In the course of a given week, a lot of good things happen around here. Some are obvious and easy to see. Others are more subtle, less noticeable, but just as significant. Let me paint you a couple of pictures to illustrate what I’m talking about.

First, wasn’t it a wonderful Sunday with Gary Chapman as our special guest? It’s not everyday that a church gets to host someone who has influenced literally millions of lives and families. He does a magnificent job of bringing healthy family models under the umbrella of God’s ideal for sacred relationships. I am grateful that we were able to secure his presence with us during his west Florida fling. And I loved his message that challenged us to be intentional with the most important relationships in our lives. “The Family You’ve Always Wanted” is not just a book title, it is a worthy and attainable quest that God both honors and helps.

I have to be honest, I also enjoyed the look and feel of the noticeably larger crowd. There is a huge difference in the feel of the room when you add a couple of hundred more folks. What brought that about? Well, a nationally recognized preacher helped, but the short answer is this: a lot of folks invited a lot of folks because they knew that what was happening here could make a difference in their lives. I would hope that would be the case every Sunday. Inviting is the fist word in our mission triad, followed by connect and impact. I’m glad we have a worship that we can feel good about inviting friends to.

Second item: Phil got two calls this week, within a few minutes of each other. The first was from Family Promise telling us that a soon-to-be graduate of the program was about to get a home of her own, but had no furnishings. The second call came from a gentleman closing up his mother’s house who had a bunch of furniture to give away. One plus one equals….you get the picture. Furniture got delivered to the church then lots of folks showed up to load it up to take to our Family Promise friend. It’s amazing how God knows when folks are serious about doing his kingdom work and makes the connections. Isn’t that just like God? Makes me smile big time.

Why do I put these two celebration-worthy word pictures out there? It’s the image of the church gathered and the church sent living side by side. That’s the way it works. We come together to gain strength and encouragement. We take that with us as we go be the church in the world where God has planted us. Two sides of the kingdom coin. Each makes the other possible, stronger, and more meaningful. Gathering and going has been the model of the church for some 2000 years. And when God’s people do that well, he notices. So does the world. So does your pastor, and it makes him proud. And I thought this was as good a place as any to tell you so.

Keep inviting and showing up. Keep serving and showing out. And watch what God does with a congregation that is serious about both.

See you Sunday,

Glen