To God be the Glory

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."  Romans 15:13

This Sunday, March 12, at 9:30am, we launch a new chapter as Calvary Parkside.  Our Vision:  To make Jesus non-ignorable in Beaverton and to the ends of the earth.  Our Mission:  To glorify God by making joyful, passionate disciples of Jesus Christ.  Our Core Values:  To WORSHIP God passionately; to CONNECT with one another authentically; to GROW to know God deeply; and to GO, SHOW and TELL the gospel boldly.

As followers of Jesus, we have been called to live worthy of God's glory.  It's an immense calling that God gives the church.  As the apostle Paul wrote:  "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen"  Ephesians 5:20-21.  More than 50 times in Scripture, God makes it clear that everything, including us and his church, exist for his glory.

As you prepare your heart and mind for this Sunday, pray this prayer:

"Lord, this is all about you!  This is not my church, this is Your church.  This is the bride of Christ that Jesus died to save.  Lord, be glorified in us.  Be glorified in this church.  For Your glory alone, Lord!  Amen."

This Sunday at 9:30am, we will continue our series, Encounters with Jesus.  Last week, Larry Annes kicked-off our series by looking at the story of the paralytic from Mark 2.  What started out as a story about four friends, desperate to see their paralyzed friend walk again, quickly turned into an encounter with the Son of God, who provided not just physical healing, but more importantly, forgiveness of sins.

This week, we will unpack the story of two touches from Mark 5.  Two touches that reveal for us the heart of God.  That God loves us.  That God looks on us with compassion, affection, and protection.  And that God desires only the best for his children.

Note:  Don't experience the horror of arriving to church as everyone else is leaving!  Don't forget to "Spring Forward"!  Set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night. 

Praying is a great way to begin "Connecting with one another authentically".

See you Sunday.

Doug