Before And After

If you're in sales, or if you buy things that others sell (and we all do), then you know that one frequently used and extremely effective strategy for selling a product is called the "before and after" method.  Here's how it works:  A salesperson demonstrates to the potential customer how bad things are prior to their product arriving onto the scene.  Then the salesperson helps the potential customer to see how good things could become if they would just make this "new and improved" product a regular part of their lives.  A lot of the time, to make the point, the seller will even show dramatic "before and after" pictures, contrasting the "old that is" with the "new that could be".  This is the exact communication technique that the Apostle Paul uses in Ephesians 2 to teach us a huge Biblical lesson.  Specifically, Paul is showing us what it is like before Jesus enters one's life, and what it is like after Jesus enters one's life. 

Join us this Sunday at 9:30am, as we continue our journey through the book of Ephesians.  Beginning with verse 11 of chapter 2, Paul makes a turn from talking about God's incredible plan to reconcile us as individual sinners, to talking about the body of Christ...the church.  Paul is moving from the "me" of the Christian journey (from my personal relationship with God), to the "we" of the Christian journey (to our relationship with God and one another as the church).  This Sunday is less about you and more about us as the body of Christ.  Join us this Sunday at 9:30am as together we grow to know God more deeply.

Note:  Larry Annes and I want to invite you to stick around after the service, as we share where we see God leading Calvary Parkside this fall.  We will meet in the large Sunday School Classroom #1 at 11:00am.  Hope to see you there!

Gary Sullivan Memorial:  Join us TOMORROW, as we celebrate the life of Gary Sullivan.  This special time of remembrance will take place at 2:00pm on Saturday, September 16th at Calvary Parkside.

Sunday Morning Adult Discipleship.  On Sunday, September 24th, we will begin a new study through Psalm 119.  Join us at 11:00am, as we take a deep dive into the longest chapter in the Bible.  Even the most mature believers face dark times where God seems distant, his Word feels dry, and the vibrant relationship we knew before seems to have vanished.  In Psalm 119, we will be introduced to the words of King David who experienced similar seasons of life.  Psalm 119 demonstrates the power of God's Word in the lives of believers and its ability to provide a warm blanket for the soul.

Calvary Parkside Membership Class:  Sunday October 15th @ 11:00am.  Sign-up using the Connect Card or stop by the Next Step Table.

See you Sunday!

Doug