tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74112182024-03-07T11:28:04.657-08:00REVNORMANThe everyday life of a presbyterian/reformed ministerStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.comBlogger244125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-23177975127787963822013-11-22T11:45:00.000-08:002013-11-22T11:45:16.153-08:00Welcome To Our World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbidZsNy50jygaLtl9P7OdF5xUqcckiOxqhNaMqKqrblD7-Z5rsp7kXdfVBnXVR9bx3kx3rUtW0ZW-YwqIDZu7_dkenZefSWaUNHRED8zuCRDHFTztjmix6FUxdoMl4lil9tB/s1600/WelcomeToOurWorld.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbidZsNy50jygaLtl9P7OdF5xUqcckiOxqhNaMqKqrblD7-Z5rsp7kXdfVBnXVR9bx3kx3rUtW0ZW-YwqIDZu7_dkenZefSWaUNHRED8zuCRDHFTztjmix6FUxdoMl4lil9tB/s320/WelcomeToOurWorld.jpg" /></a></div>
Advent is the Christian holiday to welcome and celebrate the coming of Jesus into our world. Advent means coming or arrival. Our Lord, the one who was and is and is to come, came first as a babe in Bethlehem on a holy mission to proclaim the Kingdom of God and save us from sin and death. He is with us now, dwelling among us by the presence of the Holy Spirit. And he will come again to our world at the end of time to make all things right.
John the Baptist came with a message saying, “Prepare the way of the Lord”. God told John that, even though the people had the prophecies and promises and were waiting, their hearts and souls were not ready for His arrival. John called the people to repent, consecrate themselves and make straight the crooked and wild places in their lives because the King was coming – in fact He was already at the door. That was over 2000 years ago. Every year Advent causes us to ask again: Are we ready for the coming of the True King? Are we prepared to welcome him to our world?
This Advent, let’s welcome Jesus and prepare for his advent in our world.
Welcome to Our World by Chris Rice
Tears are falling
Hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You've been promised
We've been waiting
Welcome holy Child
Welcome holy Child
Hope that You don't mind our manger
How I wish we would have known
But long-awaited holy Stranger
Make Yourself at home
Please make Yourself at home
Bring Your peace
Into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking heaven's silence
Welcome to our world
Welcome to our world
Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
Unto us is born
So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect Son of God
Perfect Son of God
Welcome to our world
CCLI Song # 2317391 CCLI License # 751712
Chris Rice
© 1995 Clumsy Fly Music (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.)Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-85905264330574773832013-11-22T11:42:00.000-08:002013-11-22T11:42:53.206-08:00What is a relational covenant?After the Relational Covenant Workshop, the Vitality Team began working on the writing of our Relational Covenant. A Relational Covenant is guide for how to deal with conflict and hard conversations in our church family. Relational Covenants are not new. They are found all through scripture from the Garden of Eden to Mount Sinai and in Paul’s letters to the early church.
Actually every family and every church already has a relational covenant. But they might not know it! We all have ways that we “agree” to handle issues and conflicts. Only we might have never actually spoken about these ways to handle conflict or even discussed how we view the role of conflict in our lives. In most of our families and churches we “agree” by simply slip into these ways and habits over the years.
Problems arise when the ways that we deal with issues and conflicts have never really been explained or even discussed. Sometimes the accepted ways we deal with issues and conflicts are neither healthy nor Biblical. Sometimes issues and conflicts are not resolved and linger hidden under the surface coloring all we do. Sometimes important differences are never realized, truth is not spoken in love, and growth does not take place because conflict is feared.
A Relational Covenant is not a law, but a lifestyle. A Relational Covenant is just as much about process as it is about outcome. It is also something that we need to talk about and understand and practice as we seek to grow in Christ and serve Him together.
On Sunday January 12, 2014, we will have a special Service of Consecration. This will be a time to set ourselves apart for God’s use, let go of the past, commit ourselves to follow him today and also follow Him into the new future He has prepared for us. It will also be a day to lift up our Relational Covenant and agree to use it as way of dealing with the conflicts and issues that naturally face us as we walk with Jesus together. Please be in prayer for our church family as we continue to boldly step into God’s new future. Make an effort to attend worship on January 12 and encourage others to attend.
Following the Service of Consecration, we will have two weeks for each friend and member of New Hope to complete a brief on-line survey, Pulse, that will help guide our strategic ministry planning.
Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-66314421348187864322012-12-02T16:05:00.001-08:002012-12-02T16:05:50.202-08:00Advent Conspirarcy<br />
<div style="min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <b>During the holidays </b>advertisers are doing everything in their power and budget to creatively increase your level of dissatisfaction and get you out of that easy chair and into the mall. Or at least to the computer on their website, credit card in hand. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Big Business thrives on our dissatisfaction, displeasure and unhappiness. Why? Because the more displeased, dissatisfied and unhappy you are- the more profits for Wal-Mart, Kmart, Costco, Macy’s, Nordstrom’s, Honda, Toyota, Ford, Volkswagen, Apple and Microsoft…. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Intended or unintended there is spill over. In a consumer culture it is normal to become chronically critical, dissatisfied, unhappy, hard to please people. We also become dissatisfied with our homes, our spouses, our kids, our church, ourselves. And maybe even God…. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Bible teaches that there is another conspiracy in the works. An Advent Conspiracy. God is conspiring to enter your heart, change your life, pluck you out of the dissatisfaction conspiracy and plant you firmly in the kingdom of God. There is intended spill over. We become people who are changed and filled with a love for God, a love for life and a love for others. As we change, so does the world around us. We can trace this conspiracy back to Abraham and Moses, but it is seen most clearly in a baby born in a stable in Bethlehem, 2000 years ago. Christmas is about his birth and rule and reign as the true king of our world and the entire universe. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We need to understand that Wall Street has conspired to thwart Christmas and turn it into yet another moneymaking opportunity. And we need to admit that they have done a pretty good job of hijacking our holiday. This holiday season let’s take back Christmas. Come be a part of the Advent Conspiracy. Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, Love All. </span><br />
Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-83677646650217858372012-04-30T19:45:00.002-07:002012-04-30T19:45:30.695-07:00Global and National Day of PrayerI urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2: 1 - 4
This month we celebrate both the National Day and Global Day of Prayer- Special days of prayer set aside as a reminder that we are to pray for our nation and world on a regular basis. This year the pastors in Fremont are asking Christians to assemble at their communities flag pole and pray at noon on May 3. This could be city hall, school flagpole, post office, or library. We will celebrate Global Day of Prayer in worship on Pentecost Sunday.
As we pray for our nation and world we need to remember that God’s kingdom has no geographical or national boundaries. How can we be citizens of a kingdom without boundaries? Peter writes about this in his first letter. Peter tells us that God’s people are chosen race, a holy priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for God’s own possession. He is also very quick to remind us that once we were not a people, we were separated from God and each other, but now we are the people of God, united by the common bond of belonging to our savior, Jesus Christ. With this is mind, Peter urges Christians live as resident aliens, like those with dual citizenship. Have you ever noticed that we have two flags in our sanctuary? One is the national flag. The other flag is the Christian flag. We have two flags in our sanctuary to remind us that live in two kingdoms – The kingdom of God and USA. Christians live in geographical countries and we have ethnic cultural backgrounds , but our true allegiance, our true citizenship is the kingdom of God.
Through out history and even today many Christians live in countries where they do not experience the religious freedoms that we enjoy. During the early years of the church the Roman government oppressed and persecuted those who followed Jesus. They did not have a vote or voice in politics as we do today. It is interesting that despite persecution, Paul instructed the church, in as much as it was possible, to obey the laws of the land, pray for national leaders, and live at peace with their neighbors. When the law of the land commanded worship of Caesar as God, the church found that it was not always possible to submit to Roman rule. Jesus taught to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to give to the Lord what is the Lord’s. Worship belonged to God, not to Caesar. When the early Christians refused to worship Caesar, they were saying, “Yes, we live in Roman and might even be Roman citizens but our primarily allegiance is to Jesus – not Caesar.” Many early Christians paid with their lives for proclaiming Jesus as Lord, but even in the face of oppressive cruel governments the Bible says we are to pray for our nation and nation’s leaders.
What are we to pray concerning our nation and national leaders? Especially when they do things and promote things that are not pleasing to God? We can pray that they would come to follow the Lord and be lead by him. We can pray that they would practice justice and mercy, protect the hurting and oppressed, and do the will of God – even if they don’t know God. An interesting study would be to read through Scripture and find all the times that nations and leaders who were opposed to God, were actually used by God to accomplish God’s purposes. You might be surprised at all the times God did just that! Psalm 33: 10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
We have an awesome privilege in our country- we get to vote for our leaders and
we have a voice in our government. We live in a beautiful land rich with freedoms and opportunity. But in our freedoms and national pride we need to be careful in our prayers. We need to pray not so much that God would be on our nation’s side. but that our nation would turn and be on God’s side… For our hope is not in who sits in the white house – our hope is in the Lord who breathes stars into existence and thwarts the plans of nations. His plans are accomplished and stand firm forever. Let’s pray often for our leaders to be in line with plans of God.Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-15457107025700773992011-08-23T16:18:00.001-07:002011-08-23T16:18:34.494-07:00Small things done with great loveMaybe you are like me. I believe with all my heart that part of following Jesus is to share my faith with others, but in reality I find this very hard to do. When it comes to talking to someone about my faith, I can think of a hundred reasons why it is not the time or place and oh- by the way did I forget to take out the trash or brush the cat? I recently rediscovered a classic book on sharing the good news of Jesus that is helping me with this. You might have read it or heard about it. It is Out of the Salt Shaker and Into the World by Rebecca Pippert. This book was written about 32 years ago has much to say that the church still needs to hear and practice.
<br />Rebecca Pippert kick’s off the book with her now famous quote, Christians and non-Christians have something in common. We’re both uptight about evangelism. The idea of telling other people about our faith in Jesus seems awkward at best and offensive at worst. It seems like an extra chore or task added to an already busy and weary life. Becky turns that around and shows how faith sharing can be a normal, natural part of our Christian lives. Sharing about our faith becomes something we get to do instead of something we have to do. When we are relaxed with ourselves and in love with Jesus the good news just flows from us with out us even realizing it. On the other hand if we are uptight, bitter or cynical about life and God, that flows out too. Sheldon Vanauken wrote, The best argument for Christianity is Christians; their joy, their certainty, their completeness. But the biggest argument against Christianity is also Christians – when they are somber and joyless, when they are self-righteous and smug in complacent consecration, when they are narrow and repressive, then Christianity dies a thousand deaths.
<br />
<br />The reality is that we can only authentically share what we know to be true and have come to experience in our own lives. The Apostle John writes We saw it, we heard it, and now we're telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy! (1 Jn 1:3,4 The Message) We must know Jesus if we are to share Jesus and even then we only can bear witness to what we know from the word and from experience.
<br />We can share with words and we can share with deeds. Usually words and deeds work best in tandem. God knew that words alone lacked power and credibility and that actions alone could be easily misunderstood. That is why the word became flesh and dwelt among us. That we would hear, see, know and experience God among us.
<br />One of the many ways we share our faith at New Hope is by connecting with people through simple acts of kindness (deeds) that hopefully, by God’s grace, might lead to spiritual conversations (words). Since this doesn’t come naturally we need to practice so we can grow and it can become a natural normal part of our lives. On Nov. 5th we will practice kind deeds by going through the neighborhood and offering to replace batteries in smoke detectors. Starting in September we will be collecting batteries. Right now you can begin praying that God would open doors for good connections and good conversations that will bump people a bit closer to Jesus.
<br />Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-3318380840824521892011-03-30T16:21:00.001-07:002011-03-30T16:21:44.221-07:00Easter is coming!Easter is a special Sunday when we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the grave, victorious over sin and death. What good news we have to share with the world around us. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! I think we sometimes loose sight of the wonderful message that God has given us to share. This world seems to be in a tailspin, with earthquakes, tsunamis, nuclear meltdowns, wars and rumors of wars. It is important that God’ people remember that God has not given up on us. The risen Lord is still moving across the world, reaching the lost, healing the broken and changing lives. The surprising thing is that He has chosen to do this through us. Those who love and follow Jesus are his hands and feet in the world today.<br />There are many ways to serve the Lord and share his love. Isaiah puts it this way: and if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. Is 58:10 We can boldly spend ourselves on behalf of God because He has freely given himself for us. God desires that we bless others as He has blessed us. And He has blessed us abundantly.<br />Saturday April 23, the day before Easter, we will be sharing the good news of Jesus by way of a simple act of kindness. We will meet at the church at 10 Am and then head over to a local self-serve car wash to dry cars. Why dry cars? It is a simple way of letting people know that God loves them. It is also a simple way for us to learn how to bless people. I hope you can come and help. Many towels are needed for this event, so please bring towels to worship and leave them in the basket in the lobby.<br />Another way you can spend yourself in blessing others is to step outside your comfort zone and bring a friend or neighbor to worship. When surveyed about how people came to be part of a church the number one answer is that someone brought me to church. Think of someone you know who needs a touch from the Lord, ask them if you can pick them up on Easter Sunday. Come worship the Lord!<br />Pastor SteveStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-71847020174974954402011-03-23T11:41:00.000-07:002011-03-23T12:00:36.933-07:00lent at New Hope<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Al4viVGHjNm7VsYlBnH1TVQMivlKjSe-b_biqIZU1mgRQyW1lR67bcQrXaPGNxmpgmm4bgqfdxH2lBav5Cp0KESUn5CAQqkDI5kN_yxlULy_hr_cOhzlvTB8NWP7zlqnb32_/s1600/IMG_0235.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Al4viVGHjNm7VsYlBnH1TVQMivlKjSe-b_biqIZU1mgRQyW1lR67bcQrXaPGNxmpgmm4bgqfdxH2lBav5Cp0KESUn5CAQqkDI5kN_yxlULy_hr_cOhzlvTB8NWP7zlqnb32_/s320/IMG_0235.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587351350106299314" /></a><br />A special addition to worship during lent is art work by Ron Garcia. Most folks at church know Ron as our bass player, but he is also a very accomplished artist. Each Sunday, Ron is painting a picture based on the sermon and theme for the day. Jim Olsen has made big cut out letters for each Sunday's theme. Thanks Jim and Ron! After worship the pictures are hung along with the theme word in the lobby. Ron also is a professional picture hanger and art display person. We will use all the pictures on Maundy Thursday for our worship celebration that evening.Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-71919281726669709752011-02-22T11:18:00.000-08:002011-02-22T11:19:43.186-08:00Lent 2011The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. <br />These are the well-known words of the best known and best loved Psalm – Palm 23. Many of us memorized it as children and we hear it read at many funerals. We see it on plaques, wall hangings and sympathy cards with a portrait of Jesus carrying a lamb.<br />The Psalm does reference the valley of the shadow of death, but it is not a death chant forever to be lost in funeral liturgies! This is a life song! It is a hymn of praise and joy about a living relationship with a living God. Lambs can be cute, but this psalm is not a children’s story. This is a song about real life. Life packed with danger, predators and enemies. Life packed with joys, wonder and adventure. <br />What could a song about a shepherd and his sheep, written some thousand years before Jesus, have to do with us? Plenty! Come to worship during Lent and discover and explore the 23rd Psalm. Each week we the message will apply a line or phrase of the psalm to our lives and walk with God. Ron Garcia will create a work of art based on the message each Sunday while I preach. We will have moving music and other visuals – but most of all we will gather to praise God and come to a deeper understanding of what it means to be his people and the sheep of his pasture.<br />Lent is about our walk with God. Let’s walk through the 23rd Psalm together as we prepare our hearts during lent (March 9 – April 17) for the celebration of Easter Sunday (April 24).Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-53605252428318759052010-05-27T14:26:00.000-07:002010-05-27T14:27:14.383-07:00New Sermon Series Starting June 27 at New HopeOne day Jesus’ disciples came to him and made this request: “Lord, teach us to pray.” Of all the requests and questions the disciples brought to the master, I have a feeling that this was one of His favorites. This was music to Jesus’ ears! “Lord, teach us to pray.”<br /><br />Who taught you how to pray? When did you learn how to pray? Was it bedtime prayers with mom and dad? Someone saying Grace before a meal? Sunday School? A Prayer group? Maybe it was the night you knelt by your bed and asked Christ to be your Lord and savior? Maybe it was in the hospital? Or by a graveside? Whenever and wherever it was and even if you don’t remember - at some point you learned how to pray. <br /><br />I am intrigued by this idea of learning how to pray. Is prayer really something we have to learn how to do? Doesn’t it come naturally? Why can’t I just pray in a way that I enjoy, that feels comfortable to me, that suits my schedule, that makes me feel fulfilled and happy? Well, that would make sense if you were simply talking to yourself or only talking to the four walls. But if prayer is talking to God, then I am in a conversation with a person. And if I am having a conversation, then I am part of a relationship - a relationship with the Lord God king of the universe. And maybe, just maybe God has some preferences on how he would like to be addressed. <br /><br />This example might help. I was teaching the children’s Sunday School class a few years ago and one of the children wanted my attention and called out over all the others. She got my attention!<br /><br />“Hey, Steve!” <br />“Just who are you talking to? I don’t want you to just call me Steve.”<br />“Oh, so do you want me to call you Pastor Steve like everyone else does?”<br />“No, I don’t want you to call me Steve or Pastor Steve because you are not everyone else. You are one of a select group of the only three individuals on this planet who are allowed to call me Dad - and I don’t want either of us to forget that.”<br /><br />It was my daughter who was trying to get my attention. She accomplished her goal, but I don’t think she was pleased with the attention she received. I was not happy with the way she addressed me. It is important that she call me, Dad, because that is our precious relationship to each other. Jesus teaches us to pray, “Our Father, who art in heaven” because that is how God wants His children to address Him. We never can forget that God is a person and not a force or a thing. Prayer is conversation with the Living God, who loves us deeply, and is always to be honored, respected and worshiped as Lord and God.<br /><br />I hope you join me in worship as we learn how to pray by studying the Lord’s Prayer.Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-36239052728639926872010-04-29T15:47:00.001-07:002010-04-29T15:48:34.913-07:00New Hope Church Signs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DTU-4Cq879-PMr0Og_JTYTskQYPqlHk3533OjcWvKom3VzIPjyI_gtprjmH_31J_sybLwQFKrDa-pTLwmxnWGbc7EbJI-MonG_zrDQYcrJx6E6ijyaZc-e6MaSjw3AaauUBl/s1600/IMG_0687.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DTU-4Cq879-PMr0Og_JTYTskQYPqlHk3533OjcWvKom3VzIPjyI_gtprjmH_31J_sybLwQFKrDa-pTLwmxnWGbc7EbJI-MonG_zrDQYcrJx6E6ijyaZc-e6MaSjw3AaauUBl/s320/IMG_0687.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465695097291584210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1wBFVvLiQI1MUr9bcOtam7vcLjFQMw0_Cv-XOW6dMpwko17WzqEsHo5jzyCNENWurtIhRH1FZucu5udtOK1Z74XBxk2oyq9AaJs-iUJgen9JmKHC8FONHT4NYWG7nb10-UeY/s1600/IMG_0686.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1wBFVvLiQI1MUr9bcOtam7vcLjFQMw0_Cv-XOW6dMpwko17WzqEsHo5jzyCNENWurtIhRH1FZucu5udtOK1Z74XBxk2oyq9AaJs-iUJgen9JmKHC8FONHT4NYWG7nb10-UeY/s320/IMG_0686.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465695085515286770" /></a>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-79169588740688674572010-04-26T11:42:00.001-07:002010-04-26T11:43:30.695-07:00Church Sign<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpnT3eCxPy_HmxQ8grFFTvNjScE2zoYL4L3cysONyaF1lBZ78D6Aq4ZAOnKboRxd7IgsKQSne3XEkoInUsn58hZBgb1ztP_9k7fE_XyFV-yMUfsxZnbdYU2PqvJwbpnFyRi1F/s1600/sign.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpnT3eCxPy_HmxQ8grFFTvNjScE2zoYL4L3cysONyaF1lBZ78D6Aq4ZAOnKboRxd7IgsKQSne3XEkoInUsn58hZBgb1ztP_9k7fE_XyFV-yMUfsxZnbdYU2PqvJwbpnFyRi1F/s320/sign.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464518688468727650" /></a>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-2947378392026797322010-04-26T09:40:00.001-07:002010-04-26T09:41:06.420-07:00Summertime is coming soon!There is an old blues song that is ringing in my ears this morning: <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Summertime, and the living is easy. <br />Catfish are jumping, and the cotton is high. </span><br /><br />May is just getting here, but this is the time when most of us are firming up our summer plans. The days have been getting nicer. The sun is shining. Summertime is right around the corner. I’ve been thinking of camping, getting away to Lake Almanor, fishing, Spirit West Coast, Vacation Bible School and all good things summer. And of course my upcoming wedding in June is foremost in all my thoughts about summer. <br /><br />As you get your summer plans in order, I want to plant a seed and get a plug in for the Lord. Vacations are good and God wants us to find times of rest and reconnection, but we never take a vacation from God. It is easy to allow worship and time with God to fall to second or third place and even be forgotten during the summer. I would encourage you to keep God present in your summer plans. Think of things like: How can I arrange my plans so I don’t miss worship on Sunday? If we’re away over a Sunday, what church could we visit? What can I do to help my family be aware of God’s presence during our vacation time? <br /><br />That old blues song has another line that I love: <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">One of these mornings, you're gonna rise up singing<br />You're gonna spread your wings and take the sky</span><br /><br />I feel like that is happening at New Hope. I have been so pleased and energized by the good participation and growing attendance on Sunday mornings. There have been many good reports from members and visitors of how they have been growing closer to God through being a part of New Hope. A recent visitor commented, “I really enjoyed your services - very on the mark and informal. I loved the message on love and the spirit-filled worship.” I also keep hearing great reports that we are warm and welcoming church. I am hoping that over the summer this trend will continue. May all our vacations and summertime fun bring us closer to God and renew and refresh us to serve the King of Kings with heart and soul and mind and strength at New Hope Community Church!Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-43746633590984506702010-04-07T15:25:00.001-07:002010-04-07T15:28:19.147-07:00New Hope Church Signs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMc00x_bZRKhtqxIMXwafD0RROZK5ox26Tb0P1WsKnTjnRsDMkZg6c5v-TdQJVjI5US1kl7mLSS8Q324wd0fjyd9xauXdiW6F7hTs8wqBTwA-fmVCM0acz7sRWqfQshgQnc7k/s1600/IMG_0605.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMc00x_bZRKhtqxIMXwafD0RROZK5ox26Tb0P1WsKnTjnRsDMkZg6c5v-TdQJVjI5US1kl7mLSS8Q324wd0fjyd9xauXdiW6F7hTs8wqBTwA-fmVCM0acz7sRWqfQshgQnc7k/s320/IMG_0605.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457525995284703650" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIM0LgCIqvQkTlHsRgW14SJ5R7bbTWZO4P3Jw6oEvaf0RMgTlYEDa9Kt2wq9CEnwjA942XegGTHopqKxHiz4HK4FmGy125kutmk4j5o_JT856-HiLVpxVR9d1tTydlQq6e-3VO/s1600/IMG_0604.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIM0LgCIqvQkTlHsRgW14SJ5R7bbTWZO4P3Jw6oEvaf0RMgTlYEDa9Kt2wq9CEnwjA942XegGTHopqKxHiz4HK4FmGy125kutmk4j5o_JT856-HiLVpxVR9d1tTydlQq6e-3VO/s320/IMG_0604.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457525988238178226" /></a><br />Hey - It has been a while since I've posted!Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-53981073681868790612010-02-02T16:37:00.001-08:002010-02-02T16:37:36.962-08:00New Sermon SeriesI am currently preaching a verse-by-verse series on First John. At first glance John’s letter may not look like much. It is one of the shorter books of the Bible. The vocabulary is very limited. John uses few and very simple words. He repeats himself a lot. You could read through it in less than 20 minutes. But don’t judge this little book by size or vocabulary. Take a second look. Spend some time in it and you will see that is rich and full and jam packed with meaning, insights and application. <br />It’s a lot like my fiancé’s chocolate decadent cake. On the outside it looks like a nice simple little cake. But one bite in you realize that you have bitten into much more than you ever expected! This cake is much more rich and flavorful than expected. It must be savored and eaten in small bites to be appreciated. That’s why we are taking 1 John in small verse-by-verse sections each Sunday and slowing down, taking our time and truly savoring the rich message of 1 John.<br />John’s message comes from the heart of a man who was best friends with Jesus. They worked side by side. They laughed together, ate together, walked many miles together and shared both joys and sorrows. When John wrote this letter it was near the end of his life. He was an old grandfather in the faith writing to his spiritual grandchildren, second and third generation believers who did not see Jesus when He walked the earth. They did not witness the miracles, hear the preaching, or touch the risen body of Christ. John is concerned that they know the true authentic Gospel. That is the core of this letter.<br />First John is very much a message for us. As Jesus said in John’s Gospel: "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." That’s us! We live centuries after the 33 short years that Jesus walked the earth. In those 33 short years Jesus did so much that John says the world could not contain all the books that could be written about Jesus the Messiah. Yet John packs the main ideas about what it means to follow Jesus in five short chapters! I hope you will join me as we unpack First John and apply it to our lives Sundays 9:30 AM at New Hope.Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-7616309757889409132010-01-04T11:33:00.000-08:002010-01-04T11:34:43.822-08:00HANDBOOK for 2010Someone sent me this today. I really like it! It is being posted on my desk wall.<br />Health: <br />1. Drink plenty of water. <br />2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar. <br />3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants & eat less food that is manufactured in plants. <br />4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.<br />5. Make time to pray. <br />6. Play more games.<br />7. Read more books than you did in 2009. <br />8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.<br />9. Sleep for 7 hours. <br />10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile. <br /><br />Personality: <br />11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. <br />12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment. <br />13. Don't over do. Keep your limits. <br />14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. <br />15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip. <br />16. Dream more while you are awake. <br />17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.<br />18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness. <br />19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others. <br />20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present. <br />21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. <br />22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime. <br />23. Smile and laugh more. <br />24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. <br /><br />Society: <br />25. Call your family often. <br />26. Each day give something good to others. <br />27. Forgive everyone for everything. <br />28. Spend time w/people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6. <br />29. Try to make at least three people smile each day. <br />30. What other people think of you is none of your business. <br />31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. <br /><br />Life: <br />32. Do the right thing! <br />33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. <br />34. GOD heals everything. <br />35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.<br />36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. <br />37. The best is yet to come. <br />38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it. <br />39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-73177980644791770242009-10-27T22:45:00.000-07:002009-10-27T22:46:42.318-07:00Thanksgiving is the life we a called to live as followers of Jesus.A praise song that speaks deep into my heart is Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman:<br /><br />Blessed be your name
<br />In the land that is plentiful
<br />Where the streams of abundance flow
<br />Blessed be your name<br /><br />Blessed be your name
<br />When I'm found in the desert place
<br />Though I walk through the wilderness
<br />Blessed be your name<br /><br />Every blessing you pour out,<br />I turn back to praise
<br />When the darkness closes in,<br />Lord, still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord<br /><br />I love this song. It reminds me that the test of my faith is found in the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart. What comes out of me is evidence of what is inside me. Am I filled with thankfulness to God or bitterness and resentments? Every year Thanksgiving reminds me that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart are to be a thankful response for the wonderful love that God has poured out to everyone of us in His Son, our Lord. <br /><br />This song causes me to ponder two basic questions:<br />Can I appreciate and love God when life is hard? <br />Can I appreciate and love God when everything is going right? <br /><br />You wouldn’t think praising God in times of abundance would be a challenge, but it can be. It is so easy to forget whom the goodness comes from and attribute it to circumstance or ourselves. In times of abundance we can quickly forget to thank the Lord from whom all blessings flow. When life is hard and things don’t go according to our plans we can slip into bitterness and lose faith and trust in the Lord. Faith is the assurance of the sure and certain hope we have in the goodness and love of God whether we have much or little; whether life is easy or hard. <br /><br />The longest section of the Heidelberg Catechism is titled simply, Thankfulness. And teaches us that God has saved us at great expense so that “in our whole life we may show the ourselves grateful to God for his goodness”. For Christians, Thanksgiving is not just a day in November. Thanksgiving is the life we a called to live as followers of Jesus.Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-36331605417522325492009-10-03T23:06:00.000-07:002009-10-03T23:07:49.661-07:00Solitude and Silence from Life TogetherSolitude and Silence<br /><br />Let him who cannot be alone beware of community. He will only do harm to himself and to the community. Alone you stood before God when he called you; alone you had to answer that call; alone you had to struggle and pray; and alone you will die and give an account to God. You cannot escape from yourself; for God has singled you out. If you refuse to be alone you are rejecting Christ’s call to you, and you can have no part in the community of those who are called. “The challenge of death comes to us all, and no one can die for another. Everyone must fight his own battle with death by himself, alone. . . . I will not be with you then, nor you with me” (Luther).<br /><br />But the reverse is also true: Let him who is not in community beware of being alone. Into the community you were called, the call was not meant for you alone; in the community of the called you bear your cross, you struggle, you pray. You are not alone, even in death, and on the Last Day you will be only one member of the great congregation of Jesus Christ. If you scorn the fellowship of the brethren, you reject the call of Jesus Christ, and thus your solitude can only be hurtful to you. “If I die, then I am not alone in death; if I suffer they [the fellowship] suffer with me” (Luther).Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-6638903682138584142009-09-30T23:35:00.000-07:002009-09-30T23:36:26.706-07:00Open the eyes of my heart. I want to see you.There is a praise song I loved to sing a few years ago that you might remember: Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. Open the eyes of my heart. I want to see you. I want to see you. <br />That song lyric is taken from a prayer that the Apostle Paul prays for the Church in Ephesus. Paul prays: I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.<br />We don’t think of our hearts having eyes. In fact this is the only place in scripture where this phrase is used. Paul is talking about our spiritual eyes. Jesus often said, He who has ears let him hear. Of course, everyone Jesus was speaking to had ears – but were they really hearing the message? Jesus’ people are to be people with vision. Vision is seeing clearing what God is doing now in the midst of us. Seeing what God is doing does not come naturally. Our natural vision is focused on ourselves, others, circumstances, and things. Vision from God, seeing with the eyes of our heart, is focused on things from above. The eyes of our hearts see things that are unseen by natural eyes.<br /> I pray that God would open the eyes of our hearts to see what God is doing in the midst of us at New Hope. Paul prayed that the eyes of the Ephesians’ hearts would be opened as to have a clear vision of the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. I pray that the eyes of our New Hope hearts would be opened to the same things. We have been blessed with gifts and riches and power in the Spirit- abundantly supplied by our God and Father. The eyes of my heart were opened to this at our church picnic. I saw caring, hospitality, love and community. I saw a rich welcoming spirit and a warm embracing faith. I saw youth who cared about including others and providing well-planned fun activities. But most of all I saw the presence of a God who has richly blessed us with more than enough to go around. We have much to share with others.<br />All to often we focus on what we don’t have and miss what we do have. When this happens we miss out on being a part of the very thing God is doing and blessing. We also fall into the trap of scarcity and survival living, when God would have us live bold, trusting lives. God would call us to take risks for furthering His Kingdom, knowing that he is a good God and will supply all our need. May God open the eyes of hearts that we might have a clear vision of the hope to which he has called us, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-2344278019728637562009-08-27T13:32:00.000-07:002009-08-27T13:33:05.311-07:00Jesus is alive and well at New Hope Community ChurchIt has been a wonderful first month at New Hope! I am finding New Hope to be a lively, joyful group of faithful Christians. A lot of good things are going on here! We need to share the good news that Jesus is alive and well and dwelling among us at New Hope Community Church.<br />Before my first official Sunday at NHCC, I visited a worship service. Driving up to the property, I wondered if I was either too early or way too late. From Peralta Blvd. it appeared that no one was here and nothing much was going on. I was so surprised when I pulled into the driveway and saw a parking lot full of cars, people gathered by the entrance to the ministry center, and smiling greeters passing out bulletins. I thought, “Wow, this must be the best kept secret in Fremont!” And I wondered, “How can we let our neighbors know we are here worshipping God on Sundays? This should not be kept a secret.” During worship a few simple ideas came to mind. As I share them, God might bring some more ideas to you. <br />I decided that could to park out on the street in front of the church on Sundays. This way folks driving by will see that something is happening here. I am hoping that other church members might join me in this. We still need some cars in our parking lot, but it would be good if a few of us could park out front. Another way to let folks know we are here is to have a few A-frame signs out front on Sundays, maybe with a few helium balloons attached to create some interest. I am looking into having some signs made. Before I do that, I also am looking for someone who would be interested in putting the signs out each Sunday before worship and putting them back afterwards. Let me know if you feel called to help.<br />These simple things will help get the word out, but the best and most effective way to get the word out has not changed since Jesus walked the ancient roads of Galilee. The best and most effective way to get the word out has always been by word of mouth. We have no problem telling friends if we get a good deal at a local store or find a good restaurant or a good car mechanic. Businesses rise and fail on the words shared from the mouths of their customers. It is no different with churches. The words we share have great power to build up and to tear down. Telling our friends, neighbors and people that Jesus is alive and well and dwells among us as we gather in His name at New Hope Community Church is good news and needs to be shared. Who might you share this good word with today?Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-64466240616256782992009-08-19T01:45:00.000-07:002009-08-19T01:46:54.945-07:00Settling in at New HopeI am still getting settled in at New Hope. My office is still filled with boxes to be unpacked and my home is filled with boxes waiting to be packed and moved. Getting in, getting unpacked, getting settled takes time and planning. I’m sure that in a few months, I’ll feel like I’ve always been here – but right now everything is new and unfamiliar and at the same time very right and good.<br />Getting to know and connect with new people also takes time and intentionality. It is one thing to simply get someone’s name down and another thing all together to come to know each other as fellow members of God’s family. It can seem strange and awkward at first but then before you know it you feel like you’ve known each other for years.<br />I hope to be getting to know all the members and friends of New Hope over the next few months. I want to learn more about you than just your names and faces. I want to hear how you came to know Jesus and how and why you connected with our church. I want to hear your hopes, joys and concerns for New Hope as we learn to follow the Lord together. I want to discover the gifts and callings God has on your lives and find ways for us all to grow together in the things of God.<br />I want to meet with everyone who considers New Hope to be their church family. Some of you might like to meet in my office, others over coffee, and maybe some over dinner. There are sign up sheets out on the information table after worship where you can indicate, which type of meeting suits you and some general times that might work. After folks sign up, I’ll be in contact to set up a time to meet. I’m hoping this will be a great way to start the process of getting know each other better. I’m sure there will be some awkward moments and it will take me some time to get everyone’s name and face connected, but I’m also sure that it will all be good. I’m looking forward to getting to know you all better and serving Jesus with you at New Hope Community Church!Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-17718017938713796162009-08-13T12:39:00.000-07:002009-08-13T12:42:28.848-07:00Pictures from First Sunday at New HopeHere are some pictures from my first Sunday at New Hope Community Church. If you'd like to see more click on the link to the right called "New Hope Pictures"<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQanuy-F3Py5p0sHc5ybU1-4ZAd4MwHEIY86FUYUy2LaHOVbBOg5PRTymdq1AsI5ih_WDf2TwlHq6crH2JD6NvFFUEhrcSHiT_GhO1YmK4_A3o_YMYuzL4lca-64e_amERj4B/s1600-h/IMG_6596.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQanuy-F3Py5p0sHc5ybU1-4ZAd4MwHEIY86FUYUy2LaHOVbBOg5PRTymdq1AsI5ih_WDf2TwlHq6crH2JD6NvFFUEhrcSHiT_GhO1YmK4_A3o_YMYuzL4lca-64e_amERj4B/s320/IMG_6596.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369535678271823266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugkeYluN9q3oqvFsgeMiuvpTHvmzieZbiHySmKUdjxaoBF908UVUOieTV84v84YSMkRr9uRsTWnxr_Cvep1T3L3LY7FvvUFtA9e2KhSWFUApfgz3oOrj_AYjNr-qrGgayG3uV/s1600-h/IMG_6565.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugkeYluN9q3oqvFsgeMiuvpTHvmzieZbiHySmKUdjxaoBF908UVUOieTV84v84YSMkRr9uRsTWnxr_Cvep1T3L3LY7FvvUFtA9e2KhSWFUApfgz3oOrj_AYjNr-qrGgayG3uV/s320/IMG_6565.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369535662415650882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvZ_aMo7yX4v_GMv-jXDqZedKpn0OHkMEEqvcorEm0IlrPC2BwnHV5AEQsiRawD3TsXUZrqeBeg8FrfnVpffE9yQppqii9ZAgpHiQBxRx1Y_QxBMeWMYPbraa0Yc3CmkE7TVK/s1600-h/IMG_6617.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvZ_aMo7yX4v_GMv-jXDqZedKpn0OHkMEEqvcorEm0IlrPC2BwnHV5AEQsiRawD3TsXUZrqeBeg8FrfnVpffE9yQppqii9ZAgpHiQBxRx1Y_QxBMeWMYPbraa0Yc3CmkE7TVK/s320/IMG_6617.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369535659368939090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmotswp6kzTg3edPBk9n8hxRXtd5-1ieSW_QXJ_MoXg3UedxFhuj8zw_2dXmWQYlkCD3B9xaWTEGigHrERB24O47Q7zSsJ9Ivcz3DdE6WcREI5od45PJv_iuwQq9xw3Kq-qSWK/s1600-h/IMG_6639.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmotswp6kzTg3edPBk9n8hxRXtd5-1ieSW_QXJ_MoXg3UedxFhuj8zw_2dXmWQYlkCD3B9xaWTEGigHrERB24O47Q7zSsJ9Ivcz3DdE6WcREI5od45PJv_iuwQq9xw3Kq-qSWK/s320/IMG_6639.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369535653064593458" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhbgo5bIiB8UJSvyXK2RkfAn0IiQhmWbeZPDpbHx5UluWVnAHlK2rw257S1A0qtf9ANSpxSHrrAKQS4wQadnaLLPpBEpNaoZxZ37Gtn9_KP4-Sd3OkT0if0G5yGapP3sL2xye/s1600-h/IMG_6646.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhbgo5bIiB8UJSvyXK2RkfAn0IiQhmWbeZPDpbHx5UluWVnAHlK2rw257S1A0qtf9ANSpxSHrrAKQS4wQadnaLLPpBEpNaoZxZ37Gtn9_KP4-Sd3OkT0if0G5yGapP3sL2xye/s320/IMG_6646.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369535643650233426" /></a>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-24572010514244211272009-07-29T17:14:00.000-07:002009-07-29T17:15:13.723-07:00Getting Ready for New HopeI’m sitting at my dining room table surrounded by boxes of the books, dishes and odds and ends that I have been packing. It is amazing how much stuff you can accumulate over the years! “To keep or not to keep?” That is the question that I am facing right now.<br /><br />I am also pondering in curious wonder about the new joys and challenges that are waiting to be discovered at New Hope Community Church. I am looking forward to getting to know the New Hope church family and learning about our local mission field in the Fremont area. It will be a joy to visit with you and your families, learning your faith stories, ministry gifts and callings, and visions for New Hope. <br /><br />Thank you to Rev. Jim Schoon for all the love and leadership through the years. I can already see that Jesus has been doing a good thing through the people who worship together at New Hope, and I am so glad to be invited to become part of it! I pray that God will lead us together as we follow Jesus in the months and years to come.<br /><br />My first Sunday with at New Hope will be August 9. I’ll be getting settled in the office the week before that. If all goes well, I plan to see some of you at Spirit West Coast! You are all in my prayers, please pray for me as I keeping sorting and packing…Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-58195751614599954932009-07-09T10:14:00.000-07:002009-07-09T10:15:48.062-07:00Leaving Westminster...I have two projects to attend to as I sit at my desk this morning. The first is to write a good-bye letter to Westminster and secondly, a hello letter to New Hope Community Church. Ecclesiastes 3:1 comes to mind: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. I think it is no stretch to add to the well-known list that follows that there is also a time to say, “hello” and a time to say, “good-bye”.<br /><br />It has been 11 years that I have lived, worshipped, prayed, laughed, cried, rejoiced and struggled with the saints at WPC. There have been so many changes in the past 11 years that in many ways I still feel like I just arrived. I have had some of the best and some of the hardest years of my life here in San Jose. You have been very kind and supportive of me and my family. I will fondly remember camping, back packing, neighborhood kindness evangelism, coffee houses, youth mission trips, youth worship bands, Lenten Friday dinners and more. I will especially hold dear in my heart those of you who warmly welcomed me into your homes and lives as we sought to serve Jesus as a community.<br /><br />Seasons end and new seasons begin. That is the way of life and the way of a God who makes all things new. Seasons do not need to be compared or be in competition, they just need to be what they are: times when God has moved in proper ways for that season. So God is doing a new thing in my life as I move to New Hope Community Church and God is doing a new thing in the life of Westminster as the interim pastor arrives. I am happy to announce that this Sunday during worship the session will be announcing the new interim pastor. He is a good man with solid experience and a love for God and God’s church. I pray that you will welcome the interim pastor and his wife as you welcomed my family so long ago and open your hearts with expectation as you enter the interim season. <br /><br />As I close, I need to mention a few logistics about the next few weeks:<br />My last Sunday preaching is July 12, but I will be pastor until July 31. The interim pastor will begin August 1. As many of you know Rev. Nancy Schell, is required to step down as Parrish Associate when the Senior Pastor leaves. Nancy’s last Sunday in worship will be July 19, but she will function as Parrish Associate, visiting the sick and meeting with the deacons, until July 31.<br /><br />Again thank you all! Stay close to Jesus as His faithful disciples! I look forward to hearing great things about Westminster as you enter this new season under heaven.Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-51117793744242579952009-07-04T15:17:00.000-07:002009-07-04T15:20:48.306-07:00Jamming with Melia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6O2XqhJXN5dAdN_OmteDAuh3_pbHJDlQZRJHvh0q0RCUojeja2l14xP4S_1UQYWntoVPDuy-k2GmVhH5t-4ENYNy1YT6iF2O0pPPd6NtjqwPK-ys8diBrqOmsJREwBhZiEgZs/s1600-h/Picture+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6O2XqhJXN5dAdN_OmteDAuh3_pbHJDlQZRJHvh0q0RCUojeja2l14xP4S_1UQYWntoVPDuy-k2GmVhH5t-4ENYNy1YT6iF2O0pPPd6NtjqwPK-ys8diBrqOmsJREwBhZiEgZs/s320/Picture+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354733358508817554" /></a><br />I had a fun time last night playing harmonica with Melia and the Robinson Family Blues band at Don Quixote’s in Felton, CAStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411218.post-53327281587916009082009-06-25T09:52:00.001-07:002009-06-25T09:52:52.994-07:00Good way to start the dayA friend sent me the following prayer. I think it is a great way to start the day:<br />This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is important, because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place something that I have traded for it. I want it to be a gain, not a loss; good, not evil; success not failure; in order that I shall not regret the price I paid for it.Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16838413925963831820noreply@blogger.com0