SYNERGY: A positive force of relationships which work together to accomplish more than can be accomplished independently. 

Central Family,

O My Goodness! I can’t believe it, fall is almost here. I hope you have enjoyed the graciousness of summer. I also hope you are looking forward to the upcoming rhythm of fall. For some of us, that means getting children ready for school; for some, thinking about a move back to homes in warmer states; for others it means a new season in familiar jobs and relationships. What does fall mean to you?

Fall also means a new season of life is gearing up at Central Church. Church in the Park has completed its 49^th year. Summer small group meetings look back with gratitude for outdoor gatherings, and our Cherry Festival hospitality team celebrates nearly 500 parade goers stopping in to “freshen up” in our building that week.

Welcome Back Sunday is September 9^th when we will return to our regular worship schedule with services at 8:15, 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Small group opportunities and fall dinner meetings will come to full swing also.

What excites me the most about fall is the sense of synergy that comes with this season. After a time of summer Sabbath, we feel the Spirit calling us back into the regular rhythm of community. The rhythm of Sunday worship and sharing meals on Wednesday night; the rhythm of discussing our faith in groups and classes; the rhythm of children and youth learning the meaning of life with God and walking with Jesus; the rhythm of serving our neighbor together, and the rhythm of meeting to plan and organize our mission.

Fall is a time to reclaim what we believe about the church: That we are a positive force of relationships that work together to accomplish more than we can accomplish alone. I call this “Synergy of the Spirit.” God working through the body of Christ (us) to further the mission of Jesus in the world. How cool is it when you and I and hundreds of other members of this community offer our presence, our time, and our energy to this collaboration? Amazing ministry happens!

The best is that a Synergy of the Spirit includes everyone. Whether you are an occasional attender, a deeply committed member, a hands-on servant type, a Sunday morning radio or Facebook worshiper, or one of the hundred other ways we connect and you are involved here; You add to the synergy of his community and your relationship to this church matters.

But here’s the thing you need to know: the Spirit of God is always drawing us closer. Like a lover, God relentlessly woos us in hopes that our taste of Christ’s love will lead us deeper into relationship with God and God’s people. Why does God love us this way? Because God wants us to have abundant life, and abundant life in found in the synergy of Christian community

So let yourself get sucked into the Synergy of the Spirit this fall. Good things await us all as we discover together what an abundant life!

What do you look forward to this fall at Central Church?

Blessings,

Pastor Dale