Ephesians 3-4

This week begins a 3 week odyssey into Paul's letter to the Ephesians. We'll focus this week on the Function of the Church in Eph. 3:1-13. In these verses Paul talks about the mystery being revealed.
What is this mystery he is talking about?
Why is it a mystery?
Join us this Sunday as we honor and glorify the Maker of Man, the Revealer of Mysteries, the Savior.

Happy Father's Day!

New meaning. That's how I describe this Sunday since the birth of my daughter a year and a half ago. She has made me scream in frusteration, yawn in exhaustion, cry in complete joy, fret in helpless worry, and smile in content. It doesn't matter the day I'm having -when I walk through the door and hear a soft voice yelling in glee, "Daddy, daddy, daddy!" I melt into a feeling I didn't know existed.

I wonder how the Father feels (I wonder if the Father "feels" like we do) when he sees his children strive for righteousness and he hears us lifting our voices and hearts to him crying out, "Holy, holy, holy"? Join us this Sunday to celebrate the gift of fatherhood and worship our Daddy with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

A Mother's Day Memory

I'd like to take a minute and say thank-you to God's Holy Spirit directing us last Sunday for Mother's Day. A few of us worked hard to make the flow of the service, to make it special for mothers, and to give glory to God; but the Holy Spirit took our fish and loaves and turned it into an offering whose sweet aroma was pleasing to the Lord. I'm thankful for David sharing stories of his mother's love, and I'm thankful to John for sharing his honest and eloquent words about caring for Avis. It turned out to be a wonderful Mother's Day celebration and God's name was lifted up!

This Sunday

Is 30:15 "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength."

As iron cuts through play dough, I'm convicted by the truth in this verse. I'm too busy. Busy doing wonderful, meaningful things -but still busy. My pace is too quick to keep up. and I find myself missing much more important things than aromatic flowers: people. People who care, people who need caring. People who aren't people -they're family. And God has the time for them. He has the time for me. Why can't I slow down?

Another reason why I love to worship? It slows me down. It reminds me of the pace I should have, the path I should take, and the Place I should be looking to. This Sunday join us for a time of singing, learning, serving, and sitting around the Lord's Table. It will be a time of remembering and praise for the One who created and hold's time in His hand.

God's Blessings!

A Day of REmembering

Easter was a fantastic day at McKnight! 496 people crammed into the building to celebrate, learn, serve, and remember that Jesus Christ is a stronger than death! Special thanks to all those who helped out behind the scenes so many could enjoy the worship:

• The nursery workers who dealt with an overflow of crying, smelly babies. Thanks for serving!
• The Kid's Community & Kids of the Spirit teachers: if we didn't have a children's program, I don't know where they would have fit in the auditorium!
• The AV guys back there: slides and sound were great!
• The Praise Team: thanks for serving by using your talents!
• The drama people: thanks for connecting us with the message!

Thanks for being there this Sunday! As always, you're invited to worship with us again this Sunday at 10:00. God's blessings!

Preparing for the Tomb

Too many songs.
Too many praises.
Too many opportunities.
Too many ways to say thanks!

Easter is a Christian holiday (sorry Easter Bunny) and we have 2000 years of men and women worshipping God, praising him for the work he did in his Son and through his son. There's no way we could sing all the great resurrection songs in 1 week, so our cup overflows this Sunday as we prepare for Easter.

Join us for classics and contemporary -all proclaiming Christ as the Victor over death!

Over-Packing

I have a luggage set that consists of 3 bags and I lug these bags everywhere I go. There are times I get to set them down, but most of the time I'm straining my back to shoulder the unneccesary load. People glance my way as I stumble down the sidewalk and thoughts turn into words: "Where's he going that he needs all that?" "Why not get another bag instead of cramming it all in?" I feel their daggers, but my eyes reply, "It's none of your business."

If emotional baggage were visible this is how I'd look a lot of times. Stress, expectations and experiences can weigh us down and cause serious damage. It's why I value the words of Christ, "Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest."

This Sunday we're worshipping God, thanking him for the opportunity to lay our burdens at the cross. Join us in humility, leave us in thankfulness.