.
We take consolation in the fact that God redeems these challenging moments and even uses them for good. Peter was rescued by an angel. People’s lives were saved because Paul’s boat kept getting blown off course. Nehemiah experienced the power and strength of community. And that poor soul who was beat up was tended to by a good-hearted neighbor.
To sum up a month’s worth of study, we’d quote Paul’s motivational speech from the deck of the ship that was being battered by the waves: “Take heart, friends!”
Be courageous. Have no fear. Do not lose heart.
Not all of our stories have happy endings, though, do they? I am troubled by this, too, brothers and sisters. To suggest otherwise would be flat out dishonest.
To live means to lose. The author of Ecclesiastes makes this point well-enough, but we really don’t need to turn to the Old Testament to learn this lesson. We know this to be true because the ways of our world are relentless and hard. It doesn’t always turn out the way we wish. Our prayers are not always answered. Bad things happen to us along the way.
Where then is our hope?
Our hope lies in a God who will not allow sorrow and pain to win. First the hard news: sometimes the sorrow and the pain that we experience in life does in fact win the day. Now the good news: the darkness that we experience will not win the war. Because of God’s love for us, and because of the power of the resurrection, we can forever claim God’s victory over eternal sorrow and eternal pain. This reality—this kingdom reality—is what keeps us going when we live a story that does not have a happy ending.
People of faith seem to understand that there may be (typically is) a sizeable gap between our hard stories and a happy ending. In fact, that happy ending may be delayed until the Great Day of the Lord. We have ultimate hope, yes. It’s the in-between time that weighs us down.
Jesus seemed to anticipate this reality when he was concluding his earthly ministry with his disciples. He grasped that his disciples would have to live in the in-between. He knew that there would be times when his followers would not feel the ultimate resolution and redemption of their circumstances. He knew that his followers would be disheartened, downcast and frightened.
So, he sought to reassure them.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you, I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
Jesus promises us peace for the in-between times. When we are experiencing hardship and challenge and have not yet experienced the hope of divine resolution, Jesus gives us peace.
I think it’s important to note that he does not promise to make it all better. Our well-intended parents used to lie to us when we were children, didn’t they? We would experience a boo boo, or a let-down, or a loss, and they would seek to comfort us with kisses, hugs, milkshakes, maybe even cash. And they would ask us, “Now, isn’t that better?”
Yes, we would nod. And we would lie, too.
It didn’t make it better. But our parents’ presence made a difference, didn’t it?
Jesus gives us peace—not as the world gives—but as only God can give. “Be of good courage,” He tells us. “Shrug off the troubles that weigh you down.”
Christ’s peace is decidedly hard to define. Perhaps it is the gift of non-anxiousness in the midst of stress and worry. Maybe it’s the sense of sanctuary that we experience when our world goes to hell. Maybe it’s the sensation of being held and of being swaddled in assurance and encouragement.
Whatever Christ’s peace is, it is enough. The Bible tells us so.
I like how Christian author, Frederick Buchner says it: “Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.”
But fear is so easy. How do we resist its inky darkness?
By choosing Christ. That’s how. For He stands with us in the in-between.
Supper on the Grounds and Ice Cream Making Competition
Please join us for a Hot Dog Supper and Ice Cream Making Competition on Sunday, July 29th! Bring family and friends to eat, laugh, and fellowship together!
Here's the schedule for Sunday afternoon:
4 - 5 PM: Deacon-hosted children's event. The Deacons want to host an event for children from birth - 8th Grade in the MFC to get to know them and spend time in fellowship with them. The parents will be with Jeff during this time period. If you are able to attend, please RSVP to Debbie Logan at logandebbie4@gmail.com.
5 PM: Everyone will be in the MFC for a hot dog supper followed by our homemade ice cream making contest. When you arrive, you can put your ice cream in the freezer in the kitchen.
Ramp Building Crew
Before and after pictures of the work done by our church’s ramp crew. We are grateful for their willingness to help those in need in our community.
Letter from Community Table
PO Box 62 Dillsboro, NC 28725
828.586.6782
CTofJackson@gmail.com
Communitytable.org
Providing nutritious meals, in a welcoming environment, to our neighbors in need.
Dear Friends:
Thank you. These words are insufficient words, but heart-felt. In 2017 your generosity heped us serve 26,731 meals and distribute 9,523 boxes of healthy food!
It is difficult to express how much your support means to us. As the new Executive Director, I have been overwhelmed by the love and support this organization receives. The people who make up this community are astounding, and your willingness to care for your own is a blessing.
Together, we can continue to make sure no on in Jackson County goes to bed hungry.
Sincerely,
Paige Christie
Executive Director
Special Thanks to Cheryl Beck for Submitting this Story to the Sylva Herald
Colorful “Be Kind” posters have popped up in some of the store windows around Sylva recently. They are part of the “Kindness Project” mission activity from the Vacation Bible School held recently by Sylva First Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church of Sylva, and St. John’s Episcopal Church at Bridge Park. The children created them as reminders to the public to consciously focus on being nice and helpful to others. Also to be found are “kindness rocks” in town parks. More than 90 children participated in the week-long VBS.