Annual orientation speech

As schools begin, students go to orientations to learn the layout of schools and the routines and practices of the school day. The goal is to help students achieve their educational goals. Pastor Phil Kniss used "Back to School Sunday" to orient our congregation. Deuteronomy 6:4-15 is a time where Moses gives an orientation speech to the Israelites after they have entered the Promised Land. Deuteronomy 6:4 is a phrase that is a spiritual home base for Jews today. Pastor Phil spoke of what scripture passages might be home base for Christians. The Lord's prayer might be one such passage, inviting us to depend on God as we live and learn in Christian community and interact with the world around us. Being oriented in a community of disciples of Jesus who are seeking to learn more about following Jesus helps to keep us centered as we live.