Dear Harpeth Hills Family,

We long to see all of you face to face again, but we hope you are being blessed and encouraged by our ministry team and their desire to offer so many ways for us to worship together right now. It looks different, and it feels different, but it gives new meaning to the term fellowship and “where two or more are gathered together.” Our eyes have been opened to new and creative ways to be together in worship. Some enjoy fellowship with others at one of the house churches, while others meet inside the church building or outside under a tent. Although it is different, there is nothing like standing to worship God together.

As I reflect on the diversity that brings strength to our fellowship, I think about the Apostle Paul. We can be so focused on his outspoken nature that we might miss out on some deeply personal aspects of Paul’s personality.
• They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. (Acts 20:37-38)
• Paul spoke of how dear the people were to him and how he longed to see them. (I Thess. 2:8, Romans 15:23, Philemon 12)
• Paul was humble in speaking of his own weaknesses. (Phil. 3:12, I Tim. 1:15-16)
• Paul was willing to become like those he was with to win them over to Christ. (Acts 21:26, I Cor. 9:19, 22)
• When those with him heard of imminent danger to Paul, they pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. (Acts 21:12) But they accompanied him anyway. (Acts 21:15)
• Paul listened to the disciples when they did not want him to appear before an angry crowd. (Acts 19:30)
• Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater. (Acts 19:31)

From what we know of Paul in scripture, he was unique. I am inspired by his character and how many people he brought to the Lord. It encourages me to look at one’s personality as a whole and to recognize the complexity in which God created each person. We are one body – and like Paul’s many unique talents, we each have our own talents to be used in serving Him together.

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give all of us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that we may know Him better. (Ephesians1:16)

Blessings!

Your Shepherds