Faith@First is a weekly report on the pastor's family news, church and community activities, events, ministries and missions. Click here to sign up to receive it weekly in your email inbox or visit NoblesvilleFirst.com/FaithAtFirstArchive to peruse past issues.
Dear Noblesville First Family,
Yesterday I was prepared to send you a very different letter for this weeks edition of Faith@First. Our theme for this week‘s message and worship is “jump for joy”. I intended to share the story of filling in for a sick sorority sister’s liturgical dance number and the spiritual lessons I learned from it.
Upon hearing that story I was certain one thing would happen: you would NEVER ask me to lead any kind of liturgical dance ministry at the church!
What I wasn’t expecting is that yesterday I would begin displaying symptoms of the flu and now find myself sidelined for the next few days. With that reality, “ jump for joy” seems the furthest thing from my mind.
Yet, I wonder if God is trying to teach me and perhaps you the real meaning of joy. Joy isn’t an expression of happiness, wellness or contentment. I’m certainly not happy to feel to ill or to possibly miss out on the opportunity to join in all worship and activity taking place this weekend.
Real joy, the kind that made John the Baptist leap in Elizabeth‘s womb is as Pastor Rick Warren describes, “the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.”
This kind of joy cannot be waylaid by the flu or any other symptom of human living. It abides in us and leaps forward in the midst of challenge and uncertainty. That’s why I have joy this morning while sick with the flu. I’ll have joy when God restores me to full health and it’s my prayer you have it too.
You can join me in jumping for joy this weekend as our Associate Superintendent and Noblesville First member Rev. Greg Enstrom preaches across all services on the story of Elizabeth (and John’s) joyful response to Mary’s visit.
Come back Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. for what will be a spectacular festival of music and original art work by clients of Janus Developmental Services.
May our worship and ministry events help you to find, keep and spread jumping joy.
Keep the Faith@First,
Pastor Nicole