SunHills February Update

  • Feb 2, 2012
MISSION HIGHLIGHT

Our mission focus this month is our upcoming outreach to Mexico.  Mat Craig is coordinating our trip to Ensenada during spring break.  Thanks to Mat, and all of you, for your support by attending our Burrito Bash this past Sunday.  We have about 40 people planning to go to Mexico, which includes both high school students and adult volunteers.  Let’s continue to keep the team in prayer as they train and prepare spiritually.  Also, don’t forget that the Mexico team is still raising funds for this ministry – I encourage you to consider the privilege of financially supporting this outreach.  Designated envelopes are available at the back of the auditorium.

STUDENT MINISTRIES

This week has been an exciting one as Erich and Allie Grunder have been here with us to candidate for ministry leadership to our students. The week has gone very well – Erich has had multiple meetings: with Dan, staff, elders, directors, youth leaders, and a handful of others. He led the youth nights on Tuesday and Wednesday and did a great job of ministering and leading there.

I’m excited to announce that we’re bringing Erich on as Pastor of Student Ministries!  Erich and Allie grew up in Northern California. In his preparation for ministry he went to Colorado Christian University and he’s been serving as a full-time Youth Pastor in Colorado for the last 3+ years.  He will begin here with us in March and it will be great to have he and Allie, and their daughter Alexandria, join the SunHills family and ministry.

LENT

Lent begins on Feb 22 and it has been observed by many Christians as a way to prepare for Easter.  Lent is the 40-day period before Easter and represents the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert, where He endured temptation before he began His public ministry.  One way to observe Lent is to fast or to give up an activity during this 40-day period as a way to spiritually prepare for Easter.

Something that our family is going to do during the Lent season is read the book, Amon’s Adventure by Arnold Ytreeide.  This is the same author that wrote Jotham’s Journey and Tabitha’s Travels (Advent stories that we have done here at SunHills); he wrote this book as a story for the season of Lent.  Whatever it is that you, or your family, decide to do I encourage you to make this time a meaningful preparation for Easter. 

NO OTHER GOSPEL

We’re continuing to focus on the priority, and the preciousness, of the gospel (could add the power of the gospel too if you want to keep the alliteration going). As we walk through Galatians we’re reminded of how great this ‘good news’ is and how vital it is to us. We want the gospel to be central to all that we are and we want everything we do to be “in line with the truth of the gospel”.                   

The first three Sundays of February we’ll be in Galatians 2:11-21. This short section is crucially important – it includes three key verses that we’ll look at closely. Make sure you stay on track with us as we’re growing in the gospel together through this study of Galatians.  (If you do miss, you can go back and listen on-line).

MEN

Men, we’ve got some exciting opportunities for you to connect and grow together. One is a breakfast to explore men’s ministry on Feb 11, 9 am at Empire Ranch Golf Course.   For more information or to RSVP, contact Gary Landrith, .

Another is the Father-Daughter Dance, also on Feb 11, 5:30-8 pm here at SunHills.  Tickets will be on sale again this Sunday ($10/person).  For additional information, contact Scott Beijer, .  Guys, I hope to see you at both!

BUDGET

We are very thankful for the faithful giving of 2011, which helped us end the year in a good financial position. As we begin 2012 with many exciting things happening, it is important to stay on track with our budgeted giving.  Thanks for your prayerful and faithful contributions to God’s work through SunHills.

As an interesting note, some of you may have seen the Jan 26 Sac Bee article commenting on Romney’s tithing (who is giving 10%). It said that Christians on average give 2.38% of their income. We are not bound by a ‘law’ that requires a certain percentage but I think it’d be great to be people who are so touched by the love of God in Jesus and so full of hope in God that we joyfully give generously.  (See 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19 as just one example of a passage that speaks to this).  Many of you are already doing this – taking hold of the life that is truly life.  Thank you…

For the “truth of the gospel” (Gal. 2:5,14)

dan