Can you believe it’s almost August? It feels like summer just got started, yet here we are; school bells are about to ring, and we are looking ahead to an exciting new season at Union! While summer may be winding down, the spirit of renewal and fresh beginnings is just getting started here at church.
I’m thrilled to announce that our theme for the 2025–2026 church year is “Share Your Story”! Psalm 107:2 reminds us, "Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story." Indeed, each of us has a story worth telling—a story shaped by God's grace, our experiences, and the community around us. This year, we'll lean into the power of story to grow in faith, connect more deeply with one another, and witness to the world around us.
I hope you will join us on Sunday, August 3, for our annual Welcome Home Sunday as we celebrate 173 years of faithful ministry at Union. What an incredible legacy! This Sunday is a beautiful moment to come together as a church family, to reconnect, reflect, and rejoice. Whether you’ve been part of Union for decades or are brand-new, this is a Sunday for everyone.
I also encourage you to invite neighbors, coworkers, and friends to join us for Welcome Home Sunday, especially those searching for a place to belong. In a world that often feels disconnected, let’s be the place where people feel at home.
After worship, we’ll share in a potluck fellowship meal (bring a covered dish!), continuing the celebration around the table. Good food, good stories, and good company—what could be better?
We’ll also celebrate our annual Blessing of the Backpacks on Sunday, August 3! It's always a meaningful part of our worship as we surround all our students, along with teachers, school staff, and administrators, with prayer. We’ll share a special tag for each backpack and school bag as a simple, yet powerful, reminder that God and this church family go with them into the new school year. Be sure to invite anyone connected to education to join us for this time of special blessing on Sunday!
As we begin this new school year and new church year, my heart is full of hope and anticipation. I believe God has beautiful things in store for us as we continue to follow Jesus and share our stories with each other.
Let’s step into this new season with boldness, with joy, and with hearts ready to welcome all. I’m excited, and I hope you are too!