Community Church
By Johan Dodge
Reverend
I often use one word titles for my teaching message each Sunday and this coming Sunday I will be speaking on “Renewal.” The name for this teaching comes from one of the verses in the Epistle (fancy way of saying letter) to the Christian community in Rome — typically just called the book of Romans in the New Testament of the Bible. Renewal sounds better than a lot of words that are similar because it’s about something new or different, it’s about restoring to what was, and that always feels a little more comfortable than say the word transformation, or the dreaded word — change. Let’s be honest, as human beings, we don’t like the word change and we enjoy actually changing even less. But often it is change or transformation that makes the difference in improving our lives. In the Epistle to the Romans, the author writes the following about transformation and renewal: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2 NRSV). I will be sharing more about this passage and the benefit of renewal, especially amidst this time of uncertainty on Sunday, Aug. 16. I invite you to tune into worship Sunday morning at 9:50 on Facebook live @communitychurchleisureworld.
Those who want to join virtual fellowship will need to call the church office or email leisurewccsue@ yahoo.com. Those who don’t have a computer or Facebook, can call in to the phone system at (562) 431-2503 and listen to the weekly message beginning Sunday evening.
As always, if you are in need without another way to address that need, you may call the church office to leave me a message at (562) 431-2503.
