Because Jesus is coming back, we live: – keeping watch. – ready whenever He comes. – serving Him by serving others. EFCA SOF Article 9– Christ’s Return: We believe in the personal, bodily and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission. Applying God's Word to Life Think of something you knew was coming and had to watch for its arrival. How did knowing it was coming affect what you did while you waited? Why do you think Jesus emphasizes that we do not know when He will return? What does it look like practically to live expectantly and “keep watch”? Jesus describes several different people waiting for someone to return. What distinguishes those who were ready from those who weren’t? If Jesus returned today, what is one area of your life where you would want Him to find you faithfully doing what He has entrusted to you? Why does Jesus connect serving other people so closely with serving Him? Who has God placed in your life to serve so you can serve Jesus right now? What do Peter and Paul add to Jesus’ teaching about how we should live while waiting for His return (2 Peter 3:3–14; 1 Thes. 4:13–5:11)? In what way are we caught between “a rock and a soft place?” How can you embrace the “soft place” right now? What is one concrete step you can take this week to prepare for advent? Announcements Youth Group Kick-Off: Wednesday, September 2 at 6:40-8:05. Meet at Barsness Park at the shelter near the playground. Rain location-meet at Central Square Gym. For 5th-12th grade students. Friends are always welcome! Adventure Club Kick-Off with Family Night: Wednesday, September 9 at 6:30pm. at the First Baptist Church in Glenwood. Registration is open. See the weekly email for a link to register. For ages 4 years (must be 4 by Sept. 9) -6th grade. Women’s Bible Study: A new 9-week video Bible study, The Sermon on the Mount by Jen Wilkin, will begin Monday, September 14 at 6:30 PM at the Glenwood Church Office. We will be studying Matthew 5–7, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and exploring His teaching and what it means for us as His followers. For more information, contact Kari Juetten at 320-808-7085. Hope Community Shirt Sales: We have decided to put in another t-shirt/hoodie order. We have added the color white or you can also order black. Orders due August 31. We need a minimum of 6 orders. See the weekly email for a link to order and pay or talk to Vickie (320) 805-0450 if you do not receive the weekly email. Baby Shower for Hannah Olson (wife of Josh Olson): Join us as we celebrate and support the Olsons becoming parents! Saturday, September 12 at 9:30a.m. at the Starbuck Church. She is registered at Target and Amazon. “Connections: Women Connecting with Women”: will meet for coffee on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 10:00 am at Gather, next one is September 2. Operation Christmas Child: check out the welcome table for information about packing a box for a child in need. Contact Vera Vichich (320) 424-2793 for questions. If you would like to pack a box, you can take a free one or more from the table. Children’s Church Starts September 13 Sermon Based Small Group Starbuck: Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m. at the Starbuck site. Attend when you are able.