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Caleb's Pilgrims
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“So now give me this hill country of which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the
Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the LORD said.”
(Joshua 14:12, ESV)
"How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD;my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. . .
Blessed are those whose
strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca [weeping], they make it a place of springs. . .”
(Psalm 84:1-2; 5-6 NIV)
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Surprisingly, the words of our theme verse were spoken by Caleb at the age of eighty-five and after a long and arduous campaign by the Israelites to possess the land promised by God to their father Abraham. But the battle was not over, for there were giants and walled cities yet to be overcome. Caleb had served long and well, and he could easily have hung up his sword and left the fighting to others. But he knew that he was still a pilgrim in a dry and thirsty land, so he dared to believe God and set his heart on the rugged hill country.
As senior saints, this is the example that we who dare to call ourselves Caleb’s Pilgrims desire to set before the watching world and before our brothers and sisters at St. Paul’s Church, particularly our youth and our young adults. Caleb’s Pilgrims is an active ministry to St. Paul’s seniors and is committed to seriously studying God’s Word, vigorously encouraging one another in the Christian hope, and actively pursuing avenues of redemptive service, all for God’s glory! You don’t have to be a senior or a member of St. Paul’s Church to come to our Bible study; you just have to have a heart for the hill country! Come join us! |
OUR STUDIES: Our expository Bible studies begin in mid-September and continue through the end of November, followed by an Advent season break during December. We resume in early January and continue through the end of May. Over the summer, we usually meet several times for topical studies. Since our inception in January 2002, we have studied John’s Letters, Mark’s Gospel and Paul’s Prison Letters – Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians and Philippians. Topically, we have studied Christ’s Second Advent and an Overview of the Old Testament and selected OT books. Currently, we meet each Tuesday morning at 9:45 in Classroom 8 for fellowship, light refreshments, and a time of prayer and praise. Our Bible study begins at 10:30 and concludes at 11:30. We resume on September 15, 2009. Elder Ed McDougall will be teaching on the book of Philippians.
OUR MINISTRIES: Opportunities where we seek to serve Christ include ministering in His name to needy neighbors through prayer and provision of groceries, as well as prayer and financial support for specific St. Paul’s world and home missions.
OUR FELLOWSHIP: On the last Tuesday of each month, we meet for lunch following our Bible study. On the last Tuesday of November, we have our annual Christmas luncheon – always a festive occasion. In the Spring, we are graciously invited to a Pilgrim’s home for a potluck dinner and Bible study. We also plan several excursions during the course of our year together. In the past, we have enjoyed the Rivership Romance, the Word Spring Discovery Center at Wycliffe Bible Translators, the Lake Dora and Dora Canal boat tour, the Lakeside Inn, and the Holy Land Experience. |
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