Worship Update 11/5

From Jay

We are not alone
A friend lent me a book that I started reading today about preventing and overcoming church conflict. Dozens of examples and stories from churches have been crafted into one story, to show common ways a church family enters into serious conflict.

What we are going through at Sunset is a new experience for me. For some of you it is new as well. Others of you have seen this before in former churches you attended, some of you more than once. What struck me immediately as I began reading this book was how similar the situations and examples mirrored Sunset’s, as if the writer had somehow been spying on us before he wrote his book.

The explanation for this is that human nature is human nature, and it is played out similarly in churches all the time. Different names, different timings, different specifics, but the players are all human like you and me. We are not alone.

I have learned and am learning a lot about myself through what we are experiencing together right now. One huge one is that I am learning to be less judgmental towards people’s reactions. There are literally thousands of complexities in someone’s life, from their childhood, parents, friends, experiences, beliefs, circumstances, education, and even down to how they slept the night before that go into how they respond to a current crisis. I have to let people be people. I can only control my response, not someone else’s, not yours.

I think where you and I can come together on the other side of an initial wave of response, is looking out for each other, and to extend grace to one another, and love.

1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 10:24
No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

We are not alone. We have God, and we have each other.


Opportunities To Serve

5:30p Volunteers neededIf you are a regular attender of the 5:30 gathering we would love to have you come and serve once a month. We are looking for people to help with in the following roles. Ushers and PowerPoint operators. For more information or to sign up contact janetfraser@sunsetpres.org

Serve Once A Month – With a Great TeamWe are in need of ushers for the 11am service. 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 HelpWe 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
November 6, Marriage Simulcast – Love & War
November 7, Daylight Savings Ends
November 24, Thanksgiving Eve Service 7pm, A Celtic Thanksgiving
November 25, Thanksgiving Day
December 12, Choir Concert, 6:30pm
December 24, Christmas Eve Services 3pm, 5pm and 10pm
December 25, Christmas Day
January 1, New Year’s Day