Fall is a season of new beginnings.
When we think of seasonal new beginnings, we often think of spring or the New Year. But in my home, and likely in many of yours, fall brings a season of newness.
A new school year, new dance classes for my daughter, a new family sports schedule, and new small group and Student Night rhythms. This week, the first full week of school for our family that has a teacher, an elementary student, a junior higher, and a high schooler, is one that requires intentional scheduling and extra grace for each other as we adjust to these many “new beginnings”. And if you have a busy family like my own, keeping the right priorities and focus is essential.
My high school son has begun running on the cross country team at his school. I’m amazed as he learns to push himself, disciplines himself to his training, and strives to run faster and farther. As one who has experienced similar athletic training in my youth, I know the dedication and the physical and mental endurance that this takes each day to improve. Everything from sleeping and eating habits, to rest and intentional physical training, revolves around being the best he can be.
I’m reminded of the verse in Hebrews 12 – “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2
As we begin the fall together, we as a church have an opportunity to focus and dedicate our personal lives, and our families’, in a way that fixes our eyes on Jesus — to “train” in a way that prioritizes our relationship with Christ.
This fall, we want to help you do just that. From corporate worship, teaching, and Kids programming each Sunday, to engaging with the devotionals on our app, to Alpha and Rooted cohorts, to Student Nights starting up next Wednesday, to Celebrate Recovery and other support ministries each week – our hope is that we together can help each other run with perseverance toward Christ.
We will mark this fall of new beginnings over the next two weekends. This Sunday, September 14th, is Fall Kickoff, where we will have cider and Schutt’s fried cakes after each service, as our kids also move up to their new Sunday small groups. And next Sunday, September 21st, we will celebrate new beginnings by celebrating baptisms together as a church.
As we engage in and begin new routines and new opportunities each day, the hope I have for my family, and for us as a church, is that our walk with Christ would be the priority. And my hope is that as we start the fall together, we at Browncroft would be able to help you and your family keep Christ as the focus, running the good race, and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.
