Sunday Morning Service- Richard Sutton- Building a Bridge of Service to The Comm
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Lesson Summary
The service began with a warm welcome to the newly‑joined McCormick family, highlighting their integration into the church community and encouraging everyone to stay for a fellowship potluck. Pastor Richard Sutton introduced the day’s theme, linking the familiar concept of A‑K‑As (also known as) to the idea that each believer has multiple identities in Christ, and then shifted to the second part of the year’s “Building a Bridge” series—building a bridge to the community. He explained that Christians are called to be ambassadors, the salt of the earth, and the light that shines through acts of compassion. After outlining a caring church, he introduced a third pillar: a bridge of service. Using the biblical example of Tabitha (Dorcas) from Acts 9:36‑40, he showed how her generous deeds and Peter’s prayerful resurrection exemplified service that draws people to faith. The class concluded with a call to practical service, urging the congregation to embody Christ’s love in tangible ways within Meridian. Throughout, the lesson reinforced that true outreach stems not from knowledge alone but from genuine care, and that each believer’s “also known as” identity can be a conduit for God’s work in the community.
Key Scriptures
Now in Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which translated in Greek is called Dorcas. This woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity, which she was continually doing. And she was making tunics and garments for the widows. And it came to pass that she fell sick and died. And when they had washed her body, they laid her in an upper room. And since Leta was near Joppa, the disciples having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, saying, "Come to us, please, do not delay." Peter arose and went with them. And when he had come, they brought him into the upper room. And all the widows stood beside him, weeping, and showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made. But Peter sent them all out, and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. And calling the saints and the widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. And it came to pass that he stayed many days in Joppa with a certain tanner named Simon.