I hope you are staying cool during these warm days. The heat and heavy circumstances can quickly sap us of energy and spirit. But there is refreshing hope from Jesus! We were reminded last week of our place in the grand cosmic story of God, as those once alienated, now reconciled, with a glorious destiny: presented holy, blameless, and irreproachable before God (Col 1:21-23). Of this gospel Paul dedicated his service and contended for continual growth and maturity in the faith.

In the next passage in Colossians (1:24-2:5), Paul expounds on this motivation of his ministry. Cece Gough, in her role as Executive Director, and experience as disciple and disciple-maker and coordinator of small group ministries at FCCH will open this Scripture for us.