Strength In Weakness

Believe it or not, summer is my favorite time of the year. I love the heat, the break from classes, and much of the hustle and bustle that happens during the other 8-9 months of the year. I love being outside, in or near the water. But summer, despite all the things I love about it, also brings other events and commitments that require my time and attention, like VBS, camps, mission trips, and this year, school! To be completely honest, at the start of this week, AKA the start of VBS prep week, my attention was pulled from my duties to this church and ministry by outside events and forces, and by the end of day Monday, I was spent, drained, weary, just all but completely ready to crash and burn. But God, in His great mercy, reminded me that in my weakness, He is strong, in my exhaustion, I can find rest in Him, and I can bring my worries, fears, and anxieties and lay them at His feet. Our God is a God, not of chaos, but of order. And in the middle of the chaos I was feeling, God brought me order and peace. As we continue to prepare for a great week of Vacation Bible School, I am certain that there are forces waging war against us, that there is an enemy who is seeking to bring about chaos and confusion, but my prayer for you all is this: that you would know God’s sovereignty, know that God is trustworthy, and know that He is in control. You are not alone in the battle. He is already victorious, so let me share with you the words of Job, who was no stranger to grief, struggle, or chaos himself: “The Job replied to the LORD, I know that you can do anything and no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this who conceals my counsel with ignorance?’ Surely I spoke about things I did not understand, things too wondrous for me to know” (Job 42:1-3 CSB). If you’d like to hear the story of Job through song, might I recommend Ryan Proudfoot’s A Man Called Job. Please be in prayer for VBS next week, for all who will be involved, from the children to the families and the volunteers. Please pray for the Lord to move mightily, that even now we would be guarded from the attacks of the enemy, and that the Gospel would be proclaimed. Amen. Victoria Hurst THIS SUNDAY Order of Service Welcome & Baptism Call to Worship Scripture Reading • Psalm 149:1-5 Adoration Congregational Song • How Great (Psalm 145) Congregational Song • In Christ Alone Scripture Reading • 1 Corinthians 15:54-56 Congregational Song • I Am Not My Own Prayer The Word of God Message • Made Alive in Christ • Ephesians 2:1-5 Response Congregational Song • All Sufficient Merit Benediction NEXT STEPS & EVENTS These are highlights from our Weekly Bulletin. See this Sunday’s bulletin here. Missions Dinner • June 28th at 5:00 PM At this special dinner, come learn about local, national, & international mission opportunities within our church, as well as a dessert auction to raise funds for missions. Doors open at 5:00 PM, and the food will be served at 5:30 PM! Please RSVP at fbcwatauga.org/dinner. Back2School Rally June is our giving emphasis month for the Back 2 School Rally, an undertaking to get backpacks and school supplies to the children of our area. You can give to this ministry at fbcwatauga.org/give, help stuff backpacks on July 21st at 10:00 am, or volunteer at the July 25th rally.