God knows it’s not easy taking on the shape of someone else’s pain.

To See Behind Wallsby Cole Huffman

PASTOR’S PENSÉES

—U2, “The Troubles”

The finest definition of empathy I’ve found has it that empathy is the ability to become a naturalized citizen of another’s world. Naturalization, however, introduc-es its pilgrims to internal conflicts, for to make that move into another’s world is “things dangerous to come to, to see be-hind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel” (as James Thurber creatively represented the Life Magazine motto in his short story, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty). I have to face my apathies to make that move.

One way to make that move is building friendships beyond my homogeneity. It’s hard to be apathetic toward my friends. In the wake of the police shootings of Al-ton Sterling and Philando Castile, I texted with a black friend out of state, lunched with another, and made new friends at that same lunch. I knew these friends were down. I’ve learned from them and my students at MCUTS how such events make them feel as black men and as dads of black boys.

Then the Dallas attack. I’m a product of Dallas Seminary. I thought back to the two Cop Stops we enjoyably hosted in our home around Christmas, feeding lunch to a couple dozen Germantown of-ficers, listening to their stories. That could be any of them in the line of fire someday.

I don’t aspire to telling the nation what to do about, in Walker Percy’s words, “this damnable sectional insanity” (from his 1965 essay “Mississippi: The Fallen Paradise”). Activism has never held much appeal for me. I’m not going to make a lot of noise on social media or pound on people from my pulpit. I will do what I can to facilitate more friendship between blacks and whites, for this is something there should be more of.

This I can do, and it’s a better use of time and energies than doubling down reflexive-ly on anti-gospel egocentrism.

Larry Crabb’s insight, penned years ago in Inside Out, comes to mind here, about how frustration is excellent soil for grow-ing a demanding spirit. The frustration in America is palpable, sticky like these hu-mid August nights, but gets exacerbated by a demanding spirit: when, for instance, a white person withholds empathy from a black person because the white person believes the black person can’t or won’t see that the guys getting shot by police are usually wrongdoers. In this scenario the white person’s demandingness is shrouded in point-of-fact argumentation, an a priori commitment to a criminal jus-tice version of the cop is always right.

The white person doesn’t think he has a demanding spirit. He thinks he’s merely be-ing factual. But many blacks feel whites do this (and other things like appealing to the prevalence of black-on-black crime) not out of some passion for truth, justice, and the American way, but as a way unfeeling—our avoidance of the man on the road to Jeri-cho, turning on our heels to retreat into our safer enclaves, insulating ourselves from feeling what it’s like to fall under suspicion just because you are black. The black per-son intuits the message: This is your prob-lem, buddy, not mine.

Is that any way to treat a friend? Precisely my point: You don’t treat friends this way. You treat the “other”—foes and/or peo-ple you keep calculated distance from—this way. You don’t demand anything of your friends when they’re in emotional pain. You try to understand the source. If you’re reading this and you are white, do you have any black friends? For that mat-ter, do you have any white friends outside your class? Poor whites are in an awful cultural state at present (see J. D. Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy).

A lot of our friendships bloom from mutu-al affinity. It “just happens.” Like attracts like. But there is a form befriending takes that’s more like a spiritual discipline. Spir-

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itual disciplines are by definition engage-ments for developing a more ordered love for God and neighbor. A spiritual disci-pline like fasting, for instance, develops my wakefulness and longing for Jesus’ appearing (Luke 5:35), the establishment of perfect justice then. Likewise, friend-ship as a spiritual discipline is for devel-oping magnanimity, which is becoming a bigger-souled lover of great things, like reconciliation. It’s becoming a person malcontent with dividing walls of hostility.

More friendship between whites and blacks is not by itself the answer to our national troubles along racial lines. But friendship is a place to start for many of us. Ask the Lord about it in your prayers, won’t you? Ask Him to give you a friend who doesn’t look like you. Not a person in need of your help, but a person who in friendship helps you see behind walls, and in seeing to feel what he or she feels, and in feeling to face your apathies, and in facing your apathies to affirm again the truth of the gospel with skin on it: that the one who makes people holy and those made holy are of the same family, and He is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters (Hebrews 2:11).

CHURCH-WIDEANNOUNCEMENTS

Preaching Series with Stacy Tyson Sunday Evenings through August 28 6:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall "A House Divided: The Doctrines That Formed the Denominations"Resources here: www.tsfmemphis.org/studies/housedivided.

FAMILY

WOMENSTUDENTS

RECREATION

ADULTS

MISSIONS

Child Dedication Sunday, September 25

Parent Orientation Sunday, August 28, 10:00–11:00 a.m., Gym

Heroes Needed!

Family Movie Night Friday, September 9 6:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall

If you would like to participate in the dedication, please register no later than September 1 at www.firstevan.org/childdedication.

Promotion Sunday August 14Birth through 12th grade will promote to their new classes and/or rooms. Please plan to come a few minutes early to find your child’s class.

Spain Trip Report

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Spiritual Gifts

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Experiences

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helps

service

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givingleadership

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passion

shepherding

teaching

people

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SHAPE

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FirstEvan

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worship FINDYOURFIT!

All Women's Event "Undivided Devotion"Sunday, August 7, 10:00 a.m., Gym

Tuesday, August 30, Chapel 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. or 6:30–8:30 p.m.

All women are invited to a time of worship, fellowship, and information about our upcoming year in Women’s Ministry. There will also be light refreshments and the opportunity to register for the Wom-en's Retreat (last day of early bird pric-ing) and Fall Heart to Heart Bible Study. We hope you will join us.

Are you looking for a place to serve but don’t know where to begin? Or perhaps you’re serving in an area that’s draining you instead of energizing you. We want to help you find your fit in the church body. Discover your SHAPE by examining your Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences and see how these five areas play a role in finding the right fit for you. Sign up online at www.firstevan.org/findyourfit or call the church office at 682-8452.

Find Your Fit!

Thank you to everyone who supported us in prayer and by giving. What a blessing!

The church that we visited sits in the mid-dle of the Vallecas neighborhood, con-sisting of lower income families, many of which are immigrants. Our goal was to at-tract neighborhood children to the “Amer-ican” basketball camp. We were surprised by the number of attendees, especially 16–22 year-olds. Members of the church came and were able to interact and begin to build relationships with campers and their parents during the week.

Please pray that these relationships will continue to grow, the families will be-gin to attend church, and ultimately that neighborhood adults and children will be added to The Kingdom.

We would like to welcome Josh Hudson to our staff as our College Ministry Director. He and his wife, Hannah, both grew up in the Memphis area and attended Bartlett High School. Josh recently graduated from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. They are moving to Memphis after spending the last nine months in Chicago. He is a Cubs fan, but promises to root for the Redbirds! His first day will be Monday, August 1.

We would also like to welcome Bryce Berry to our staff as Rec-reation Director. Born and raised in Memphis, he has a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science from the U of M and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

He is married to Mallory and has three girls named Haven (3), Brynlee (2), and Shiloh (1)—known as The Three Missketeers.

Our new year starts on August 14 and we need

Parents of children 1st grade–12th grade are encouraged to attend. Parents will meet teachers and leaders and get info for the upcoming Sunday school year.

Free popcorn, drinks, and the movie Finding Nemo. Great outreach opportunity! Invite your friends, family, and neighbors.

CHILDREN

some new volunteers on Sunday mornings. We currently need 10–12 adults in the nursery, 20 in preschool, 7 in elementary, and 4 floaters (serving once a month) for Sunday mornings. Teen volunteers are also welcome to sign up. If you feel led to serve, please register online at www.firstevan.org/volunteer or email children@firstevan.org.

He Cares Thursday, August 25 9:30 a.m., Soltau Center

Caregivers Monday, August 22, 7:00 p.m., Chapel

(Ministry to the Homebound)

(Ministry to those caring for others)

LLL Movie Day Monday, August 15, 1:00 p.m., Chapel Join us for popcorn, drinks, and the showing of Signed, Sealed, Delivered.

Guest speaker will be Ruth Ann Shelton from Dorothy’s Place. She will speak on the topic "Communication and Dementia: No is a Complete Sentence."

WORSHIPMondays, 6:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall Fall Term: September 12–November 28

Men's Monday Night Bible Study

MEN

A study of the book of Revelation. For registration and more informa-tion, contact Buddy Jones, 351-3712 or buddyjones0@gmail.com or visit www.firstevan.org/men-monday.

"The King is Coming!"

Parents are eager for practical ways to help their kids develop a healthy and respon-sible understanding of how money works. In six practical, video-based lessons, father-daughter duo Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze give parents a step-by-step approach to being intentional when they teach their kids about spending, saving, giving, debt, and contentment. Parents will learn how to help their kids make wise money choices and build character quali-ties so they will win not only with money, but also in life. Each lesson is followed by age-based activities that you can apply at home. Visit www.firstevan.org/smart for details and to register.

The Worship Choir seeks to glorify God by leading in our Classic Service. While preparing weekly anthems in a wide va-riety of styles, the choir's main function is to serve, support, and prompt the con-gregation in its expressions of corporate praise. The Worship Choir also prepares the annual Palm Sunday and Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols services, with full symphony orchestra. For more information, contact Jan Spurlin at jspurlin@firstevan.org.

A Prayer Guide is provided each week to assist in praying for our church, ministries, sick, bereaved, country, missionaries and military. For more information, contact Jeff Findlay at jfindlay@firstevan.org.

More than 70% of Americans live pay-check to paycheck. Thirty-three percent of Christian marriages end in divorce, and money problems are the number one cause. Financial Peace University (FPU) is a 9-week video curriculum, taught by fi-nancial expert Dave Ramsey, that incorpo-rates small-group discussions to encour-age accountability and discipleship. FPU is highly entertaining for everyone, with a unique combination of humor, informative financial advice, and Biblical messages. Visit www.firstevan.org/fpu for details and to register.

Financial Peace University

Smart Money Smart Kids

Worship Choir

Prayer Meeting D114

Give your children the opportunity to hide God’s Word in their hearts! Build a firm foundation of God’s Word in their lives through our Awana program on Wednes-day nights. The Word of God equips each of us to face the doubt and difficulty we en-counter in life. Awana is an excellent tool for children to memorize God’s Word through fun and fellowship. Kids will participate in handbook time (Scripture memorization & recitation), council time (songs, Bible sto-ries, etc.), and game time. Fee: $35/year per child. For more information, contact children@firstevan.org or visit www.firstevan.org/awana.

Provides an opportunity for students to grow in their relationships with Jesus, their friends, and their adult small group leader. Each week we meet for fellowship, worship, teaching, and small group meet-ings. Small groups are divided by grade and gender to discuss the message from the evening, build friendships, and pray together. It is a great time for students to grow deeper in their faith by sharing life with each other in a fun-packed eve-ning. For more information, contact students@firstevan.org.

Beginning September 14

Awana (3-year-olds through 5th grade) Cubbies - Sparks and T&T -

FOR CHILDREN

FOR ADULTS

FOR STUDENTS

“First Evan Men of Prayer: An Exegeti-cal In-Depth Study of Old and New Testament Prayers” by Don Riley

“Wanted: An Undivided Heart— A Study of the Kings of Judah” by Crickett Keeth

“Job: My Redeemer Lives—The Mystery, Meaning, and Mission of Suffering" by Pradip Ayer & guests

(Discipleship/Missions)Equipping Elective

First Men at First Evan—Men's

Heart to Heart Women's Bible Study

Wednesday Night Bible Study

Impact (Middle School) Crossroads (High School)

6:00–7:30 p.m.

There’s something for everyone on Wednesday nights this fall. It starts with din-ner from 5:00–6:00 p.m., where you can choose from a hot meal or a lighter soup and salad. The cost is only $6 per person, $3 per child (up to 10), with a family maximum of $30. $7 for take-home meals. Drop off the kids (6 weeks through 5th grade) at 6:00 p.m. and you’ll have no problem making it to any of the other offerings by 6:15 p.m. Most activities end at 7:30 p.m. with a few lasting until 8:00 p.m., but all the kids are cared for until 8:00 p.m. if needed. Don’t limit your connection with First Evan to Sunday only! Join us for Midweek at First Evan to enrich your spiritual walk and deepen your relationships with others in our fellowship.

6:15 p.m.

6:15 p.m.

Student Ministries' MidweekE226

C-Wing Gym

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A215

Sanctuary

A211

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Suffering will remain unexplained while liv-ing in this fallen world. However, through the book of Job we can gain some helpful insights in this ten-week course. We will study the book of Job by listening to the conversations between Job and his friends to find reasons for his suffering, and ulti-mately, God's shocking response. We will also use the book How Does God Treat His Friends? by Robert Fyall. In every class we will pray for the church in one coun-try where many of our brothers and sisters in the Lord are suffering. Visit www.first evan.org/equippingelectives for details and to register.

Prayer began in the garden as God spoke to Adam and Eve. His people cried out in prayer throughout the OT, and in the NT the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. They saw a correlation be-tween the prayer practice of Jesus and His life. If Jesus placed prayer as a ma-jor priority, then we have much to learn by being enrolled in His school of prayer. Be prepared to be challenged and changed as Christ and the Holy Spirit grow in each of our prayer lives. We will study 34 OT and NT prayers to make us equipped to be disciples who glorify Him in extending His Kingdom. For registration and more in-formation, contact Don Riley, 461-2819 or disciplingmeninc@bellsouth.net or visit www.firstevan.org/first-men.

God wanted an undivided heart from the kings of Judah. There were very few kings wholly devoted to God, and even those who were devoted at one time seemed to have periods of a divided heart.Today, God still wants an undivided heart—from you and me. Join us for this bird's eye view of the kings of Judah. For registra-tion and more information, visit www.firstevan.org/h2h.

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Chapel*Also meets Tuesdays, 9:30–11:30 a.m.

*Beginning Wednesday, August 17

Church Closed for Labor Day No Evening Service Family Movie Night 6:30–8:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall

LLL Luncheon 11:00 a.m., Fellowship Hall Communion | World Prayer Focus 5:30–7:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall

Heart to Heart Women's Bible Study Begins Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. | Wednesdays 6:15 p.m.

Midweek at First Evan Kickoff Wednesdays 5:00 p.m.

Council Retreat Pickwick Landing State Park Crossroads Run the River Arkansas

LLL Movie Day 1:00 p.m., Chapel

Fall Fellowship Sunday: Fellowship 8:45 a.m., Fellowship Hall

Sunday School 10:00 a.m. | One Service with Child Dedication 11:15 a.m.

Picnic with Baptism 12:00 p.m., East Lawn

He Cares 9:30 a.m., Soltau Center

Women's Retreat Pickwick Landing State Park

Men's Fish Fry 6:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall

Communion | All Women's Event 10:00 a.m., Gym Deacon/Elder Meeting Mother's Day Out "Meet the Teacher" Promotion Sunday | Missions Lunch (Czech & Queens) 12:15 p.m., Fellowship Hall

LLL Movie Day 1:00 p.m., Chapel | MDO Fall Term Begins Student Ministries' Midweek Begins 6:15 p.m.

Missions Lunch (J&D) 12:15 p.m., Fellowship Hall

Caregivers 7:00 p.m., Chapel

He Cares 9:30 a.m., Soltau Center

Parent Orientation (1st–12th grade) 10:00 a.m.

Find Your Fit! 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. or 6:30–8:30 p.m., Chapel

W O R S H I P

F IND US ON

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CALENDARAUGUST

SEPTEMBER

8:45 a.m. Classic Service (Sanctuary)

10:00 a.m. Sunday School Classes

11:15 a.m. Contemporary Service (Sanctuary)

6:00 p.m. Evening Service (Fellowship Hall)

{No Evening Service)