Some people are really into puzzles. And then there are those that just want to torture themselves. Like…the puzzles that are nothing but repeated geometric shapes where every piece looks like the next. Another challenging method involves assembling a puzzle without the box lid as a reference. There is a point in puzzle assembly where we hit a tipping point - where the image starts to take shape and, in a positive sense, everything is “downhill from there.” But until that moment puzzle assembly can be one of the most frustrating tasks on the planet. Until the early pieces start coming together and dots start getting connected in our minds, it can feel like a complete waste of time. As I reflected on last week’s message a bit, I grew slightly concerned that I likely left a few key concepts out. It felt to me that if we could have added just a couple more puzzle pieces to last week’s conversation, we would have been able to walk away from the puzzle table with a more complete image in our heads and hearts. An image that, though also incomplete by the nature of our Sunday morning model, might have been a little more satisfying for us all. My hope is to add those pieces today in a message entitled “Peaces of the Puzzle” (with an intentional play on the word we used in last week’s message “Peaceful Pursuit”). Message: "Peaces of the Puzzle" Date: July 7, 2024

Location: First Congregational Church of South Pekin