I find myself in uncharted territories when it comes to preparing for worship--I have missed worship at New Life two Sundays in a row, two times in the past several months.  That may not seem like a big thing to you, but I've never missed two Sundays in a row twice in one summer before.  They say, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder," and in my case it's really true!  I can't way to see all of you tomorrow, to participate in worshiping the living God, with people I know and love, as well as guests who will be there for the first time. 

Our growing New Life family makes such a powerful impact in my life.  After spending the past two weekends with my biological family--immediate and extended--for Matt's wedding two weeks ago and Abby's wedding last weekend--I realized something:  being family has far less to do with biology, than it has to do with a commitment to Jesus Christ.  I love my biological family, and it was great to see my three brothers together in one place for only the third time in the past fifteen years last weekend, but the fact of the matter is I am closer to some of my brothers at New Life than I am to my biological brothers.  I see you nearly every week.  I invest time with you in growing in the Lord.  We share the highs and lows of life together.  I don't get to do that on a regular basis with my biological brothers.

We live in a time when many folks don't live near their biological families.  My brothers live in Portland, OR, Dover, OH, and Harrisburg, PA, so seeing them on a daily or weekly basis isn't possible.  I phone them, and e-mail them, but that isn't the same as one-on-one "face time".  Many of you probably know what I'm talking about, because our New Life family provides you with "siblings" in the faith that have been there for you in the good times and bad times, and have helped you grow in your faith.

Our weekly gatherings at the South Butler Primary School at 8:45 or 10:15 a.m. give us the opportunity to check in with one another, and more importantly to worship our awesome God together.  Then throughout the week, some of us gather for discipleship, to serve together, even to tell others about Jesus together.  Tomorrow, our focus in worship is going to be "Life Together!"  I hope you'll invest the hour or so it takes to not only hear about Life Together, but to experience it!  Thanks for being part of our New Life family OR for being willing to join us and give us a try.  We're always looking for new folks to join us.  There is literally ALWAYS room for one more!  Hope to see YOU tomorrow!

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, We thank You for our biological families, and for our New Life family!  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we will invest ourselves in growing both of them to Your glory and praise.  This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.