A Kingdom Moment in the Middle of July

July is here, bringing plenty to celebrate, wrap up, and look forward to.

This past Sunday, we enjoyed a special outdoor baptism service. The morning was beautiful, and it gave our church family a chance to pause during a busy season and focus on what truly matters. Baptism is a celebration of grace. It shows that someone belongs to Jesus, is following him, and is starting a new chapter under his loving guidance.

That moment fit right in with our current sermon series, The Last Kingdom. Over the past few weeks, we have been taking another look at who Jesus is. The New Testament shows Jesus as the Christ, the Anointed One, and God’s final King. His kingdom has come close, it is still growing, and each of us is invited to be part of it.

That is why baptism is a kingdom moment. When someone is baptized, they are making a statement with their whole life: “Jesus is my Savior. Jesus is my Lord. Jesus is my King.” They join the story of Christ’s death and resurrection and become part of God’s people. The water reminds us all that God’s kingdom still changes lives, calls people forward, and makes things new. It was the right moment for us to pause.

Sometimes the church needs to keep moving, and other times we need to pause and celebrate what God has done. Sunday was one of those times. We celebrated God’s work in those being baptized, the joy of being together, and the gift of faith, family, and community. We were reminded that the church is at its best when we gather around Jesus and support the work he is doing in people’s lives.

We are also in the middle of a big renovation project. The pews are here, the work is ongoing, and the sanctuary is coming together. Each week brings visible progress. Renovation takes patience, flexibility, and a sense of humor. It reminds us that our spaces matter because people matter. We are preparing a place where people can worship, pray, hear the gospel, bring their children, grieve, rejoice, serve, and grow.

A sanctuary is about more than carpet, paint, pews, or lighting. These things matter, and we are thankful for every improvement. But the real purpose is ministry. We are fixing up a room because God is working in people. We are updating our space because we believe God still has work for us here. All of this is kingdom work.

This Saturday, July 4th, our nation will mark 250 years. That is a milestone to be grateful for. As citizens, we can pause to give thanks for our freedoms, blessings, sacrifices made, and the opportunities we have. We can celebrate with humility, prayer, and hope.

As followers of Jesus, we remember that our highest loyalty is to the King whose kingdom never ends. This faith helps us be better citizens, neighbors, and servants. We love our country most when we love God first. We serve our community best when we put God’s kingdom first. We honor freedom by serving others, showing kindness, seeking peace, and living with grace.

That is one of the best parts of this series. The Last Kingdom reminds us that Jesus came to reign, and his reign changes how we live. His kingdom teaches us to serve, sacrifice, forgive, welcome, love, and put others first. It grows through everyday acts of obedience—through prayer, hospitality, generosity, compassion, truth, worship, baptism, discipleship, and simple faithfulness. All of this is an important season for our church.

On Sunday, July 5th, we will continue The Last Kingdom with Part 4. We’ll talk about what it means to fight like the King, living the way Jesus taught us, even when the world chooses other ways. On Sunday, July 12th, we’ll conclude the series with Part 5, which focuses on how God’s kingdom is unstoppable. It often grows slowly, like a mustard seed or yeast in dough, but it keeps moving because the King still reigns.

Then, on Sunday, July 26th, we’ll celebrate our Grand Reopening, Rededication, and Summer Block Party. That day will be about finished work, a renewed space, and new opportunities. We’ll give thanks for what’s been done, rededicate our sanctuary to God’s glory, and invite our church family and community to join the celebration.

That day will also mark a new beginning. Rededicating is our way of saying, “Lord, this belongs to you.” The building, the sanctuary, the ministry, our worship, our future, and our church all belong to you.

As we go through July, let’s do all of this with gratitude and hope. Let’s celebrate baptisms with joy, our nation with thankful prayers, the progress of the renovation with patience and hope, and our reopening with excitement. And let’s remember that every celebration points us back to the King. The kingdom of God is still moving.

It is moving in the lives of those who were baptized. It is moving in the work happening in our sanctuary. It is moving in our church family as we worship, serve, give, pray, and prepare. It moves through our community whenever we choose grace and kindness. It is moving as we look forward to the next season of ministry.

So let’s pause when it’s time to pause. Let’s celebrate when it’s time to celebrate. Let’s work when it’s time to work. Let’s look back with gratitude and look ahead with faith.

Jesus is King. His kingdom is moving forward. And we are invited to be part of it.