June Update
This week we launch our new monthly worship services designed to more deeply connect us with God and our church family. Throughout the summer, these services will be held on the first Friday of each month at 6:00PM (2nd Friday in July). Similar to Sunday worship services, you can expect Biblical teaching, live worship, and prayer. These nights will also provide an opportunity to experience and practice spiritual gifts through the Holy Spirit in a safe environment!
WC Missions is having another garage sale June 7th. Your spring cleaning can make a difference! Donate your gently used items at the church this week. You can also sign up to help the missions team with this fundraiser HERE!
Family Camp is a time to gather with other churches in our denomination at our sister church in Hayden through the week of July 14th, featuring special guest Phil L. Redding.
Phil has served as a pastor, evangelist, and numerous leadership roles including District Bishop of Arkansas since 2019 and General Bishop of the Pentecostal Church of God. He's also the author of three books! Learn More and Register Here
Come watch, walk, or run this local trail race! An exciting event run along the historic railroad grades, the Trail Rail Run has multiple individual race lengths including a 5K, a 3.1 mile distance great for beginners! The church has a team in the 50-mile relay race who would love for the church family to cheer them on. On June 21st, come spend the day at St. Regis Community Park as supporters or register for your own race! Find training partners on the Fitness Fellowship small group!
Join the WC church family for a light hike up to Revett Lake on Saturday, July 26th! We will have a bus from the church that morning! Learn More Here
Carry the Blessing: A Living Promise
From Ancient Declaration to Present Impartation
The Commonplace Blessing: A Call to Deeper Understanding
This infographic is based on a sermon delivered last month, exploring how the word 'blessing' has become so routine in our daily language that its profound meaning often gets lost. From casual greetings to nightly prayers, it risks becoming a mere formality rather than a powerful, living promise.
"For most of us, the word blessing has become so common, our brains practically yawn when we hear it."
This message challenges us to move beyond the superficial and explore what it truly means to "carry the blessing," understanding its identity and how it impacts our lives and those around us.
The Aaronic Blessing: An Ancient Prophetic Declaration
At the heart of this exploration lies the ancient Aaronic Blessing, commanded by the Lord to Moses and given to Aaron and his sons to speak over the children of Israel (Numbers 6:22-27). This was no mere wish, but a divine impartation.
Numbers 6:24-26 (NKJV)
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”
Verse 27 clarifies its purpose: "So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them." This blessing was about imparting God's very essence, character, authority, and identity—His HaShem—to His people.
Jesus Spoke It: Kingdom Identity in the Beatitudes
Jesus, our Great High Priest, began His public ministry not with commands, but with blessings. Just as Aaron blessed Israel, Jesus stood on the mount and spoke blessings over those who followed Him (Matthew 5:1-12). These Beatitudes are not just descriptions of conditions, but Kingdom identity statements—what it looks like to be a "carrier of the blessing."
| Aaronic Blessing | Jesus's Beatitudes (Identity) | Meaning for the Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| "The Lord bless you" | "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven." | Living in blessing, not chasing it; position declared. |
| "The Lord keep you" | "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." | God holds us close even when the world shakes. |
| "The Lord make His face shine upon you" | "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." | Intimacy with God; made to see His face, not live in darkness. |
| "And be gracious to you" | "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." | Called to release the mercy received from God. |
| "And give you peace" | "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." | Not passive peace, but a warring peace to bring into the world. |
Aaron's blessing was a prophetic declaration, and Jesus's Beatitudes were a prophetic description, showing us what the blessing looks like as a lifestyle. Aaron wired the light switch; Jesus turned on the lights.
Jesus Fulfilled It: Our Great High Priest
Jesus didn't just speak the blessing; He embodied and perfectly fulfilled it. He is the ultimate source of peace, grace, and the visible face of the Father shining upon us. Unlike the Israelites who, through imperfection, couldn't fully carry out the blessing, Jesus, in His perfection, lived it out completely.
How Jesus Embodies the Priestly Blessing:
- He Blesses Us: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." (Ephesians 1:3) Every good gift flows through Him.
- He Keeps Us: "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." (John 10:28) He holds us fast through storms.
- He Shines Upon Us: "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (John 8:12) His radiance illuminates our lives.
- He is Gracious Toward Us: "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men." (Titus 2:11) He offers forgiveness, healing, and restoration, not condemnation.
- He Gives Us Peace: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you." (John 14:27) His deep, abiding peace is a gift planted in our hearts.
Through the cross and resurrection, Jesus made a way for God's Name to not only rest on us but to dwell within us through the Holy Spirit. We are sealed with His Name, filled with His nature, and commissioned to carry His glory.
The Trinity's Fingerprints: Structure of the Priestly Blessing
The ancient Aaronic Blessing is not just poetic; it's a divine blueprint, carrying the fingerprints of the Trinity woven into every line. Its three-part structure prophetically mirrors the nature of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Father
"The LORD bless you and keep you"
Provision & Protection (James 1:17, John 17:11)
The Son
"The LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you"
Light & Grace (John 1:14, Hebrews 1:3)
The Spirit
"The LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace"
Presence & Peace (John 20:22, Romans 14:17)
This deep theological insight reveals that the blessing is not just a historical prayer, but a profound revelation of God's Triune nature and His active work in our lives.
Our Commission: We Have Been Made Priests
Because Jesus is our Great High Priest and has fully poured out the blessing into our lives, we are no longer merely recipients; we are the vessels through which His blessing now flows. Revelation 1:5-6 declares:
"To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father..."
This is a present reality: we have been brought into the priesthood. Just as Aaron was commissioned to "put God's name on the people," we are now commissioned to proclaim and impart the blessing. We stand between heaven and earth, called to intercede, to bless, and to reflect His nature.
Old Covenant Role
Recipient of Blessing
New Covenant Role
Carrier of Blessing (Priest)
Conceptual representation of the shift in our role.
How to Give It Away: Practical Impartation
If we are carriers of the blessing, how do we release it into the world around us? It's not just in our actions, but in our very being. The blessing should be seen, felt, and heard through us.
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1. Bless and Keep: Provision and Protection
Speak life over people—not just privately, but out loud. Use your words to build up, not tear down. Pray protection and guard with your words.
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2. Face Shine and Be Gracious: Grace and Favor
Let your face reflect God's goodness, warmth, and kindness. Be gracious even when others don't "deserve" it, remembering grace is given, not earned.
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3. Lift His Countenance and Give Peace: Presence and Peace
Be a burden-lifter, not a burden-adder. Bring peace into every room. Let your presence bring calm and your words be healing.
Reflective Questions for the Carrier:
- Do people feel peace around you? Are you a thermostat or a thermometer?
- Do people sense grace? Can they be broken around you and still feel loved, not judged?
- Do people see the light? Do your words and actions reflect Jesus, or just your opinion?
What people need most isn't your performance—it's the presence of Jesus shining through your life. Let them see Jesus in you.
Conclusion: You Are a Carrier of Blessing
The Priestly Blessing is not a dusty relic; it's a living promise, fulfilled in Christ and burning within His people. You are not just blessed—you are a carrier of blessing. You are not just a believer—you are a priest, standing between heaven and earth, called to reflect the heart of God to a broken world.
Let His blessing not only rest upon you— let it flow through you.
Let the world around you see Christ, hear Christ, and feel Christ through your life. You are His light. You are His ambassador. You are His priest. So go and shine.
Watch the Full Sermon!
Watch the full sermon on our YouTube channel.
Watch on YouTube
June Weekly Themes
Week One: Live Like Jesus
- Key Verse: Philippians 2:5
- Supporting Scripture: Philippians 2:1-8
- Core Message: Live like Jesus.
Week Two: Live in Peace With One Another
- Key Verse: Romans 12:18
- Supporting Scripture: Acts 9:1-28 - Focus on Saul and Barnabas
- Core Message: Live in peace with one another.
Week Three: Look Out for One Another
- Key Verse: Philippians 2:4
- Supporting Scripture: Luke 6:6-11 - Focus on Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
- Core Message: Look out for one another.
Week Four: Encourage One Another
- Key Verse: Hebrews 10:24-25
- Core Message: Encourage one another.
Week Five: Family Sunday
The fifth Sunday of the month is Family Sunday! All the kids will join us in the main service!
Memory Verse
As you deal with one another, you should think and act as Jesus did.
Philippians 2:5, NIrV
Engage in Everyday Moments Together
Morning Time
As your kid starts their day, encourage them that they have what it takes to live like Jesus this week!
Drive Time
While on the go, ask your kid: “What are some ways you’ve seen people live like Jesus?” (You may need to give them some examples to get them started.)
Meal Time
At a meal this week, have everyone at the table answer this question: “What do you think it means to live like Jesus? Give some examples or share stories.”
Bed Time
“Jesus, help us to not only learn about You, but follow You. Help us to care about people the way You care about them. Help us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.”
Our children's ministries team is a truly dedicated group, pouring their hearts into nurturing the spiritual growth of our youngest family members. We are incredibly grateful for their commitment to our kids!
Our District Bishop, Dave Roberts, and his wife Teresa
Happy Father’s Day to all you men out there who are privileged to bare the title Dad, Pops, Father, Grandpa, Papa, PaPa, Grand-dad, Gramps!
All of those names/titles carry a tremendous amount of weight! We as men/fathers have a huge responsibility. We must rely on our God for His Grace to faithfully lead and love our families. Father God says basically that we cannot do Gods/His part and He won’t do our part! May we be men who humbly seek God first and honor Him with all that we have and all that we are!
My recipe for life is.... Philippians 4.6-7 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
So men, let us not worry/fret/stew/ instead pray, fervently pray about everything, give thanks in all things, then....we can live in God’s peace, His peace will guard our hearts and minds! Philippians 4.12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. Men, let us live in every moment! Some men/dads die in the moment, may we learn the secret and live in each and every moment, slow down and live!
The secret is in verse 13, His strength, God’s amazing Grace enables us all to live, not die, in each and every moment!
- Bishop Dave Roberts
Join the church family as we read through the Bible in a Year! We also post paper copies of the month’s readings in our monthly church bulletin.
