Our Not-So-Secret Weapon

It’s time for us to “Come Alive” again this weekend as a Christian community seeking to make signs of the resurrection evident within our personal lives and our life together!

As we do, I couldn’t help but be struck by a number of recent social media posts from individuals who are disgusted with the Bible. More specifically, they have declared that they are increasingly frustrated by those who “cherry-pick” scriptures verses to back up their particular stance or claim. Some have gone as far as saying that they are never going to open a Bible again!

Sadly, I can understand their reticence. I am disheartened to see how Scripture continues to be wielded as a weapon. Yet in that respect, I believe that we are blessed to be part of a tradition that has hopeful clarity to offer a world plagued by such tendencies. We have a lens through which to view the Scriptures in a way that helps to prevent or minimize examples of such abuse. It’s called… Jesus.

As we’ll explore in the sermon this Sunday, it isn’t that Jesus was completely objective in how he used the Hebrew Bible himself ; he did plenty of filtering and prioritizing as it turns out. But because of his living witness to the heart of our God, he helps us to understand why the Scriptures have authority in the first place and gives us a clear criteria (himself) for how we might read and use it in his wake. There’s lots to learn and appreciate! Join us this Sunday on-line.

Meanwhile, please know that our staff and teams are truly working hard to prepare for fellowship in-person (starting this Sunday morning from 9 to 10:30!) and worship in-person on April 25th. There is a lot to think through, plan for, and prepare. We appreciate your patience and understanding in the meantime!

We remind you to review the instructions elsewhere in this note for pre-registering for worship at 8:30 or 9:45, as we’ll need to limit the number of families we can accommodate safely at first. I strongly encourage you, if you are fully vaccinated, to sign up as a worship or hospitality assistant in one form or another as the roles have changed a bit. It will take many hands to gather safely. Help us make our community gathering a reality!

Sharing the Hope (and Work) of Resurrection!

Pastor Tim