There is something about September that makes us think about transitions.

For many families, school is back in session. Summer vacations are winding down. Ministries are settling into their fall rhythms. Even here in the desert, where we do not get the colorful leaves and crisp temperatures that much of the country associates with fall, we can sense that we are moving into a new season.

The Bible also gives us a picture of seasons and rhythms. In Leviticus 23, God established a calendar of appointed times for His people. These were more than religious holidays. They were opportunities to stop, remember, worship, and recognize what God had done and was continuing to do.

Three of those appointed times occur in the fall: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot.

While we will not be holding special services for these festivals this year, they are worth remembering, especially because they help us see the larger story of Scripture and how that story ultimately points us to Jesus.

Rosh Hashanah is associated with the biblical Feast of Trumpets, described in Leviticus 23:23–25. The people were called to stop their ordinary work, gather together, and remember that God is their King.

The sounding of the trumpet was a call to attention. In the middle of busy lives, God's people were told to stop and listen.

That is a good reminder for us as well.

We live in a world filled with noise. There are phones, news, social media, work, school, bills, appointments, and a thousand other things competing for our attention. Sometimes we can become so busy living that we forget why we are living.

The biblical festivals continually called Israel back to the same truth: Remember God. Remember who He is. Remember what He has done.

That is still a good practice for followers of Jesus.

Then comes Sukkot, the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles.

For seven days, Israel remembered how God cared for His people during their wilderness journey. They lived in temporary shelters as a reminder that they had once been a wandering people completely dependent upon God.

It was a celebration of God's provision. They had not made it through the wilderness because they were self-sufficient; they made it because God was faithful.

That is a message we need today. We often like to think of ourselves as independent. We work hard, provide for our families, make our plans, and take pride in what we accomplish.
But ultimately, everything we have is a gift from God:

• Every breath
• Every meal
• Every opportunity
• Every person God has placed in our lives
• Every day He gives us

Sukkot calls us to remember that we are dependent people, and that dependence is not something to be ashamed of. It is the proper posture of a creature before his Creator.

There is something beautiful about looking at these biblical festivals together:

• Rosh Hashanah calls us to remember the King.
• Yom Kippur calls us to remember our need for atonement.
• Sukkot calls us to remember God's faithfulness and provision.

And as Christians, we see Jesus throughout this story. Jesus is our King. Jesus is our atonement. Jesus is the One who provides for us and ultimately brings God to dwell among His people.

John begins his Gospel with a remarkable statement:

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."

The word John uses for "dwelt" carries the idea of tabernacling or dwelling in a tent. The God who dwelt among Israel in the tabernacle came to dwell among us in the person of Jesus Christ. That is the heart of the gospel. God did not remain distant—He came near.

We may not be celebrating these biblical festivals as special church services this year, but we can still allow their biblical themes to speak to us. As we enter another season, perhaps September is a good time to pause and remember.

• Remember who God is.
• Remember what Christ has done.
• Remember that we need His grace.
• Remember that God has been faithful.

And perhaps most importantly, remember that whatever season of life we find ourselves in, God is still with us.

Our circumstances change. Our schedules change. Our families change. Our seasons change. But God does not.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

— Hebrews 13:8

As we move into the fall months together, may we be a church that remembers, worships, and trusts the faithfulness of God.

Pastor Ryan

9/1 Martin & Tresa Fredstrom
9/10 Mike & Summer Kruse
9/11 Dennis & Kaylynn Morin
9/28 Robert & Leeann Roach

9/1 Linda Fagan
9/3 Bruce Dunn
9/5 Carrie Martin
9/10 Sherry Carroll
9/10 Rose Hernandez
9/11 Phil Demerchant
9/12 Katie Salzer (youth)
9/15 Phil Levin
9/15 Maria Stenico
9/16 Roger Smith
9/19/15 Oscar Ruvalcaba
9/24 Earl Whitcomb
9/25 Len Vlieg
9/28 Tony Jansen