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Weekly Update from the Senior Pastor
August 23, 2006
Dear Family and Friends,
Stressed? Try a gratitude-break. That’s not an exercise in denial, but in appreciation, faith and hope.
I know you face big bills with small budgets or high tuition or car repairs or crazy health insurance…
But remember, after all our struggles and stressors are acknowledged, we’ve been handed the easiest ride in human history. We enjoy more luxury and freedom than all our predecessors; so much more it would be disorienting if we ever stopped and thought about it—which we don’t. We sleep on beds that are soft and supporting. We eat food that is both delicious and plentiful. We touch small levers with a finger and our homes are heated or cooled to exactly the temperature we desire.
The pores of our skin are open and relaxed as we lounge in t-shirts while two feet away, on the other side of double insulated glass windows, a blizzard rages that would have killed past generations. We turn a knob and get fresh, clean water. We push a button for hot coffee, or open a door to indulge in our favorite ice cream. We drive comfortable cars and can reach waiting planes in minutes that whisk us across the country or even the oceans in a few hours.
In our culture of conspicuous consumption, it’s always easy to think: “I wish I had that.” But joy grows every time we look around at what we already have and say: “God, I am so grateful today for all this: eyes that see, strength to serve, a warm, comfortable place called home, food to eat; a car to drive, family, friends, and the assurance that You are there—that You know and care—that You’re at work for good in all the things I will ever face.
“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” Philippians 3:12. Be grateful. It’s more fun.
Some UPDATES:
- At our September 17 goodbye party for this facility we’ll honor the Lord’s work among us during these six years. We’ll pack into one service [ 10:30 - noon ] and celebrate baptisms, testimonies and visual memories. We’ll leave our testimonies on the wall—come ready to write a favorite verse or statement of faith. I’m on the hunt for 20 grateful people who would help form a silent line of witnesses to God’s transforming love on that day. If you have a testimony that could be summarized into two, short, before/after statements, contact me. Illustrations of the poster board you would hold, then flip, would be things like: “I was lost…I’ve been found by Christ.” “Adrift in life…Now I have purpose.” “It was all about me…Joyful servant of the Lord.” To be part of this “great cloud of witnesses” see me this Sunday.
- Sunday, August 27 , is part two of our character-formation series, looking at how God grows big hearts, brave hearts, generous hearts, joyful hearts. Come with an open heart.
- THANKS to all the folks, over two dozen, who launched our mobile-unit construction party last Saturday. Great progress was made for moving the “stuff” of church in quickly and easily. Head honchos Bob and Kris announce ROUND TWO this Saturday morning from 7:30 (early shift) to noon . This is eternal-fruit labor and great fellowship for folks with carpentry skills.
- You’ve noticed Eric Closs is in route to being our newest Elder. With that shift, the Trustees, for whom Eric served as Chair for five years, showed their wisdom by electing Brian Deyaert as our new Trustee Chair. He is a great servant-hearted leader for a great team.
- On Sunday, September 3 Paul Foss and I will lead in a focus on building a strong church through Godly men stepping up. One opportunity to be a man after God’s own heart comes the next Saturday, September 9 th at the EVERYMAN MEN’S CONFERENCE, from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Check it out at http://gracetoday.org
- Three weeks from this Sunday it’s “back to the future” day, September 24 th, as we unite the congregation in one service at Damascus High School from 10:30-noon. Soon we’ll announce the four team leaders for our four mobile set-up teams and invite you to serve on a team once a month. You’ll help people hear the Gospel, encounter God, children to catch the Spirit and commit young, you’ll help God’s community to be built—by showing up and setting up. Watch for the sign up!
This fall will be a great time to be a part of the Body of Christ in this congregation.
I’m so grateful to be doing this journey with you.
Love,
Richard
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