Worship Update 12/18

From Jay

Your source of worth
My sophomore year in high school I started dating a girl named Laura. As much as you can be in love as a sophomore, I was. She literally became my “everything”. I don’t know if you know that feeling (and I would describe it as an unhealthy feeling) when something or someone becomes your “everything”. That something or someone becomes everything that life hinges on, that significance comes from, and that your worth is determined by. We dated off and on until a year after high school.

I broke it off 6 times during the time we dated, each time because I recognized the condition of my heart, and how I was letting my relationship with her determine my significance and not God.
At one point, I had decided to marry her and I told her I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her, she ended it with me at that moment.

I remember it like it was yesterday… the feeling. It was like something from a movie, when sound fades, when time stand still, when you feel your heart stop, when the brain crashes and can’t reboot. Suddenly, my worth was gone, my validation was gone, my significance was gone, all because I had wrapped it in something incapable of sustaining or maintaining it for the long haul.

When all that took place, I was a believer, I knew Jesus. Becoming a Christian does not change the temptation to get my worth from illegitimate places. I just finally have the tools, the knowledge, and the Holy Spirit’s power to practice getting it from the only source that can sustain it, from God Himself.

We long to be loved. And we are loved, He has proved and continues to prove that. We long to have significance, and because of who we are, who created us, and what He has done for us, we are significant. We long to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, and because we are His children we are. No girlfriend or boyfriend, no husband or wife, no title or position, no possession can sustain the significance we crave, that we were created to crave. Only Christ can. He often uses relationships to reveal Himself and to bring love into our lives, but the source has to originate from Him or the source will eventually run dry.

John 1:1-5 (parenthesis added are mine)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, (and in Him is still life) and that life was the light of men (and that life still is the light of men). The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood

A note from Pastor Ron…
It was encouraging to have Taylor McFarland share his story in our worship services last Sunday. Taylor is the son of longtime members Mark and Rhonda McFarland. Over the course of his freshman year in college he became addicted to alcohol and marijuana. His parents made the decision to send him to Capstone, a rehab center in Arkansas, where he was touched by Christ and made decisions to follow Christ with his whole heart. Taylor has been clean for nine months and has cultivated a strong network of Christian friends around him here in Portland. I’m sure Taylor will appreciate your prayers for him to remain strong in following Christ.

We had a full sanctuary last Sunday evening for the “Hallelujah! Light Has Come” presented by the Sunset Choir and Orchestra. The Aloha High School Drum Line was a highlight as were our many soloists. I appreciate all the weeks of preparation these folks did to give us a delightful evening of Christmas music and worship.

While I was preaching Sunday, I was losing my voice, so I had Jay McKenney help me by reading all the Scriptures in my message. By Monday I had lost my voice totally and was in bed for three days. I am getting better and look forward to seeing you this weekend.

Prior to the 9:00 service this Sunday Meghan and Lauren Timmons, granddaughters of Pep and Dorothy Timmons and Keith and Janet Harmon, will be playing their flutes for the prelude. And,Terry Goldman and Regina Veillet will be singing, and Scott Mather will be playing his trumpet in the 9:00 service. It will be great! Invite your friends and family.

I hope you are already thinking about and praying for people you can invite for Christmas Eve services. It’s one of the best times of the year to extend invitations and have most people accept. Our services are scheduled at 3:00, 5:00, 7:00, and 10:00pm, so one of those should fit your schedule for this special day. Children’s programming is available during the 3:00 and 5:00 services. Children are always welcome.

The building is buzzing this week with people getting ready for packing and delivering Food and Toy Baskets on Saturday. Even if you haven’t already signed up to help, come and enjoy the blessing of helping serve hundreds of needy folks in our community. It’s a project your whole family could enjoy together.

I wish all the joys of this Christmas season to you and your family—and I hope to see you Sunday and Christmas Eve.

Opportunities to Serve
For other ways to serve throughout Sunset and our community, be sure to check your weekly bulletin.

Ushers Needed!!
We are in need of ushers for all 3 services, especially the 11am. If you are available and willing to serve once a month as an usher, please contact tracifranzke@sunsetpres.org or 503-292-9293x3083.

Communion Help
We are looking for people willing to serve once a month helping with communion. Specific positions needed are prep, servers, and clean-up. If you are interested and willing to serve, please email to tracifranzke@sunsetpres.org or call 503.292.9293 x3083.

Sunday Morning Preludes
We are looking for people willing to play the preludes Sunday mornings before The Nine service, in March and April. For more info or to propose a list of your available Sundays please contact Janet Harmon, jkharmony@comcast.net.

Upcoming Events
December 19 – Food & Toy Delivery Day
December 24 – Christmas Eve Services 3, 5, 7 & 10pm
When Heaven Came Down, Consider the Wonder of the Christ Child
December 25 – Christmas Day
January 1, 2010 – New Years Day
January 15-16, 2010, Mission Connexion, Crossroads Community Church
Over 120 informative workshops, over 70 mission exhibits and resources.
Open to all - free admission. Crossroads Community is located in Vancouver, WA
For more info www.MissionConneXion.com
January 17, 2010 – Hymn Night

2010 NW Regional Men’s Conference
This begins on Friday, January 29th (7-9 pm) and resumes on Saturday, January 30th
(8 am-12:30 pm).
Location: New Hope Community Church
Just off I-205, across from the Clackamas Town Center in Clackamas.
This is our Men’s Retreat for 2010.
Register at: www.nwmensconference.com

Miss a weekend gathering?
Sunset’s website has podcasts! Catch up on a message you missed here, and choose the Sermon option. You can also purchase a CD from the Book/CD counter in our lobby area.

Ways to stay connected!
We hope these will be places for the Sunset community to encourage one another, gather information and connect throughout the week.

Sunset Worship Community Facebook, check it out by clicking here!