This summer we will be going through a sermon series called, "Summer in the Psalms." While Pastor Jason is on sabbatical, a guest pastor will visit each Sunday to share with us from the Book of Psalms.
The Psalms have a timeless appeal. Consider the words of Athanasius, the Egyptian theologian of the fourth century: "The Psalms contain all the particular movements of the human soul—in the Psalms you learn about yourself." Or this statement from the sixteenth century Swiss theologian, John Calvin: "I have been accustomed to call this book an anatomy of all the parts of the soul; for there is not an emotion of which anyone can be conscious that is not here represented as in a mirror."
Athanasius, Calvin, and countless others throughout history have encountered themselves in the Psalms. How? The Psalms speak honestly about the ups and downs of life in a fallen world. They cover the full range of human experience—joy, sadness, contentment, anger, peace, fear, trust, and doubt. The Psalms confront us as we really are and guard us from approaching faith detached from the real world.
The Psalms do more than show us ourselves, however. They also show us God. They train us in how to bring our true selves to God so that we might experience transformation in his presence. May you come to see yourself and God more clearly this summer as we mine the riches of the Psalms together.
The schedule for the series is below:
July 9 - Pastor Jim Weaver (Psalm 1 - "The Way of the Righteous")
July 16 - Pastor Robbie Schmidtberger (Psalm 32 - "The Power and Danger of Admiration")
July 23 - Pastor Tom Harr (Psalm 129 - "But the Lord is Righteous")
July 30 - Pastor Doug Perkins (Psalm 56:8; 126:4-6 - "How Do We Trust God in Our Tears?")
August 6 - Pastor Derrick Parks (Psalm 46 - "God Is...")
August 13 - Pastor Derrick Parks (Psalm 47 - "God Is...")
August 20 - Pastoral Assistant Wayne Pansa (TBD)