This Sunday we will study Ephesians 4:7-16, as we talk about “The Diversity and Maturity of the Body.”  

Last Sunday, in verses 1-6, we looked at “The Unity of the Body.”  But unity does not mean uniformity.  God has made the Body of Christ to have a beautiful diversity!  We are diverse in our giftings, every believer has a spiritual gift, and all the gifts are vital for the building up of the Body of Christ.  So we’ll talk about the beautiful diversity of the Body, in verses 7-12.  Then, in verses 13-16, we’ll look at the maturity of the Body.  What does the church look like when it is “grown up” and functioning in a mature way?  Let’s talk about it on Sunday. 

We are looking forward to a great Fall season at FBC!  Here are a few items to put on your calendar: 

September 11:  That night, which is the 20^th anniversary of 9/11, we will have a special evening of prayer and praise.  The recent humanitarian and foreign policy disaster in Afghanistan is a reminder that our nation and our world desperately needs the prayers of God’s people.  That night is also significant because the very next day we launch into something new as a church family, and we’ll pray for our new church year. 

September 12:  We are calling this “Onward Together Sunday.”  For the first time since March of 2020, our church will meet together in one combined worship service, at 10:30.  Sunday School will also resume its pre-COVID time of 9:00 on that day.  And kids will promote in Sunday School that day as well.  It will be an exciting day of celebration for our FBC family!  

September 15:  Our Fall Wednesday night ministries begin.  Awana for kids, MIDWEEK for students, and a couple of excellent adult classes.  One is a women’s study called “Life-Changing Prayer,” which will involve not only studying about the power of prayer, but lots of praying.  Another is called “The New Testament You Never Knew.”  I’m excited about leading this course.  You’ll learn some new things, and I believe you’ll emerge with a greater desire to dig into your Bibles.  Remember, “When you rake all you get is leaves.  But when you dig, you get diamonds.”  All our Wednesday night classes and ministries will begin at 6:00pm and finish by 7:30pm.  Nursery is provided. 

Can you be praying for all these things?  In fact, would you stop and say a prayer right now?  May the living God pour out his Spirit in our midst this Fall. 

 By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.