“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5 (ESV)

Happy Saturday, Mission Church!

Have you ever found yourself wanting to be like someone else? I mean, not in a bad way, but really looking up to them, respecting them, and aspiring to emulate their better qualities? When I was in elementary school, that guy for me was George. George was in high school and lived in my neighborhood. He was really nice to me and would even let me hang out with him behind the elementary school where he would practice kicking field goals (which, in my tiny world, seemed like 60-70 yarders). He also was an announcer for the high school football games; so he got to sit in the press box, which I thought was the coolest thing. I remember thinking, “Someday, I want to be like George,” and I always looked forward to going to his house to see if he could hang out. For the life of me, I’ll never know what possessed this cool high school guy to give the time of day to a scrawny, annoying little third grader like me. But I do know this… spending time with him made me feel special, and it made me want to be a better person.

Friends, if that’s not a picture of our relationship with Jesus, I don’t know what is! It often blows my mind that Jesus wants to have a relationship with me. He’s the creator and sustainer of the entire universe; yet He desires personal, one-on-one time with me. He’s actually created me with a longing for that relationship with Him. And, as I relate to Him, as I spend time with Him, He changes me. He molds me and shapes me. He matures me.

This is the next topic we’ll consider this Sunday in our sermon series, Commit to Mission. What does a commitment to maturity look like? Why is it necessary? How do we become mature? There are lots of practical issues to consider in answering these questions; but at the heart of the matter is what Jesus says in John 15:5, “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.” I am so excited to share with you what God has been teaching me this week. Let’s prepare our hearts by asking God to show us what abiding in Him means for us, and by listening to the worship set.

I can’t wait to be with you all tomorrow!


Brett Lovern
Pastor of Worship & Arts

SUNDAY AM PLAN
9:00 AM  – Worship Service On Campus & Online (Lancaster Campus)
9:15 AM – Worship Service On Campus (Myerstown Campus)
11:00 AM – Worship Service on Campus & Online (Lancaster Campus)

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REGATHERING DETAILS – CLICK HERE

SUNDAY RESOURCES
Everything you need for Sunday is available on the Mission Church App under Sunday Resources or on our website.