Summer at GCC

by Andrew Moroz, Teaching and Outreach Pastor

Summer technically doesn’t officially start until late June; but, at Gospel Community Church Rivermont, at the end of May, we transition from one season to the next season.

A couple of key things mark our transition: 
1) our kids and college students wrap up school,
2) most of our college students leave Lynchburg for the summer (although some stick around for the summer and continue to worship with us), and
3) we make ministry adjustments to accommodate attendance, volunteers, and summer ministry goals.

The first adjustment that you will see is an adjustment to our summer service times. Beginning May 27th we will have two Sunday morning worship services (9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.) throughout the summer. Choosing the appropriate service times that “work” for the church at large is not easy. We believe the 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. time slots will accommodate the majority of those who attend. As of right now, our plan is to return to our 8 a.m. service at the end of the summer.  Historically, we have seen a significant spike in attendance around the end of August.

As Sunday attendance dips in the summer – so does giving and participation on the volunteer teams (Kid City, Discipleship Communities, Hospitality, etc.). To those of us who live and work in Lynchburg all year round, as the “core group” of GCCR, we have a huge opportunity to step up and stand in the gap. As you read and hear the announcements regarding service opportunities, please prayerfully consider how you can help to meet the needs of your church family during the summer months.

Now, and in the coming weeks, you will be seeing announcements about ways to serve our church and ways to serve our community. I want summer to be a restful time for you, and your family, but I also hope that generosity doesn’t stop being a priority for you. Scripture says that the fields are ripe for the harvest and, I believe, summertime gives us unique opportunities to bear fruit for the Kingdom of God here in Lynchburg.

I want to encourage you to do something practical that can impact your life in Christ and maximize your summer experience. Intentionally create summer goals. How are you going to use your time to enjoy this summer and leverage it for God’s glory? Write out a few goals that fit into the following categories: 
1) personal goals (regarding health, fun, rest),
2) family/community goals (how will you strengthen the relationships closest to you),
3) church/mission goals (plan to be present, prayerful, and engaged).

It’s been a great year so far and I trust that God will bless us with a wonderful summer season.
~ Pastor Andrew

“Summer Prayer”
Father, Creator of all, thank You for summer!
Thank you for the warmth of the sun and the increased daylight.
Thank You for the beauty I see all around me and for the opportunity to be outside and enjoy Your creation.
Thank You for the increased time I have to be with my friends and family, and for the more casual pace of the summer season.
Draw me closer to You this summer.
Teach me how I can pray no matter where I am or what I am doing.
Warm my soul with the awareness of Your presence and light my path with Your Word and Counsel.
As I enjoy Your creation, create in me a pure heart and a hunger and a thirst for You.
Amen.
(ignatianspirituality.com)