Click here to view the printable version of the March 2010 Newsletter
Pastor Bill's "March Meanderings"
Marching Into March with Machismo!
God's future for PSPC is hovering around the corner!I believe.We are
entering Lent, preparing to walk with our Lord to Jerusalem, the Cross and, of
course, the Resurrection!This is an exciting time as we follow with our Lord and renew our walk and faith in him.
Hasn't it been fun and enlightening to meet our First Time Guests every Sunday discovering who they are, where they have come from and how they found out about us? - friends, family, the Internet, hotels, bicycling or walking past the church, meeting in a gym, or seeing the directional signs on the streets.I LOVE it and I know it takes a bit longer (and we sometimes run a bit over the hour) when we do this, but I hope you enjoy it as much as do I.We are truly blessed with guests in Christ from all over the country and world.
At the last Sunday in March, March 28th, we will celebrate our One Year Anniversary of being in "A Place of Our Own" ... a week late, yes, but a celebration nevertheless.Save the date; bring friends and loved ones, and be prepared to dedicate our facilities and ministry here and God's future for us.Watch for more details coming from our Planning Team.
In the Gospels it is made clear that Jesus is the ONLY way to know and experience God.In today's world we often hear other Christians talk about also needing this or that, but that in contradictory to the teachings of the New Testament.There is only one way to know and experience God, to receive eternal salvation and that is in Jesus Christ, God in human flesh.That is the only essential!Baptism, the Lord's Supper, denomination or non-denomination, Bible translation, even the day or time, etc., is important but not essentials.Please, never forget that.For example, we worship, as do most Christians, on Sundays because worship for most Christians is a celebration of the Resurrection, the re-telling of the Resurrection Story.But, there are Christians who worship on Saturdays (it is the Sabbath) or Saturday nights or Sunday nights or whenever.Day and time are not essentials.Just faith in, and commitment to, Jesus Christ as the Living Word of God.
As I write this, we are just about finished installing our "PowerPoint" (thanks to Ernie, Rocky, Lyle Gary, and Jeff) that will be a great help in worship and can be an positive addition attracting new people.On the PowerPoint screen you will see words to the songs we sing, the Scriptures we read, and, hopefully, an outline of my sermon as we did at the SDA church.But, I would add; as you come to worship on Sundays please bring your own Bible.I read from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) and in our pews we have the New International Version (NIV).Bring whatever you use at home and follow along during the sermon.You will discover that it helps bring alive the sermon.
Tuck away in your memories or on your calendars and plan to participate:We will have a Maundy Thursday Tenebrae and Communion on Thursday, April 1st and, of course, a Grand Resurrection Sunday on April 4th.We have not decided on a Good Friday Service yet, but will keep you posted.
It is important for all of us to know that your Session is working, planning, and praying for God's guidance in reaching out and growing, but ... it takes all of us to do the task God has set before us.We are in a lovely spot; in a beautiful building, but what is the church and what is it's business; and how are we doing?
I have said this the last couple of months, but I am going to repeat it:What IS the business of the church?To grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ; to proclaim and teach the Word of God; to serve the least of Jesus' brothers and sisters; to wash feet and to turn water into wine; to feed and clothe and help those who are far less blessed as are we; and to step out of our comfortable boxes and reach out to those looking for something of substance in their lives: namely, Jesus.
How are we doing and how are you doing in response to God's merciful loved?
May this Lent and Easter bring you God's richest blessings, even as I remain, yours, in Christ's service.
