This Week’s Sermon: God Talks to Us

I’ve been doing a series—three sermons in which we get our info about God from two sources: SCRIPTURE and EXPERIENCE. Sermon three will be this Sunday: God Talks to Us.

I must admit, I wasn’t entirely satisfied with last week’s sermon. Not sure I got it across. But—I hadn’t slept the night before. Not a wink. It’s hard for me to get into a good sleep position with my wounded leg. So—no sleep.

I was so tired, I wasn’t sure how things had gone in the service. But I was checking the music on the recording last week—something I often do—and decided to also listen to my sermon, something I seldom do.

I was satisfied. The witness from the young man I quoted was as powerful as I had intended.

This week, you’ll get the third dose. You’ll then have what I consider three things we all must know about God.

My Class: The Resurrection

We’ll be talking about the resurrection.

I have a chapter in Discovering God on the resurrection.

Two questions we’ll discuss:

1. If there were no resurrection, would there still be a church?
2. If you had to give evidence for the resurrection to a non-believer, what would you say?

We’ll raise those questions in class this Sunday at 9:45 AM, followed by breakfast.

Breakfast This Sunday

It’s back to Winston! You may also bring something.

(What a great big breakfast we had last week!)

Listen—do come early to church to share this food and fellowship.

Breakfast at 10:30 AM.

Watching Online: A Quick Note

The service is looking good.

But Julian and Shannon must NOT share one microphone. You can’t hear them well enough. The problem: right now, we have only one mic for me and one for the singers. (Mary has a lapel mic.)

That must change—and it will, once the upcoming work is done. So, consider adding just a little bit to the dollar sign—enough for:

• Three microphone outlets on the post near the piano
• One new microphone

(Currently, we have long mic cables running around the piano, through the south transept, behind the organ, and to the amp in the little Tower Room. In other words, Jerry-rigged. I don’t know who Jerry is, but we are getting rid of his rigging!)

The Big Project—new sound booth, new cameras, moving all recording from the high media room to the sanctuary floor (which means complete sound and video rewiring)—may begin next week.

Our Special Offering: Thank You

I’m sure we’ve raised over $3,000 for flood victim relief.

Let us give thanks that we could help.

May the Lord use our gifts for those who are suffering.

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Worship is such a joy. And God is so good. Come! Let us rejoice together.

God Bless—MB

I’m Back

It took some effort—that’s the most I’ve moved in a month—but I’m glad to be back at it. And how good it was to have Larry and Rev. Beth Ensor with us! Beth just retired, so they were finally free to visit the church they once called home. Pure joy. And what a blessing to see Linda Pruitt in worship, still recovering from her stroke. That, too, was a joy.

And how ’bout that solo!? Julian’s rendition gave me goosebumps. It was so good to have him helping me lead the singing. Kristi was her usual fantastic self. Blake is still off working on his master’s degree. (And we found out just how smart Kristi and Steven’s dogs are!)

My Class Resumes This Sunday – 9:45 AM

I’m picking up again with my class, and this week we’ll be talking about something big: the idea that the Church may have gotten salvation wrong. I believe God is better than most people think—and we’ll dig into that this Sunday.

We’ll follow class with breakfast. Since this is a “We Bring” Sunday, come hungry and come ready to share a dish if you’re able. Winston brought food last week. Now it’s our turn.

This Sunday’s Sermon:

“The Biggest Thing We Don’t Know About God”

You may think you know it—but you don’t. And even after I tell you, you still won’t fully grasp it. Because it is unimaginable. We can’t comprehend it.

Yet—it’s the thing we need to know most.

Come. Let me share it with you.

Watching Online?

One of our two cameras is nearly useless—no zoom at all. Jason and Robert have been using it only for transitions. All the close-up work is handled by a single camera.

That’s about to change.

Installation of our new sound booth, new cameras, and full rewiring will begin either early next week or the week after. You’ll notice a big improvement in our online worship experience. Stay tuned.

Special Offering for Flood Victims

Thank you, Mary, for getting this started. We will again be taking up a special offering for flood victims in the Hill Country.

As before, we’ll collect this offering before the sermon, and then take our regular church offering afterward. Please give as you feel led.

I Will Not Be Silent

I don’t want to harp on the subject. But the stakes are too high for silence.

Millions will suffer because of decisions being made right now by our government. Children will go hungry. Families will lose healthcare. Medicaid will be slashed. Even Medicare is on the chopping block.

No one is safe when the person in charge is deranged, malicious, and unstable.

Do you care about the poor? About gay people, immigrants, people of color, people who are sick?

Are you truly a follower of Jesus Christ?

Then stand with Him.

Don’t argue. Don’t fight.

Just stand with the Lord, and let the world know you are a Christian by your love.

God Bless,

—MB