Saturday, July 25, 2026
God is just —and merciful. Hallelujah!
Click here to watch the service on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pataskalasdb/videos/1549006743564515
Exciting things taking place:
Armor Up! Vacation Bible School begins Wednesday, July 29, 6-8 pm for 4-year-olds through 5th-graders, register via email, and see you here at the church!
September 25-27, the Appalachian Association will host the annual women’s retreat at Camp Joy. Ladies (9th grade and up) mark your calendars for a special weekend of worship, reflection and fun.
We celebrate with Pastor Judith and Pastor Joel in Puerto Rico who just held their first service in their new building. “No one wanted it to end!”
Becky led us in prayer for for our neighbors who need Jesus, and for friends struggling with health, for flood victims, for our nation, and for the peace of Jerusalem.
In the Children’s Message, Brother Chuck read from his most recent book in which Grammy Jo assures Mia that no matter what, love never breaks and is never divided. True love grows more love.
Continuing in the book of Joshua (chapter 20:1-9) Brother Chuck shared how God told the Israelites to set up cities of refuge throughout the land. A person accidentally responsible for the death of another person could find mercy and sanctuary.
God’s merciful system is based on the principle in Genesis 9:6—about the shedding of human blood. All human lives are valuable because we are all God’s image bearers.
If there is malice or hate involved, the one who killed must give his life.
But what if the killing was accidental? Unintentional? Manslaughter vs. murder?
The guilty party could flee the avenger and stand trial. If they were found to be without malice, they could live in the city of refuge, until the death of the High Priest, then go home.
God provided due process and mercy.
Mercy mixed in with God’s justice is the story of being a Christian in a nutshell. The wages of sin is death. None of us have the hope of getting out of sin without Jesus. We deserve justice. Death. But we receive mercy.
“I love finding Jesus in the Old Testament. He took death on our behalf. In the cities of refuge final freedom took place at the death of the high priest. Jesus is our High Priest.”
“Jesus creates our way to safety while we await the results of his death for us. God wants to give us every opportunity to find a sanctuary – take sanctuary in Him and be a sanctuary for Him.”
HALLELUJAH!
Join us in person every Saturday for Sabbath School, and Worship, or if you’re far away, join us for Worship online via Facebook.
Pataskala Seventh Day Baptist 