Dear Church Family and Community,
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.
– 2 Corinthians 6:19-20
I am always struck about how easy it is to take many of our blessings for granted. Personally, I take for granted being loved until I meet someone battling severe loneliness. I take for granted my health until I hear of someone fighting sickness. I take for granted the breath of life in me, until someone close passes on. I have learned and keep learning to give thanks in all things, to be grateful always, and to steward God’s many blessings by never taking them for granted.
Last month, as we gathered to worship together at Lingle Park, I was struck by how much I missed being with one another in worship. Our inability to meet in person in our building has been hard on all of us, in common but also unique ways. As I looked over our first meeting together a few weeks ago, I was reminded gently by the Holy Spirit never to take for granted the blessing of coming together as our HBIC family to worship God together.
This week as we prepare to worship together, our focus will be on stewardship of our bodies. Of all the wonders God has made, the human body remains the pinnacle for me. What God has gifted us is nothing short of a miracle. These temples that we abide in connect us to God, each other, and our world. Like every other gift God grants us, it is our call to care for, love, and steward our bodies. But what does that actually look like?
I am very excited to learn more about stewarding our bodies, as Pastor Lynda brings the message to us this week in our Called to Steward: Growing in Christlikeness Caring, and Trust series. I encourage you to make a list of things you can think of that God says about our bodies in his Word. And as you meditate on some of these in preparation for worshipping with us this weekend, here are a few questions to ponder:
- In what ways do you care well for your body?
- In what areas do you struggle to steward well your body?
- Is there someone in your life who encourages you to be more caring toward your body, and are there things that person has shared which you ought to apply at this time in your life?
I look forward to worshipping together at Lingle Park. If you are unable to join us in person there, remember that we also pre-record the service in the sanctuary, and then we livestream the Sunday morning services from the park, as well. Both can be found on the church’s YouTube channel (just google Harrisburg BIC Church YouTube, if you are not already subscribed).
My prayer for us this week is that we stop taking so many of our blessings for granted. I pray that we continue to give thanks to God, live with complete graciousness and gratitude, and continue to steward ourselves and one another. God bless and take care.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Hank
(2 Corinthians 6:19-20)
P: (717) 561-2170, ext. 104
E: pastorhank@harrisburgbic.org
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