September 2026
Grow Deep / Reach Wide
This is our theme for June 2026 – May 2027.
Something happens when we intentionally seek to grow deeper in our relationship with Christ – our reach of love and mercy seems to widen.
And something happens when we reach wide in love to neighbors and strangers – our faith in Christ gets more robust, and we want to go deeper.
Jesus summed it up when he said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and your neighbor as yourself.” Mark 12:30-31
So this year we are making every effort to grow in Christ and claiming every chance reach wide in service.
Together we are going to stretch, risk, and discover more about ourselves, our God, and our neighbors near and far.
Things kick off in September so get ready to engage and enjoy every chance we have to open our lives to God forming faith in us and equipping us for bold service.
Each month we will be exploring a spiritual practice. September’s practice will be Reflection, Meditation and Study.
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
How often we are hesitant to offer this prayer to God. Our words can be sharp and our meditations all over the place. The practices of Reflection, Meditation, and Study invite us to slow down and pay attention to what God might be saying and showing us.
Like students returning to school, we place ourselves in a posture of learning and gather up the courage to discover.
“Taking a long loving look at the real”…
How often we lose sight of what is real. We lose sight of the holy in our midst, distracted by commercialism, competition, half-truths, false assumptions, and countless squirrels. We become swayed by the superficial and give ourselves over to trivial pursuits.
Until we pause and pray. We get centered and slowly discover our words becoming seasoned with grace, our mediations God centered and our actions God inspired.
So grateful for every chance we have to grow deep and reach wide.
Tom