Worship Update 5/21

From Jay

Excellence does not equal obedience

I am conflicted. I don’t want to write about this. I didn’t want to read about this in Ephesians today.

My flesh is at war with my spirit as I process this.

Excellence does not equal obedience.

I remember when I first started drinking bottled water. The hype was that your tap water had too many impurities; and that bottled water, taken from the source of a cold, fresh spring high on some heavenly glacier, and then strained through filters only half an atom could fit through, could be purchased at the gas station by my house. Then I hear on the news that many bottled water companies were selling water that was pretty much, bottled tap water. All they had to do was meet a certain standard of impurity in order to sell it. For the consumer, it looks like pure perfect water, plus it has a picture of a glacier on it. I’m getting really thirsty.

God doesn’t call me to excellent living. He doesn’t say, “Look around, see what the standard of living is for everyone who calls themselves a Christian, and try to keep up or do a little better.” He doesn’t ask me to figure out what level of impurity I can tolerate in my life, or what I can hide well that will look acceptable enough from the outside, then slap a Christian label on me and call it good. He doesn’t call me to excellence by my standards or yours… He calls me to obedience.

So then I read verses like these from Ephesians 5:
“3Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.

Immediately my first reaction is to rationalize, to compare, to see where I stack up to these verses in light of others, or even on my own scale of the past verses now. I begin to worry about what others would think of me if I lived this out completely, or what I might actually have to give up even when no one’s looking. I begin to think how I can put out my own bottled tap water in response.

God is calling me to obedience, not excellence. He is calling you too.


Got a story to share?
Share your story with Pastor Ron and the service planning team!
1. How have you learned to glorify God, serve others and grow to be like Christ through conflict in your life?
2. If you’ve had a conflict resolved in a redemptive and encouraging way, we want to hear your story!
Please respond with up to 100 words to janetfraser@sunsetpres.org by May 22.


Opportunities to Serve

Tickle The Ivories?
Sunday, May 23, 12:30 pm
We need you! Auditions are being held for piano and synth players on May 23 following the 11am Worship Service (around 12:30pm). Please contact tylerbraun@sunsetpres.org to schedule an audition time and to receive your audition packet.

Serve Once A Month – With a Great Team
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, it’s a great opportunity to get your feet wet in ministry. Interested? Please contact carriepeeples@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 carriepeeples@sunsetpres.org or call 503.292.9293 x3083.

Come support and bolster the immune system of the weekend services.
Help us inoculate them with powerful prayers.
Each week, a few of us gather to pray over the weekend services. We typically meet on the night of the service rehearsal, which is generally on Thursday. We'd love to have you join us, whenever it might fit in your schedule. Come once, monthly or weekly.

What to expect: We enjoy a devotional time together first, with the whole service team, at 7pm. That lasts about a half hour. Then we break off for a time of prayer that lasts about 45 minutes to an hour. Join us?
Occasionally the day/time varies. With that in mind, contact Melinda melindalgroth@gmail.com to verify the schedule.


Upcoming Events
May 31, Memorial Day
June 6, Choir & Orchestra Concert - immediately followed by a dessert potluck
to celebrate Jill Hofer’s time at Sunset, in the Fellowship Hall
June 12, Community Bike Safety Fair, 10a-2p, Sunset Parking Lot
June 20, Father’s Day