Church friends and family,

I pray that you and your loved ones are staying safe and indoors while the air quality outside is poor. Since today is the anniversary of 9/11/01, I also hope that you say a prayer for police officers, fire fighters and the many who put themselves in harms way to serve our community, just as so many did after 9/11/01.

I also want to give you a heads up that we'll be studying from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter, 18, starting at verse 21. We'll be exploring what Jesus meant when he talked to Peter and his disciples, about forgiveness. During the sermon, we will especially be focusing on the phrase we recite from the Lord's Prayer. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors...for many of us, forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

In light of all that is happening in our world, our Country and our communities. Let’s spend some time thinking about what it means. What does it mean as a person of faith to forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors? In the last week, school has started for our local students.

Whether you have young ones or not, please pray for students, parents/guardians, teachers, administrators, nurses and the many people doing their very best to help our students get a proper education.

You are welcome to join me in the month of September to write a card or send an email saying thank you to one of those persons I just mentioned. Let's fill our community with gratitude.

Even in the midst of what is happening in our life.

May you be blessed this week.

I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday morning.

Pastor DJ.