When the Church Becomes Your Family
SALT & LIGHT NEWSLETTER
July 15
Pastor’s Thoughts
When the Church Becomes Your Family
There is a big difference between attending a church and belonging to a church.
You can attend for years and still remain on the outside. You can sit in the same seat, listen to the same sermons, sing the same songs, and shake the same hands every Sunday without ever allowing the church to become your family.
Because family requires more than attendance.
Family knows when you are hurting. Family notices when you are missing. Family celebrates your victories, carries your burdens, corrects you when you are wrong, and stands beside you when life falls apart.
Now, families are not perfect. Every family has disagreements, misunderstandings, awkward personalities, and occasional hurt feelings. The church is no different. If you are looking for a church where nobody ever disappoints you, you are looking for a church that does not exist.
The church is made up of imperfect people who are being changed by a perfect Savior.
That means there will be moments when someone says the wrong thing. Someone may overlook you. A leader may make a decision you do not understand. A friend may fail to check on you when you thought they should. But withdrawing from the family is rarely the answer.
I have watched people leave churches because they were hurt, only to discover that isolation hurt them even more.
A coal can remain hot while it rests among the other coals. Pull it away from the fire, and it will slowly lose its heat. That is what happens to many believers. They convince themselves that they can follow Jesus just as faithfully without the church. For a while, they may continue reading their Bible, praying, and watching sermons online. But over time, something begins to cool.
God did not design us to follow Christ alone.
The New Testament is filled with instructions that cannot be obeyed in isolation. Bear one another’s burdens. Pray for one another. Forgive one another. Encourage one another. Serve one another. Love one another.
You cannot practice “one another” Christianity by yourself.
This is why the church must become more than the place you go on Sunday. It should become the family you belong to throughout the week. It is where your children find godly examples. It is where someone prays for you when you cannot find the words to pray for yourself. It is where meals are brought, babies are celebrated, marriages are strengthened, tears are shared, and faith is restored.
And once you have experienced that kind of church family, you should want someone else to experience it too.
There is probably someone in your life right now who needs more than another invitation to an event. They need a family.
They may be smiling at work while quietly falling apart. They may be raising children without support. They may be grieving a loss that nobody talks about anymore. They may have convinced themselves that church is only for people who have everything together.
What if your invitation was the doorway God used to change their life?
Inviting someone to church does not require a polished speech. You do not have to know the answer to every question they may ask. Sometimes all it takes is saying, “Why don’t you come sit with me this Sunday?”
Do not simply tell them where the church is. Meet them at the door. Save them a seat. Introduce them to somebody. Help them feel like they are not walking into a room full of strangers.
That is how a church begins to feel like family.
There are people all around us who are hungry for belonging. They may not know the right church words. They may not look like us, vote like us, dress like us, or understand everything we believe. That is all right. Family does not begin when everybody has everything figured out. Family begins when someone makes room at the table.
Jesus did that for us.
We were strangers, but He brought us near. We were separated from God, but through the blood of Christ, we were welcomed into His household. We did not earn a place at the table. Grace opened the door and invited us inside.
So perhaps this Sunday, we should do the same for someone else.
Come to church, but do not merely attend.
Belong. Serve. Forgive. Carry someone’s burden. Notice who is missing. Make room for somebody new. Invite someone who may be waiting for an invitation.
Because the church is not just a building we enter.
It is a family we belong to.
CHURCH HAPPENINGS
WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT SALT & LIGHT – July 15
5:45 PM - The Real Life Group | Upper Lobby - Left Side
Life isn't meant to be lived alone. The Real Life Group is an opportunity to build meaningful relationships, share life's highs and lows, and discuss how God's Word applies to everyday life. Children are welcome. Whether you're new to Salt & Light or have been here for years, we'd love for you to join us. For more information, contact Ryan and Mandy Gossom 502-773-8453
7 PM - Worship and Bible Study
The Blueprint - Lesson 6Ephesians 1:21–23 | The Church Under the Highest Authority
Jesus is not simply above some things. He is far above every principality, power, authority, and name that has ever been named. Everything that intimidates us is already beneath His feet. But the One who rules over all things has also been given as Head of the Church, and we are His body in the world. Join us tonight as we discover what Christ’s position reveals about His power, what it means for the Church to follow His direction, and why nothing over our heads is ever over His.
Nursery - 5th Grade | Lower Level
Middle and High School Youth | Lower Level - with Paul Thomas
THIS SUNDAY – July 19
10 AM - Bible Classes - Listed Below
11 AM - Worship
The Real House of David III2 Samuel 15:7–12 | How Good People Get Fooled
Absalom’s rebellion was built on a lie, but two hundred good men followed him without even realizing what they had joined. He used spiritual language, planted his message through others, and created the appearance of growing momentum. The same methods are still used by false teachers and counterfeit movements today. Join us this Sunday as we learn why sincerity alone is not enough, how good people get fooled, and why every voice claiming to speak for God must be tested by the Word of God.
SUNDAY BIBLE CLASSES – 10 AM
Please visit our Sunday Morning Groups page to find your group.
BUILD WITH US | HELP NEEDED
The framing of the new classrooms has begun and we need volunteers. We're looking for men and women who have some experience using power tools and a basic understanding of framing or general construction. If you're willing and able to volunteer, please contact Karen Shelton at 502-639-6558 so she can coordinate schedules and work crews.
THRIFT STORE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED | THIS Saturday, July 18
Extra volunteers are needed at the Thrift Store for Oldham Country Days. Please come out and help support our mission and the community. (more details below)
PRAYER MEETING – THIS Friday, July 17 | 6:30 PM | Salt & Light
All are welcome as we gather with fellow believers from churches in our community to pray.
VACATION BIBLE STUDY – July 20 - 24 | 6 - 8:40 PM
Emerald Island - An Irish Adventure Through Psalm 23
Ages 5 - 11 and Special Needs (with parent) - Register: HERE
Volunteer Meal Help - We still need help to provide meals for volunteers. Sign-up HERE.
For more information or questions, please contact Jessica Walker 502-365-0839
NO WEDNESDAY NIGHT SERVICE – NEXT Wednesday, July 22
PLEASE NOTE: There will be NO Wednesday night service or groups next week because of VBS.
LUNCH ON THE LAWN – Sunday, August 2
Bring your lunch and a chair/blanket and join us for a time of fellowship on the front lawn. This event will be held on the 1st Sunday of each month immediately after Worship Service (weather permitting).
MISSION FEST | SAVE THE DATE – Sunday, October 25
We are starting to collect donation items for the silent and live auction at this annual fundraising event. There are a couple of ways you can help NOW; volunteer to be on the Mission Fest Team to help organize the event and we need everyone to reach out to businesses and people you know for donations. For more details and information, contact Marcy Davis.
CHURCH MINISTRIES
HOMELESS MINISTRY - Tuesdays | 5:30 PM Local Homeless Shelter
Share the gospel and bless the shelter residents with necessities. Contact Bruce Karcher 615-482-3158 for details or to ride together.
SALT & LIGHT THRIFT | OLDHAM COUNTY DAY
200 W. Jefferson St., LaGrange
This Saturday is Oldham County Day, and thousands of people will be walking through downtown LaGrange. We are expecting a fun and very busy day at Salt & Light Thrift as we introduce more people to our store and the mission behind it!
We will officially launch our Love Bucks program Saturday. We will be passing out $5 Love Bucks and candy along the parade route, where Salt & Light will have a float, as well as giving Love Bucks away inside the store.
We will also have a large yard sale in front of the store featuring excess inventory.
We need volunteers to help:
Work the sales floor and serve guests
Pray with people
Sort and stock donations in the back
Walk alongside the parade float and pass out Love Bucks and candy
Ride on the float. We especially need children to participate!
Please arrive before 9:00 AM. We expect the store parking lot to remain full throughout the day, so please park elsewhere and walk over if you are able.
Even if “peopling” is not your thing, there will be plenty to do behind the scenes! Come help us love our community on purpose and share the mission of Salt & Light Thrift.
STORE HOURS Sunday: Closed Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 10 AM–8 PM Wednesday: 10 AM–6 PM
DONATION HOURS Monday–Saturday: 10 AM–6 PM
Volunteers earn $3 in Love Bucks for every hour served. Sign up HERE.
SERVING OPPORTUNITIES & NEEDS
BUILDING FUND - The building purchase and maintenance needs continue in 2026. Thank you for prayerfully considering giving an offering toward the property purchase.
RECURRING MONTHLY GIVING - As the Lord continues to grow His work among us, one way many choose to serve is through recurring monthly giving. This helps provide steady support for the ministry and allows us to plan wisely while trusting God completely. Explore this option through our online giving page by visiting the website.
SALT & LIGHT ACADEMY
Please continue to pray, promote, and support - Salt and Light Academy. Your ongoing giving keeps the school fully funded and tuition-free, and every gift matters. One-time or auto pay weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly donations may be made or set up online Here.
Donations of needed supplies for classes and the office are greatly appreciated. You can view and give through our Amazon Wish List
STAY CONNECTED – Stay encouraged and connected! Join Our Facebook Groups