Friends,

This Sunday is going to be great—plan on being with us as we’ll be sharing in the Lord’s Supper (always terrific!), AND our Boy Scout Troop is doing up its annual brunch for us after morning worship (always delicious!), AND we’ll meet our incoming Youth Director and his wife (Kim and Gabi) as he begins with us March 1, which is this Sunday. 

AND, you should plan on being present next Sunday, March 8, because you get the opportunity to worship an hour earlier than you have been (daylight savings time begins March 8), and I’m going to share some news on the basis of our 2020 Vision Team report to session. It’s part of the “next steps” planning that’s been underway. That’s all I’m going to say for the moment—don’t miss out!

March 15 during the 9AM hour, we’ll host a new member class—this is primarily an information session that will give you an overview of what’s next for those desiring membership in the congregation. There’s no obligation in attending. It’s informal as we’ll outline the options for membership. Even though the idea of membership seems to be fading in many churches, our denomination still counts on membership as a way of assessing its options for congregational support and regional oversight. The leadership roles of elder and deacon, along with MST facilitator and nominating committee member requires formal membership for those serving in these ways. Membership is a means (not the only means) of saying, “I’m in for all of it, the good and bad, the joy and the sorrow, the easy and tough—this is where I believe God wants me to be, so I’m in for the long haul.” It’s also a way of saying, “I’m giving you permission to speak into my life, and our bond of mutual commitment invites me to speak into yours as well.” There’s an accountability component to membership which helps us all stay on track as we live in the kingdom of Christ together. If that sounds like something you’d like to explore, come to Brookside Room on March 15, at 9AM, and we’ll chat about it.

We’re in the season of Lent. We’ll gather our thoughts around that during the message—I’m looking forward to being with you!

Warmly,
—frank