Worship Update 2/27

Jay's Devotion

Desperation Met With Hope
How many times has that happened in your life? Times and situations where you were desperate, and then in the midst of that place you were met with hope to carry on and to lift you out of the mire. And then the cycle repeats, over and over and over and over again. It almost seems like the more desperate we become or the more desperate our situation is we are met with a greater measure of hope, just when we think we can’t go on.

The greatest example of this would be the story of the Easter season which we are about to celebrate again. Jesus, The One, The Savior, the Messiah that held the future for the nation of Israel, that was going to right all wrongs, redeem His people and lead them into a glorious future, was dead. With Him died the dreams and hopes of all who had come to love Him and trust Him. He was dead… gone. It was over. Desperate does not begin to paint the picture of what people must have been feeling.

Yet out of that great despair, out of that dark hour, God unleashed and met people with Hope on a scale never before experienced.

This Easter we want to bring that tension, that paradox of despair met with Hope into the fabric of our time together, and I need your help. There is a special we are preparing called Hope Now. To set this song up, I am looking for some of you who would feel led to read a short prayer you have written or will write to God. An authentic, heartfelt prayer, that comes from a place of desperation and longing for deliverance as well as for Hope. I want the community that comes that day to hear real life, and see that other people, even people in church, know what it means to be desperate. Following those prayers, I want a few people to read a prayer they have written of Hope, of how God met them in their place of desperation and the joy, and the hope that brought. Coming out of that time, the song will be sung, and then Ron will lead a time of decision for people. A time so people can connect with Jesus out of either place, desperation or hope.

If you are interested in serving in this way, please shoot me or Janet an email jaymckenney@sunsetpres.org or janetfraser@sunsetpres.org and we’ll go from there. Whether or not you serve in this way, we covet your prayers for this moment and for this to be an Easter that makes a difference in our community.
Sincerely, Jay

Budget Update & Request for Prayer!
Most of you are aware from Pastor Ron’s recent News & Views that Sunset, along with many churches, is facing financial trouble as a result of the economy. We want you to be aware of the careful process that Management Team and Session are following.

Session has approved cutting $200K for the fiscal year 2008-2009. The following steps are a summary of the process that will be followed to determine those cuts:
1. An ad-hoc team was formed from Session—they made initial suggestions as to how to adjust the budget.
2. MT met to discuss options. They stopped every half an hour to pray, and sensed the leading and unity of the Spirit. MT made recommendations based on the ad-hoc team’s original proposal.
3. HR team will meet to review the MT proposal and add their suggestions.
4. The proposal will return to the ad-hoc team for review and further recommendations.
5. Session will receive this proposal (and perhaps others) and will make the final decisions in a special meeting on March 1.
6. Any layoffs or reductions in pay will be effective March 10, 2009.

This is a heavy weight for all of us as a church body and especially for those who are wrestling with the conversations and considering every possibility. Please pray for Management Team, HR, the ad-hoc team and Session. All of us will be affected and they are not taking their decisions lightly. Please also pray for our whole staff, that they don’t lose heart; they too feel the weight and uncertainty as decisions are made. We trust God and know He is sovereign. Although He could provide all the money, He is allowing us to go through this. Let’s continue to pray for our church body and our community outside Sunset!

Special Opportunity
Want free concert tickets? - LMG Concerts, a local concert promoter, is looking to build a pool of show volunteers who will get a free show ticket! Volunteer positions for most shows are things like: load-in/load-out (probably heavy lifting), security, box office, catering, and security. Shift positions might be 8am – 1pm, 1pm – 5pm, 5pm – 10pm, and 10pm to whenever things are loaded up and buses leave. Depending on what you do, you’ll either get free entrance for yourself or 2 tickets, one for yourself and one for a friend.

Current upcoming shows are: Chris Tomlin (3/7), and Rock n Worship (3/22). If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Amanda at 360-696-4558 or Amanda@lmgllc.com.

Opportunities to Serve

NEW - IMMEDIATE Student and/or Family Opportunity
March 8th we will begin a sermon series titled ―God’s Design for the Next Generation‖ and we’d love to have students or families do the prelude each weekend. If you are willing to serve in this way OR could recommend a musician/artist in our church family, please contact janetfraser@sunsetpres.org.

Are You Musical??
We are always on the lookout for talented musicians with a heart to serve on the team. Whether you play the electric guitar or the Swedish bagpipes, we want to hear you play!
Come April 5th, 1pm in the Sanctuary. Please rsvp to Tyler at tylerbraun@sunsetpres.org asap and we will get you more info on how you can prepare.

1 Dish Dinners
We are looking for people who would be willing to prepare a 1 dish dinner once a month for the team working behind the scenes at the 5pm gathering. Drop off the dish Sunday a.m. when you come to church, we’ll cook it, clean it and be very thankful to grab a bite to eat on the run. For more information or to volunteer to cook please contact carriepeeples@sunsetpres.org.

Ushers Needed!
We are in need of ushers to serve once-a-month during the 9am, 11am or 5pm gathering each week. Let Gene Barrett (Baarrett@aol.com) know which gathering you’d prefer to serve in.

Upcoming Events List

Hymn Night - This evening is a wonderful opportunity to worship God in the rich theology, history and tradition passed on to us through these wonderful songs. Whether you miss singing hymns or simply appreciate the story that is told in the lyrics, Sunset warmly invites you to come together for a Night of Hymns to praise God together in His house. Sunday, March 8th, 6:30pm.

February 17- March 10 ・ Good $ense classes, Tuesday evenings (see bulletin for more detail)
March 8 – Daylight Savings Begins
March 8 - Hymn Night, 6pm
March 13-15 - Ironman Conference, sign up in the lobby or online www.sunsetpres.org/go/men
April 12 - Easter (services times: Saturday 4 & 6pm, Sunday 9 & 11am - all services the same except for the 6pm is an ―11am style)