Worship Update 1/9

Devotion from Jay McKenney

New Year/New Heart
It’s hard to sort out all my emotions right now, but I’m going to attempt to sort out a few! I’m sitting in a doctor’s office at 1pm on Monday Jan 5th and watching my wife sleep for the first time since around midnight last night. It was then that the symptoms of a kidney infection hit hard. (Actually I just woke her up with the sound of the typing, and am now typing vvveerrryy slowly.)

Today was the day it was finally time to really dive head first back into life. And yet here I am, tired from a sleepless night, and once again slowed from the normal routine, with more time to think than I often prefer. J And yet, this is an opportunity for me. An opportunity to support my wife, to put her first, to love her when she needs it the most, and not just when it’s convenient. So I am trying, and the Holy Spirit is helping me.

But alas, this is not my main point (can’t remember the last time I actually used alas in a sentence, and suddenly that’s twice)!

Have you ever noticed how quickly you can tell a nice person from a not nice person in the medical field? Within a minute, you know if you are in for some t.l.c. or some cold indifference. Allison has been cared for by about 3 people today. Two of them treated her with relative cold indifference; but one, Sarah, treated her with loving warmth. And oh, what a difference it makes when someone’s heart is warm, no matter what their profession.

As I assess this last year (in particular the last 6 months or so) I feel like I have failed you as a leader. The key to any good leader is their heart. Is it passionate, raw, engaged, and protected? At times I believe my heart has been, but lately… lately it has felt more like its on life support.

As I have felt my heart harden some, it grows a little colder and I also began to pull back a little. Pull back a little of my engagement, some of my emotions, some of my love. If you are someone directly affected by this, please forgive me, I am sorry. The truth is everyone who I have the privilege to serve with is affected by this indirectly in some way because a ministry won’t go further than the heart of a leader.

And so I’m on a crusade, right now, to get my heart beating at full strength again. For me it is solely and completely dependent on my obedience and reliance and trust daily in God. And by His grace and by His patience and His love He is pulling me to Himself, right where I need to be.

I am hopeful and excited about this new year. I feel God urging me to step it up in many ways. Thank you for your patience with me; and, please say a prayer for me if you read this because I desire more than you know to serve here with a heart that is tender and engaged in this coming year.

Sincerely,
Jay

Opportunities to Serve

5pm service begins – PRAISE!!! We have a full volunteer staff for our first Sunday! Thank you to everyone who is on the serving team!

Like Creating Presentations?
If you enjoy creating presentations, then join our team! We are looking for a couple people to help create the sermon PowerPoint slides each week. If you are interested, please contact carriepeeples@sunsetpres.org.

Volunteers for Mission Connexion
We are looking for volunteers to help serve the 2000+ guests that will be at Sunset on Friday and Saturday, January 16 & 17 for this huge northwest-wide event! If you are available to serve, please email carriepeeples@sunsetpres.org.

Other Needs in Production & Tech
Stage Managers, Sound Assistants, Lighting, Media and Camera Ops who are willing to serve on
the production team once a month (Thur pm & Sun am). On-the-job training provided.
Contact Janet Fraser, janetfraser@sunsetpres.org.

Upcoming Events

Mission Connexion – January 16-17
If it’s anything like two years ago… we had over 5,000 on our campus each day. This conference is huge and awakes Christ followers to fulfill the Great Commission in their lives. It’s open to all churches; it’s free and filled with inspirational speakers and workshops to help you reach others for Christ. Did we mention it’s FREE? J

January 16-17 – Mission Connexion, FREE
January 23-26 – HS Winter Camp
January 25 – Pathways & Connexions (hyper version, 1 of 2 extended classes)
January 30 – Family Unity Night (FUN)
February 5-6 – Orphans Overseas Fundraiser, A Night to Remember
February 6-7 – Women’s Retreat
February 13-16 – Wildfire Winter Camp
March 8 – Daylight Savings Begins
March 13-15 – Ironman Conference, sign up in the lobby or online www.sunsetpres.org/go/men