Reflections: A Maundy Thursday Service…On Good Friday?

By Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Worship

We all know the routine: wake up, cook meals, run errands, go to work, sit in traffic, attend class, do homework, go to rehearsals or practices, race home, do some laundry, wash dishes and, hopefully, find some time to relax, carry on a conversation, or even open up the Bible before heading to bed – just to start it all over again the next morning.

This lifestyle could very easily be paralleled to the years of Jesus’ ministry. We see several times in the gospels where Jesus intentionally removed Himself from the crowds and activities to pray, reflect, and prepare. It is no wonder then that we find Jesus choosing to take His last hours on earth retreated from the busyness of the world, in a private room with only His 12 disciples. This was where He chose to express the heart of the Father and His desire to do whatever was necessary for us to have eternal life, and initiate an opportunity for us to stop and remember.

A Maundy Thursday service, which derives its name from the Latin word mandatum, meaning ‘commandment,’ begins this solemn remembrance of four events of this day: Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, the institution of the Lord’s supper, Jesus’ agony in the garden, and the betrayal by Judas Iscariot. Our Maundy Thursday service, which we are calling Reflections, is an opportunity to slow down, prepare our hearts, and reflect on what Jesus’ final days were like and the new commandment He left for us – to love one another.

We hope to see you Friday, April 18, at 4:30 or 6 p.m. in the Worship Center for “Reflections,” an evening of remembering the sacrifice of Christ through music, prayer, silence, and acts of humility. A children’s program will be provided at the 4:30 service for 4 years-4^th grade and childcare for 0-3 years. There will be no children’s services at the six o’clock service. Due to its solemn and reflective
nature, we ask that children 4^th grade and under not attend the main services.  

FAQs

Q: Why aren’t we doing The Passion Experience?

A: The Passion Experience has been a great event that we have done for the past two years. “Reflections” offers us the opportunity to focus on some different events leading up to Good Friday, which is what The Passion Experience solely focused on. It also gives everyone the opportunity to experience and consider what Jesus did in a new and fresh way. We will certainly return to The Passion Experience in the future, but felt after a few years of that, this would be a good time for something different.

Q: Why are we commemorating Maundy Thursday events on Good Friday?

A: Our church has had a tradition of having a Good Friday event (Passion Experience). Wanting to keep with a schedule that people are familiar with, as well as a day that many are released from school or work earlier than normal, we believe that Friday services will allow the opportunity for more to attend.

Q: Why can’t kids under 5^th grade attend the main services?

A: The atmosphere of this service is very quiet and reflective. There will be elements of reading and responding that will require a higher level of literacy and understanding to truly engage. We feel that in order for adults and older kids to be able to fully engage, without the distraction of active kids or needing to explain all that is taking place throughout the service, it would be good to provide a kid-friendly program at the 4:30 service that we ask children in 4^th grade and under to attend.

Message Reflection - Gary Keith

Doing Justly – what does that look like? On Sunday I covered a familiar story that Jesus told called the Parable of the Good Samaritan. As we are learning what it means to do justly we saw that Jesus taught this is not about earning our salvation it is about responding to the love he has given us by putting our love for him into action.

We also learned that doing justly is about the need not the person that it starts with a feeling in our gut, that we get personally involved and that it will cost us something.  Think about your own life and the times you have act justly – what was that like? Did you have to apply these principles that Jesus taught? What was the result? I’d love to hear your stories of doing justly – let’s learn and experience life together!!

-Pastor Gary

Weekend's Message Reflection - Matt Sasso, Pastor of Student Ministries

This weekend we hope that you were encouraged and challenged as we looked at what it means to consider our lives for God's mission. I believe a commitment to God’s mission starts in our hearts, and is seen in the way that we live our lives in response to His mission.

As we look at scripture it is clear that people matter to God. He sent Jesus, to die on the cross to pay the penalty we never could pay. We’re saved by grace, through faith. We are adopted into his family and God becomes the perfect Father who loves us completely and unconditionally. In addition we get to do great things for God’s kingdom. Not only are we saved from the despair of the world; we are saved to make a difference at our schools, in our families, and with our friends. 

Here are some things to think about.

Tips for telling your story:

• Commit to praying and serving before you share your story with people.
• When talking to someone be a good listener.
• Share what it is that you love about being a Christian. Talk about the hope you have in Jesus.
• When you finish sharing, give your that person a chance to respond to what you shared.
• Keep it simple, keep it real, and be clear!

 Questions to that you might be asked:

• What does it mean to be a Christian?
• How do you know if someone is a Christian?
• How do you know what you believe is true?
• How can you say that Christianity is right and all the other religions are wrong?
• How do you know that God really exists?

I hope that this helps and that God gives you amazing opportunities to change someone’s life forever!

God Bless,

Matt Sasso

Reflections: July 24, 2011

This weekend's "Reflection" by Russ Parker, Pastor of Administration

Live Like You Were Dyin’

Solomon’s message to us in response to the inevitability of a physical death is to embrace life. His message, though seemingly depressing, is a hopeful one for a number of reasons. We know God has us in His loving hands. We know that we have hope in Him. We have the ability – knowing that our death is one day coming – to live vicariously for Jesus. We can celebrate the good gifts our Creator has given to us. He mentions gifts of food, drink, friendships, celebrations, marital relationships, and an honest day’s work. It’s as if Solomon is saying, “Redeem the routines, make the ordinary extraordinary, seize the day, live like you were dyin’!” And do this because life is so short – just a blip on the screen, really – and its end can come at any moment.

Thankfully, we have a hope in Jesus and in the life He gives us today and in all eternity. But until then, may we live life to the fullest and allow that to be our worship to God.

Reflections: June 19, 2011

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Lead Pastor

Satisfaction Sold Separately
Ecclesiastes 5:8-20
Sometimes it seems the way Christians talk about the Bible and money, you can feel like it is wrong to have lots of money. There can be this attitude that being wealthy and being a Christian is an oxymoron – that the two do not go together. This week as I looked at verse 19 of chapter five, Solomon seems to make it clear that being wealthy can be a good thing. In fact, he says people should enjoy their wealth. That caught me off guard a bit.
The problem with money comes when we make it our God, when we start pursuing it above anything else, or when we start devoting our entire life to getting more of it. Apart from that, being wealthy is a good thing. For the wealthy person who has the right perspective and uses that wealth to honor God, money can be a good thing. I guess what Solomon is saying is that it is not so much how much you have, but the focus of your life – is it God or money? What do you think? Can being wealthy be a good thing in the eyes of God?

Reflections: June 12, 2011

This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Worship

It is so easy to make promises, yet often so hard to follow through. It can be so tempting to believe that we can make all sorts of outlandish promises to God, believing that somehow He does not know the true intent of our heart. Religiosity and rituals can often look like enough to convince God and others that our relationship with God is authentic, but the honesty of our heart reveals it is just a show. Our intentions may be good in the moment - especially moments of desperation - but I am challenged to consider what my rash promises reveal about my faith in God. If I feel I need to do something extreme so that God will do what I want Him to, what does that say about my trust that God is a good God and will do whatever is needed to bring about life and wholeness in a situation? My prayer for my life, and for yours, is that we would be slow to speak, quick to listen, and always open to inviting the Holy Spirit into our lives and situations, allowing Him to do the work necessary for us to find contentment in what we have, and see that He has an eternal plan that we get to have a part in.

This week, take some time to get quiet before God. Silence is difficult for most people, but God has proven over and over again to be faithful to reveal Himself top those who will wait on Him. He is the source of our strength. He is our eternal hope. He is the author of peace that goes beyond our understanding. He is the beginning and the end, and has invited us into a relationship with Him. Let’s do less talking, and more listening for His voice and guidance in our lives.

Reflections: June 5, 2011

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Lead Pastor

Which One is Better?
Ecclesiastes 4:1-16
In this passage after observing life “under the sun,” Solomon asked four “which one is better” questions. He looked at life and compared one issue with another and came to his conclusions about how to live. Probably the most familiar part of this chapter deals with the idea that two are better than one.
In case you’ve never heard this before, humans were not created to be alone. We are wired to be part of a community. What Solomon wanted to remind everyone was is that we are not made to live or work alone. This flies in the face of something we American’s are known for – individualism – but this is not how God wants us to live. So let me ask you, are you in community with other people? Do you have people in your life that can protect you and help you in your times of need? Do you have people in your life that can help you when you fall?
If not, what are your plans to solve this problem? What are you going to do to start being part of a community of people? Remember as we live our life two is better than one, and three is better yet!

Reflections: May 22, 2011

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Lead Pastor

Working Things Out
Ecclesiastes 2:12-26

In the “Game of Life,” work takes up about a third of our time. It’s probably the single largest time block of any thing we do in “The Game of Life.” With that in mind, how do you like the way you are spending 33% of your life? Are you one of those people who say, “Take this job and shove it?”
In our passage Solomon has just finished talking about how wisdom and work do not give meaning to life, and then suddenly changes his attitude in verses 24 and 25 when he said, “I realized that these pleasures (food, drink, and work) are from the hand of God." Solomon makes it very clear that when God is in the mix, it changes everything.
Here we are on a Monday morning and most of us are back at our jobs. So how does including God in the mix of our job experience make it different? Is this a new thought for you? Or have you figured out ways to “take this job and LOVE it” as you include God in the mix? What are some of the ways that including God in the mix helps give meaning to our work?

Reflections: May 8, 2011

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Lead Pastor

Empty-Handed Adventure
Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
This week Solomon talked about his pursuit of wisdom. It was pretty interesting to see Solomon’s thoughts about wisdom especially in light of the time he chose to ask God for wisdom and God granted it to him. I think the most startling thing for me to consider this week was verse 18 when he says that the greater our wisdom the greater our grief and sorrow. That just didn’t add up to me. I would naturally think that the greater my wisdom the better handle I would have on all things concerning life, and that would make me happy or at least satisfied.
But Solomon has said just the opposite. He says the more we know the more sadness it brings to our lives. What do you think about that? What has been your experience? Is it true that the more we know the more sorrow we experience? Why is that?
Tell me how that has worked out for you – I’d love to get some more wisdom on this idea!

Reflections: Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor
Today You Will Be With Me in Paradise
Luke 23:43
Easter Sunday is arguably the holiest day in the Christian year. On Easter the Christian celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. We have been living in the post-resurrection era for several thousand years now. I couldn’t help but wonder what the world would be like if the resurrection had not happened yet. Would this world be better off or worse off? What do you think?
I think since the resurrection God has been able to expand His work of renewing and redeeming the world. Every person who puts their faith in Jesus and is filled with the Holy Spirit becomes part of the team God can use. Christians are not people who are just waiting around for heaven to come; they are people who can make a difference in this world for the cause of God now. As you reflect on this Easter and the resurrection of Jesus, know that it is was much more than securing eternity. The resurrection says God cares about this world as it is now.

Reflections: Palm Sunday, April 17, 2011

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor
Father Forgive Them
Luke 23:34
Mark Twain is quoted as saying, “Forgiveness is the fragrance that a violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” I think we would all agree Mark Twain has a special way with words. In this case, he has captured much of the essence of the forgiveness Jesus has offered to us and the kind of forgiveness we are to offer others. When a person has been crushed, forgiveness is the way to set two people free. The person who has wronged another person is set free from what they deserve. And the person who has been wronged is set free from allowing bitterness to take over their life.
I have personally seen both of those sweet fragrances in my journey of learning how to forgive and be forgiven. We call ourselves Christians saying that we are followers of Jesus. Jesus modeled the way of forgiveness for us to follow. The question is, will we follow the example of Jesus? Will we forgive others as Jesus has forgiven us? Will we seek forgiveness from others when we have wronged them?
When we do, the power of forgiveness can be seen. Forgiveness brings healing and wholeness to individuals and to relationships like nothing else can. Will you join me in learning to become a master of forgiveness?

Reflections: April 3, 2011

Peaceful 
Romans 5:1-11
As believers we live in a new land called grace. Just like immigrants who have to learn a new culture and adapt to new customs, Christians must learn how to live in this land of grace. Paul says in this land of grace we can rejoice or live in joyful confidence in our problems and trials. My first reaction to reading this was, "Really? Really Paul, I’m supposed to live in joyful confidence in my problems and trials?" Maybe all of this seems not only difficult, but downright impossible.
What do you think? How has being a believer in Christ helped you with the problems and trials of life? How has God’s training program described in Romans 5:3-5 help you live in this new land of grace? I’d love to hear your thoughts in how this works in real life. Remember that in defining our relationship with God, the word this week is peaceful – we are no longer at war with God. No, as believers in Christ we are at peace with God. Oh what a relief that is!

Reflections: March 27, 2011

This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Worship
Faith like Abraham
Abe was not a perfect guy. In fact, he could be a real bonehead at times, but his ability to trust God through the impossible is something that we can be inspired by. This desire to inspire was what Paul had in mind as he recounted Abraham's story in Romans 4.

I know that as I studied this passage and reflected on loss and death in my own life, I am encouraged to see that someone who had to walk through such heartache and trial was able to glorify God in the process and receive the blessing that God had for him.

This week, join me in praying for those who have experienced loss (maybe it's you) - that God would reveal Himself and give  hope to walk through the trial, believing that God will be faithful to either restore what was lost or create new life out of nothing.

Reflections: March 20, 2011

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor
Dependent
Romans 4:1-15
In the last two weeks while studying Romans 3 and 4, I have noticed that Paul has repeated himself nearly a dozen times with the statement, “We are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.” It seems that he is intentionally repeating himself to make a point. This is probably because in our everyday world, we make our way by working and earning our place with people. And then we come to our relationship with God and we think it is the same. But with God it is just the opposite. With God we receive a free gift through faith – there is no earning involved.
I know that most Christians know this, but what about living it? Without frequent reminders we can easily fall back into thinking our relationship with God is about earning our rightness. How do you keep yourself mindful that with God it is about grace? How do you guard yourself from thinking that all the good things you do somehow earn your rightness with God?

Reflections: March 6, 2011

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor
Guilty
Romans 3:9-20
In this passage Paul presents the accusation that the entire human race is under the power of sin. We’re not talking about the sinning we do on a daily basis; Paul is talking about the human sin condition that we are all born with. What Paul is talking about can be traced back all the way to the first humans – Adam and Eve. When they chose to disobey God, a cosmic change was set into motion, and this change has been experienced by every human being since. This is what Paul is referring to in verse 9 when he says the entire human race is under the power of sin.
In addition to what Paul writes in Romans 3:9, check out chapter 5, verses 12-21 to read more about this idea of original sin. I’m a little curious – is this a new thought for you? Were you aware of this doctrine? How does this help you make sense of our world today? What is your opinion of how this doctrine is affected by those who have committed their lives to Christ? How does this condition change for Christians? Let’s talk. 

Reflections: February 20, 2011

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor

Flawed
Romans 2:17-29
This week we learned from Paul that religious activity leads to a flawed relationship with God. That instead of focusing on rituals, God is concerned with matters of our heart. One of the key problems with focusing on religious ritual was the found in verse 24 – “No wonder the Scriptures say, 'The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.'” That was then – what about today?
During the message I quoted some portions of the book “UnChristian” written by David Kinnaman. In this book Kinnaman makes the case that many non-Christians want nothing to do with Christianity because of the behavior of Christians. He says that Christians are best known for what they are against – “they are perceived as judgmental, anti-homosexual, too political, out of touch with reality, insensitive to others, hypocritical – saying one thing and doing another.” I see a strong connection with the words of Paul in Romans and what this book has revealed as reality today.
What do you think? Is that too harsh an observation? Is it right on? How do you think Christian’s got this reputation? What can be done to change this reputation? Let’s talk!

Reflections: February 13, 2011

This week’s “Reflection” by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Worship
Romans 2:16 And this is the message I proclaim that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone¹s secret life.

What feelings does that stir up inside when you read that? Fear? Apprehension? Hope (that it will never happen)? We all have the things in our life that have been tucked neatly (or maybe not so neatly) away so that we can look good to others. We tuck it away so we can come to church. We tuck it away so people won't be grossed out by it. We tuck it away because if we ignore it, it may just go away. At least, that's what we want to believe.

The reality is that as good as we look on the outside, and as together we may pretend to have it, each of us are broken. And when Satan convinces us that our brokenness should be kept secret, we begin a journey through darkness that he convinces us we need to face alone. But Jesus came to set us free. We are promised that we can be filled with the Holy Spirit and that light and darkness cannot co-exist. So we have a choice to make. Expose the secrets to the light and receive healing as promised in the book of James, or continue to walk in darkness, justifying that somehow our sin is different, or that God will just ignore it and let it pass.

I want to encourage you, as I did at the end of the service on Sunday, to find someone to confess your sin to. That you may be set free from your addiction, habit, mindset, etc...that keeps you walking in darkness. Resist the devil and he will flee, and some of you need to resist by refusing to keep your secret sin a secret any longer.

If you would like to talk with a pastor please feel free to call the church office. Or find a believing friend or person in a Bible study that you trust and allow them to accept and love you through the healing.

Reflections: February 6, 2011

This week’s “Reflection” by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor


Broken
Romans 1:18-32


“How’s that workin’ for you?” is a common way Dr. Phil responds to guests on his show after they have just explained the mess they are in and how they are handling it. I couldn’t help but think about that as I reflected on the sermon for this week. Paul paints a very clear picture of why we are a broken people and the results of our brokenness in our relationship with God and with people.


Probably the most remembered and controversial part of Paul’s words in this passage is God’s view of homosexual behavior. I know this is a controversial subject to talk about and I also know that the church in America hasn’t done a very good job at representing God on this issue. I say that because God does not rate one sexual sin any different than any other – whether it be sex before marriage, sex outside of marriage, or homosexual behavior – all sexual sin is seen the same way by God, and yet the church seems to put more emphasis on homosexual behavior than adulterous behavior. I think this is inaccurate.


Why is it that people who sin by having sex before marriage or are involved in adultery feel more accepted in church than gay people? I’d like to hear your thoughts on this.


Also if you are gay and believe your were born that way and then read in the Bible that homosexual behavior is a sin, how does that cause you to think about God? I wonder about that as well.


This subject of brokenness affects all of us in some way – if you’re willing use this blog to reply to these questions or share something else that is on your mind.


Next week: Romans 2:1-16

Reflections: January 30, 2011

This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Worship


Religious routine, though often noble and well-intentioned, can so easily become mindless. It is these mindless routines that rob us of the lessons that scripture has for us and the new and exciting things that God wants to work in and through our lives.

Being randomly generous is always something that we need to be ready for, but what about being intentionally generous, or as we seek God, being open to be directionally generous to the things and people that God leads us to?

This series has been good for me as it has made me more aware of the need in my life to seek God for opportunities to be generous, rather than just leaving it up to my own awareness. Being open to God to direct my generosity may mean that at some point I will be called to give beyond my comfort zone. It may mean that I am called to give in areas that my heart may be a bit calloused and I don't "feel" like being generous. But as I am called to first give myself to God as a living sacrifice, it means that ultimately I am committing all of who I am and what I have for His good will. That is the place I want to be more than anything else.

Will you join me in continuing to pray for open hearts, a generous spirit, and a mighty move of God that would be defined by generosity through His people?

Reflections: January 23, 2011

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor


LOL Giving2 Corinthians 9:1-15


In our third week of talking about being “Defined by Generosity,” the topic of becoming a hilarious giver was discussed. There is no doubt that many people have bad experiences when it comes to the church teaching about giving. Much of this teaching focuses on giving in order to get from God, or making giving a duty based upon the tithe (which, if you really study the Old Testament, results in giving in the 30% range).


Is it possible for followers of Jesus to become hilarious givers despite the many messages of giving as a duty or being guilted into it? I think so, but it will take a willingness to forgive and forget the past experiences and focus on what the Bible teaches about giving.


In our desire to become LOL (Laughing Out Loud) givers there are other obstacles. For example, one obstacle focuses on whether we really believe the truth expressed in 2 Corinthians 9:8. There is a promise in that verse, but do we really believe that promise? Can we trust God with our money? Can we trust Him with this promise? God desires that we become hilarious givers who believe in His generosity with us. What do you think? Is it possible to become an LOL giver today? What are your challenges in giving? How have you seen God respond to the promise in 2 Corinthians 9:8? Let’s talk because this idea of giving is a big one with God, even though it is a sensitive issue in the church today.