Dear Church Family,

As we enter Independence Day weekend along with our Family Worship Service this coming Sunday on the July 5 (details at the end), there is much to give thanks for. We are grateful for the freedoms we enjoy, for the opportunity to gather in worship, and for the privilege of lifting our city and the world by generously giving the gospel of Jesus Christ.

At the same time, our church family is grieving this week.

Our CityRise family lost a dear friend and fellow laborer in ministry. Justin Sessum, a devoted member of our production team, passed away unexpectedly early Monday morning. Justin was one of the most humble, joyful, and diligent people you could ever meet. He consistently went out of his way to serve others, often serving without being asked.

You may not have always seen him, but you were blessed by his ministry. Justin could often be found in the background doing everything in his power to make sure the message of God’s Word reached everyone in the room and beyond as he was key to the success of our weekly livestream ministry. He served with a glad and generous heart for many years here at CityRise. And other than Jesus, he was also passionate about a few things: baking cake balls, the WWE, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Justin’s celebration of life service will be 11A next Thursday, July 9, at CityRise West U Baptist, followed by a graveside service in Webster, Texas. It’s hard to describe the hole left in our hearts by Justin’s sudden absence, but we know he is worshiping in God’s presence today. Please join us in praying for his mother, his two brothers, and his extended family.

This Saturday, July 4, our nation will reach the remarkable milestone of 250 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. For two and a half centuries, the story of our United States has included courage and sacrifice, blessing and burden, unity and division, achievement and struggle.

As Christians, we can give thanks for the freedoms we enjoy while also remembering that our ultimate hope is not in any nation, government, leader, or generation. Our hope is in the Lord.

Psalm 33 reminds us that “the counsel of the LORD stands forever.” Nations rise and fall. Leaders come and go. Cultures shift. Circumstances change. But God remains sovereign, faithful, holy, and good.

That truth should lead us to gratitude, humility, and prayer.

We give thanks for the freedom to worship, to open God’s Word, to teach the gospel in multiple languages to our children, to pray publicly, to send missionaries, to serve our neighbors, and to speak the name of Jesus. These are precious liberties, and we should never take them for granted. These freedoms are things to steward rather than merely enjoy.

We should also be compelled to pray more than ever. Pray for our city. Pray for our nation. Pray for those who lead and serve. Pray for peace, wisdom, justice, humility, and renewal. Pray that churches across our great land would remain faithful to the gospel. Pray that we would be grateful citizens, faithful witnesses, and generous servants.

And above all, let us give thanks to the Lord, whose kingdom is unshakable and whose grace has made us free in Christ.

We’ll see you on Sunday for Family Worship. Have a wonderful holiday weekend, and Happy 250th Independence Day, Church Family.


Expecting Greater,
Pastor Roger