Our scripture text for Sunday is Hebrews 5:11–6:3.

The following reflection is provided to aid you in preparation for worship this Sunday...

“Though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.”

Hebrews 5:11–13

The author of Hebrews pauses his discussion of Jesus’ high priestly office in Hebrews 4:14–5:10 to give a warning and exhortation to his readers. At this point in the book, he wants to continue discussing the priestly work of Christ further, but he cannot because the audience is not ready. They have become “dull of hearing.” Here the author refers to spiritual unpreparedness. Their equivocating on whether to remain followers of Jesus was impeding their advancement in the faith. This, then, warns us that growth in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ comes only to those who are ready for it. A lack of committed discipleship can dull our spiritual senses and even move us backward in the school of Christ.

Spiritual immaturity characterized the original audience of the book of Hebrews. As the author goes on to argue in Sunday’s passage, the spiritual regression of the readers put them in a situation where they would need remedial education in the “basic principles of the oracles of God.” This should not have been. Although we do not know exactly how long the audience had been believers when the book of Hebrews was written, it was certainly long enough that their continuing immaturity was unacceptable. So it is for us. God expects Christians to grow. The Lord does not want us to be content with only the basics of the faith, the essential gospel that saves us. As we are able, we should seek to grow in the breadth and depth of our knowledge of the faith.

It is good to know the basics of the faith, but growing Christians are never content with only the basics. As we advance in our Christian lives, the Spirit gives us a greater hunger for the truth of His Word and for the deep truths of the Christian faith. Let us seek to satisfy that hunger by growing in our understanding of the doctrines of the Word of God when and where we are able.

Pledges for our annual Faith Promise giving for the missions outreach of the church will be received throughout the month of October. Faith Promise pledges may be placed in the offering plate or given to Brad.

There will be a Reformation Day Party this Sunday at 4:00 p.m. We will begin with a Prayer and Praise service, with Reformation Day activities to follow.

It’s a baby shower! Please join us as we celebrate mom-to-be April Manley on Saturday, November 13th beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the home of Sharon Plate. The Manley’s are registered at Amazon and Target. The Amazon registry is under April Drinkwater (maiden name) and the Target registry is under April and Michael Manley. Diapers and wipes are also welcome!

Our annual Thanksgiving Fellowship Lunch will be held on Sunday, November 14th, following the worship service. The Heidelberg small group is asked to provide sweet potatoes, rolls/bread, and desserts. The Westminster small group is asked to provide mashed potatoes, vegetables, and cranberry sauce.

The Session is looking for interest in the position of Church Bookkeeper. This is an administrative role that includes church deposits, bills, payroll, and financial reports to the Session. If you would like to exercise your administrative and organizational skills, and believe that this is a way for you to serve your church family, please contact one of the elders.

Sunday School meets weekly beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Current Classes:
• Lower Elementary | Ages 6–9 | Classroom 5
• Upper Elementary | Ages 10–12 | Classroom 1
• Youth | Ages 13–18 | Classroom 7
• Adults | Classroom 2

For more information, visit trinityfellowshippca.org/sundayschool.

The Women’s Bible Study meets weekly on Wednesdays at the church. The morning group meets at 9:30 and the evening group meets at 6:30. Both groups are discussing Hosea from the Knowing the Bible series. Contact Katie DeVries for more information.

The Men’s Prayer Group meets weekly on Thursdays at 6:00 a.m. at the church. Contact Ron Plate for more information.