iHOPE

New Hope in the Park- Wow!

  Sunday was our first ever, New Hope in the Park. It was a terrific day of worship followed by an all-church picnic.  Already people are talking about next year!

  The music was provided by the Sampson Gulch Jazz Band and it was perfect for a day at the park. There was plenty of food, plenty of cooks and terrific activities for children. 

  We had approximately 350 people, though it was impossible to tell since people were spread out and the park was full. Thanks to all who worked so hard to make it a great day for everyone. It worked!

Kerygma Classes Filling Up

  The response to the Kerygma classes have been terrific. In fact, the Thursday morning class is just about full. The Thursday evening class still has plenty of room.

  Kerygma is a comprehensive study of the Bible. We will follow 10 key themes throughout the scriptures in order to understand how the whole Bible fits together. Participants will come out with a grasp of the entire Bible as well how individual passages relate to one another. In my mind, this is what distinguishes Kerygma from the other good studies that are out there.

  Kerygma begins on Thursday, September 11. The morning class is from 9:30-11:30. The evening class runs from 7:00-9:00. This is a 34-week class that (with a break for the holidays) will extend into May.  If you have questions (or would like to register), you can use the 'Reply' function for this post, email me (the link is under my picture), call the office (303 660-0057) or pick up a form at church. Remember, we won't have worship in or sanctuary this Sunday (see below).

  By the way, while some previous study of the Bible is helpful, it is not required. People at all levels will get something from this study.

A Ravenous, Gnawing Hunger

“You” have planted in us a ravenous, gnawing wonder that never says, ”enough.”...

Now we see the evidence of your fierce passion. You want us with you. You will let nothing else satisfy us. You insist we come intelligently and responsibly, that we suffer a lifetime of unanswered questions and halting convictions rather than repress the wonder in our hearts that seeks Your face.

Tad DunneWe Cannot Find Words: The Foundations of Prayer

  I ran across this quote and it stuck with me.  I think the early stages of faith looks for confirmation of God’s presence and favor in the prayers that are answered and the successes that come our way. Of course as time goes on, we have to wrestle with more and more unanswered prayers and the fact that life can still go horribly wrong. Has God forgotten us? Abandoned us? Or maybe, we were mistaken to believe in God at all. 

There are times when we wish we could just walk away from this notion of God like we walk away from all childish beliefs that we eventually outgrow. They served their purpose, but they no longer fit. The pain of letting them o becomes less than the pain of trying to hang on.

Except we can’t. This hunger won’t let us go. Far from being a vestige of our childhood, we slowly recognize it as a clue to who we are yet to become. It’s the most complex, nuanced and grown-up pursuit we know. 

Then it hits us. It isn’t the notion of God that is childish, but our notions themselves. The real evidence is not in what God is doing for us, but in us. It is not in the appetites God satisfies, but in the hungers God stirs up that may be our best clues to God's presence and purpose.

New Hope in the Park

  We are going to worship in the park this Sunday!
  It is something we have wanted to do for several years and now we're going to try it. Here are the basics:

• We'll meet at Butterfield Park (in the Meadows) for one service at 10:00 on Sunday, August 24.
• The music will be The Sampson Gulch Jazz Band. It is a Dixieland Jazz Band and if you haven't been a part of one  If you have never been a part of a Dixieland Jazz worship service, it would be worth coming for that experience alone.
• Parking is always an issue at Butterfield, but this Sunday sounds especially tight. Provisions have been made for shuttle service to and from the church parking lot. Shuttles will run starting at 9:15. You can drop off food and equipment at the park and then head over to the church.
• After worship we will have an all-church picnic!
• Special thanks to Jamie and Erik for planning a great event.

  See you Sunday!

The Willing Heart

  I've been on vacation for a couple weeks. It was a good time away and its good to be back.

  Here is a quote someone passed on to me during that time and it stuck with me:

Where the heart is willing, it will find a thousand ways;
Where it is unwilling, it will find a thousand excuses.

  I'm not sure I like the implications of this quote, but I think it is true. If so, then an accurate window into my heart would be framed by both my persistence and my procrastination. 

  Hmmm.