Fall Rhythms
I finally had to pull out a sheet of blank paper and a pencil to begin to sketch out our new fall routine. Anybody else? Even if school starting back up isn’t the stage of life you’re in, there's definitely a feeling like September 1 is the new January 1. A blank sheet for a restart is not completely necessary, though. There are already helpful rhythms built into walking with Jesus.
An opening rhythm from God is the gift of rest. Look to the first page of Scripture to find the first gift of a rhythm God gives. God created the earth in six days and on the seventh he rested. The Bible calls the day, the Sabbath, meaning rest. And says that God offers it to us as a gift. (Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath Mark 2:27). That’s more than 14% of time gifted back to you as a gift of rest.
Sunday, beginning with worship, is considered by many followers of Jesus throughout history and around the world to be a day of rest.
As you plan the fall, can you welcome some rest into your routine?
Right next to the gift of Sabbath in Genesis God’s gift of community. God experiences community as the Triune God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are made in his own image. And he invites us into community with one another.
How can you receive the gift of community this fall?
Kitsap House is returning to two of our favorite ways of practicing community. One is Family Dinners. We experienced this format for the first time in January and it was such a great way for people to go deeper than surface level and experience something that felt like more than a Bible study. We learned how to listen more deeply to one another, and to Jesus, and we knew we were on to something when we heard people came out of that wanting more.
So Family Dinners are returning this fall. For two months we’ll be meeting in homes around Port Orchard, eating together, sharing life, and hoping to experience something like family. These groups are designed to include kids and include content from Practicing the Way (this Fall we’ll use parts of their “Witness” course). Reach out to Pastor Larry if you’re interested in joining.
ALPHA is also returning this fall! Come and try Alpha if you’re looking for a place to ask the biggest questions we ask in life: is there more to life than this? Who is Jesus? and more. If you or someone you know would be interested in having really good food and talking about these kinds of things in an open, nonjudgmental environment, this is the place.
I love the fun, the insights, the friendships that come to be around an Alpha conversation. I hope you’ll come and give Alpha a try. Come try Alpha with me! We kick off Tuesday, September 15th.
One of our shared values at Kitsap House is:We seek a lifestyle of radical hospitality and service for the sake of our neighbors, opening up our hearts and homes. We think the way of Family Dinners and Alpha and the conversations there are a way to embody this value. We hope if you participate, you’ll be part of giving and receiving JOY.
As you think about how you’re forming your times for work and rest, for vacation and activity – I invite you to invest time and conversation in your life with Jesus: being with him, becoming like him, and doing what he did and does. May God’s joy be deeply present in Kitsap House and in your lives this year.
Pastor Megan
PS If you’ve got kids in your house, don’t miss out on their opportunities for community as well! Check this out. Sunday student gatherings are returning this fall, Family Dinners are a great place to connect, and childcare will be offered during Alpha.
