“I Dreamed A Dream”

(Jesus) called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.  And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 18:2-3

The other day was the first day of school, which means first day of school pictures all over social media.  I always feel a little inadequate when I see the high-quality, well thought out pictures with all kinds of props and things, especially when we are lucky to remember a quick picture while the boys are running (late) out the door.  I especially enjoy seeing the pictures where the kids hold a paper or sign declaring facts about them like how old they are, who their teacher is, what their favorite food is, and other fun things.  My favorite to read is the “what I want to be when I grow up.”

Have you ever noticed that kids have such big dreams for themselves?  All these kids want to grow up to be astronauts, professional athletes, famous actors, firefighters, police officers and even the President.  I wonder at what age we stop having these big dreams and accept a more attainable (realistic, boring) life?

When Jesus was asked about what it takes to enter the Kingdom of God, he used a child as an example.  He told the gathered adults – teachers of the law, farmers, crafters, vendors – that they needed to be more like children, having a child-like faith.  I wonder if one of the things Jesus wanted for his followers, one of the things he knows our Father in heaven wants for us, is to be able to dream? 

When I held my listening sessions over the last couple of months, I asked people about their dreams for the church.  What I heard were a lot of really good, healthy and realistic ideas for some modest growth and a continued future.  What I didn’t hear about were dreams of a community transformed by the love of God, a group of people who dedicate themselves so whole-heartedly to the Gospel that the Kingdom of God is impacted in new and amazing ways.  I heard about ideas that were reasonable and logical, things that with a little bit of work and minimal sacrifice, would be possible to make come true.  What I didn’t hear were dreams so big that, when accomplished, there would be no question we were doing the work of God. 

I recently came across this description of faith: “…faith isn’t figuring out what we’re able to do.  It’s deciding what we’re going to do even when we think we can’t.” (Bob Goff, Live in Grace, Walk in Love, p.36)  As we move forward in faith and seek to dream God-sized dreams, I encourage you to set your eyes on those things only God can accomplish.  I invite you to consider this question – “What’s an outrageous dream you’ve buried that God might want you to dig up again?”  Let’s dare to dream again.

Blessings,

Chris

Worship This Sunday

This week we conclude our Disney -Lessons from the Kingdom series.  We close the series by looking at the movie Tangled.  This is a retelling of the story of Rapunzel and is a very fun movie.

Our scripture reading for Sunday comes from the Gospel of John, chapter 3, verses 1-15.

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.  He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God.  For no one could perform the signs and wonders you are doing if God were not with him.”

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked.  “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.  You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’  The wind blows where it pleases.  You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.  So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and you do not understand these things?  Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.  I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?  No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven – the Son of Man.  Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” John 3:1-15 NIV

We will begin our service with the song Build Your Kingdom Here by Rend Collective.  Our hymns for Sunday include: O How I Love Jesus, Spirit of the Living God, and Victory in Jesus.  Additionally, our video hymn this week is Mighty to Save, sung by Laura Story.  During our 10:20 service we will also have a celebration of our new year of Sunday School including promoting children to the next grade and awarding Bibles to our 3^rd graders. 

As the COVID-19 virus continues its presence in our community, we know that many of you are still not ready to come to worship. Please know that even though we don’t get to see you weekly, we still want to minister to you.  Every Sunday afternoon we will post a recording of our 10:20 worship service.  We hope this helps you feel connected until we are able to gather again without concern. 

I continue to receive questions about our practices of social distancing, mask-wearing and other considerations in place as a result of COVID-19.  If you’re at all like me, you are ready to be back to “normal,” and have had enough with all these changes.  The trouble is, COVID is still a threat.  We need to remain vigilant in these practices of keeping not just ourselves, but those around us safe by wearing our masks, keeping a safe distance from others and sanitizing or washing our hands as often as appropriate.  Remember, these practices are a way we show our love to our neighbor.   Even though it doesn’t feel like it, this will be over someday.

Events this week:

Sunday, August 30: Promotion Sunday – 10:20 service

Youth Group, 4:00 – 6:00 pm at the Jackson’s home

Monday, August 31: TOPS – 9:30 am

Education Committee Meeting, 5:30 pm

Tuesday, September 1: Congregation Care and Prayer Team – 7:00 pm, Foundations classroom

Closing Words of Wisdom:

“I continue to dream and pray about a revival of holiness in our day that moves forth in mission and creates authentic community in which each person can be unleashed through the empowerment of the Spirit to fulfill God’s creational intentions.” ― John Wesley