Dear Eastside,
On Sunday, Mary invited us to imagine Tychicus traveling from Paul’s prison cell in Rome to the churches in Ephesus. This letter carrier was far more than a mailman. He was an entrusted partner- sent not only to deliver the scroll, but to read it aloud, explain it, and answer questions.

I picture Tychicus unrolling the parchment and reading, pausing as someone asked, “What does it mean that we are ‘sealed with the Spirit’?” (Eph. 1). And then someone in the room requests he read again the part about Christ reconciling two divided peoples into one new humanity (Eph. 2).

But eventually, Tychicus would have moved on, and the Ephesian believers would have been left with the real work: to live it out. To take Paul’s soaring words and work them into the grit of daily schedules, families, and workplaces.

Mary left us with some practical tools to do the same here in Tucson. She reminded us to:

• Choose good partners for the journey - friends who will love us deeply, but also speak truth in correction and encouragement.
• Practice gratitude - because it’s hard to give space to bitterness or sin when our mouths are full of thanksgiving.
• Live intentionally in Christian community - because God often shines His light into our dark places through the presence of believers.

I like to think the men and women in Ephesus worked these things out together, and I believe we can as well. May we be people who don’t just hear the Word, but embody it together.

With gratitude,
Pastor Kirsten

Our fellowship hour after the worship service is a treasured part of our weekly rhythms but it is a team effort!
Sign up here to take one Sunday a month (2-3 volunteers per Sunday). Responsibilities include setting up fellowship hall, making coffee, providing snacks (store bought or home made), and cleaning up afterward.
Grab a friend and sign up here!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080C4AADAA22A75-58397299-sunday

God has shaped the heart of our church
Now we need to care for the home

Thank you to everyone who filled out the survey to help us assess how to best address the needs of our building and property!
Our next steps are for a building team to organize costs, quotes, and priority jobs and for us as a congregation to prepare our hearts and pray for this work.
For our usual Pre-service prayer on the fourth Sunday of the month, we will take time in October and November to pray for the property and the work that needs to be done.

Gathering together

Worship service 10 am - Ephesians5:21-33
Youth Group and Small groups - This Sunday
November 8 - Game Night
November 9 - Youth Sunday

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