This ain't no Brady Bunch

“Here’s a story of a lovely lady who was bringing up three very lovely girls…”

“Here’s a story of a man named Brady who was busy with three boys of his own…”

“That’s the way we all became the Brady Bunch…”

Who can forget the Brady Bunch?  I bet most of you can still sing the theme song to the show.  If only every family could be so wonderful – especially if it is a family in the Bible.  This Sunday here at Gaylord E-Free we will begin a new 11-week study in the life of the Old Testament character of Joseph.  We will start by looking at Joseph’s family background, which just may have been the most dysfunctional family in the entire Bible.  Believe me, it was certainly no Brady Bunch!

The dysfunction of this family included polygamy, favoritism, rape, murder incest, sibling rivalry, jealousy, hatred, betrayal and deception among many other devastating things.  Yet, from this family came a man who saved many people from starvation and who has become one of the most loved characters of the Bible and one of the best examples anyone can find of the power of forgiveness.  We will see this Sunday the truth of the fact that though there is little we can do about our ancestors, we can influence our descendants greatly.

We are excited about the set that will be used for the start of this new series on Joseph.  The three main venues of the story occur in a PIT, in a PRISON, and in a PALACE.  This Sunday you will see the PIT and the PALACE on stage with the varied colored panels hanging behind them which represent Joseph’s coat of many colors.  As the series continues, a PALACE will also be incorporated into the set.

Because it is the first Sunday of the month (and of the year) this will also be communion Sunday.  This week we will be having communion in both our Classic and our Contemporary services.  Pastor Jim will lead in the celebration of communion in the Classic Service and I will be leading in the taking of the bread and the cup in both of our Contemporary Services.

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday here at Gaylord E-Free as we start 2013 and this new and exciting message series on Joseph!