A woman who has a terminal disease came to see me yesterday. She wanted to share her faith story and to talk about how much our church is helping her feel settled in her circumstances. As we talked, she told me how much Sunday’s service on Beautiful Sorrow meant to her. She cried the entire service, and that was a good thing. She thanked me for the way our church has been an anchor of hope in COVID and through her diagnosis with a rare disease that will soon take her life. She told me with joy about how she envisions the moment when she will be with Jesus!

I ran into a man at the hospital today. He was getting a stress test so that he can have a major surgery next week. The first thing he said was, “The service on Sunday was one of the most impactful I’ve ever experienced. Thank you for talking about grief and mourning.” He thanked me for how our church has been such a solid place of hope during this season of COVID.

Folks, these are just two of the personal touches I’ve had this week about the comfort of Sunday’s message. One reason for such an outpouring is that we all resonate with the brokenness of our world. It’s all around us, and yet very few of us have been given tools on how to face our sorrow. I guess the biggest deal for me is the idea that we all have some responsibility for the world’s woes. Mourning over the condition of our world helps us get in touch with God’s grace as we confess our own personal responsibility to do something about it.

I have spent time since Sunday crying tears of sorrow over the brokenness we face as our culture increasingly continues to turn away from God. Will you pray with me? Will you shed tears that can become part of God doing something beautiful and new in our land? If so, I want to invite you to our prayer gathering on May 6 at 12:00pm here at the church by the cross. We’ll gather together to cry out to God: Your Kingdom come; Your will be done. I want to be part of making His Kingdom visible in our world as we all agree to follow His way.

I’m so excited about Serve Our Community this Saturday, May 1 at 9:00am. It’s a chance to help our community look more beautiful by working at different schools and non-profit organizations. We get to make our community better as we serve together. We didn’t get to engage in this event last year because of the COVID restrictions, but we’re ready to jump in again with gusto and passion. We still have spots available, and we would love to have you join us. Please call the office and talk with Mare Dibert or John Fairchild. They can help you find a place to serve. 

One of the best ways to get to know our church and God’s mission for us here in Western Nevada County is to participate in Growth Path. This series of engaging seminars will help you know who we are and how you can find a place to call home as you grow to be more like Jesus. The next Growth Path is Sunday, May 16, 2:00-5:00pm. We have four different classes, BELONG 101, BECOME 201, BLESS 301, BUILD 401, each taught by a different pastor. You can register online or at church on Sunday.

I am amazed at what God continues to show us through our series, The Good Life. Each week we’re seeing that the Beatitudes (that’s the section we’re currently in) have such a deeper meaning than just “attitudes to be” or virtues to attain. They go much deeper. Jesus is talking about what happens in the lives of people who walk with Him. They become like Him. This Sunday we get to look at Beautiful Gentleness. Would you agree that our world needs more gentleness? Well Jesus does, too. He talks about the power of meekness which describes a character trait that is strong, yet soft. It’s a way of being, that will help our world see the power of Jesus to transform lives. I’m so eager to have you join us in person or online.

Here are the links you’ll need to be fully prepared for Sunday’s Service:

• Message Notes and Study Guide
• Weekly Spotify Playlist
• Children's Ministry
• Student Ministry 

Joyfully living everyday life on mission in intimacy with Jesus and others,