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Give

Here's the sermon from Sunday, October 18th in our series, "City on a Hill."

Give

Improvement?

I just heard about an exciting new version of the Bible that promises to open a whole new world. So what do you think? It looks cool to me but do you think it will translate into better living or will it become just another gadget?

Beyond Ourselves

Over the past two Sundays, we have raised $495 to be given to Presbyterian Disaster Relief in response to the series of deadly disasters in south Asia--a typhoon in the Philippines, an earthquake in Indonesia, and a tsunami that has affected Somoa, American Samoa and Tonga. This generous offering makes my heart glad because, indeed, we are a congregation committed to reaching out beyond ourselves. The Lord will provide for our needs even as we are called to share what we have to help others in need. More about the grace of giving and how giving makes it possible to see the world in fresh ways on Sunday! Let me encourage you to do a little preparation between now and Sunday by reading 2 Corinthians 8 and 9.

A Much Needed Village

In case you haven't heard, we have been pursuing a partnership with a local organization for several months that would have made it possible for us to have an established place to worship here in Ladera Ranch. Last Friday, that option was taken off the table. Bummer! It feels like a set-back but I'm convinced that something else is out there for us and I am not alone in that conviction.

How creative do we need to be in relation to this project?

I've been kicking around some really crazy ideas over the past few days. Now is the season to "think outside the box." Now is the season for creative solutions. What is it going to take to establish a vibrant community of faith here? Maybe not getting what we originally wanted might be the best thing for us. Are we ready to take the next step, whatever that means, together? Here's my prayer, "Jesus lead on! We will follow."

Serve

A few people have asked me to post yesterday's sermon on line. As much as I love technology, even this small task isn't as easy as it looks. Not sure I've created the right format but you might be able to listen to it here:

Serve

Unfortunately, you won't be able to see the cool shirt I put on or my pearly white teeth but listening to the audio is the best I can offer you today. Also, the video we watched near the end can be found here.

Presbyterian Disaster Relief

It's been a terrible week in some parts of the world. Our hearts and prayers go out to those who are in need tonight. Here's a letter written in response to the current situation. Seriously, I'm glad to be a Presbyterian.

You are be sure that we will do something tangible on Sunday in worship, especially since we have members with family in those regions.

School Answer Machine

Have you ever needed to press one of these buttons? I love the comments about helping your child live in the real world. Funny and insightful.

Easy or Hard?

In our new series we considering the essential practices that shape our lives as followers of Jesus. This past Sunday we looked at the practice of prayer. So what do you think? Is prayer easy or hard?

It sounds so simple. I need to regularly bring my requests, concerns, hopes, worries and dreams before God in conversation. But if it's so easy, why do I often resist? Where does the resistance come from?

As we near the end of this work week, let me encourage you to send whatever prayer concerns you might have to prayer@villagepres.net. We have a select team of people who will pray with you no matter the concern. Big or small, take a few minutes and let's learn to pray together.

10, 8, 3

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Praying Twice

This past Sunday we sang a new song from an album I recommended a number of weeks ago. It's actually a rearrangement of a familiar hymn, "What Wondrous Love is This?" From some of the feedback I heard, this new song might not top the list of favorites (yet). We'll give it a try again this week. Would love to hear what you think.

Again, the whole of the album is worthy of hearing, especially the first song, "In Your Name." I love the way the lyrics speak of the church gathered and scattered in the name of Jesus. As we receive the love of Jesus, the natural flow is to share that love with others, especially those who are hurting and hopeless. Here are some of the words:

Gather the saints, on this day of rest,

we come in Your name

Gather the saints, in every tongue,

we come in Your name

Gather the saints, in this city today,

we come because You came

Gather the saints, in every realm,

we come in Your name

 

We sing of God’s great love, we love because Jesus loved

We tell of how He bore the cross, and how He raised

And Oh that this city would know your love

And Oh that this city would feel your touch

And Oh that this city would live with hope

Give us hands to touch, give us hearts of love

Someone once said, "Whoever sings, prays twice." This album will influence your prayers for sure and I hope these songs will be a blessing to all on Sunday mornings as well.