If you have lived in the area for any length of time, you know that this weekend is a big deal in Mill Creek, WA. The Mill Creek Town Center turns into a huge street festival filled with food, booths, dogs jumping 20+ feet into the water, lots and lots of vintage cars and did I mention that Pathways Church will be there.
Our theme this year is: “It’s not about us.” (Get your t-shirt today!) We will once again be raising money for children who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Zambia as we work to promote the Hoops of Hope fund-raiser that place on World AIDS Day on December 1st of this year.
I want to encourage all of us to be there this weekend. Be a part of connecting with our community. Be a part of serving in a way that will be significant for children in Africa. Be a part of the food and laughter and joy that always accompanies a street festival. Contact Andy Smith at Andy@thecea.org if you would like to be scheduled in our booth.
I will miss all of you as Leslie and I will be in Arizona this weekend. I have the opportunity to speak to the 8000+ people of Central Christian Church to say “Thank You” on behalf of Pathways Church for the blessing of helping to make this church a reality. So much has been given by the people of Central and I am thrilled to stand in the pulpit (for six of eight of their services - the other two are video venues) and speak on behalf of all God is doing here in the Everett / Mill Creek / Snohomish area through your faithfulness. Thanks for joining us on this journey!
Bob Kuest will be preaching this weekend. Here is a little taste of what’s to come this Sunday…
Are we enjoying our relationship with God? When I was a child I developed a picture of God as an old white headed man with a long beard and dressed in a black robe. He sat behind a big desk situated so that He can see the world. He held a quill to write down my every sin in a big black book. Most of us have a picture of God that is a made up of a series of myths, stereotypes and examples of people claiming to be godly. Most of our pictures sap our joy rather than promote it. Perhaps it is time to take a fresh look at how God reveals Himself in scripture. We might be surprised what we learn.
How do you see God?
I wonder what it is like to blaze a trail that nobody else has previously walked.
History is full of pioneers. From Alexander the Great to Columbus to Lewis and Clark. People who saw what could be and willingly paid a high price to pursue it.
When we conquered the earth, we moved into space and the 60’s brought us a new breed of pioneer. A new century brings pioneers that reach into cyber-space.
What does it mean for us, as followers of Jesus, and even more specifically, members of the community of Pathways, to be pioneers? To break new ground? To see what could be and willingly pay a price to pursue it?
I wonder what it is like to blaze a trail that nobody else has previously walked.
I’m trying to think how many different ways I’ve tried to start this entry. I’ve lost count. How can I possibly capture all the emotions we are experiencing in a few short paragraphs?
Thankfully, I don’t feel like I have to. I am blessed to know that I have one more opportunity to share our hearts face to face with the Pathways community this coming Sunday. I’m excited to have one more opportunity to offer thoughts of what I’ve been learning from the words of Jesus, dreams of what we would like to be part of in Austin, hopes for what Pathways might be, and the aches that go with a farewell.
We’re looking forward to one last time to be with you this Sunday. Hope to see you then.
Back to packing…
