Worship Update 1/7

From Jay

Your new gift
The other day I was at a party, celebrating an announcement of a new life that was to be born several months from now. It was a gorgeous house, great food, great company. There were people there from all different churches. Within minutes, the topic of Sunset and where we are as a church came up and I was asked about it. Ever happen to you?

It is always humbling to listen to how people see it, hear it, view it from the outside… people not a part of our Sunset family. It is interesting to hear them say they actually read our facebook page, etc.
Something happened that night that changed my perspective big time. A couple that was there began to minister to me. They had been through a very painful situation at a church, similar in many ways to Sunset. The husband told me that he had received an “Honorary Phd” with all that he had learned. The wife had been on staff, led worship and the church had been their family.

They were able in a very short time to minister to me, to encourage me, to love me, in a way that others could not, or cannot, because this couple had been there.

We are about to start a new series in 2 Corinthians. Listen to these words from the first chapter:

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.

Have you ever looked at the hard stuff in your life that you have personally faced this way? To see your experiences as a gift that you are now able to help others with the comfort of God?? We wouldn’t choose it before we go through it, but the way God can redeem the hard times in our lives is a miracle only He can pull off. If you call Sunset home, you have a new gift to offer people that you may not have possessed before. Praise 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.

Mission ConneXion Northwest 2011Friday & Saturday, Jan 21 - 22, Our Church!
www.missionconnexion.com
We are hosting one of the largest conferences to take the gospel to the nations. Plan now to attend and/or volunteer. Admission is free, content is powerful! Volunteers check back page of Sunday’s bulletin to be contacted.


Upcoming Events
January 9, Communion Sunday
January 16, Pathways & Connections class starts
January 16, Choir & Orchestra Sunday plus Infant Baptism/Dedication
January 26, Alpha class starts
February 6, Super Bowl Party
February 14, Valentine’s Day
March 3, Peacemaking class starts