Worship Update 1/21

From Jay

The power of the gospel
Recently I was involved in helping interview someone for a ministry position in a small ministry located in the Portland area. This person had a long history with evangelical church ministry and service. There were lots of boxes to check off in the interview, including going over the basic questions of faith.

When I asked what it meant to be a Christian, there was a long, confusing response filled with some Christian sounding words and concepts, but void of clarity. I then asked how he understood someone comes to be saved… same type of reply. I kept trying to rephrase my question, suddenly realizing that I was literally crawling out of my skin to hear him say a few simple things back to me. That he had been lost, and spiritually dead in his sin. That the reality of Christ’s sacrifice for that sin had become real to him at some point, and that the gift of grace had been received. That he was forgiven. That he knew where he was heading based on the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and not any power of his own.

But it never came.

Over the next couple of days, I began to realize a couple of things. The first one is that the simplicity of the message of the gospel is also mysterious and a revelation. And the second is that I became more grateful for its power in my life.

For those of us who rely on the hope of the gospel, it is medicine to our souls when we hear it. We rejoice from the inside out because the wonder of it remains.

Take a moment today, and contemplate what has been revealed to you about the truth of Jesus Christ. That you were lost… that you’ve been found… that you are forgiven.

If the message isn’t clear to you, ask God to reveal Himself to you, until it is.

1 Corinthians 1:18: The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.


Opportunities to Serve
Artful ideas needed!As we begin service planning for the new series studying 2 Corinthians we are looking for ideas that use the arts on the theme of reconciliation; works of art, literature, music. Please post ideas on the Sunset worship Facebook page by clicking here or email them to janetfraser@sunsetpres.org.


Upcoming Events
January 26, Alpha class starts
January 30, Overflow Play Day
February 6, Super Bowl Party
February 13, Family Series for MS/HS Parents
February 14, Valentine’s Day
February 18-20, Wildfire Winter Camp
February 22, DivorceCare starts
February 27, Food Drive for Helping Hands
March 3, Peacemaking class starts
March 6, Divin’ In Class starts
March 13, Daylight savings Begins
March 21-25, Beaverton Spring Break