Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!’ And he was afraid, and said, ‘How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.’ So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. He called that place Bethel;
–Genesis 28:16-19

We crushed our Regional Assembly sign-up goals! We have 30 people registered, and every volunteer position we asked for has been filled! That is something worth celebrating. Thank you for your willingness to show up, lend a hand, and help us welcome our sister churches to our campus later this month. I am grateful for each of you and excited about what we will share together!

This Sunday, October 4, is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, a beloved figure in the Christian tradition known for his deep love of all creation. Francis saw animals and the natural world as fellow creatures of God, often speaking of them as brothers and sisters. Over the centuries, churches have celebrated his legacy with a Blessing of the Animals, giving thanks for the creatures who share our lives and reminding us of our responsibility to care for all creation.

And this year, we are joining in that tradition for the first time as a congregation!

Around noon, following our fellowship time, you are invited to run home, grab your furry friends, and bring them back to the church for a special blessing (if they aren’t already relaxing in a pet carrier with you!)

Our pets are so much more than animals who live in our homes. They are family. They greet us with excitement, offer comfort on difficult days, keep us company when the house feels quiet, and bring laughter and love into our lives. For many of us, they help ease loneliness and remind us of the simple, faithful gift of being loved. That kind of companionship is worth celebrating and blessing!

Bring your furry family members and join us for this new tradition. We look forward to blessing them and giving thanks for the joy they bring into our lives.

This Sunday, October 4, our scripture reading is Genesis 28:10–19, the story of Jacob’s dream at Bethel. Along his journey, Jacob encounters God in unexpected places and experiences moments that shape and change his life. Again and again, he marks these experiences by naming places, building altars, or dedicating spaces as reminders of what happened there. These places become part of his story, helping him remember God’s presence and recognize the sacredness of those encounters.

Question of the Day: Where is a place you have journeyed to that feels special or sacred to you?

I look forward to worshiping with you in person or on YouTube!

Brett