Waynesboro Church of the Brethren Newsletter
August 1, 2021
Pastor's Pen
In Chapter 25 of ACTS Paul has been in prison in Caesarea for two years. He was first held by Felix, then by Festus. In the 25th chapter a politician named Agrippa came to visit Festus. Now, Agrippa was a descendent of Herod “the great”. While Agrippa wasn’t fully Jewish, he was governor of Judea. When Agrippa and his wife Bernice visit Festus they talked about Paul and how he spoke of a dead man named Jesus who Paul said was still alive. As Agrippa listens to Festus his interest increases, and he asks to speak with Paul. As with all the other magistrates, Paul shares his testimony with both Agrippa and Festus. Both are intent on listening to Paul but aren’t buying what he’s telling them. Festus at one point told him, “Paul, your great learning has made you mad!” This is indicative of how early Christians were perceived by the hierarchy of the day. Paul was considered mentally ill by the powers that be, because it was easier to think that. Never mind the overwhelming evidence of Jesus’s resurrection. It was simply easier to concur the early church was mad. Obviously, Paul gave up everything to follow Jesus whom he persecuted. It was almost three decades earlier but Paul’s colleagues remember him. At the core they know something changed dramatically in Paul. We know it was a living Jesus. For a living Jesus changes everything. And it changed Paul. The rest of the story will be told by Andrew Paterno. He’s bringing the message this morning and we’re eager to find out what he has to tell us. As we slowly bring our study of ACTS to a close, we can see God’s providence on the early Christians. Nothing changed Paul’s mission to preach the good news of Jesus to anyone who would listen. Eventually through the power of the Holy Spirit the world changed. It could happen again. If we made the mission of Christ our first priority, how much of a difference would it make in our community? Something to think about. – Pastor John
Serving You TodayPre Worship Greeters
Robin & Terry Flegel Worship Leader Bob Snader Acolyte Brian Angle Sound Technicians Terry Flegel Denny Bittinger Visitor’s Center Penny Stitely Undershepherds AugustLinda Kennedy
Margie Behnke Ann Miller AUGUST BIRTHDAYS
8 - Nicole Newcomer
11 - Ruby Bragunier 12 - Emily Angle 13 - Barb Kercheval 14 - Dan Bock 15 - Susie Miller 16 - Chris Cox 17 - James Barciz 27 - Libby Stainbrook 28 - Lisa Beaver 30 - Stephanie Behnke PRAYER LISTThe prayer list will no longer appear in the Church & Home or on the church website. We are asking that the people you wish to be on the prayer list, be placed in the “prayer box” in the lobby or be called in to the church office. This allows the church prayer group to know the situation of each individual so they can offer prayer accordingly. We appreciate your steadfast concern for others.
Please remember our SHUT-INS & OTHERS with special needs: Lucille Barkdoll, Al Guyer, Mildred Hull, Jackie Ridge, Paula Ringer, Edith Lampe, Edith Snader
Prayer Sessions in our Parlor
Prayer sessions are held every Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m. in the Parlor and is open to any church member. The church family is encouraged to place prayer requests in the Prayer Box located at the Visitor's Center in the lobby. All requests will be held up in prayer by the prayer session group. Great Things Happen When God's People Pray!
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PERSONAL SAFETY &
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