Hi Church, 

There are a couple of key things in our corporate life I wanted to highlight for you this Friday. They are:

• Parking Lot Praise this Sunday evening. This will be our third time gathering to worship and celebrate communion at 2111 Alexander Ave. This is the fullest opportunity we have as a community to worship together in person as those who can’t safely participate at sunrise services are sometimes able to join in here.We'll also have a tasty treat available for little ones! Join us at 7pm and we'll be done around 7:30pm. 

• Backpacks for Harris ES Students. Our connections at the local elementary school have invited us to contribute to student flourishing this year by helping to provide backpacks with school supplies. Check out the list of what is needed here and bring it by to drop off at Parking Lot Praise on Sunday. We’ll pray a blessing over the backpacks during worship that night. If you need to find another time to drop it off or have any questions please email Sarah.  I know that many of us are longing for tangible ways to express the love of Jesus in this time and this is a great opportunity to do so! 

• Fall Groups. Several of our groups have just begun or are beginning. It’s not too late to sign up to join. These groups are a great way to be rooted in Christ through His word and through community. Simply even for the benefit of being in community with others at church I want to encourage you to jump in with a group. There is no substitute for the cadence of weekly connection, especially in these isolating times.

• Word on the Way Podcast. Check it out here, it has been a great week of engaging Scripture in these short reading and reflections. This week Father Nick, Bryan Matthew, and Shannon Coelho have all been featured. I’ve been listening while going for short walks, and it has been a quick, meaningful way to be rooted in God's word. 

• Annual Parish Meeting. As we do each year this September we’re holding our Parish Meeting. Much like we did earlier in the pandemic this meeting will be held online via Zoom, and there will be three repeats of it for your participation. This is chance to look back on the year that has been and celebrate God’s goodness, and also a chance to look ahead in anticipation of the ways that God’s faithfulness will be revealed. The meeting also when the Parish Council presents the budget for the year ahead and new member(s) for the council. We’ll have more information for you in the weeks ahead,but you can save the date and sign below for September 22nd (4pm and 8pm) and 24th (8pm only). 

• Worship this Sunday. We have a few spots still available at our expanded in person Sunrise Services this Sunday. If you're planning to attend please pre-register here, otherwise we’ll see you online. I’m looking forward to worshipping with you!

As we continue to navigate our way through this pandemic I'm mindful the weight and difficulty many of us are experience. Just this week a member of our community lost a beloved family member. My prayer is that you would know that God is with you and faithful to His promises even in this time, and that you would be strengthened to seek and find Him. If you need to connect with someone (clergy or lay) to talk, to confess, to pray together, please don't hesitate to reach out. 

In Christ, 

Peter+