Worship Update 1/22

from Jay

Fully surrendered

I don’t know if there are two scarier words that you could pair together. Just reading them right now might cause your heart rate to go up and your breathing to become labored. Being fully surrendered is a condition of the heart, and you know right at this moment whether you are or aren’t.

They are scary words because to be fully surrendered to God means giving up power, control, or possession. Even if it’s right, it still hurts, it costs something, and there is pain involved. And in general, we like to avoid pain.

Speaking of pain, thanks to years of construction, I have a back that sometimes goes out of alignment. I can still function to a point when it’s out, but it’s all I think about, it consumes me and the discomfort grows making it awkward even to breathe. God designed my wife Allison to be the perfect weight to walk on my back, and she knows just the right place to bounce a little and pop it back into shape. It doesn’t work so well the other way around… she would die. 

Part of my journey walking with Christ over the years feels a little like the experience of my back. I go from a fully surrendered state, to something in my life that I allow to come between Christ and His will for me. Initially there is the rush and feelings of independence… like I know what I’m doing, what’s best for me, and I can handle it. But soon the discomfort from being out of alignment with God grows to the point where it is all consuming, and though I might be walking straight on the outside, inside I am hunched over and crippled. The pain of giving whatever it is back to God can never compare with the grace and healing of His hand to put your soul back in line.

What is it for you? A call you need to make? A letter you need to write? Something you need to get rid of? Whatever it is, don’t put it off any longer. The people in your life need you fully surrendered and walking straight up and down on the inside.

Celebrate with Helping Hands!

This past Tuesday, Helping Hands received a Postal Money Order made out to Helping Hands
Community Center in the amount of $455.00!

The note with the money order reads:
“Here at your local Bales Thriftway Starbucks, we donate our tips. For the month of December one of our Barista’s decided we should pick your organization. Her name is Karen. I know it may not seem like much but please take this $455 and use it to continue to provide great service in our Cedar Mill area.
Thank you, Starbucks Manager – Toni McLean”

Wow! Those Starbucks employees thought enough of our Helping Hands Community Center to consider us for their tip offering. We’re sending an official Thank You card to Toni, and ALL of the Starbucks employees will be thanked.

If you happen to go to Bales Thriftway on NW Cornell (east of Murray Blvd.), make a point to let the Starbucks folks know how much their gift is appreciated! And if you see Karen at work, give her a special thank you!

Opportunities to Grow

All Church Conference!
Nancy Heche Guest Speaker - Febuary 21, 2010
Dr. Nancy Heche is a popular Bible study teacher, author, and speaker. She holds a masters and doctorate degree in Pastoral Counseling and is the author of The Truth Comes Out. Dr. Heche will be speaking at all services, sharing her life story of dealing with homosexuality in the lives of people she loves. Nancy’s story is one of faith and survival as she learns that the only person you can change is yourself. Nancy shares how to respond lovingly, yet appropriately, to homosexual family members and friends. Find God’s presence and power for any situation—His grace is what offers anyone who has faced disappointments of difficulty, hope and encouragement for the future.

There will also be two afternoon seminars entitled "What to do when you don't know what to do" and "What to say when you don't know what to say."

Focus on Marriage –
Saturday, February 27, 8:15 am – 3:30 pm, SPC Gym
Celebrating God’s Design for Commitment is live via satellite. Join thousands of couples all across America as we celebrate God’s design for commitment. At this marriage-strengthening simulcast we will tackle Christianity’s biggest challenges – empowering you and your spouse to stay faithful, committed and encouraged in your marriage. Excellent faculty, cost $35 per couple.

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 503.292.9293 x3083.

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.

Upcoming Events

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

January 31-Feb 1, High School Winter Play Day
February 2, Unemployment Support meeting, 7p
February 7, Helping Hands Food Drive
February 12-15, Middle School Winter Camp
February 21, All Church Conference (more info above)
February 27, Focus On Marriage (more info above)

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!