A super-important Sunday...

Oh, friends… don’t miss this Sunday if at all possible! Way more than “Super Bowl” Sunday at night, this Sunday morning is our super-important Annual Celebration meeting! God has put a strong word on my heart that will tie together where we have been in our Old Testament study with where God is leading us in the weeks and months ahead. Read Acts 20 and Colossians 2 beforehand and let’s talk! More on this in Deeper Thoughts below.
 
But first… Here’s what we’ll be doing right after church:
 
·      We will receive 14 new Covenant Partners into partnership.
·      ALL Covenant Partners will renew their commitment to partnership.
·      We will consider the appointment of two new Elders to the church, as well as a couple of new members to our Board of Administration.
·      We will unveil the “final” design of our facility expansion plans (to include 3-D walk-around videos), share the final budget estimate, and prepare you for the next super-important decision to be made… which is a “go/no-go” decision in front of us.
 
Please… everyone attend! Our Sunday morning service at 10:00 a.m. will tackle the Word of God for us; our Annual Celebration meeting after church 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. will tackle the various appointments and the building discussions. We will livestream both events for those who are out of town or sick… but if you’re here… please join us in-person!!
 
Other important stuff to know:
 
·      Teens: FIRE Youth Worship Night TOMORROW… Saturday, February 7th, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. – pizza, music, devotional, discussion, and sharing… a perfect opportunity for teens to build a deeper connection with God and each other! We’ll be INSIDE (‘cuz it’s super cold outside!).
 
o   And… no youth group Sunday morning, but plan to join us at the Annual Celebration meeting and learn all about where the church is going!
 
·      Ladies:  Join us Saturday, February 21, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. as we make prayer and gratitude journals to deepen our relationship with God. Click here for more info and to RSVP!
 
o   Men: While your ladies are out, join with us for an all-day men’s conference with Christian Fellowship Church and Reston Bible Church on Saturday, February 21, from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The focus is “Guys Growing Godlier.” Click here for more info and to RSVP!
 
·      Parents: We are putting the same challenge forward to kids to bring their Bibles every Sunday for Kids Connect. If you have questions or would like help with an age-appropriate Bible for your kids, contact Chris Bowen at [email protected].
 
·      A memorial service for my stepdad and Mt. Hope member, Larry Motz, will be held on NEXT Saturday, February 14, at 11:00 a.m. All are welcome.
 
·      Young Adults: Come hang out with Chris and Sherri (and each other!) at their home, Friday night, February 27, 6:30 p.m. – whenever. Yummy food and great fellowship included. Text or call Sherri at 571-437-3127 for details and to RSVP!
 
OK… that’s it today for you email skimmers and those who don’t want to hear any cool vision. BUT…
 
 
Some Deeper Thoughts…
 
I’ve told you a few times lately that God has gripped my heart. Hard.
 
There’s a problem in our national context that He wants to solve… and indeed can solve. But far more importantly, God wants to solve a serious situation in your heart and mine. Oh… and in fact, if the latter gets done (my heart, your heart), it’s a small but mighty step towards solving the other, larger national problem.
 
“There you go again, Chris. Way overselling.”
 
Perhaps. But maybe not?
 
Colossians 2:9 tells us that “all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form….” In other words, everything that makes God who God is was entirely embodied in Jesus Christ. OK, you got that, right? We’ve been taught that our entire Christian lives… Jesus is God in the flesh. Copy.
 
But how does this solve anything here in America or here in my messy heart? That’s found in the very next phrase: “… and you have been given fullness in Christ” (Colossians 2:10).
 
Whoa. Hold the phone. Slow down. Pause. Re-read. Did you catch it?
 
Everything that makes God who God is has been embodied in Jesus, and in Jesus, all that fullness has been poured into… wait for it… you.
 
Friends, this is not just symbolic hyperbole. This is not just warm fuzzy religious encouragement. This is the Word of the Living God. This is a profound promise of the Bible: that everything God wants to be and to do in your life and in our world is found in Jesus Christ, and when you and I choose to be in Jesus, all that “everything” God wants to do is right there available to us.
 
We’ve been seeing hints of this throughout our Old Testament teaching series called “Knowing God.” Character after character over these last 40 weeks, we have seen men and women who encountered God in such profound and supernatural ways. Perhaps we are envious of their experiences. Perhaps we feel so much less than them as we look at our own journey and don’t see such life-altering encounters. OR… perhaps we just haven’t discovered yet how to “hear the voice of God,” and what the prerequisites are to experiencing this fullness.
 
There’s a clue in the phrase “in Christ.”
 
I’ll explain on Sunday.
 
But first, would you slowly and carefully contemplate Colossians 2:1-12? See if the Lord can show you something in His own words well before you hear any of my words. I’m 1,000% certain that anything He speaks into your spirit will be WAY more transformative than anything I have to say.
 
But like the Apostle Paul, my long-winded words (see Acts 20:7-9) come from a deep, deep burden for “declaring to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27, ESV).
 
It’s burning in my heart. When we see it… when we step into it… when we live from it… everything changes. In me, in you, in our church, in our people… and maybe if enough of us truly live in Christ, even in our nation.   
 
Hmmm… I can’t wait to be in God’s Word with you. We’ll see you this Sunday, 10:00 a.m. sharp… Don’t be late… bring your Bible and a pen!!
 
Stay warm… Much love to you all…
 
Chris Eads
Mt. Hope Pastor
Friend
[email protected]