Last Sunday morning, immediately following the 11:05 a.m. worship service, I had a conversation with someone who has spent all of her life in this church. During the course of the conversation, she said something to the effect, “Dan, in a few years, I think we’re going to look back on this weekend as one of the key turning points in our church.” She was referring, of course, to the focus on “radical hospitality”.

Approximately 180 members spent Friday and Saturday in a workshop on the subject. Then, Sunday morning, our workshop leaders, Debi Nixon, Dan Entwistle, and Yvonne Gentile, agreed to be interviewed during the service. Finally, at the close of each service, we handed out pocket New Testaments and encouraged people to give the Bibles away to those who might benefit from it.

Already, I’ve had emails from members about experiences with giving the Bibles away and the practicing of radical hospitality. I hope the lady I talked to was right. I pray the concept of radical hospitality will catch on and become a contagious fire that spreads throughout our church and beyond.

This weekend, we are beginning a new sermon series entitled, “In The Beginning….” As we continue to step through the threshold of a brand new year, we thought it might be good if we took a look at the creation story and reflect on the four key relationships in our lives. The series breaks down this way…

•January 14 – Our Relationship with God

•January 21 – Our Relationship with Our True Selves

•January 28 – Our Relationship with Others

•February 4 – Our Relationship with Creation

I hope you’ll make every effort to be with us for the entire series. While you are at it, plan to come to Sunday School. When you become a part of a Sunday School class you become a part of a caring community that walks with you through the highs, lows, and ordinary experiences of everyday living. I have heard many people speak of a difficult time in their lives and say, “I don’t know how I would have gotten through this experience without my Sunday School class.” That’s the kind of community that happens in Sunday School.

Finally, next week, I will be away from the office planning sermons for the rest of this year. I want to ask you to do two things: First, please hold me in your prayers. Pray that God will guide me as I seek to plan for the worship services that will guide our church during the next year. Second, if you have some ideas for sermon series, please do not hesitate to send them to me. I sincerely want to plan our sermons around subjects that are relevant to this congregation, so your input is always helpful.

As always, I look forward to seeing you Sunday, if not before!

Blessings,

Dan Brown