 |
|
|
Weekly Update from the Senior Pastor
September 28, 2006
Dear Family and Friends,
Our first Sunday at Damascus High School is history and there is much to be grateful for. Last Sunday was a day that had too many heroes to list. As a staff we celebrated the dozens of members whose commitment and energy made our first adult worship service, children’s ministry classes and Haven-happening in this new, mobile setting a huge success.
Set-up Team #4 (Go PURPLE!) under Bernie and Paul (plus Kris and Bob’s sign teams) established for those of us on the other three teams a high standard for fun, effectiveness and getting it done. Team #1, this Sunday it’s our turn—Go BLUE! This first time in October we all need to show up at 7:00 a.m. —true for each team; then in November we’ll define our roles into set-up and tear-down components.
Jeannie and the Gordon’s said their teams were energized in the new surroundings and Brett and his techs worked hard all day Saturday so the praise teams could clear a channel to the heart of God for everyone who came to worship. Sallie, Cheryl and the Greeting teams were everywhere, making everyone feel welcome. I watched it all like a proud dad. The heart-soil in that auditorium was well-plowed before I got to the pulpit.
Honestly, this whole month, for me as a pastor, that has been low-hanging fruit in the gratitude department.
I would be gratitude-challenged if I wasn’t thanking God for the spirit of this congregation in the midst of all the transitions and challenges we’re tackling. The energy around here has been great; the unity tight, and the can-do spirit of staff and hundreds of volunteers amazes me. We don’t seem to have anyone in our whole congregation who thinks their spiritual gift is criticism! In fact, every time a problem arises (and there have been dozens) we have a mob moving towards the situation to solve it, not to pour gas on any fires of frustration or discontent. We’ve faced huge changes with celebration over God’s leading, past and future, rather than grousing about the loss of comfort zone. In the overall purpose of this church this kind of relational maturity—to love and be a solution-builder rather than a cynical critic, is mission-critical. Jesus said our love for one another is the acid test to the world of our authenticity as His disciples (John 13:34 -35). Psalm 133 promises that wherever people serve in unity—there God commands the blessing; and our whole world needs and longs for communities where people really love one another through the tough times—not just until they happen!
So…WAY TO GO CHURCH!
UPDATES:
Building God’s Way New Facility Design Phase #1 : Since Monday we’ve had daily meetings with the team (Rick and Scott) from Building God’s Way Architects, Mark Schaeffer, our Project Manager, and the Development Team. Twice, the staff has wrestled with space allocation issues such as classrooms, foyer design, auditorium configuration, hallway widths and people-flow in our future facility with a great deal of expert guidance from those above, our Dev Team Chair-Emeritus, Jerry Rader and our Haven leaders, CT and Edie Gordon. The goal is to have a basic interior footprint by tonight to share with YOU!If you can come tonight, starting right at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Room (shopping center) for whoever is there, we’ll have a presentation of the 1 st draft of our floor plan (with architect Rick Espinosa). This floor plan will take a good deal of tweaking to finalize in the next six or seven weeks, but if you want to have a first peek (IT IS EXCITING!) and ask questions/make suggestions, then come out tonight. We’ll close right at 8:30 sharp.
Starting Sunday, October 8 th, we’ll begin a specific journey of Following God’s Heart to Our Future. This is the time to open up our hearts to our part in building our new facility. I’ll do a lot of info and heart sharing in those nine weeks with you about all that, but I just want to say this up front: you can still invite seeker friends to our Sunday worship services in this stretch and KNOW they will hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, be invited to trust a trustworthy God and understand that the way home to Him is all about grace and mercy, not achieving and worrying. Let me say it another way. We really are going to go on a journey that will focus on knowing God’s heart for us—and what could be more beautiful or exciting than being in the sweet spot of God’s purpose for our lives. So here we go. As a warm up, this Sunday I’m sharing the story of a guy named Caleb and the power of a God-sized perspective on life! See you for worship #2 at DHS!
Much Love,
Richard
|
 |
