Pastor's Note - December 1 
A funny thing occurred to me as I was listening to Josh Lewis’ sermon from 1 Corinthians 16 on Sunday morning. I realized that I had been misquoting Scripture for months! Not privately, but publicly, and in the Sunday morning service. Specifically, on Sunday mornings I have been using a benediction from 1 Corinthians 16:25-27 to close the service. Here’s the thing – 1 Corinthians 16 stops at verse 24. There is no 25-27 of 1 Corinthians 16. So what text had I been using? Did I make up Bible verses and use those for months on end? Turns out the verses weren’t made up. They just weren’t from 1 Corinthians 16, but Romans 16! For months I’ve been reading a text from Romans, saying it’s from 1 Corinthians, and had never realized my error. (By the way, none of you said anything either, so clearly some of you are at fault – let’s pass this blame around a little…) In God’s providence this is a good and humbling thing, serving as a reminder that I often do, and will, make mistakes. Even public ones. And if you’ll allow me, I’d like to encourage you from my place of shame. Don’t let the fear of mistakes keep you from serving and ministering. I sense that some in the church won’t speak in small groups, or won’t lead studies, or won’t disciple others, or won’t evangelize, all because they fear making mistakes. I understand that fear well. Failure is hard. And, we all want to glorify God in all that we do, and do all things to the best of our ability. But our abilities will fall short, and mistakes will be made. That’s all part of it. Yet God can use any of us in spite of our mistakes, and often through them. Don’t let your imperfections keep you from obedience. (Note that it is also terrible logic to disobey God’s calling because you fear making mistakes – you’ve already made the big mistake by not serving and ministering.) The Lord can and will use you if you follow Him, and like Peter “step off the boat” and walk, all the while looking to Jesus. He will also correct you in His timing, according to His good and gracious ways.