SunHills February Update

  • Dan Haakenson
  • Feb 2, 2010

A friend of mine used to say that people are generally ‘down on’ what they are not ‘up on’; so here’s to getting you ‘up on’ a number of things happening in and around SunHills.

UPCOMING SUNDAYS                

This month we’ll make our way through 1 Peter 4.  There is already a burden on my heart about some of these texts and messages – they are relevant and timely and important, to us as individuals and to us as a church.  I look forward to these upcoming Sundays together.

BAPTISM

Baptism is an important step of obedience and identification for us as followers of Christ.  I talked about baptism last Sunday (Jan 31; if you missed it, click on the messages link to the right).   I look forward to our sharing in the celebration of baptism together.  Here’s the plan:

February 28 – We’ll have our regular services at 9 and 10:45 am, followed by a light lunch at 12:15.  At 1:15, we’ll make our way to the Steve Wallen Swim School, an indoor heated pool here in the business park (1230 Glenhaven Ct.).   The baptism and sharing will be at the pool at 1:30.  If you are interested in being baptized, please contact Heather in the church office ().

This is not just for those who will be baptized but is something for us all to share in together.  Please plan to join us; it will be a great time for all of us.

WORSHIP ARTS MINISTRY

We are planning a farewell for Don and the Elser family on Sunday, February 21. There will be a reception following each service that day with cake and refreshments.    We will have a memory book for you to write notes or thoughts of appreciation for the Elsers and their time with us at SunHills.

We are blessed as a church to have so many gifted musicians and worship leaders.  Jake is already coordinating the worship schedule for the next few months and we are continuing in discussions about leadership in the longer-term picture for this important area of ministry.

CAMPUS CARE – Spring Clean Day, March 6

I know, the date here is not in February but I’d like to have you get this on your calendar.  We are planning a ‘campus care’ day on Saturday, March 6. We’ll be coming together to serve on a number of projects to help around our facility and it would be great to have you join in on this day. One of the benefits – in addition to the work that will be done around the campus – is the opportunity for us to grow in relationships as we serve together here at SunHills.  So, plan to come out for the Campus Care day on March 6…

LIVE THE MISSION

We continue in our commitment to live the mission; here are a few snapshots:

  •  January Inner City ministry highlights from Rip Rouse :

Many thanks to our SunHills family for your prayerful support during our recent mission trip to the Tenderloin District in San Francisco.  We stayed at the YWAM (Youth with a Mission) facility and were highly impacted by their heart for the City. … In preparation for the trip, we studied Isaiah 58:7-11 and through those verses God challenged us to “serve the poor and the oppressed that our light may shine through”.  Through that challenge, we met many people with whom we were able to share Christ’s love through such simple things as night-time walks serving hot chocolate, helping local business by offering them simple cleaning services, and prayer walks through the city.  … In the end, we left with a different perspective and were completely fired up about how God softened our hearts for the less fortunate.  We realized very simply that we are no different than the residents of the Tenderloin -- just broken people in a broken world in need of the Savior’s love.  With love and appreciation for your prayerful support, Mitch Kellogg, Shawn Kellogg, Jimmy Koppert, Mat Craig, Jessy Gilger, Cameron Demetre, Rip Rouse

  • Mexico preparations are continuing.  Let’s continue to keep the team in prayer as they train and get ready.  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.)
  • India – During our Sunday services, we recently shared pictures of the children in Hosamane, India receiving the gifts of clothing and bedding that were made possible by your donations.  Thank you!  Please continue to pray for the spread of the good news of Jesus to the physical and spiritual needs in India.
  • There continue to be local opportunities for us to live the mission in our community.  Watch the Sunday programs or this website for details on ways to serve and share the love of Christ right here.
  • Also… don’t just wait for a program or initiative from us; you take the lead. As we have been learning in 1 Peter we are to live and talk and relate so that others will be pointed to the hope that we have in Jesus (2:12; 3:15; etc). Be praying for whom that is in your life and what God might have you do there (serve them, spend time with them, pray for them, talk to them about your faith, invite them to church, etc.).

This update may be a bit longer than typical (and longer than ideal) but if you have gotten this far – and not just skipped to the end – then you are ‘up on’ quite a bit of what is happening around here.  I’m grateful for you and glad to be in the journey with you…

Grace – dan