SABBATH REPORT

Remembering Our Purpose

and Loving Anyway

July 18, 2026
Body of Christ Fellowship at Vaughn’s Chapel

This Sabbath, we gathered for worship, prayer, Scripture, and a timely reminder of why God has brought us together as a congregation. From Ericka Deering’s reflection on Hosea to John Wilson’s message, “Our Purpose,” the day centered on faithful love, shared responsibility, and carrying the gospel beyond the walls of the church.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

— Romans 5:8

Worship and Fellowship

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION WITH ERICKA DEERING

Love Her Anyway

Ericka Deering’s Scripture Reflection took us into the difficult and deeply meaningful story of Hosea and Gomer.

From the beginning, God warned Hosea that the marriage would bring heartbreak. Still, Hosea obeyed. Gomer eventually abandoned the man who loved her and broke the covenant between them. Yet the story then moved in a direction that may not have seemed reasonable from a human perspective: God told Hosea to go and bring her home.

In Hosea 3:2, Hosea paid a price to redeem Gomer and bring her back. Imagine having to purchase the freedom of your own wife after she had abandoned you—and then imagine choosing to pay that price anyway.

The account is about more than the relationship between Hosea and Gomer. Their marriage represented Israel’s unfaithfulness toward God and His continuing willingness to call His people back. It also gives us a picture of our own relationship with Him. We wander, disobey, and break His heart, yet His love continues to reach for us.

God’s stories sometimes move in directions that do not make sense to us at first. Nevertheless, they reveal a love that is faithful, redemptive, and willing to pay the price.

MAIN MESSAGE FROM JOHN WILSON

Our Purpose

“We plant the seeds and water them, but God alone provides the increase.”

John Wilson challenged us to remember and protect the purpose God has given Body of Christ Fellowship at Vaughn’s Chapel.

A large attendance is not necessarily the clearest evidence of spiritual growth, and increasing our numbers should never become our primary goal. Our purpose is to help bring people back to Jesus. We plant seeds and water them, but God alone supplies the increase. Neither the person planting nor the one watering can create spiritual life—God makes it grow.

John directed our attention to the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18–20. We have been given the responsibility to go into the world, share the gospel, teach others, and make disciples. For us, that mission begins in Calvert City, the community surrounding Vaughn’s Chapel, and the lives of the people God places directly in front of us.

John shared the example of a small church that eventually lost its way and faded because the congregation forgot its purpose. His warning to BOCF was simple and important: Do not lose sight of why this church exists. We must regularly remember our calling and measure our decisions against it.

Working Together as One Body

Our mission belongs to the entire congregation—not only to speakers, leaders, or committee members. We are a team, and together we can accomplish work that none of us could complete alone. Each person must take responsibility for the commitments they make and faithfully use the abilities God has given them.

We must also guard against pride. Titles, leadership positions, and committee roles should never become opportunities for ego or personal recognition. Jesus modeled a different kind of leadership:

Philippians 2:3–8 calls us to humility and teaches us to value others above ourselves. First John 3:16–18 reminds us that love must be demonstrated through our actions—not merely spoken with our mouths. Galatians 5:13 calls us to serve one another through love.

Agape love is selfless. It seeks the care, good, and blessing of others. Selfish love ultimately leaves us empty and alone, but godly love moves us to serve faithfully and work together.

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”
— Colossians 3:23

OUR BRETHREN IN INDIA

An Urgent Call to Prayer

We ask everyone to remember Prasad, Anusha, and our brothers and sisters in India in earnest prayer.

According to their recent email correspondence, they are preparing to hold an open prayer and gospel meeting where they will take the message of Jesus directly to the people. They have asked for divine protection and for a peaceful gathering without interference from members of the RSS. They report receiving threats of death if they proceed with openly preaching the gospel.

Please pray that God will:

• Place His protection around every believer and attendee
• Give Prasad, Anusha, and the other workers courage and wisdom
• Prevent violence, disruption, and interference
• Prepare the hearts of those who hear the gospel
• Allow the gathering to remain peaceful
• Comfort their families and strengthen their faith
• Use their witness to plant seeds that only He can cause to grow

Their circumstances remind us that the Great Commission is not an abstract idea. Our brethren are preparing to live it out despite genuine fear and danger. May we stand beside them faithfully in prayer.

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.”
— Colossians 4:2

Praises and Prayer Requests

Announcements

Song Request Deadline — July 25
Requests for the next song rotation may be submitted to Amanda or Sarah we are updating the Hymnals.

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Audio, Video, and Worship Volunteers
Anyone interested in volunteering with audio, video, or worship leading should contact Amanda or Sarah so training can be arranged.

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Special Music
Anyone interested in providing special music should contact Amanda or Sarah by text or email no later than the Wednesday or Thursday before that Sabbath.

Plant faithfully. Serve humbly. Love selflessly.

We cannot create the increase, but we can remain faithful. May Body of Christ Fellowship at Vaughn’s Chapel never lose sight of its purpose: to honor God, love one another, proclaim the gospel, and faithfully serve the people He places within our reach.