This Sunday we welcome Rev. Taylor Williams to the pulpit. I met Taylor through the Arrow Leadership Program and was impressed with his commitment to Christ and his love for the church.
Taylor has served for fifteen years in pastoral ministry and is now director of leader engagement at Arrow (http://www.arrowleadership.org/). He lives in Canton, Ohio with his wife Joanna and three children.
The message will focus on John 8:1-11. If you look at the footnotes in your Bible, you will discover that this text is not in the earliest manuscripts of the gospel of John. However, I don’t feel we should tear the page out of our Bibles. It’s tone, theme, and events are so much in keeping with the gospel message that it is without a doubt an event that really happened and deserves our attention and thought. Above all this though, the text is in keeping with the context in which it is placed. It highlights the words of Jesus in 7:24 where Jesus says, “Stop judging by appearances and make the right judgment.”
Pastor Taylor will be focusing on the hope that is offered in the encounter. Jesus gives us the hope of sins forgiven, a new life, and freedom to live for him.
As you prepare for worship this Sunday please be in prayer for:
• Our University students as they are now fully immersed in their studies. Pray that they will share the hope that is theirs in Christ.
• For our congregational meeting on September 30th. It is vital that you participate in the meeting by being physically present. Pray that God will guide us as we seek to plan for the future.
• For Pastor Taylor as he preaches and the worship team as they lead us.
• That each of us would know the hope that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In thanksgiving for you, Tom.