We’re having a party…
It’s the last game of the season and we are putting it on the Big Screen.
Here are the details…
Big Game Party
When: Sunday FEB. 1st – Doors open at 4:00, game at 5:00
What: We’ll be grilling out, tailgate style… brats and dogs provided, bring your own meat if you like.
For Kids: We’ll have some activity tables set up and also have a movie rolling just for the kids.
Bring: A snacky dish to share.
A Deeper Challenge
Last Sunday we talked about how essential God’s word is to our spiritual well being and how easy it is to drift from it.
With that came a challenge. Go Deeper… for those who missed it, misplaced it, or just need some encouragement… click on the pic to download the challenge.
Leadership
A new president and trying times have gotten me thinking about what leadership is really all about.
John Maxwell, the leadership guru, talks often about the law of sacrifice. I believe this to be the sign of a true leader.
A true leader is willing to put his/her own needs, wants, reputation, desires, even life aside for others.
Often people aspire to be leaders so that others will look at them as someone. A true leader climbs that ladder not to raise himself up, but to lay himself down for others.
There is no greater example of that kind of sacrifice than Jesus. Just look at Isaiah’s prophecy about him…
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins!
5 But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him
the sins of us all.ISAIAH 53:4-6
Dave’s Vid
Here’s Dave, our 9th grade video wiz’s latest contribution!
Thanks to the set-up team for giving us a peak into your Sunday morning!
Movie Review :: The Tale of Despereaux
The Tale of Despereaux tells the story of an unlikely hero: a misfit mouse born into a broken hearted kingdom that was longing for its past days of magic and laughter. This animated story is well done and engaging.
Even though it is voiced by megastars like Dustin Hoffman , Emma Watson , William H Macey , Tracy Ullman , Kevin Kline and Matthew Broderick it is the story that is truly engaging.
Though the plot is nothing complicated the underlying story is one that carries a message we can all relate to. That being the unbelievable power of forgiveness.
To parents: I brought my three little children and though it is a children’s movie there are some scenes that could cause them some fear. Those mostly having to do with hungry rats and/or a menacing cat.
Overall, The Tale of Despereaux is a simple story of a humble mouse on a great adventure. It receives 3 out of 5 bricks on the Alley scale.
Oh… and you may find yourself leaving the movie with a strange craving for soup.
Communion Meals
Starting this year we are going to try something a little different when it comes to our communion practice.
Much like the early church did it, we will be doing communion in the context of a meal.
Here’s the plan.
On Sunday January 25th, about 25 minutes after our 10:10 worship we will gather for a meal. This meal will include the Lord’s supper.
Listen for more details on Sunday, but we need your help. The plan for food will be conducted good ole fashioned pot luck style.
So based on your last name please bring a dish accordingly. (we do have some limited fridge space)
A-L Main Course
M-P Desert
Q-Z Salad
Our hosts for this meal will be Gary and Shelley Smith. They will be coordinating the details of the meal as well as leading the Passover portion. Let us know if you are interested in hosting any of our future meals.
What’s on tap…
Believe it or not we actually do plan more than a couple of weeks out. Some of you have been asking what’s on tap for our teaching in the next year.
Here’s a little preview and a disclaimer. Direction is subject to change as the Spirit leads.
Biblical Books we’ll teach through:
Esther
Galatians
Topical Series:
Essential
Know your Enemy
Prophecy
Ask Anything
Heaven and Hell
One Prayer
the Fix
There will also be 2-3 Alley Stories and a few other surprises.
Can’t force it…
Ever noticed that when you really want to make a connection with someone you tend to scare them off.
We churches do the same thing. We so want to make people feel welcomed that we end up doing the opposite.
I think the aim of ”deeper community” is the wrong target, or at the least an elusive one.
The funny thing that I’ve noticed is that when we are on a “common mission,” the shared experience almost always creates a “deeper community” connection.
There is something really bonding about working side by side and sharing a common experience.
When I sold books door-to-door I spent 98% of the time by myself. But when I met with other booksellers the experience was such a strong and shared one that deeper connection and community was instantly formed.
Maybe if we spent less time trying to force a connection and more time walking along side of people we would see those imaginary walls dissolve.
Sneak Peak
We’re working on a video for this coming Sunday… thought it would be fun to release a little sneak peak. Here’s a screen shot.
