From the Pastor’s Desk

As September comes, we think of the end of Summer and the coming of Fall. Days shorten, children go back to school, family routines become more regimented, life returns to “normal.” Out in Yadkin County where I live, people also get ready for the harvest - corn, grapes, soybeans, other crops. As a small time gardener, I am still harvesting things from my garden, and even have a late garden of sorts, having planted broccoli, cabbage, squash, collards, and turnips. If fortunate, I’ll be harvesting fruit long after the first frost.

The Bible is full of the metaphor of harvest, God at work bringing his kingdom to fruition, bit by bit. Jesus told parables about seeds growing secretly, tiny mustard seeds sown producing large bushes in which birds would nest, seeds multiplying 30, 60, 100 fold. At Shallowford, we have enjoyed a rich harvest of God’s goodness in recent months:

1. Three new families have joined our church family.

2. New people continue to visit and worship regularly with us.

3. Our Middle and Senior High Youth were involved in two wonderful mission projects over the summer.

4. Vacation Bible School with our friends from Unity Moravian was a wonderful summer event.

5. The church was full to overflowing at the recent Jazz Service.

6. We are adding a new part-time staff member to lead our Children’s Music Program.

These are all signs of God’s good work among us, indications that the seeds of faithfulness, hope, prayer, regular worship, fellowship, study, service, are bearing much good fruit. And the good new is, unlike an agricultural harvest, God’s harvest knows no season. So, let us rejoice in God’s bountiful goodness among us and continue to look for the fruit yet to be born by his Spirit this Fall and beyond!!

Grace & Peace!