Worship Update 1/8

from Jay

In the in between times

When I was little we took a cross country trip in a car from Florida to Oregon. Even though it was over 25 years ago, I remember it. It took 5 unbelievably long days. The beginning of the trip was full of excitement, about the adventure and the journey, where we were heading and how great it was going to be to finally get there.

Soon though, the trip became a never ending saga of flat, viewless stretches of road with no air conditioning, and no cars to play the alphabet game on their license plates with my family. My life and existence became confined to the back seat of that plastic seated car, and soon I couldn’t remember where we were going, I was only lost in the present.

Life can feel this way. Your job can feel this way. Your marriage can feel this way. School can feel this way. Anything in your life that is worthwhile and takes time and effort and stamina can go through these stretches.

We kept driving, and eventually, slowly, the scenery began to change. Hills and landscape and trees began to emerge, and then we eventually saw it. The image that’s burned into my brain my entire life is of Mt. Hood in the distance taking my breath away and signaling we had made it, we were home, and the journey had been worth it.

You are somewhere on that journey today. You have either started something new, are arriving at a destination, or are somewhere in between in a place you can’t remember the start or the destination, all you know is you feel stuck in the back seat of a car you want out of.

I challenge you to remember what you are striving for, what your journey is all about, as we start this New Year together. We were made to glorify God with our lives, and we all do it in unique wonderful ways that matter and count and shape eternity. God does the majority of His work on our character in the in between car rides of our journey; so… if that is where you find yourself today, embrace it and keep going, Mt. Hood is out there.

Romans 8
18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.

Opportunities to Grow

Winter Spiritual Formation Class
Wednesdays, 7-8:30 pm, January 13 to April 7
“I’m Glad You Asked”
A spiritual formation class designed to provide men, women and couples a place to dialogue and find answers to the tough questions about Christianity. Where can you go when you are searching and struggling for answers about faith and God and life? What do you do if you want to investigate faith but without the pressure to commit? What do you do if you are a Christ follower and a friend asks you a question you don’t feel equipped to answer? This class taught by Jeff Hart, will help you dialogue with friends or allow you to investigate the claims of Christ and Christianity with truth and grace.

Jeff Hart is the Portland area director of Search Ministries. Search Ministries was created to help men and women who are searching for meaningful answers to life’s toughest questions. Search helps create non-threatening environments where people can ask and find answers from a Biblical perspective.
(“I’m Glad You Asked” workbook is $25)

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.

TURKEY Short-Term Ministry Opportunity
5 more team members needed!
SPC is partnering with People International, taking a short-term missions team to Istanbul, Turkey, June 19 - July 1. The purpose of this team will be to provide a children’s program for the children of missionaries, while their parents attend a weeklong conference. There will be opportunity to tour Istanbul and the city of Ephesus. Two of SPC’s missionary families are part of PI and will be
attending the conference.

Attend the last, no obligation, information meeting on Sunday, January 24, in Conference Room 2 (west end of lobby). Choose the best time for you: 10:15 to 11a or 12:15 to 1p

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.

Upcoming Events

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
Next Sunday, January 17…
Pancake Breakfast after morning services!
Hymn Night, 6:30p
Tuesday, January 19, check your bulletin for additional info…
Divorce Care, 6:30p, Upper Room
Unemployment Support, 7p Fireside Room

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!