From Your Pastor

March 12, 2010

Hello Crew,
I am about to experience a phenomenon I’ve been warned about... Spring break in Mississippi. Yes, of course they have spring break in North Carolina – but I’ve been told that Jackson literally empties out – that our congregation scatters to the four winds and not to expect many people in worship on Sunday. Well, we’ll see. I told a group the other night that I’ll be here and that we’ll have some great music and a message from The Life You’ve Always Wanted series. So if you are having a fabulous time with family and friends at the beach, mountains, Disney, NASCAR, country cabin or visiting grandma – be at peace, have a great time and come back renewed and refreshed. Take pictures – I’d love to see what you’re up to.

As I write this, sun is streaming through the trees in my backyard whose reddish buds hold the promise of new life. How could this not be my favorite season? Daffodils, warm breezes and longer days – which remind me – don’t forget to “spring forward” your clocks Saturday night – we’re headed into Day Light Savings Time this Sunday!

Also remember our Lenten Self-denial offering which will be used to buy nutritious food for our Stop Hunger Now project for Haiti. Bring your offering on Palm Sunday the 28th and then return on Saturday the 3rd of April and we’ll pack the meals and get them ready for shipment.

Pray for our new Vibe outreach service that begins Palm Sunday at 9:30. We also need more servants in several areas for this service and the new Sunday School hour to flourish. Remember, we’re beginning Vibe to reach out to those who don’t currently have a church home. Once they come – our task will be to help them discover a path to grow at Christ followers. By the way, several asked if I enjoyed the Eric Clapton concert last Friday and my answer is yes, it was awesome - he is still the best rock and blues guitarist in the world, in my opinion. But he didn’t do my favorite song – Change the World. I was a bit disappointed, but really that’s our job, isn’t it? To change the world I mean. I believe the way to do that is to get people in a process of discipleship that as my colleague Mike Slaughter says, moves them from believers to followers; from donation to sacrifice, from moralistic principles to lifestyles of self-denial, from the pursuit of success to true significance. Disciples learn to drop everything they have into the hands of Jesus to be directed by God’s purpose.

We’ll be talking about that this week at the grace place and in our small groups.
Blessings,
David

Scripture Readings
Friday, March 12 - 2 Corinthians 5:9-10
Saturday, March 13 - Luke 9:23-25

Monday, March 15 - James 3:14-18
Tuesday, March 16 - Deuteronomy 4:9
Wednesday, March 17 - Jeremiah 6:16
Thursday, March 18 - Matthew 11: 28-30
Friday, March 19 - I Corinthians 9:25-27
Saturday, March 20 - I Corinthians 10:31

Psalm of the Week
Psalm 32

Key Scripture
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make melody. Psalm 57:7 NRSV

Centering Prayer
God of Love, center my heart in you.