Living in faith, hope and Love

The African-American woman walked slowly out of the worship gathering, using her cane judiciously. She greeted me in the lobby and explained that sometimes she couldn’t attend because her adult children had other commitments and couldn’t give her a ride.  Then she said something I’ve never heard before.

She said, “I tell my friends I’m going to the U.N. church!”  Then she headed to the door with an infectious smile on her face.  What a powerful description of the church.  Every nation, tongue and tribe.  Worshiping, learning, and serving together.

I am so glad I don’t have to miss out on that experience.  But can you imagine if you did?  Consider the following short video based on the question, “What would the world look like without black people.”

February is Black History Month.  This white pastor still has so much to learn.  But thanks to courageous friends in and around Seneca Creek, I’m learning.  Together we’re becoming a community of Christ followers who are experiencing genuine reconciliation.  And that is at the core of the message of the gospel.  Check out this short video by Brenda Salter-McNeil as she challenges all of us to the mission of reconciliation.  (I haven’t read the book yet, but her comments are spot on.)

Thank you to each of you for helping build a U.N. church.  It ain’t easy, but it’s the only way to go.  We’ll make mistakes.  We’ll offend one another.  But we’ll keep learning and growing and forgiving and honoring one another and honoring Christ, in whom we are all being made into one body.

– Pastor Mark

Three weeks ago I tried to practice generosity on a Sunday morning.  Many of you joined me in the moment.  But the story that followed that is even more astounding.

A woman in our church family had heard stories from others of how God provides, but angrily wondered why he didn’t provide for her.  Despite her prayers for God’s provision, she still suffered great financial need.  She seriously considered not even attending the week of January 31^st.  But when she did, and when she heard me ask those who needed funds for groceries, gas, or medication to stand up, this woman bravely stood and acknowledged her need.

You may have been one of those people who were part of answering her prayers for God’s provision.  Your generosity broke down the doubts she’d had.  But do you know what happened after that?  This woman took to heart the message on generosity, and reached out to someone else at Seneca Creek, someone who had been out of work for many months.  And she took from the gifts she received and gave part of that money to this other person right there on the spot.

I can’t help but think of Paul’s words to the church in Corinth:

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.  In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.  For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.  (2 Corinthians 8:1-3)

Their joy and poverty welled up in rich generosity.  That’s it.  Out of what God HAS given, we can give.  It might be giving our time, it might be finances, it might be our serving one another.  Rich generosity doesn’t have to spring up out of abundance.  It only requires joy—joy that starts with God’s grace.

How will God demonstrate his generosity thru you this week?

-Pastor Mark

P.S. If you missed last Sunday, you may still have junk in your closet that breeds regrets.  To learn how to clean out your closet, check out the podcast here.  See you Sunday!

Sometimes it as simple as recognizing the opportunity right under our noses.  That moment is right now.

Today (as I write this) is the first day of Lent.  I’ve tried to understand and experience this season in helpful, healthy ways for the last several years.  It’s a journey I don’t regret.  So I invite you to consider how you can make the most of this opportunity that is upon us.  Here’s an excellent perspective from Ruth Haley-Barton (find more here):

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Church’s observance of the Lenten season—six weeks that are set apart for the purpose of drawing closer to God and seeking him with greater intensity. Unfortunately, the Lenten season often gets reduced to the question, “What are you giving up for Lent?” This is a fine question, but it can only take us so far. The real question of the Lenten season is, “How will I repent and return to God with all my heart?”

This begs an even deeper question: “Where in my life have I gotten away from God, and what are the disciplines that will enable me to find my way back?”

So our focus isn’t on making ourselves miserable, but on reconnecting with God.  Sometimes the best way to do that is by removing those things that stand in the way.  Things like:

• Entertainment options
• Social media
• Creature comforts
• Indulgent appetites

I can’t get away from Ruth’s question, “Where in my life have I gotten away from God, and what are the disciplines that will enable me to find my way back?”

For me, one of the disciplines I choose is to remove all electronics “noise” from my “ride time” (while driving). No radio, CD, phone, music, etc.  Because I’ve learned over the years that this truly DOES help me find my way back in the midst of endless noise, distractions, to-do lists, etc.  Your own journey may look very different.

Whatever you may choose to “remove” from your life, whatever disciplines you implement, remember that the purpose is to find a short and straight pathway that reconnects us with God.

You may also want to consider unique opportunities to discover God thru his word, thru reflection, thru journaling, etc.  This year I’ve chosen to engage with a structured Bible reading plan available online (the Bible app, youversion.com).  It’s called Lent for Everyone.  It’s just one of many options.  Again, choose something that will help you connect with God.

The opportunity is right under our noses.  Lent offers a chance to make temporary, voluntary changes in our lives that will produce lasting, life-giving results.  If you choose this journey, it’s one that you will not regret.  Feel free to share your own decisions in the comment section below.

– Pastor Mark

So last Sunday was unforgettable.  After talking about God’s generosity, and how we can reflect that in our own lives, I asked those who had urgent financial needs (groceries, gas, medication) to stand up.  I didn’t know if anyone would have the courage to stand.  Wow was I wrong.

At each of the three gatherings we had at least one person rise to their feet and let everyone in the room know they were struggling.  That was probably the hardest thing any of them would have to do.  And what happened after that was nothing short of the work of the Holy Spirit.  There was an outpouring of generosity like nothing I’ve ever witnessed before.  Hardly a dry eye in the place.

One gentleman who received that generosity said he couldn’t remember the last time he was able to actually fill up his gas tank…he normally just puts in a couple dollars’ worth.  Another individual shared they had no money, their phone was cut off, and they were ready to throw in the towel.  Most of them were too overwhelmed to even speak.

The phrase I kept hearing from our church was, “I had no idea that this or that person was in such great need!”  People that you see each week, people who sit next to you and worship next to you.

But I keep thinking about the courage it takes to stand.  Because standing means admitting I’ve got a problem.  And we don’t like to admit that, especially when it’s about something as personal as our finances.  I don’t know if I would be able to stand.  (And if you were someone who NEEDED to stand, but didn’t, please contact our church office so we can see if there’s a way we can assist you.)

May I drop some knowledge on you?  Every week you attend Seneca Creek’s gatherings you’re sitting next to people who have unspoken needs.  People who are facing job loss, health crises, parenting problems, marital meltdowns, addiction battles, crushing loneliness, and more.  And in all likelihood, you’re someone who sits silently with unspoken needs, too.

So I’m going to challenge you to take a courageous stand.  Just like those brave individuals who rose to their feet last Sunday and said, “I need financial help,” I urge you to rise from your safe silence and begin to seek out assistance.  Stop putting on a facade of perfection.  Stop worrying what other people will think if they find out you have a need.  If nothing else, you saw last Sunday that this church doesn’t condemn those with needs, we reach out to help.

• It might mean joining a Converge group
• It might mean signing up for a Rooted group
• It might mean seeking out the prayer team after the gathering
• It might mean asking for prayer on the Connection Card
• It might mean stopping by Connection Point to ask about assistance
• It might mean making an appointment with a pastor to get help
• It might mean getting yourself to a recovery meeting
• It might mean signing up for Financial Peace University

But whatever it is, take the next step.  And let the picture of what happened last Sunday be your inspiration and encouragement.

And lest I forget, thank you for modeling generosity last weekend.  It’s truly an honor to be your pastor.

-Pastor Mark

Honestly, 30 inches of snow is enough.  More than enough.  And for many of us, it left us feeling trapped.  Some couldn’t open their doors.  Some couldn’t move their cars.  Some couldn’t walk down the block.  Held against our will by millions of tons of snow.

Thankfully, it’s melting.  And the hard-working crews are removing it.  And life is returning to normal.  But not for everyone.  There are those who are still trapped.  And they’re trapped in something far more dangerous than snow.

I’m talking about human trafficking.  I’m referring to people created in the image of God who are trapped like animals.  They can’t escape.  They can’t make their own decisions.  They can’t control their own future.  And while it would be nice to think that it doesn’t happen…or that it doesn’t happen here, that’s simply not the case.

So to help us all understand the scope and the proximity of this problem, and to help us know how we can make a difference in the lives of people trapped against their will, join us this Saturday at 6:00 pm.  It’s called, “Open Our Eyes: A Human Trafficking Awareness Event.”

And if you’re thinking, “Mark, that doesn’t sound super enjoyable,” remember what it was like to be trapped by the blizzard.  Now image that’s your entire life, and the snow never melts, and the plows never come and the darkness lasts forever.  Together, let’s be a community of Christ-followers who ignite HOPE in this dark corner of our community and our world!

“He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners…” –Jesus (Luke 4:18)

-Pastor Mark

P.S. If you’re struggling with your own lack of freedom in the area of personal finances, I urge you to sign up for our upcoming “Financial Peace University.”  I know from personal experience it’s a true game-changer.

P.P.S. Calling all dads with daughters!  Don’t miss the annual Father/Daughter Dance on Feb. 6^th this year.  You’ll never regret building these memories together.  Register here.

You gotta laugh at God’s timing. Just five days ago I preached about the importance of taking one day a week in order to rest, to reflect, to remember, and to be refreshed.  It touched a nerve with quite a few people.   

And if you wondered how you would ever find time for such a crazy idea…well God’s bringing the answer.

It’s called a blizzard!

I mean, you and I will have no choice but to stop going, going, going.  It’s quite likely we’ll be socked in our homes for days.  Resting.  Reflecting.  Remembering.  And hopefully being refreshed.  To help you make the most of this unique opportunity, I’ve collected some links and ideas at the bottom of this blog post.

But first, a couple of important updates.

You’re probably wondering if we’re cancelling our Sunday gatherings this week.  The answer is…we’ll let you know no later than Noon on Saturday.  (When in doubt, you can always check our website, www.senecacreek.org for late breaking updates.)  We’ll also notify everyone by email.  Stay tuned. And be prepared!

Second, I simply MUST give you some updates on the MLK Day of Service from earlier this week.  It was a tremendous experience for everyone involved!

Over 400 community members came out to serve, including families, scout troops and church groups.  Together they prepared:

• 200 breakfasts and 240 lunches were prepared for the men’s shelter on Gude Drive
• 1000 personal Hygiene kits were packed for various homeless shelters
• 52 Move-In kit baskets were assembled for people moving out of homelessness
• 700 Dental kits were for children moving into foster care
• 22 super hero capes for children in the hospital facing serious illness

We partnered with City of Gaithersburg for the first time, and is was a great success.  The Mayor and a couple councilmembers were able to join us, as well as a county official.

Special shout out to the following people:

• 52 people who donated blood.
• The parking team who stepped up at last minute to do a necessary but cold
  

  Parking Team

  job!

• Our first “Entertainment Team” who added that special touch of music, song, poetry reading and story telling.
• Our awesome leadership team, comprised of Sooky McFadden, Jennifer Hurt, and Melissa Widenhofer. These ladies went above and beyond, truly modeling the value of serving.

Thank you to each of you who made it an awesome experience!

Part of the Entertainment

Now about the resources I mentioned…

MUSIC: (to encourage you to reflect and remember)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6HSrcTvMqU (Naturally 7)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmUMyz66zFY (Jeremy Camp)

VIDEO: (to help you think about why a stop-day is worth it)

https://vimeo.com/9542922

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xu5HZL7Vo9U

BOOKS: (because, well, I love books!)

Sabbath Keeping, by Lynne Baab (probably the best I’ve ever read on this topic)

24/6, by Matthew Sleeth (a unique perspective from the life of a physician)

Crazy Busy, by Kevin DeYoung (a wildly practical book by a busy husband/father)

If you have other resources/ideas, feel free to add them in the comment section below.  And if you’re wondering what all this talk is about “stop-days” then check out last week’s podcast here.  I mean, you have time now, right? 🙂

-Pastor Mark

P.S. If you didn’t see it in the all church email, be sure to take note of two important events coming up.

• The Father-Daughter Dance, on Feb. 6^th   Dads, don’t let this opportunity slip away.  You’ll never regret spending an evening with your daughter(s).
• Financial Peace University – a proven way to bring God’s peace into this turbulent part of your life. Sign up today if you’ve never experienced this.

It happens every year about this time.  All those care-free, card-swiping, free-wheeling, Christmas gift-buying activities come back to haunt you.  There in the mail is your monthly statement from the credit card company.  OUCH!

The purchasing decisions you made last month have a very real impact on your financial life this month.  And maybe for many more months to come.  You MIGHT even find yourself tinged with a little bit of regret about your decisions last month.  “I KNEW I shoulda stopped opening the Amazon app on my phone!”

Turns out that experience is a lot like life in general.  The decisions (financial, career, relationships, commitments, dietary, leisure, sexual, parenting, scheduling, etc.) from last month/year/decade start to have a real impact on your life today.  And maybe for many more days or years to come.  We often live with the regret of what we did, or did not choose to do in the past.

If you’re ready for something different, I hope you’ll join us during our Winter series, “Living Beyond Regrets.”  Each week we’ll discover practical, biblical guidelines on how to live NOW so that we don’t have regrets LATER.  And how to live differently so that the decisions we’ve already made don’t become an albatross of regret around our daily lives.

If you missed the first two weeks, catch the podcast here, and here.  Then plan to join us this Sunday at 8:30, 10:00, or 11:30.  It’s one decision you definitely won’t regret!

-Pastor Mark

P.S. If you have the day off work next Monday for the Martin Luther King holiday, consider joining us for a community-wide day of service.  You can get more details here.  BREAKING NEWS: As of January 13th, we have over 430 local residents signed up to come to 13 Firstfield and serve in some capacity.  We’ve had to cut off registration for the serving stations.  However, if you’d like to help us offer this day to our neighbors (the 430 plus people), we could still use some assistance welcoming them.  Feel free to show up and check in with the welcome team to see how they can best utilize you for the time you have.

P.P.S. We’re also hosting a blood drive on MLK day from 9 am to 2 pm.  It’s another tangible way to serve.

Growing up in the Midwest is sometimes a snowy experience.  And as a child, there were few things more exhilarating than a field of fresh snow waiting to be explored.  We would create circles, paths, and stories in the snow.  Everyone wanted to go first.  It reminds me of this time of year.

January is like a field of fresh snow.  The entire year lies ahead like a blank sheet of sketch paper, unblemished, and unwritten.  Maybe you’ve already started to fill in your calendar and ink your resolutions.

But what will you write in the next 12 months?  May I make a suggestion?  Instead of clutching the marker, why not ask the Master Artist to fill in the canvas of the new year?  Why not let him direct the decisions and details?  Why not relinquish the control to the one who can see the big picture?  Why not let him trace a breath-taking design in the newly fallen snow?

There are plenty of ways to make that happen, but none more effective that the 10-week Rooted Experience. (See what others are saying about it here.)  It’s an intensive, dynamic way to connect with God, connect with his church, and connect with your purpose.  We are kicking off the next session starting Tuesday, January 12^th at 7 pm.  If you’re interested, click here to register.  If January doesn’t work for you, then pull out your calendar and mark the start date of April 5^th for the next session.

– Pastor Mark

P.S. Join us this week as we continue our new series, “Living Beyond Regret.”

Back in the ‘60’s our nation was facing political turmoil, an unpopular war, and rampant cultural uncertainty.  But did you know these circumstances were the inspiration for a popular Christmas carol?

The author of the Christmas carol was personally affected by the national turmoil.  His son had been gravely wounded in the war, and his recovery was uncertain.  What’s worse, he’d recently lost his wife in a horrible accident in which her clothes caught on fire from a candle.  And on a Christmas morning, while reflecting on his life and the challenges that lay ahead for him and his country, he heard something that gave him hope.  He heard church bells.  They were ringing in the good news that Jesus was born.  And so he took up his pen and wrote the following lines:

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Wild and sweet…the message of peace.  That hope is as vital today as it was then.  He continued to write:

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

He realized the church had been singing the song of hope and peace since its inception…despite the turmoil all around.  Then he went on:

Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

The PROMISE of peace was there, but the experience was sorely lacking.  So he wrote the next somber lines that resonate so deeply with us:

And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

But the song will not be mocked.  God will prevail.  And on that lonely Christmas morning, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow finished his epic poem with the unquenchable truth about God’s ultimate victory and peace:

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!”*

Yes, it was written in the 60’s.  The 1860’s.  And just like today, our broken world desperately needs to hear the message of hope and peace ring out from the stewards of that message: the church.  People like you and like me.

So this Christmas, I urge you to actually BE the bells that others can hear on Christmas day.  Be the bells that sound loud and deep.  Be the evidence that God IS not dead, that he DOES not sleep.  And what God has begun in us, he will one day complete.  He will prevail.  There will be peace on earth.  It starts now.  It starts with us.

-Pastor Mark

P.S. You’re invited to join us for a special Christmas Eve service with candle lights at 3:00, 5:00, or 6:30.

On a starry night in Bethlehem, a nation was waiting for God to fulfill his promise of deliverance and freedom.  It’s summed up powerfully in the words to the song, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”

O come, O come Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appears
Rejoice rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee oh Israel*

As we approach Advent (which means, “arrival”) it’s worth asking what we’re waiting for?  Are there promises of God that you’re holding on to?  Is there a freedom that has eluded you?  Is there anything you long for God to do in your life, your marriage, your family, or your city?

The longings of our heart are often expressed in our prayers.  What are you praying for this season?  What do you need God to do for you?  Whatever that is, ask.  (You may recall our recent series on Learning the Language of God.)  This is the time and the season to ask.  Not Santa Claus, but the one whom St. Nicholas worshiped: Emmanuel – God with us.

Oh come thou day-spring come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death’s dark shadows put to flight
Oh come desire of nations bind in one the hearts of all mankind
Bid thou our sad divisions cease and be thyself our king of peace
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee oh Israel*

I’m praying for God to bring his power and peace into your life and into our world this time of year.

-Pastor Mark

* by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1864