by Pastor James Harleman

We’ve almost done it. It was over a dozen weeks ago that we began an ambitious sermon series, preaching through our doctrine as a church to let people know what we believe including who God is, what Jesus did, how He transforms our lives and why we worship him. It was also a chance to hit the reset button on the church, asking all our existing members to re-up and allow new attendees to more easily find out who we are and why we live for Jesus, know culture, and love people. June 29th will mark the end of our series and conveniently finish at a time when it is RIPE to PAR-TAY with fireworks and barbecued meat.

Before we gather to celebrate, however, we are asking our congregants and any others who keep up with Mars Hill to join us for contemplation and consideration. A primary goal of the series was, after all, to soberly assess who, what and where God is calling us to be, breathe, serve, and live life under the sun FOR the Son, Jesus Christ. To that end, the Mars Hill Church | Wedgwood Campus is having a DAY OF PRAYER AND FASTING Monday June 30.

All those who call the campus home are urged to participate; all who care and pray for us are welcome to join us. There are many ways to set aside a day, or portions of the day, to fast and pray. We took a similar day across multiple campuses in April, and Pastor Scott Thomas posted a good summary of prayer and fasting for those who are curious about why Christians pray and fast. The Wedgwood Campus will be open in the morning (6:30am – 8:30am), at lunch (11am – 1pm), and in the evening (4:30 – 6:30am) for those who would like to devote some time to quiet contemplation, prayer, and scripture reading.

Here are some different ways to fast on June 30, depending on one’s preferences and physical ability:

1- Begin fasting midnight June 30th and consume only water until 11:59pm.

2- Begin a 24-hour fast following dinner on Sunday June 29. Fast for one or two meals during the day on June 30. We will have a communion meditation at the campus at 6:30pm June 30th and all are welcome to join us for corporate scripture reading, prayer, and communion.

3- Same as #1 or #2, but fast from food only. Juice, for example, would be acceptable in addition to water.

4- If it is physically restricting or medically dangerous for you to fast from food for a day, consider a modified fast—abstain from TV, computer, or something that takes a significant portion of your time and attention during the day. During the fast, one should take the time normally devoted to preparation and participation in meals (or TV, etc.) to pray for spiritual renewal and the advancement of the gospel through Mars Hill Church.

Please join the elders and leaders of the Mars Hill Wedgwood Campus on June 30 to pray, worship, fast, and implore the Holy Spirit to shape our hearts for the passion of his mission.

As you prepare, we encourage you to pray for:

• Unity and shared partnership in the mission Jesus has given our church.
• Safety from the enemy, his servants, and their works and effects.
• More hearts connecting to the mission through active participation in community, giving, and serving.
• Pray for ALL the Mars Hill campuses including their elders, deacons, renewing and becoming members.

We ask all prospective members to begin the member process online (or renew your membership), get involved in a community group, serve, and give to Jesus through Mars Hill. For more information, visit the Call to Mission Website and ask any staff or volunteer at the campus you attend. Naturally, after we pray and fast, we will indeed party on July 2 in an equally godly expression . I praise the one true God that He is commissioner of both fasting and feasting.