I hope that somewhere in the course of your week you experienced some measure of God’s resurrection power – that you weren’t merely looking to have certain parts of your life merely resuscitated. The resurrection is the game-changer. The otherwise fearful, confused, and disorganized band of Jesus’ disciples were somehow galvanized together after Jesus’ crucifixion. Something had changed. Something was different in them, and unlike all the other “messiah-movements” of the time, theirs wasn’t extinguished when their leader was executed. All of us have been in the place where we needed more than “getting things back to the way they used to be.” We’ve had that experience of needing something that was otherwise dead within us, to be raised to new life. This, is what Jesus does. It’s what we believe and hope to see in and through the Mariners MV community.

That’s the heart behind NEIGHBORDAY. We want to give the people you work with, or go to school with, or the neighbors you live next to, a chance to encounter not the dogma of church tradition, but the people who belong to Jesus… YOU! So, throw a great party. Invite people. Include people. That’s what we do around here. You already do such a great job at it. I get to see it every week when I see the kindness and hospitality of our church toward visitors. So, ratchet up your same spirit of warmth to your own neighbors. People love to be included – even if they have to decline. Because this Labor Day weekend is now “NEIGHBORDAY,” who will you include? What are your plans? Share your ideas using the hashtag #mvneighborday so people can get some ideas.

As we continue to be the inclusive and invitational church God has called us to be, it’s clear there’s a vital need for caring volunteer leaders who care about our kids. What a great church! Last week, we highlighted our Children’s Ministry and so many of you stepped up to take critical roles within “Port Mariners.”  If you’re still looking for a place to serve on Sundays, Port Mariners is a great place to put some of your gifts to good use. Contact Becky for more information.

See you this Sunday,
Jeff