Uplook - April 29, 2023
It’s a sunny Saturday in Seattle,
This is something those of us who live here do not take for granted. Having pastored our church in Los Angeles for several years, I decided that those who live there have a sense of “ownership” for sunshine and certainly struggle in a variety of ways when it rains. Traffic snarls, rivers overflow their banks, school lunches must be eaten inside, etc. In Seattle, I seldom find people honking on the freeway, or anxious in the grocery store line on sunny warm days like today. We have learned to appreciate such days when they are here. Yesterday, Lori and I took one of our grandchildren for ice cream and we apparently were not the only ones inspired as we noted many parents and grandparents with children in the line as well. We have worked in the yard, cleaned out the pond, and spoken to many of our neighbors who have finally ventured outdoors for more than required activities.
I was considering how we may also take for granted the freedoms offered to us by God and also the freedom to worship God within this country. I receive literature regularly which speaks of places around the world where openly declaring Christianity or worshipping in public are punishable offences. And we often just take it for granted with a sense of “ownership” similar to the sunshine. We gather week after week, stream freely over the internet, and do so without much concern of punishment. Yet we must not take these freedoms for granted, for cultural expectations are influenced by many things and not all of them are godly and change comes quickly. Maybe this is why the writer of Hebrews declared these words of encouragement to first century believers which certainly still apply to us today.
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:23–25
God will certainly be faithful to us just as He has been to every generation. May we hold fast to the faith, encouraging each other to love and live for God and to gather together regularly more and more. Only God knows what the future holds…but may we never take for granted the privilege we have along with our families and friends, to gather together, to love like Jesus, to live for the Lord, and worship God in Spirit and Truth.
Housekeeping items:
Church Dinner – We will gather after church tomorrow for dinner in the activity room. We will be celebrating the marriage of Janeth and Devendra which happened during the pandemic lockdown. They have provided delicious food for the day so please join with us and celebrate the joy of what God has done for them.
Adult Sunday School – To allow set up for tomorrows dinner, we have moved the Adult Sunday School class to the sanctuary for tomorrow morning only. Young Adult/High School will be in their regular classroom.
Back Door Lock – It has come to my attention that some of us may be using the deadbolt to prop open the 2nd floor door (with access to the parking lot.) PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS! 1) It is beginning to damage the door jam and will break the lock. 2) It also leaves the church unsecured particularly if no one is specifically watching the door. If you must retrieve something from a vehicle or go across the street to the store and you do not have a church key, please ask someone to hold the door for you or to watch for your return. If you are simply retrieving something from your car and returning immediatly, there is a floor door stop near the waste can which can be used to prop the door open to carrying boxes, etc. inside. For the safety of our children and others in the church building, the push bar must remain locked except when there is an usher or someone else at the door. Thank you for your help.
Blue sky blessings,
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
This is something those of us who live here do not take for granted. Having pastored our church in Los Angeles for several years, I decided that those who live there have a sense of “ownership” for sunshine and certainly struggle in a variety of ways when it rains. Traffic snarls, rivers overflow their banks, school lunches must be eaten inside, etc. In Seattle, I seldom find people honking on the freeway, or anxious in the grocery store line on sunny warm days like today. We have learned to appreciate such days when they are here. Yesterday, Lori and I took one of our grandchildren for ice cream and we apparently were not the only ones inspired as we noted many parents and grandparents with children in the line as well. We have worked in the yard, cleaned out the pond, and spoken to many of our neighbors who have finally ventured outdoors for more than required activities.
I was considering how we may also take for granted the freedoms offered to us by God and also the freedom to worship God within this country. I receive literature regularly which speaks of places around the world where openly declaring Christianity or worshipping in public are punishable offences. And we often just take it for granted with a sense of “ownership” similar to the sunshine. We gather week after week, stream freely over the internet, and do so without much concern of punishment. Yet we must not take these freedoms for granted, for cultural expectations are influenced by many things and not all of them are godly and change comes quickly. Maybe this is why the writer of Hebrews declared these words of encouragement to first century believers which certainly still apply to us today.
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:23–25
God will certainly be faithful to us just as He has been to every generation. May we hold fast to the faith, encouraging each other to love and live for God and to gather together regularly more and more. Only God knows what the future holds…but may we never take for granted the privilege we have along with our families and friends, to gather together, to love like Jesus, to live for the Lord, and worship God in Spirit and Truth.
Housekeeping items:
Church Dinner – We will gather after church tomorrow for dinner in the activity room. We will be celebrating the marriage of Janeth and Devendra which happened during the pandemic lockdown. They have provided delicious food for the day so please join with us and celebrate the joy of what God has done for them.
Adult Sunday School – To allow set up for tomorrows dinner, we have moved the Adult Sunday School class to the sanctuary for tomorrow morning only. Young Adult/High School will be in their regular classroom.
Back Door Lock – It has come to my attention that some of us may be using the deadbolt to prop open the 2nd floor door (with access to the parking lot.) PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS! 1) It is beginning to damage the door jam and will break the lock. 2) It also leaves the church unsecured particularly if no one is specifically watching the door. If you must retrieve something from a vehicle or go across the street to the store and you do not have a church key, please ask someone to hold the door for you or to watch for your return. If you are simply retrieving something from your car and returning immediatly, there is a floor door stop near the waste can which can be used to prop the door open to carrying boxes, etc. inside. For the safety of our children and others in the church building, the push bar must remain locked except when there is an usher or someone else at the door. Thank you for your help.
Blue sky blessings,
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
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