Those who play and pray together, stay together!

So I commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 8:15)

Who do you play together with frequently?
How many close authentic relationships do you have?

Today is a big day at Soul Purpose Church (SPC) – it’s “Friend Day.” For several months, Pastor Matt Gregory has planned the messages leading up to today along with the seven week S.H.A.P.E. series that begins in two weeks. Matt’s goal is to have 150 people meeting in LIFE groups to experience friendship in community and to discover their unique purposes.

For more than a month, Matt has been encouraging each person at SPC to invite at least one friend to come on Oct 5. This morning at our 10:30 am worship at Liberty High School in Bealeton, we will have lots of first time guests. If you live locally and don’t go to church regularly, I invite you to come today as my guest. Come find me and tell me you came as my guest so we can sit together. I’m going to treat people who come as my guests to a free lunch afterwards at a nearby restaurant.

For directions to Soul Purpose Church, click here.

Yesterday from 10 am – Noon, SPC sponsored a gas buy down at the Bealeton 7-11 on the corner of Routes 28 and 17. Cars lined up from both directions to save 25 cents on every gallon of gas. What a great way to reach out to a community and bless the people.   It certainly is a good way to create a first impression.

In my September 23 devotional I wrote about 5 action steps to be fully engaged with my friends. One of those was “play together.” Well, two weekends ago, most of the ladies at our church went on a 3 day, ladies spiritual retreat at Lake Gaston in southern Virginia. They had a wonderful time to bond, worship God, pray, and reflect. They shared photos from their retreat at last Sunday’s worship service.

Then last weekend, two of those ladies who led the singing at the retreat led the singing at the Sunday worship service. That was the most fun worship service at SPC I have ever been to. Afterwards a group of about 30 of us drove to White Oak Canyon to hike up to the first large waterfall where Tabatha was baptized. It was awesome to experience a baptism near a waterfall. We all had such a great time. You can find photos of that hike and baptism at today’s Link of the Day.

Jesus said that he came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. It’s a delight to be part of a local church where the preaching and atmosphere help people experience the abundance.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for all the great things you are doing at Soul Purpose Church. Thank You that Pastor Matt is a purpose-driven leader. Thank You for all the new people who will come this morning. May You bless the entire worship service this morning including Matt’s message. May You bless the times of fellowship and sharing afterwards when many guests are treated to free lunches at restaurants all over. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Link of the Day
Photos of Soul Purpose Church Hike and Baptism By Waterfall

Blessings to play together frequently with your family and your close friends!