What Is Worship?
Every week as we meet together at an off-duty theatre, just north of where the sidewalks in Seattle end, I am usually inviting everyone who has gathered to “stand and join us as we worship our God together.” It’s a nice sentiment. What I mean is this:
You who have been called by God to be his witnesses in Greenwood and to the ends of the earth: watch out! You are simply unable to stand in His presence, your knees are too weak, your hearts too frail, and your minds too distracted by the things of this world. But don’t lose heart. Just admit it. And hear this good news: While you were still far away and lost and blind, this holy God became like us, never losing his God-ness, ran after you, caught you and embraced you… even though you tried to wriggle free of His grasp… ‘cause that’s so like you. And somehow, through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, your weaknesses get turned into strengths, and your death becomes life. So brace yourselves. Grab a nearby hand for support. You may, if you’re not careful, be changed by the Spirit before you have a chance to run for the doors.
So watch out!
~
Mark Mohrlang
Fresh Air
Maybe there's just something about a new year that brings about renewed purpose... or maybe it's the sight of those mountains on a clear, crisp day during an otherwise gloomy season. Either way, as mentioned below, a lot is happening in this little congregation, but we can't make all of these amazing forward movements and changes without some help and some extra hands on deck. There are quite a few of you out there already fully committed and doing what you can when you can, but we've also heard that some people want to be involved and either aren't sure how, or aren't sure where... Well here's your call to action!
Drop me a line and let me know your passions, gifts, questions, etc and we'll make sure everyone has a way to be part of the team, part of the family, part of the body of Christ in 2008 and beyond!
~Torrey Edwards
Happy New Years!
Welcome to 2008! And there's so much to look forward to this year. We're focusing the Green Bean's business structure so that we can better deliver the ministry vision of the coffee house as well as sustainably continue as a business. There's room for you to get involved at the Bean too! Hayden and Lisa are working to form ministry teams that do everything from being a barista to coming alongside customers to meet the needs that coffee can't fill.
I'm also excited for Sanctuary's Council retreat that will be held in January. We will be working through a book called "Simple Church" and challenging our organizational structure to attempt to bring about an obvious and clear organizational structure which similarly to the Green Bean will enable us to deliver our goals of ministry more effectively.
Come and see what God is going to do at Sanctuary and the Green Bean in 2008.
Urban Hymnal
Most of you know Mark Mohrlang as Sanctuary's gifted Sunday morning worship leader, but few of you know that he was born with a guitar pick in his hand and educated in the School of Rock...
I'm not sure where I'm going with that, but I did want to let everyone know that Mark, along with some other gifted musicians who have led us in worship before (Zadok Wartes, Tara Ward) have put together an amazing interdenominational worship event that will take place in a few weeks. Here is the info:
Urban Hymnal 01 | music. art. prayer. silence.
"The longest night of the year"
Dec. 14th 8-9pm
St. Mark's Cathedral
$0-10
http://urbanhymnal.org
