This past weekend, Amanda and I went away for a brief study break. I prayed for our church community. I drafted our fall series. And, I visited a few churches in the Seattle area. In every church, in every setting, there is always something beautiful that God is doing. In no way is any church perfect. After all, the church is group comprised of broken people looking to find hope and healing in Jesus. But, the church continues to be beautiful nonetheless–people are being challenged to live differently, light is breaking into darkness, lives are being restored, addictions are being broken, and forgiveness is running rampant.

Last week, our Community Life Pastor, Mike Kenyon, spoke about the crucifixion of Jesus and His victory over the powers of sin and evil. We marked the crucifixion by identifying our need to confess. Many of us came forward, literally nailing to the cross those things that have held us captive. In so doing we embodied what Jesus accomplished on the cross–putting to death the slave-making powers of sin and evil. What a potent depiction of God-at-work among us.

This week will be a particularly great week to invite some friends who are unsure about Jesus. We’ll talk about the one thing that was a game-changer for all of Jesus’ followers–the one thing that altered history forever. We’ll also highlight our brilliant, energetic, faithful, committed, endearing, compassionate Children’s Ministry in an extremely clever way.

Also, don’t forget to include your neighbors in whatever it is you might be doing on NEIGHBORDAY Weekend (formerly, “Labor Day”). Share your thoughts and pictures with the rest of us #mvneighborday.

See you on Sunday,

Jeff