This past Sunday our elders announced the formation of Shepherding Groups beginning Sunday, Sept. 18th. On that day we will have our regular morning Bible study and worship assembly, followed by a pot-luck luncheon. At that time the elders will share the make-up of the seven Shepherding Groups, with an elder in each group, and then the groups will meet immediately following the luncheon in different areas of the building.

In October, November and December, the Shepherding Groups will meet twice each month, on the first and third Sundays of the month. Each group will take a turn and meet at the building so that on every Groups night we will have one group meeting at the building at the traditional 6:00 PM hour. Included in the meeting will be Bible study that reflects on a recent sermon. I will prepare an outline for each group to follow, and am excited to begin a series of lessons on the conversion stories that we find in the book of Acts. Some of these lessons will be used as the topic for our groups to discuss this fall.

I truly hope that you will fully participate in this tremendous opportunity. Our shepherds have spent the last few years considering this and other options as we seek to remain faithful to Biblical teaching and also reach out to our people and the people of our community. There is so much good that can be done through this ministry: greater fellowship, more individual involvement in Bible study, more opportunity for newer members and others to connect with more of our church family, a great occasion to invite others to one of our activities, and so much more! Please be prayerful for this great tool for spiritual growth and enrichment.

This past Sunday we also heard more about the upcoming Fishers of Men evangelism training that we will host here at South Fork this fall. We have had such a good turnout that we will have a group that meets on Tuesday evenings and another that meets on Wednesday mornings. I hope that you will be a part of this intensive Bible study and training time.

Finally, I would like to share one more great opportunity for you to reach out to others and invite them to come to our church family and be blessed. The tenth anniversary of the horrific events of 9/11 is on a Sunday, next Sunday in fact. I will share a special message that morning, “Living in a Different World.” I do believe that this is a tremendous chance for you to invite someone you’ve wanted to share the love of Christ with, yet have been looking for a good time and situation. This is it. Invite someone to church on 9/11.