Pastor Tim’s Message: September 2025
You have heard “do not murder,” but I say if you are angry with another person, you are just as guilty. You have heard “do not commit adultery,” but I say if you have lusted after someone, you have already committed it. Do not resist an evildoer. If someone strikes you in your face, turn to them the other side of your face as well. If someone sues you for your coat, give them your cloak, too. Give to EVERYONE who begs from you. Love your enemies. You cannot serve God and money. Do not judge another person. Why do you notice the speck in someone’s eye but not the LOG in your own eye?
Please read that paragraph again, this time more slowly, pausing between sentences.
These are but a few of many challenging teachings of Jesus found in his “Sermon on the Mount.” That sermon is his most famous and represents what some have called “the perfect distillation of his ethical teachings and the very essence of the Kingdom of God.” I hope you were profoundly challenged, shocked, and perhaps even offended by that first paragraph. I know I am.
Bible study resumes on Wednesday, September 10th, at 10:30 am and 6:45 pm, in the Music Room (with a Zoom link available, as well). Our topic this year will be the Sermon on the Mount, which is found in Matthew, chapters five through seven.
Our theme? “So you call yourself a Christian? The Sermon on the Mount.” I hope and pray that you will consider joining us for what promises to be deep learning, vigorous discussion, and personal – as well as communal – transformation.
Dave’s Pub Ministry will be helping to coordinate our annual North Raleigh Ministries (NRM) Food Drive this fall, beginning Sun., Sept. 7. Stay tuned for further details, and we encourage you to participate in this most worthwhile service project, as we “share the love of Christ.”
Our Stewardship fall campaign kicks off Sun., Sept. 21st. We are very excited about our theme and supporting scripture this year. Stay tuned for further details on this, as well. We absolutely love the opportunity to respond to God, neighbor, and church in thankfulness for all the resources that God abundantly blesses us with: our time, our talents, and our treasures.
We will baptize Alaina Grapatin on Sun., Sept. 28th, at our Traditional worship service. She will be our seventh baptism this year! She and her family have already worked their way into our hearts here, and we are delighted that they will formally be joining our congregation in the fall.
What an exciting time for us here at St. Philip!
Sharing the Love of Christ, Pastor Tim
