What a day!

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Steve Meyer better watch his back. If you haven’t met him, he’s one of our deacons and he leads our Alpha Ministry. He’s known for his humor and always kicks off the evening with a hilarious monologue. However, there’s a NEW KID IN TOWN, Aidan Wu.

This kid is F-U-N-N-Y! Here he is, cracking us up last Tuesday night at Alpha. If there was a thought bubble over Steve’s head, it might read: “Yikes, guess I better up my game if I wanna keep this gig.” OK, that anecdote is just to give you a little uplifting slice of church life. I wish I could capture the hundreds of beautiful moments on our campus last week.

Now, let’s look forward. Only 24 hours to go! I’m eager for us to be TOGETHER at the corner of N. Stelling and Homestead to begin the merry month of March. What’s going to happen? Just a CELEBRATION, that’s all. Let me sketch it out. Duane Gifford will be manning the crossing so we’re safe in the parking lot. Dave Ruder, John Mack and their teams have prepared songs (so bring your breath). We’ll be moved by a personal story from a thoughtful woman named Rosalie Banta whom you might not have met. And we’ll open the Bible, too. By the way, Kristin Adams made something beautiful for us to contemplate as we talk about our Lord’s teaching in Matthew 5:31-32. I’m excited for you to see what the Holy Spirit inspired her to create! We’ll also have a symbolic meal as Glen Miller helps us remember our Lord’s magnificent life, death and resurrection. We’ll have creative teachers like Debbie Hsieh building up our kids in Building #3. Technical people will adjust knobs and operate computers so we can see and ear. Susan VDB and her team will have coffee and treats as we enjoy the nine acres God has given us. So, if you’re “running on fumes,” please expect fresh power and resources for the seven days ahead.

By the way, I was just reading about US in the Bible. Yes, an ancient prophecy about US! It’s found in Isaiah 29:18-19:

“In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. 19 The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.”

We ourselves will hear and be lifted high by Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. Yes, I believe this is a prediction that our hearts will soar when we read Matthew 5-7 in particular. There are many connections between Isaiah’s words and Matthew’s record of Jesus’ Mountain Message.

OK, my daughter Rachael is at my elbow and she is INSISTING that play, so I better sign off! (“Yeah, Dad, get off the computer!)

With love in Christ,

Darren (and Rachael)