CLICK HERE to listen to the sermon.

The 2019 theme for the church is “Hold Nothing Back”; the verses Romans 12:1-2: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will. We will let God show us what we are capable of as Christians and ask Him to help us fulfill our theme for 2019.

Therefore, I urge you, (not a command – a motivation) brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies (your whole lives / thoughts / actions / desires) as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship (true/authentic worship is incomplete without service). I often say the best way to translate “this is your true and proper worship” is “this is the only thing that makes any sense!”

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. The picture here is one of continual vigilance. The world – the age we live in – the culture surrounding and visiting us on our Facebook and other pages – the images that emanate from our TV screens and movies – that culture, is continually transforming us if we do not present ourselves continually to God’s will rather than our own will – as living sacrifices.

1 Corinthians 7:31 (NLT) Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.

Colossians 3:1-4 (TLB) Since you became alive again, so to speak, when Christ arose from the dead, now set your sights on the rich treasures and joys of heaven where He sits beside God in the place of honor and power.  Let heaven fill your thoughts; don’t spend your time worrying about things down here.  You should have as little desire for this world as a dead person does. Your real life is in heaven with Christ and God.  And when Christ who is our real life comes back again, you will shine with him and share in all his glories.

Ultimately Jesus came to this earth to do His Fathers will … John 6:38 (NLT) For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.Mark 10:45 (NLT) “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

There is a very sobering quote in C.S. Lewis book The Great Divorce – one of the best pictures of why there has to be a hell if there is to be heaven. “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’ All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. Those who knock it is opened.” – C. S. Lewis

Now this may seem an extreme quote here. I am not suggesting that if one doesn’t serve in the Body of Christ (even though that is why we are here) that they will not go heaven. But I am suggesting that anyone who refuses to respond to Paul’s urging will experience much less of the life God has prepared for us down here than those who give themselves as living sacrifices to God and others.

There can be no real Christian joy without authentic Christian worship that leads to joyful service for others. Not my will be done Lord – but Thy will!

Here is the first # that I put on Facebook regarding our theme for 2019: Something I can’t shake from my mind this AM. I have heard it said that no one on their death bed will say they wish they had spent more time at the office. But I have heard reported on TV recently “almost last words” of several famous people where they in fact did say that. “I wish I had spent more time writing music or producing films or acting on stage etc.” But I am confident that many of us Christians will say or at least think … “I wish I had read the Bible more and spent more time gathering with other Christians or gone on more mission trips rather than fancy vacations or hidden away in private prayer more often!” Just a thought – no offense meant  #HoldNothingBack2019

2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. For now I draw your attention to one word – TEST! Here is the picture. The Christian who has become a living sacrifice is continually vigilant in making sure he/she longer is being conformed to the pattern of this world. This is happening as he/she reads the Bible daily, meditates on Scripture, is diligent in regular Bible study, and memorizes verses or addresses of important Biblical themes. That Christian can now “test” or “discern” what God’s will is for his/her life – God’s good, pleasing and perfect will.

Here is more of Paul’s exhortation while writing to the church in Thessalonica and Ephesus … 1 Thessalonians 2:12 (NLT) We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory. Ephesians 4:1 (NLT) Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.

Why would we want to do “our own thing” when we can – are able to – do God’s thing? One commentator says “It appears from the context that the believer is not viewed as ignorant of the will of God but as needing to avoid blurring it’s outline by failure to renew the mind continually. Dedication leads to discernment, and discernment to delight in God’s will.”

Many have stated there are three different kinds of translations: literal, dynamic-equivalent, and paraphrased. I would say there are only two kinds of translations: I would agree there are paraphrases; all other translations I would call language equivalents.

The Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Most of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew. The New Testament was written in Koinia Greek, a language that had a very short life span of about three centuries. The biblical languages have not changed for thousands of years and fortunately we have a great deal of knowledge regarding these languages.

There are thousands of Greek and Hebrew manuscripts that scholars can readily access thanks to the blessing of computer technology and new findings of archeologists. When a new translation is produced, all the available manuscripts are checked and rechecked. There are those who say some of the very old English translations come from better manuscripts than the newer ones we now possess – that is simply not true. It is true that the KJV (King James Version) was a very good translation in its day and very accurate to the available manuscripts. The new ESV (English Standard Version), for instance, takes advantage of all those manuscripts plus centuries of scholarship developed from the investigation of all that are now available. I have read accounts of personal attacks on some of the modern scholars on translation committees of various Bible versions. These attacks are irrelevant unless someone can prove they subverted the meaning of the underlying biblical language.

It is impossible to translate the Bible literally and for it to make any sense in English. The biblical languages have different rules of grammar and punctuation, or lack of punctuation, compared to our English language. If we took an equivalent English word and translated it word for word, often it wouldn’t make any sense. Almost every single original language word has a list of English word equivalents, so which English word would we use? Both Hebrew and Greek words often do not have an English word equivalent but instead need two or three words to translate just one Greek or Hebrew word. Therefore, as you can see, all translations take careful scholarship and consideration in choosing even the English words to use in every sentence of the Bible. That is why I call the more literal translations language equivalent.

The translators also have to take into consideration which English word meanings might be understood when and where the translation is being produced. In America we can use the same word in different parts of the country with completely different meanings. For instance some people drink “pop” while others like to hang out with their “Pop” while having a “soda” unless they live someplace where it is a “soft drink”! Further, there are various word meanings in English words in different countries. For instance, consider the sentence, “I am mad about my flat.” If I were speaking you might think I was upset because my bicycle had a flat tire. But if my wife Valerie said the same thing while traveling in Scotland or London the hearer would think she was saying she liked her apartment.

Can you see how virtually impossible it is to translate the Bible literally? Here is Young’s Literal Translation (YLT) of John 3:16 keeping the Greek word order: For God did so love the world, that His Son-the only begotten-He gave, that every one who is believing in Him may not perish, but may have life age-during. Because we are so familiar with this verse we can see the meaning, but consider another verse, John 8:33 YLT: They answered Him, “Seed of Abraham we are: and to no one have we been servants at any time; how dost thou say-Ye shall become free?” Here is the same verse in the NIV (New International Version): They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can You say that we shall be set free?” Imagine a Bible literally translated (keep in mind someone still has to choose the English words) – it would be so cumbersome to read we would soon give up in frustration. One of my favorite examples of translating literally from one language to another is found in the biblical phrase: The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. One Russian translator said this in Russian: The vodka was fine but the meat was weak!

Another problem comes with the changing English language. I recently decided to read through an edition of the KJV of the Bible published in 1611. I gave up after one month of daily reading. I had to spend too much time looking up words that I did not know, often to discover that even the meaning of the old word was irrelevant to today’s English. Here is a very accurate translation of John 3:16 published in 1611 entitled the Authorized or King James Version – I assure you there is no spelling error: For God so loued ye world, that He gaue His only begotten Sonne: that whosoeuer beleeueth in Him, should not perish, but haue euerlasting life. Aren’t you glad that even the venerable KJV Bible has been vastly retranslated over the centuries!

So don’t just use only one Bible version. I often point out failures in the NIV translation I preach from. There are no perfect or God-ordained translations – they all have errors but none that would  lead us astray regarding the important doctrines of our faith. When I study, I read the passage in a dozen translations including the original languages. So use the NIV or the NASB (New American Standard Bible) or the NKJV (New KJV) or the RVR1960 (Reina-Valera 1960) or the NLT (New Living Translation) or the KJV or the NRSV (New Revised Standard Version) or the ESV, but read the Bible daily and ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you understand the message God has for you. So the next time someone suggests a modern version has left out a verse, maybe it would be good to check out the older version to see if maybe they added a verse that wasn’t in the most accurate available manuscripts in the first place!

I will close with the words of Jesus regarding a ministry of the Holy Spirit. John 16:13 NLT, “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future.” John 16:13, Good News Translation “When, however, the Spirit comes, who reveals the truth about God, He will lead you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own authority, but He will speak of what He hears, and will tell you of things to come.”

  ~ Pastor Carl  1947-20??

        I was thinking of these verses while studying for a theology class about the Word of God. Over the years I have developed the strong conviction that it is dangerous for a Christian to attend church teaching times without obedience to what is taught from the Bible. As Christians we are to believe God’s Word is truth and that God expects us to obey His Word. Paul wrote this to his disciple Timothy, 2 Timothy 3:15-16 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. These are well known verses among Bible believing Christians. The Bible contains God’s Words which are holy – meaning set apart for our growth – and Scripture is God’s Word for our obedience.

        In a recent Facebook post someone suggested it is disobedience for a Christian to avoid active participation in the local expression of the universal church. When I reposted it on my timeline a friend in Africa said it was confusing; this was my response: The church is the people, organized around a leadership of elders and meeting together often to be built up in the faith – learning to know and actively love and encourage one another and reach the lost as they continue on with their lives. In America the local church normally comes together in homes or a building. The Bible teaches in 1 Corinthians that the believer’s body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and further teaches that as Christians meet together they (being the church) are also the temple of the Holy Spirit in an even different way. First Corinthians chapter 3 and 1 Corinthians chapter 6 teach that difference. In America many people attend church a few times a month but don’t use their gifts and never really become involved with the people who are the body of Christ, the family of God. The Apostle Paul traveled around planting churches and helping to appoint elders as the leaders of these local expressions of the universal church. Paul also taught how to use our gifts in the local church – how to love one another, pray for one another, and encourage one another until Jesus comes again.

        When the Word of God is taught it comes with power to change the listener’s life if it is combined with an obedient response. But if the listener refuses to hear or respond to what is taught it hardens their heart. This is especially underlined in 1 Corinthians 3:16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? The context of the verse is the Church gathered together for teaching, to those born again by the Spirit of God who are coming together to be built up, to use their gifts for the common good. Too many of us treat church as a meeting to attend when we have the time rather than an opportunity for growth and ministry to equip us to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.

        Dr. John Frame has a great chapter on the power of God’s Word in his theology book, “So the personal presence of God always accompanies the Word, speaking the Word to our hearts. Where the Word is, God is, and where God is, the Word is. We should never try to seek fellowship with God apart from the Word, and when we do hear or read the Word, we should understand that we are entering the temple of God Himself. …The power of the Word brings wonderful blessings to those who hear in faith, with a disposition to obey. But it hardens those who hear it with indifference, resistance, or rebellion.”

        Now when I attend church (even as the teacher) I always remember that note handed to me so long ago with Isaiah 55 written on it. I look forward to how God will work through those who have gathered to hear the teaching. I used to be bothered by those who attend and clearly have no intention of responding to the Word preached but now I look forward to seeing the change in the majority who attend wanting to hear from God. Over the decades I have seen tremendous change in peoples’ lives because of the teaching of God’s Word.

        I love the promise in Jeremiah that tells us God has a plan for our lives. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I am aware this is a promise for Israel in the original context but it is also a picture of God’s desire for His people. The Apostle Peter describes us Christians in 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.

        In a recent sermon on the 7 Churches I pointed out God’s plan in the New Testament by quoting Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. The word “handiwork” in Greek transliterated is “poiema”. We are God’s poem – we are God’s masterpiece – when we gather together we should always be sitting on the edge of our seats in anticipation of what God will say to each of us individually as we meet corporately. This makes our church gatherings very exciting. Nevertheless I do want to end with a final well-known Scripture. Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

                         ~ Pastor Carl  1947-20??

        The Apostle Peter exhorted us to be ready to give an account of our salvation whenever someone asks us. 1 Peter 3:15, But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. So preparation is important. If I choose not to attend the evangelism course then I must prepare on my own so that I can explain what it means to be certain that I will spend eternity with Jesus.

        I used to teach sales people how to close the deal before the customer changed their mind. A salesperson who doesn’t master this skill will fail. But that is not the case when it comes to being a witness for Jesus. We never close the deal, we tell the story and the reason why we are trusting in Jesus for our eternal salvation. We do this depending on the Holy Spirit to close the deal – it is He who convinces people they are sinners and in need of a savior.  Understanding the ministry of the Holy Spirit in witnessing should be an exciting encouragement to us. We don’t have to close the deal but we are called to tell the story.

        It all started after Jesus rose from the dead and spent over a month with His disciples. He told them they must be filled with the Holy Spirit in a definite way, which happened at Pentecost (described in Acts chapter 2). After they were filled or baptized with the Holy Spirit (who is God) they began to tell the story of Jesus – the Gospel – the Good News. The Apostle Peter was the first one to preach a sermon and as a result thousands of people from many different ethnic groups became Christians. Peter had a greatly organized sermon but it was not his sharp mind or iron-tight arguments that caused all those people to choose to follow Jesus, it was the Holy Spirit! In other words, we can expect others to become Christians when we tell the Jesus story. Here is how Jesus explained it before the crucifixion. John 16:7-11, “However, it’s the truth that I’m telling you: it’s better for you that I should go away. If I don’t go away, you see, the Helper won’t come to you. But if I go away, I will send Him to you. When He comes, He will prove the world to be in the wrong on three counts: sin, justice and judgment. In relation to sin – because they don’t believe in Me! In relation to justice – because I’m going to the Father, and you won’t see Me any more. In relation to judgment – because the ruler of this world is judged.” The Helper is the Holy Spirit, who is also called the Counselor, whose ministry is to cause those in the world who don’t know Jesus to be convicted of their sin when we tell them the Gospel. They crucified Jesus, which was not the just thing to do. They did it because they didn’t believe He was who He said He was – God incarnate – the Savior of those who trust in Him for their personal salvation. The Bible teaches in 1 John that the devil, the ruler of this world, has been judged because of the crucifixion and the resurrection.

        So imagine we are in a court of law and a case is brought before the judge accusing all people of sin. The prosecuting attorney, the Holy Spirit, points out that the people are sinners because they will not believe in Jesus but instead insist on going their own way rather than God’s way. The Holy Spirit, the Counselor, argues strongly and the judge agrees. The verdict: guilty of sin.

        Secondly, the Counselor proposes that justice has not been done because of the unjust trial and death of Jesus. However Jesus has risen from the dead and is now with the Father who has vindicated Him. Jesus is the righteous one, not those who had Him crucified in the name of God. So we live by faith in Jesus knowing that justice is forever on our side and we are no longer condemned.

        There is the third part of the trial. The devil passed judgment – condemnation – on Jesus and this is why the church has been persecuted. But we know by faith that death has been defeated and the devil’s schemes have been exposed so that Satan is a defeated foe. Peter tells us he goes around like a roaring lion to see who he can deceive (1 Peter 5:8) but we know that he is on a leash, God will not allow him to do any harm that doesn’t first pass through His hands as He works all things out for our good and His eternal glory.

        Another name for the Holy Spirit is Comforter. The Holy Spirit teaches us through the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures that God our Father will always do right so that we can trust in Him. This becomes real to us through the ministry of God the Holy Spirit. We have the privilege but also the command to tell others the wonderful story of Jesus, who is the only way to Heaven.

        The bottom line: if we will present the story of Jesus to others, the Holy Spirit will overcome their pride and self-sufficiency and cause them to be convicted of their need of a savior. Then we can fulfill the task Jesus gave us to disciple those who commit their lives to Jesus as we continue to tell the story without pressure and with great joy.

                         ~ Pastor Carl  1947-20??

Venture onto an uncharted island where kids survive and thrive. Anchor kids in the truth that Jesus carries them through life’s storms. Kids participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, make and devour yummy treats, experience one-of-a-kind Bible adventures, collect Bible Memory Buddies to remind them of God’s love, and test out Sciency-Fun Gizmos they’ll take home and play with all summer long. Plus, kids will learn to look for evidence of God all around them through something called God Sightings. Since we are “shipwrecked,” each day we will close with “potentially” wet games. This means parents need to be prepared to pick up kids like they would from the beach or pool – wet! But this means LOTS and LOADS for fun! Thank you for trusting your children to us as we add to their knowledge of Christ Jesus our Savior and Lord!

You’re invited to remember the death, and then celebrate the resurrection, of our Savior Jesus Christ this Easter!

Good Friday, 6pm- We will be having a Good Friday Service where we will remember the sacrifice of our Lord – through worship, the Word, and Communion. This will be a great time to reflect and thank the Lord for all that He has done for us.

*This will replace our Saturday Evening Service*

Easter Sunday- On Sunday we will have two services, at 9am and 11am, where we will celebrate the victory of our Savior. Come ready to make a joyful noise and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus!

He is Risen!

He is risen, indeed!

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4

We look forward to celebrating with you this Easter!

#StandFirm2018

CLICK HERE to listen to the sermon.

The 2018 theme for the church is “Stand Firm”; the verse 1 Corinthians 15:58: Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

The apostle Paul stated in Acts 20:24: However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me … Knowing where you are going helps in standing firm. Again the apostle Paul in Philippians 1:20-24 … I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. Since life – real life – starts after death, and since we will be getting new bodies that are the same as these bodies but different, and since God has prepared a greater life for us, then we have no reason to play it safe or take it easy in fulfilling God’s purpose for us during this short temporal time before the real thing starts. How we live this life matters. It makes a difference eternally. It is irresponsible to live our present lives only for ourselves – everything we do makes an eternal difference. Our future should cause our present to be one of joy and anticipation for what comes next. Nothing we do here for the Lord will be in vain. Consider this as you engage in your labor. Ask yourself, “Am I doing this unto the Lord?” Purpose in your heart to do what you do as unto Him, and it will not be meaningless. Praise Him, thank Him. Sing songs of worship and adoration unto the Lord as you go about your days. The truth is, no matter how meaningful or meaningless the world might consider our efforts, our labors are only valuable to the extent we do them unto and for and through our Lord. In other words, He Himself is our Meaning and Purpose. So invite Him in. Draw close to Him. Do not let your labor be in vain by seeking some worldly benefit from it. Instead, make it heavenly business (because it is) by faith.

The time of year we are entering is called Christmas. I love the sound at that word! We have finished the turkey that reminds us of how thankful we must be and will be having leftovers for a while. Several people over the years have pointed out that Christmas was originally a pagan holiday and that Jesus was not born on December 25 of any year. I agree and sort of disagree. The truth is we don’t know exactly when Jesus was born – and yes December 25 is a date of a Roman holiday that may have already been enacted before Christians celebrated this date for Christ’s birth … or not. There is equal evidence that the Roman Emperor Aurelian picked that date as a holiday to compete against the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus.

I love to hear the sound of a voice saying Merry Christmas. It always reminds me of the power of the Gospel story to even eclipse a pagan holiday. The celebration of the birth of Jesus, who is the Christ, the Savior of the world, tells the most important story of the truth regarding the meaning of life.

There is no other day held by any religion or pagan celebration that causes more joy than Christmas. I know that Christmas has turned into a time of commerce when companies make more money than any other time of the year. But one of the reasons for this is the habit of giving gifts and receiving gifts. Again this reminds me of the Gospel. The Good News of Jesus Christ is God’s greatest gift to a lost and lonely world. Plus those of us who are Christians have many more opportunities to offer this gift to everyone.

The opening sentences of the Book of John are all about what Christmas should ultimately represent. John 1:1-3 (NLT) In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him.

The Greek word for “Word” is LOGOS. It is a philosophical word that can be paraphrased to mean “the meaning of life.” Anyone who reads the first chapters of John’s story about Jesus discovers that the Word – the LOGOS – is Jesus. The world was created through Him and then He – “the meaning of life” – dwelt among us – pitched His tent among us. This is the incarnation, the very thing we celebrate at Christmas.

Think of the wonder of Christmas! The beauty and peace of a well-decorated tree. The reading of Luke chapter 2 (still read for us all over the media by Linus in A Charlie Brown Christmas) makes for a season where we have more opportunity to share the only hope for the world there is. How great is that!

So whether it is May or December when Jesus was born – or whether December 25 is or was a pagan holiday – I look forward to the lights and music and celebration and even the gifts. All remind me how blessed I am that God chose me so that I could have real purpose in life and fellowship with Jesus.

We started with time going fast. The Bible tells us that Jesus is coming again. When time as we know it will be no longer. So let us redeem the time for the sake of the Good News about Jesus so that in eternity there will be a great crowd from every nation and tribe. This is how John writes it in Revelation 7:9 (NLT) After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. This is a snapshot of a scene in heaven after Jesus returns.

We are to live our lives in anticipation of this great event and Christmas should be a reminder. At the beginning of the Bible in the Book of Genesis there is a prediction of the coming of a child who will save the world. Jesus was that predicted child whose birth we celebrate every December. He grew up and told us how much God loves us and wants to have a relationship with us. Then He was crucified and buried and raised from the dead. We will celebrate that great event (called Easter) in a few months.

So, in the meantime, this Christmas season will be a time when we worship our living Savior and thank Him for the great hope we are all heading toward. There is another snapshot of heaven to look forward to in our future. It reminds us of the kind of forever life we will be living after these bodies are replaced with our new spiritual bodies. Revelation 21:4 (NLT) “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

Have a wonderful, blessed Christmas!

~ Pastor Carl  1947-20??

Out of an abundance of caution we are CANCELING our weekend services along with any other weekend church-sponsored activity.

We don’t make this decision lightly and only recall one other time that we have taken such measures.

You might wonder, why?
The biggest factor in this decision is the projected timing of the LOCAL IMPACT expected Saturday overnight and into Sunday. It is obvious that Florida will be affected, and that the east coast more so than the west coast; however, we should expect some localized wind and water impact. With this reasonable expectation we wanted to ‘make the call’ early to allow our church families to not be conflicted. Our main objective is to keep our families SAFE and be in a position to take care of yourselves, each other and your neighbors!

Now what?
We also realized that some have decided to leave the area and others will stay — wherever you are please stay alert and if your personal circumstances allow you should gather as families and small groups to ‘do church’ or ‘be the church-gathered’ — you might even see your pastors on Facebook Live (or archived). We’d love to see your stories, comments or needs shared on ‘the CommUnity’ Prayer Wall or other social media – #ccsrqIRMA2017

Although the exact timing and severity is unknown we are reasonably certain that it will move through quickly and then our focus will shift to recovery and helping others as we are able.

Stay alert and stay tuned for more information as the situation unfolds.