Trinity Family & Friends,

This Sunday, we gather together for one service at 10 am in The New Room. We will celebrate with our children the conclusion of Vacation Bible School KingdomQuest, and continue our series Soul Care with the message “A Divided Heart” based on 1 Kings 18:20–39. Mount Carmel is one of the most dramatic scenes in Elijah’s story, but beneath the fire from heaven lies a deeper spiritual issue: divided loyalty. Elijah confronts a people trying to live between two competing allegiances, worshiping the Lord while also accommodating the values surrounding them.

His question still speaks powerfully today: “How long will you hobble back and forth between two opinions?” Biblical faith has always involved more than outward belief or occasional worship. It is about wholehearted devotion.

One of the most meaningful moments in the story is Elijah rebuilding the broken altar of the Lord. Before renewal comes restoration. Soul care often begins by honestly examining what has captured our attention and what may be quietly pulling us away from God.

We may not worship Baal today, but modern life offers countless distractions competing for our loyalty, attention, and affection. Elijah’s challenge remains deeply relevant for us as well.

Reflect and Prepare:

1. What forms of divided loyalty exist within modern culture?
2. Why do people often struggle with wholehearted devotion?
3. What is spiritually significant about Elijah rebuilding the altar?
4. How does Deuteronomy 6 shape our understanding of covenant faithfulness?
5. What distractions most compete for people’s spiritual attention today?
6. How can Christian community encourage deeper faithfulness?

Our lives are often busy, distracted, and fragmented. Yet God continues to call us toward deeper faithfulness and undivided devotion. May we continue learning what it means to center our hearts fully upon the presence of God.

I look forward to seeing everyone together in one service at 10 am in The New Room, followed by a lunch to celebrate with our children.

Blessings,

Pastor Dedric

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As part of our summer sermon series, Soul Care, we are providing a weekly Small Group & Spiritual Reflection Companion to help us focus on Elijah’s journey toward rest, renewal, and the presence of God.

Download the complete Soul Care: A Summer Small Group Guide here.