*The 8:30 Classic Service on May 5, 2019

At the beginning of my pastoral ministry I developed a spiritual discipline that I have grown to cherish. Each week I memorize a Bible verse and use it as a blessing to the congregation at the conclusion of worship. Yesterday I exercised that discipline in a new ministry setting.

Here are my blessings to the congregation of SSFBC at the conclusion of the services on May 5, 2019.

Three Morning Services:

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”  – 2 Corinthians 13:14 

I love Paul’s trinitarian benediction that concludes 2 Corinthians.  This verse reveals three characteristics (grace, love, fellowship) of the one true God.   As the old hymn proclaims, “God in three persons, blessed Trinity.”  Holy people of Sulphur Springs – seek God this week and be overwhelmed by the depth and power of his grace, love and fellowship.

Evening Service:

“May you stand firm in the will of God, mature and fully assured.” – Adapted from Colossians 4:12 

The entirety of this service references Epaphras, “who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus” and  “is always wrestling in prayer for you.” As a high school wrestler, I love the image of someone wrestling in prayer.  I imagine someone waking up early and putting the to-do list on hold in order to seek the face of God in the spiritual discipline of intercessory prayer.  Holy people of Sulphur Springs – I’m wrestling in prayer on your behalf.  Stand firm! Be mature! Rest assured!