Greetings friends,

It is good to be here again. I don’t know about you, but I stay excited thinking about what the Lord is doing in the life of our church. 

I want to open up with our mission statement, as always, trying to lock this statement into our hearts and our minds, so eventually it will motivate our hands. We seek to love God, love people, and make disciples here, near, and far by cultivating a culture of grace. We are doing that because we are reading God’s word which is constantly renewing our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. 

I have something with me today. Its scripture memory cards that I had made so that I could read through the Psalms. You oftentimes hear me quoting through Psalm 127 or Psalm 128 because those passages define the mission and vision of my family life, and I pray that those two passages would also define the mission and vision of your family life. Everything that we are doing as members of Severns Valley Baptist Church is to spread God’s joy to all kinds of people, and we cannot do that if we’re not meditating on the word of God. 

I am very thankful that Pastor Jeff, last week, preached through Galatians 6:1-5. He reminded us of the significance of accountability and being an accountable church as we seek regenerate church membership. Next Sunday we have our very own Pastor Zach, and Zach is going to preach on community. I’m excited about hearing the word of God preached through Zach. 

I was with Zach last Sunday with the students and they had a wonderful time. It was so good to walk in the place seeing students overwhelmed with joy seeing one another, and then when we entered into worship, as Jeremiah was leading us, seeing students with their hands lifted up high and praising God. It was just beautiful to see. 

I felt like at that moment that God is up to something great in the life of our student ministry, as well as in the life of our kids’ ministry, so you can celebrate the fact that SV Kids is Re-Gathering this Sunday. SV Kids is from birth second grade. Sister Christa Clark gave me this star and said that they are ready to come together. I love this star because all of our kids are stars according to Psalm 127:3 which says,

Behold, children are the gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a mighty warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.

I love Psalm 127 because it reminds us that every child is created in the image of God and they are a gift so we must be good stewards. So bring your child. Don’t let SV Kids not being in session last week stop you this week because we are back! SV Kids Re-Gathers this Sunday, birth to 2nd grade, so I hope to see you this Lord’s Day.
 
Remember this passage. It’s a very significant passage that goes with our core values. It’s 2 Peter 3:18, 

but grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and to eternity.

God bless you, and as you know I can’t wait to see you.

Pastor Curtis