July

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” — 2 Corinthians 3:17

July is here—bringing sunshine, outdoor activities, backyard barbecues and way too much heat. As we gather this month, we celebrate the 4th of July, our freedom as a free sovereign nation… actually our 250th year as a nation. I’m sure there will plenty of parades, fireworks, and American flags to remind us of the hard-fought freedom we enjoy.

Independence Day reminds us how much we value freedom. But beyond the fireworks and festivities, July is also a beautiful time to reflect on a deeper kind of freedom—the freedom we have in our faith. Unlike sparklers, this freedom doesn’t burn out after a few seconds, and thankfully, it doesn’t require adult supervision.

This freedom shows up in simple ways. The freedom to come as we are. The freedom to laugh together, even when the bulletin has that one typo. And the freedom to extend grace—especially when the service runs a few minutes long and lunch is calling

Speaking of grace, let’s take a moment to appreciate the heroes of July… the brave souls manning the grill at church picnics (hopefully that’s coming soon.) The volunteers who somehow keep the coffee flowing… no matter how hot it gets. And the thermostat adjuster, who walk a fine line between hero and villain depending on who you ask.

As we celebrate independence, let’s also remember that real freedom isn’t about doing whatever we want. Real freedom is about being able to love, serve, and care for one another wholeheartedly. It’s about choosing kindness, even if you’ve had a bad day. It’s about patience during long sermons, and generosity when there’s only one cookie left during fellowship. And let’s be honest… choosing not to take the last cookie? That might be the greatest act of selflessness of all.

This July, as fireworks light up the sky, may we also let our faith shine just as brightly. Let’s celebrate the blessings we’ve been given: our community, our shared faith, and our ability to laugh together… even at the little quirks that make church feel like home.

So whether you’re waving a flag, flipping a burger, or fanning yourself with a bulletin, just remember… true freedom isn’t just something we celebrate once a year—it’s something we live out every day through faith, love, and a good sense of humor.

So, happy July 4th! And may your fireworks be bright, your fellowship sweet, and your thermostat settings peacefully agreed upon.

God’s blessings… Pastor B.