June 12, 2026

Friends,

I have been busy and immersed in the Montreat Youth Conference this week. While the days are 16-hours long, the experience is always incredibly spiritually enriching. This week's theme is "Wonder and Wander." It leads me to ask the question, when do we just take a minute to wonder at the greatness of God and God's creation? And how does our "wondering" lead us to wander into the places God has called us?

I hope you will join us this Sunday, June 14, as we begin our summer Sunday Bible study series, Revealed: The Word and Work of Christ in the Gospels. We hope to see you there!

Be sure to check out the announcements and resources in the newsletter below, including, in case you missed it, a special writing by our own Sue Spigel.

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 14, 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

As we begin our exploration of the Gospels, check out an infographic about Jesus' "I am" statements in John, and a look at the Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew!

ICMY, learn more about the Screwtape Letters Eric wrote!

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."