Balancing Bitterness – June 20th

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long
in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” 

Exodus 20:12

“…do not embitter your children,
or they will become discouraged.” 

Colossians 3:21

WHEN A RECIPE TURNS OUT TO BE MORE BITTER than expected, there are a few well known ways to balance it, to restore it.

Believe it or not, there is something here we can apply to our understanding of the Fifth Commandment and certain words from Colossians and Ephesians about family relationships. BALANCING BITTERNESS is important, not just in our kitchen, but in the dynamics and exchanges of parents and children. The only way to fulfill the Fifth Commandment, to encourage healthy connections across generations, at home or elsewhere, is through GRACE.

ZOOM in at 10:30am, as we ponder how the GOSPEL speaks this Fathers Day.

Young Church

• Godly Play: Paul and Timothy
• Big Kids: on summer hiatus

SUMMER SUNDAYS

After enduring a lengthy, fearful stretch of time, in which we HAD to make big adjustments, we are reaching a point where we GET to make adjustments. That is, with less fear, and more freedom, we can discern new normals, welcome back some old rhythms and previous practices, but also try new things. Why? In order to grow, deepen, and broaden our body in Christ – Emmaus Road – to become the church God wants, pursuing the ministry our neighbors need, for this time. It won’t happen overnight. But it won’t happen AT ALL if we do not try some new things along with some old.

One example: Sundays this summer. We can ease into a few in person gatherings in Maple Leaf – memorial for Biff, saying farewell to a couple families moving out of town, straightening up, having some prayer time, etc. – but also continue our ZOOM presence online. But we will also encourage HOUSE CHURCH + ZOOM gatherings in different places, asking big questions, having healthy conversations, and praying along the way. This unfinished schedule of dates gives some indication of what we could pursue together. 

• June 20th – HOUSE CHURCH + ZOOM @ Vander Lindens
• June 27th – ZOOM with Pastor Eric @ Moscow (Idaho, not Kremlin)
• July 4th – PREP CHURCH PARTY @ Maple Leaf or HOUSE CHURCH + ZOOM?
• July 11th – PREP CHURCH PARTY @ Maple Leaf or HOUSE CHURCH + ZOOM?
• July 18th – HOUSE CHURCH + ZOOM @ Arauctos
• July 25th – PREP CHURCH PARTY @ Maple Leaf or HOUSE CHURCH + ZOOM?
• August 1st – Biff’s Memorial @ Maple Leaf or HOUSE CHURCH + ZOOM?
• August 8th – Biff’s Memorial @ Maple Leaf or HOUSE CHURCH + ZOOM?
• August 15th – Likkels away
• August 22nd – Likkels away
• August 29th – SERVE TOGETHER @ Maple Leaf
• September 5th – LABOR DAY WEEKEND – ?

If you see an opportunity/date for your family to host a HOUSE CHURCH + ZOOM event, let me know! I just need good wifi. 🙂

BEYOND SUNDAY

• New Horizons Dinner – sponsored every first Wednesday; email office@emmausroad.net for info.
• Small Groups are currently taking a hiatus for the summer, or re-organizing for the fall. If you would like to explore more fellowship beyond Sunday, contact Pastor Eric for info: office@emmausroad.net