Why, Jesus”

Dear IPC Friends,

If we were given the opportunity to ask any question we could and have it answered, I suspect that most of us would ask a “Why?” question. There are just so many things that we don’t understand, and we want to know the reason for them. History has demonstrated that human beings can endure just about anything if they can maintain a sense of purpose in the midst of it, if they can find some reason for continuing on. Conversely, one of our greatest frustrations in life is when we cannot find a reason why, especially when we experience something painful like an injustice, a disease, a job loss, or the death of a loved one. And much of the time, we ask this question of God, wishing like Job that God would give us an answer explaining the mystery of God’s activity in our lives.

Sunday, 11 am, Sanctuary

29 Lunch Bunch, 11:30 am

SEPTEMBER

3 Holiday Worship Schedule, 10 am, Sanctuary and no Sunday School

4 Labor Day, IPC Offices Closed

6 Wednesday Night Supper, Adult Programming, Youth Grant Team and First Wednesday Fellowship begins, 5:30 pm

10 Adult Sunday School Classes begin, 10 am

Acolyte Installation, 11 am, Sanctuary

16 Popsicles on the Playground, 9:30 am

17 Moment for Mission Global Missions Lunch, Noon, Highland Hall

Grace Group Registration begins

26 Lunch Bunch, 11:30 am

OCTOBER

8 Grace Groups begin

Choral Evensong, 4 pm, Sanctuary

14-15 Youth Presbytery Retreat, Living River

15 Crop Drop Moment for Mission

15- Nov.19Harvest for Hunger Campaign

16 Beer & Hymns, 7 pm, Iron City

22 Extended Atrium, 10 am-noon

28-29 CFAF Centennial Celebration & Fall Festival (see next page)

31 Lunch Bunch, 11:30 am

Of course, this is nothing new. If you read through the Old Testament, the Israelites often asked why God was doing or not doing something. And when God showed up in the flesh in the person of Jesus, the religious leaders had all kinds of questions about why Jesus was doing what he was doing. In the second chapter of Mark, we find four vignettes where people wondered why Jesus and his disciples were saying or doing certain things. After Jesus told a lame man that his sins were forgiven, the scribes asked, “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy!” When Jesus ate dinner with socially unacceptable people, they asked, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus’ disciples were not following the fasting rules, people asked, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And when the disciples plucked the heads of grain to eat as they walked through a field, the Pharisees asked, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?” People were always asking Jesus “Why?” I suspect that many of us are as well.

Beginning on Sunday, August 13, our Back to School Kick-Off, I am going to preach through the second chapter of Mark and take a look at each of these four stories as we all wonder together, “Why, Jesus?” After that, we will spend a few weeks looking at the exciting days of the early church in the opening chapters of the book of Acts. I hope you will join us in worship as we explore these fascinating passages of scripture together this fall.

Rev. Kevin J. Long Pastor

Worship and find fellowship with your Family of Faith

We're excited to share the many fall activities, events, and classes at IPC. Scan our Fall QR Code with your smartphone to see all that is offered.

Save The Date

The Children’s Fresh Air Farm Centennial

BY MARGARET COBBS, CHILDREN'S FRESH AIR FARM COMMITTEE CHAIR

Our year-long celebration of the Children’s Fresh Air Farm Centennial will culminate with a weekend of events at the Farm October 28 and 29.

On Saturday, October 28, former staff and campers are invited back to the Farm from 11 am -2 pm to visit with one another, reminisce about camp, and enjoy a picnic lunch on the grounds. Please help us spread the word about this reunion who do you know that needs to be there?

On Sunday afternoon, October 29, starting at 3 pm, we will have a church-wide celebration that will also serve as this year’s Fall Festival! There will be fun and games for the whole family, live music from the Table worship band, and a special dedication in thanksgiving for 100 consecutive years of IPC’s mission in Bluff Park! Dinner will be served at 5 pm. Come out for a fun afternoon of fellowship and to see the newly renovated garden space and our wonderful Clinton Taylor Aquatic Center.

On behalf of the Children’s Fresh Air Farm Subcommittee, I want to thank our church for your incredible financial support to bring the dream of building a new poolhouse to reality.

Please bring your whole family to celebrate the Farm’s 100th Year; it’s going to be super fun!