Summertime brings opportunities to slow down. The
summers of my childhood were spent visiting family
members who were important to us, but who lived miles
away. This usually required a drive through the
two-lane highways of Iowa, watching the straight rows of
corn blink by as we made our way toward family.
When
we arrived we celebrated the company of those we missed
and spent quality time that made up for the lack of our
quantity of time together. This helps me think of what
we’re going to do at Atonement during the summer. No!
We’re not taking a road trip through Iowa.
However, we are going to spend time with the family that
we often don’t get lots of time with. On the surface it
may look like Atonement is just taking it easy, or
taking a break. This year we will combine our two
worship times into one, as in previous summers, so the
whole church family can come together.
The
schedule is a little different than in previous summers,
so please take note and spread the word:
9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:00
a.m. Worship
In
this schedule we will enjoy the best thing about summer:
spending time with people you don’t usually spend time
with. Our first service crowd will see our second
service crowd, and vice versa. Worshiping in the same
space and at the same time we will celebrate God’s love
together.
But
that’s not where it ends. Even our Sunday School time
(that’s right - - Summer Sunday School!) will provide an
opportunity to come together. Instead of breaking up
into lots of different age groups, we will all learn in
the same class. From the youngest to the most mature we
will gather for an inter-generational Sunday School.
Grandmas and grandpas, moms and dads, boys and girls
will all be together around the same table to help each
other learn God’s Word and spend quality time with other
parts of the Atonement family. Our goal is to provide
lessons that impact people of every age and every level
of Biblical understanding.
For
adults who want to dig a bit deeper into Scripture there
will be an adult Sunday School class provided in another
room, taught alternately by Warren Wilke and me. But
please note that you do not have to have young children
to enjoy the intergenerational Sunday School. In fact,
it is very important to have parents of high schoolers,
empty nesters, and retirees involved. You will add a
lot to the study and receive a lot from the kids at your
table. I look forward to spending time with the whole
family all at the same time!
