Pastor’s Note 03/09/23

Last weekend I was able to view the movie Jesus Revolution with my wife Karyn. We both enjoyed it very much as the story was told about the revival that took place amongst young adults through the ministry of Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa in the early 1970s.

 

I need to say that I kept wiping tears away from my eyes throughout the movie as we witnessed the welcome of those who were considered “outsiders” into the church. One of my favorite scenes was when Chuck Smith (played by Kelsey Grammar, yes that Kelsey Grammar from Cheers) washed the dirty feet of the hippies that were coming to the church.

 

It was a good reminder that we need to be a people that welcomes the “outsider.” People don’t have to look or act a certain way to be welcomed by us:

  • We do this as we learn a new person’s name and say “hi to them by their name” the next time we see them.
  • We do this as we say “hello” to the unhoused person that walks by us.
  • We do this as we remember the name of the grocery store clerk or restaurant waitress and say “thanks” for their service or help.
  • We do this as we make eye-contact with someone that is different.

 

Welcoming others (in Jesus’ name) is a mark of the Christian. We as Christ-followers need to be known for this. We can’t make excuses. It may not be comfortable, or it may not be easy, but we welcome, and as we welcome, we pray, and we let Jesus through the Holy Spirit, lead to the next step. The good thing is that God is in the middle of this, it isn’t only up to us. We just have to be willing to welcome.

 

Have a great rest of the week.

 

 



Pastor’s Note 03/02/23

“the Lord has sought out a man after His own heart . . . “

1 Samuel 13:14

 

If you missed last Sunday’s sermon, we met King David, before he became the king of Israel. David’s anointment by the Prophet Samuel revealed a young boy that had a heart for God. But how did David develop that heart for God? Were there things in his life that helped to foster this heart for God? I think that there were, and that is what we are exploring in our new sermon series during Lent, Growing a Heart for God.

 

By no means was David a perfect person. He had many flaws but the one thing that set him apart from others was his heart. It was a heart that was devoted to pleasing God. David’s life revealed a deep-set passion for God, a heart that pursued God.

 

This week we look at one of the most famous stories about David, one that we have probably heard since we were children. It is the story of David and Goliath which provides some great insights into David’s heart for God.

 

I hope that you can join us this week. It also is the first week of the month so we will be offering the Sacrament of Communion during our service.  

 

Have a great rest of the week and I hope to see you on Sunday.