How boring does a Bible study on the topic of "vocation" sound? Pretty lame, right? Well, hold on one minute. Before you write off this Fall's Sunday Morning Bible Study, let me explain to you what we are talking about when we discuss vocation.

In our day, the word vocation is associated with your job. You get "vocational training" in order to equip you to be better in your field of work. And though there is some correlation between this idea and what our class will be about, when we use the word vocation in the church we have something a bit more in mind.

When we talk about having a vocation, we are talking more about having a place in God's creation. We are members of God's family by God's adopting grace. We have a secure foundation in knowing that we are God's children. In fact, our identity is grounded in who we are in Christ Jesus, you and I are God's beloved! But, we are also God's beloved who live and move and have our being in this world in relation to other people.

God has called you by his grace into a loving relationship with Him through Jesus. AND He has called you to love and serve your neighbor in any number of (and here is our word) vocations: mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter, husband, wife employee, employer, friend, neighbor, citizen, etc. In God's sovereignty He has placed you in the relationships you have. And He has called you there so that He might work through you to serve those you are in relationship with. This calling, this service, this role you have in God's creation, this is vocation.

So, if you have ever wondered how to live out your faith in your workplace, in your family, amongst your friends, this study is for you. If you have ever wondered if having a job that is not church related is pleasing to God, this is the study for you. If you have ever wondered how to incorporate your faith into your everyday life, this is the study for you. If you have ever wondered if there was any purpose to your life, this study is for you. If you are reading this newsletter, this study is for you!

Too often we think that the life of the Christian is to focus on the "then and there" of heaven and to ignore the "here and now" of earth. But, God has called us, here and now, to be salt and light to this world (Matthew 5:13-14). He has called His creation good though it has fallen away from Him. You and I, who are part of this fallen creation, know of the greatness of God's redemption for us. We who have been redeemed and await our full redemption live in the world created by this God and is also awaiting redemption (Romans 8:18-22), and this God has purposes and plans for us in this world (Timothy 1:8-9). Please join us as we learn how to live as God's salt and light in a world that is bland and dark. The topic of vocation will be more exciting than you think!