June 19, 2026

Friends,

As we conclude our amazing VBS ministry with 60 children this week, I am reminded that the lessons present are not just for kids.

The Snowball Mountain Challenge offers profound spiritual lessons for adults, centering on the theme of finding strength in God through life's inevitable uphill climbs. Just as the "Challengers" navigate the steep paths of a winter sports event, and our youth climbed Lookout Mountain last week, adults are reminded that they do not have to rely on their own limited power when facing daunting obstacles.

Through this week's "Lift Lessons," we are invited to rediscover the transformative impact of sharing our unique God-given gifts, practicing courage in fearful moments, and giving our all even when we feel we have little to offer. Ultimately, the challenge teaches that through persistent prayer and a reliance on the promise of Philippians 4:13, we can find a resilient hope that not only sustains us but becomes contagious to those around us.

Please join us this Sunday from 9:10-9:55 in the library as Dave Householder leads us in a discussion of Matthew 8:5–13, The Healing of the Centurion’s Servant. Click here to find handouts and other resources for the summer study.

Blessings,

Eric

The Loneliness of Jesus

A Missive by Sue Spigel

After Palm Sunday this year, I began to wonder about the loneliness of Jesus during Holy Week. Do I dare make this audacious claim? We know he was deeply troubled during the night called Maundy Thursday.

How lonely Jesus must have felt all that night and on “Good” Friday. I imagine every nerve throbbed while he awaited the betrayal and the sham trial. Jesus was alone in the wide world even though surrounded by friends as well as Pharisees, Romans, and mockers.

Peter ran into the night and wept beyond weeping. He must have felt abandoned while knowing he had abandoned the only true selfless agape—as we all have done.  

Imagine how utterly, truly alone Jesus was on the cross all those anguished hours. No one could take his pain away or endure it with him. No one could go with him into the darkness ahead; no one could alleviate the physical suffering and dehydration. He bore the brutal weight of our sins and pain while knowing how utterly awful we humans are and always will be until the new heaven and earth come.

I believe Jesus felt a soul loneliness, or a spirit loneliness. Is this accurate? I imagine this was far beyond those dreams in which we find ourselves standing alone in utter darkness without stars or moonlight. Yet the One who became lonely for all of us ransomed himself for all: for the emotive, weeping ones, for those who feel hard as a stone inside, for those who cry one day and feel nothing another day.

I felt so sad on Good Friday as I thought about this. Yet, Easter came, and the dark night failed. The light overcomes every darkness because Jesus endured the worst night and day for all of us (undeserving) humans.    

Sue Hargis Spigel

hargisspigel@yahoo.com

NEW Summer Bible Study starts Sunday!

Revealed: The Word and Work of Christ in the Gospels

Looking for a deeper way to engage Scripture this season? Starting Sunday, June 14, we invite you to join our 8-week summer Bible study series, Revealed: The Word and Work of Christ in the Gospels.

Rather than a traditional lecture, this study is designed as a discussion-based seminar where participants sit with the text, wrestle with its cultural context, and discover the nature of Christ together.

Our thematic journey will trace a powerful crescendo, beginning with Jesus’ intimate encounters with individuals before expanding outward to His covenantal relationship with the church and His cosmic authority over creation.

Whether you are a long-time student of the Gospels or looking for a fresh perspective, come ready for rich, shared conversation that connects deep theology with daily application.

Dates & Times: Sundays June 21 & 28, July 12, 19, & 26 (9:10-9:55) and August 2, 9 (10:10-10:55)

Location: The Library

Facilitators: Dave Householder, Eric Robinson, and others

These two resources will help you dig deeper into themes in our REVEALED summer Bible study through an infographic and slide deck: Breaking Boundaries and Including Outsiders, followed by Grace, Forgiveness, and Jubilee.

ARE YOU TECH SAVVY AND WANT TO DIG DEEPER?

Don't forget to visit our FPC First Connect Digital Resource Library.

Also, check out the NotebookLM notebook for Just Jesus, Revelation and The Screwtape Letters. You'll need to log in with your Gmail to view. When you get there, try the "chat" feature first (middle tab). Ask a question and see what happens! For example, In the Revelation notebook you might ask, "What are some of the most important symbols in Revelation?" or "What does the dragon represent?" Or you might open the Screwtape Letters notebook and ask, "Give me a brief introduction to the book."